This decision, detailed in a company support document, aligns with iCloud’s minimum software requirements, forcing users of older devices to take steps so as not to lose access to this functionality, such as making the jump to devices more current.
What does this change imply?
Starting on this date, Safari bookmarks on devices with these software versions will no longer sync with other devices or upload to iCloud.com. This means that:
- Existing bookmarks: Bookmarks already saved on devices will remain available locally.
- New markers: They can still be created on those devices, but they will not be synced with other devices linked to the same iCloud account.
- Recovery: New bookmarks cannot be recovered from iCloud.com if they are lost or deleted.
The only way to keep syncing active will be to update your devices to iOS 11 or macOS Sierra 10.12.6 or later.
What you can do to avoid losing your bookmarks
If you have a device running iOS 10 or earlier, or a Mac running macOS Sierra 10.12.5 or lower, Apple recommends two alternatives to manage this transition:
- Update software– For iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch users, iOS 11 or newer will need to be installed. On Macs, the minimum update required is macOS Sierra 10.12.6. If your device does not support these versions, you will be left out of the bookmark synchronization functionality.
- Export bookmarks. Apple suggests copying or exporting bookmarks before the deadline. This will allow you to keep them manually on other devices or browsers. The export process is detailed in Apple’s support document.
For those still using older devices, this change can be important, especially if they rely on iCloud to keep their browsing in sync between different devices. Without automatic bookmark synchronization, you will have a anddisconnected systemin which users will lose the ability to access their updated bookmarks in real time from other devices, breaking one of the key advantages of the Apple ecosystem.
On the other hand, you will have to make a gmanual estion to keep bookmarks up to date, which will require processes such as exporting and importing files, a tedious and impractical task compared to automatic synchronization. Additionally, compatibility will be limited, as older devices will continue to work but will be increasingly disconnected from Apple’s updates and cloud services.
This move is part of a series of updates in the iCloud minimum requirements. Apple also announced that device backups to iCloud will require iOS 9 or later starting December 18. If affected devices are not updated, existing iCloud backups will be deleted, forcing users to make manual backups to a Mac or PC.
The technological obsolescence forces users with older devices to upgrade or lose key functionality. Before December 18, export bookmarks, update your software, or consider upgrading your device to continue enjoying the Apple ecosystem and services.
