How to revert Safari sidebar to a simple list on macOS Sequoia 15.5?

Hello all,

In macOS Sequoia, for Safari 26, it is possible to revert to the old bookmarks view by using commands in the Terminal application.

• Quit Safari.
• Open Terminal (in the Applications > Utilities folder.)
• Execute the following 2 commands:

defaults write com.apple.safari SidebarBookmarksCompactViewModePreference -bool YES
defaults write com.apple.safari SidebarBookmarksHierarchyViewPreference -bool YES

• Quit Terminal.
• Open Safari.

Adapted from: https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOS/comments/1nouefb/sequoia_157_removed_safaris_bookmarks_folder_tree/

Click on the 3 dots at the top of the sidebar and choose “compact"

Lawrence Finch wrote:

Click on the 3 dots at the top of the sidebar and choose “compact"

Ah. I was somehow thinking of the giant icons under "Recently Saved."

I found a way to clean the side bar up. Select "..." next to Bookmark in the side bar. Then select "Compact" Then rename Categories as needed.

Nxb2 wrote:

Nobody seems eager to reply. Not happy that "Apple fixes" things that don't need fixing. Scrolling more to find your links is not better.

This is a user-to-user forum. Sometimes questions don't get replies because no one who knows the answer and/or is interested in answering sees them.

As far as I know, this is not adjustable. You can let Apple know your thoughts and what you'd like to see here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Slims6x wrote:

I cannot see three dots at the top of my sidebar :-( I'm using Safari Ver. 26.0.1 on an iMac running MacOS Sequoia 15.7.1

Can you post a picture of the three dots so I know I am not being entirely stupid ?

Thanks

Lawrence Finch posted a screenshot of where to find the three dots. but since you are on sequoia, you will not find the dots in that location. for those of us on sequoia, the dots are not there. so there is not a way to choose "compact"

Slims6x wrote:

Apple can we have the simple sidebar back please? If anything make it an option in settings, so people can choose which sidebar view they want - a simple list of the current icon and descriptions?

The icon and descriptions do not work for me at all.

Apple is not here. You can let them know what you'd like to see using the feedback page:

Product Feedback - Apple

If I book mark a site and give it a short name I don't need a description or lengthy name to take up space. Help anyone I was able to delete the description but the large space is still there requiring my to scroll. All I need is a one line name and if I want to view the link I may select it. Now it is cumbersome and definitely annoying. If I figure out a way I will post.

[Edited by Moderator]

And I thought it was just me! Thanks for posting this msander4d. Like you I have a lot of bookmarks and find the "new" view completely useless. I have to use the menu -> Bookmarks -> favourites -> to see my list of folders in a simple list, and then select a bookmark. But this is time consuming and annoying and makes the sidebar with its icons and description completely redundant.

Apple can we have the simple sidebar back please? If anything make it an option in settings, so people can choose which sidebar view they want - a simple list of the current icon and descriptions?

The icon and descriptions do not work for me at all.

I cannot see three dots at the top of my sidebar :-( I'm using Safari Ver. 26.0.1 on an iMac running MacOS Sequoia 15.7.1

Can you post a picture of the three dots so I know I am not being entirely stupid ?

Thanks

I’ve also found it quite difficult to scan through the list at a glance.

Nobody seems eager to reply. Not happy that "Apple fixes" things that don't need fixing. Scrolling more to find your links is not better.

that is the fix for Tahoe. however, those of us (like the OP here) with Sequoia and safari 26, the "three dots" are MIA.

Apple contacted - done!