Slow iCloud data recovery for deleted bookmarks on Mac

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Level 2

378 points

Slow iCloud data recovery for deleted bookmarks on Mac

I inadvertently deleted nearly all my bookmarks, and have been trying to restore them, via iCloud's Data Recovery. Well, it's been four hours, and while there are 6,000 bookmarks, should it really be taking this long?

I see in Activity Monitor that iCloud.com has been using close to 100% CPU for this entire four hours, yet I don't see any of my bookmark folders in the bookmarks toolbar, and wonder what is going on. It sure took no time for iCloud to delete them all, so why is it taking so long for it to restore them?

Plus, in the Restore Bookmarks window, on the Data Recovery page, I've selected all bookmarks. And when I click the Restore button, I see the circular wheel in motion, but only for a few seconds. Is that normal? Is it in the process of restoring my bookmarks or not? I would think if it weren't doing so, then it wouldn't be using nearly 100% CPU Usage, right? This is all so confusing, and very frustrating, as even the Apple specialist wasn't sure if it's just taking a long time, or not working. Anyone know more about this? Thanks...

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Data Recovery Taking Forever?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.7

Posted on Oct 28, 2025 11:13 PM

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Answer 1

Saxman Author

Level 2

378 points

Oct 30, 2025 8:33 AM in response to Saxman

Still not working, after another hour on the phone with an "elevated Apple specialist". This morning, trying it again, I just realized, that when I hit the Restore button, and it only shows the "restoring" spinning gear for about five seconds, that it will restore all of TEN bookmarks!

So if I keep manually hitting the button, over & over, it will only take me hitting it about 660 times, to finally get all my bookmarks back! This is UNACCEPTABLE! iCloud had no problem deleting 6,600 bookmarks in an instant, yet somehow can't restore them beyond ten at one time??

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Answer 2

Saxman Author

Level 2

378 points

Oct 29, 2025 9:07 AM in response to Saxman

OK, Activity Monitor now shows it's been "recovering" for EIGHT & A HALF HOURS, yet I see none of my deleted bookmarks! Also, I can't even find the Safari folder with the Bookmarks plist, anywhere. It's not in my user library, and have no idea where it is, as it won't even come up when I search in Finder.

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