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At least on lion, the following works to re-enable this:

defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2BackspaceKeyNavigationEnabled -bool YES

( yes, the key really starts with com.apple.Safari. Go figure )



To undo, replace YES with NO.

Thank you for posting this. Definitely worked. This was driving me crazy.
 
At least on lion, the following works to re-enable this:

defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2BackspaceKeyNavigationEnabled -bool YES

( yes, the key really starts with com.apple.Safari. Go figure )



To undo, replace YES with NO.

Help this Mac newbie do this... :) Please?! :) Where do you enter that?
 
You enter that in Terminal, which is in your Applications/Utilities (or find it in Spotlight or similar). Copy-paste it exactly, since spaces and such matter.
 
so copy and paste both lines? one at a time?

It should all be one line. I think it won't wrap with code tags. Try this:

Code:
defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2BackspaceKeyNavigationEnabled -bool YES
 
It should all be one line. I think it won't wrap with code tags. Try this:

Code:
defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2BackspaceKeyNavigationEnabled -bool YES

ok I did that... but Safari was open... and I haven't closed and opened it yet (just in the middle of something)... will it take effect then?
 
ok I did that... but Safari was open... and I haven't closed and opened it yet (just in the middle of something)... will it take effect then?

You'll have to quit safari (not just close it) and reopen it for this to take effect. So, it won't work yet. But whenever you are done, quit and relaunch and it'll start working.
 
You'll have to quit safari (not just close it) and reopen it for this to take effect. So, it won't work yet. But whenever you are done, quit and relaunch and it'll start working.

thank you VERY much... much appreciated
 
At least on lion, the following works to re-enable this:

defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2BackspaceKeyNavigationEnabled -bool YES

Excellent, thank you :)

Isn't it easier and faster to just use the finger gesture to go back?

Not when you've been hitting the backspace key without even having to think about it since the mid-1990s ;)
 
Recipe works on Mountain Lion to restore back button

dylanryan's recipe works to restore the back button go-back-one-page should you want to continue the 20+ yr old browser traditional behavior. thanks!

At least on lion, the following works to re-enable this:

defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2BackspaceKeyNavigationEnabled -bool YES

( yes, the key really starts with com.apple.Safari. Go figure )



To undo, replace YES with NO.
 
Thank you so much for the code for terminal!

This along with the unified address and search bar of Safari 6 has been tough getting used to. Out of instinct, I hit command-t for a new tab followed by a prompt press of the Tab on the keyboard to get me over to the search bar to get me going. This is much like the backwards scrolling or the right scrolling Lion introduced! :D

The Command-arrow seems to be a good option but that requires some thought as well as multiple fingers. My pinky finger operates the other keyboard shortcut. Hell, it works so fast I don't even know I do it!

And to those out there saying these other shortcuts are just as good...Not everyone goes out and buys everything apple releases. I don't have the lastest and greatest trackpad, external trackpad or mouse. We should be fine as long as they don't severely cripple us.

Again, thanks for the string of code for terminal! This will be great!

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This is a BEAUTIFUL thing! Working perfect for me under Mountain Lion 10.8!

Thanks Again!
 
I'm happy this was removed. I don't know if it was optional in the past, but I can distinctly recall two frustrating instances where I was typing into various fields on a form, tried to delete some text, and ended up going "back".
 
Thanks for the terminal code, it did the trick. I just upgraded safari but not to Mountain Lion.
 
Doesn't work on my safari 5.1.7 on windows 7. So its not all browsers. Anyhow I hate that feature because I'm always hitting it while typing. So annoying.
 
At least on lion, the following works to re-enable this:

defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2BackspaceKeyNavigationEnabled -bool YES

( yes, the key really starts with com.apple.Safari. Go figure )



To undo, replace YES with NO.

Not the most talented or trained Mac user, could you tell me how to get where I need to be to implement this change? Thanks so much!

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Not the most talented or trained Mac user, could you tell me how to get where I need to be to implement this change? Thanks so much!
Figured it out by reading all of the other posts, sorry, and thanks!!
 
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