Backspace Key as Back Button in Safari 12 and above

[Paul Franklin]

Ah I see!

Tried to copy, but "Operation not permitted"
Does that tell you anything?

Didn't dare try removing just in case

 

[bogdanw]

Ah I see!
Tried to copy, but "Operation not permitted"
Does that tell you anything?
Didn't dare try removing just in case

Tested on a newly created standard user account in Catalina 10.15.4 (19E266):
the entire folder ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Safari is created after Safari is started for the first time. So, the standard account can delete the entire folder from Finder, even the whole ~/Library/Containers. For an unknown reason (another Catalina bug probably), defaults write returns Operation not permitted for ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Safari/Data/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.plist.
I was able to run the command after giving Terminal Full Disk Access from the admin account. The good news is that only the second command is now needed to set backspace as Back in Safari.
So, try to:
- give Terminal Full Disk Access
- run defaults write ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Safari/Data/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.plist NSUserKeyEquivalents -dict-add Back "\U232b"
(with sudo if it still fails without)

 

[Paul Franklin]

YESSSSS!
You're a wizard!
Thanks so much, on behalf of myself and the other 5 people in the world who like this function

P.

 

[Majq1]

I have macOS Big Sur 11.3.1. I try any solutions to set Backspace in Safari, but not working.

1. I give Terminal Full Disk Access

2. Deleted com.apple.Safari.plist in ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Safari/Data/Library/Preferences/

3. Recreated this file (defaults write ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Safari/Data/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.plist NSUserKeyEquivalents -dict-add Back "\U232b") - new file created ok

4. defaults write com.apple.Safari NSUserKeyEquivalents -dict-add Back "\U232b"

But not work. Has anyone tried on this system?

 

[bogdanw]

I have macOS Big Sur 11.3.1.

Try these

sudo rm -f ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Safari/Data/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.plist
sudo rm -f ~/Containers/com.apple.Safari/Data/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.plist

defaults write ~/Containers/com.apple.Safari/Data/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.plist NSUserKeyEquivalents -dict-add Back "\U232b"
defaults write ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Safari/Data/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.plist NSUserKeyEquivalents -dict-add Back "\U232b"

 

[Majq1]

Still nothing. They only reset Safari settings but the shortcut has not changed.

 

[bogdanw]

Still nothing. They only reset Safari settings but the shortcut has not changed.

The first two commands are just to make sure any previous unsuccesful attempts are deleted.
It should work with only the last two, here is a proof on a standard (non-admin) account. I didn't have time to update this virtual machine.

 

[Majq1]

My screen.

I understand what these commands mean. I am an IT specialist, but I worked on Windows. MacOS seems simpler and shouldn't be a problem. But I don't understand, maybe they turned it off for good in the new version of Safari.

 

[bogdanw]

My screen.

I understand what these commands mean. I am an IT specialist, but I worked on Windows. MacOS seems simpler and shouldn't be a problem. But I don't understand, maybe they turned it off for good in the new version of Safari.

You've missed post #7 Instead of Back, use Wroc (with the correct spelling)

 

[posguy99]

You've missed post #7 Instead of Back, use Wroc (with the correct spelling)

What you're not explaining is that since you're replacing a menu key equivalent, you have to use the actual *localized* menu text, not the word "Back".

 

[bogdanw]

Testing in Polish, only one command seems to be enough, just as in Catalina.

defaults write ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Safari/Data/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.plist NSUserKeyEquivalents -dict-add Wróć "\U232b"

Hope this clarifies what it seems not to have been understood previously.

 

[Majq1]

I just checked. OK, works.
I did not know that I have to use the actual menu text.
Thanks. I'm just getting to know MacOS.

 

[granfio]

For Italian version the terminal command is:
defaults write ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Safari/Data/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.plist NSUserKeyEquivalents -dict-add Indietro "\U232b"

Just working on Safari 14.1.1

 

[digbill]

Setting up on a Monterey 12.0, Safari 15.0, M1Pro machine and I can't figure out what to do. I remember the last time I dealt with this backspace problem a few years ago it was one code copied into terminal, press enter, and it worked. Now I don't know where to begin. If anyone know's what to do, I would be soooo happy!

 

[bogdanw]

Setting up on a Monterey 12.0, Safari 15.0, M1Pro machine and I can't figure out what to do. I remember the last time I dealt with this backspace problem a few years ago it was one code copied into terminal, press enter, and it worked. Now I don't know where to begin. If anyone know's what to do, I would be soooo happy!

I can confirm that it's working in Safari 15 Big Sur and Montrey. Close Safari and try this first from Terminal:

defaults write com.apple.Safari NSUserKeyEquivalents -dict-add Back "\U232b"

Give it 20 seconds or better log out for the change to take effect.

 

[digbill]

I can confirm that it's working in Safari 15 Big Sur and Montrey. Close Safari and try this first from Terminal:

defaults write com.apple.Safari NSUserKeyEquivalents -dict-add Back "\U232b"

Give it 20 seconds or better log out for the change to take effect.

!! I had to do the step about giving terminal full disk access, and it worked! Browsing the web makes sense again! Thank you!

 

[digbill]

!! I had to do the step about giving terminal full disk access, and it worked! Browsing the web makes sense again! Thank you!

 

[ab22]

After updating to macOS 10.14.4 with Safari 12.1, the backspace key doesn't seem to work as back button anymore. I have tried with defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2BackspaceKeyNavigationEnabled -bool YES and Onyx/Deeper, but with no luck. If anyone finds a solution, please share it.

I know you found a way by changing the shortcut, but this works in Safari 16.6 here on Ventura 13.5

defaults write com.apple.Safari WebKitPreferences.backspaceKeyNavigationEnabled 1

 

[bogdanw]

I know you found a way by changing the shortcut, but this works in Safari 16.6 here on Ventura 13.5

defaults write com.apple.Safari WebKitPreferences.backspaceKeyNavigationEnabled 1

As Apple has depreciated a lot of WebKit options lately, I’m surprised this was resurrected and working.

I can confirm both work in Safari 17 on Ventura 13.5.

defaults write com.apple.Safari NSUserKeyEquivalents -dict-add Back "\U232b"

with the note that this one does not require localization, it’s the same for every macOS display language

defaults write com.apple.Safari WebKitPreferences.backspaceKeyNavigationEnabled 1