Fix Backspace Not Working in Safari 8 on macOS

macossafari

In every single browser on every single OS (with a keyboard) I've used, backspace would go (history.)back to the previous visited page in that tab. For some reason this doesn't work for me on my new MacBook with OSX Yosemite 10.10.1 in Safari 8.0.2. Is this normal behaviour (seriously, why?) or can I somehow enable it?
It does work in Chrome and Firefox on my MacBook.

I'm new to Mac and still need to get used to the multi-finger swipe on the trackpad, but I am aware that is another way to do this. Just want my old trusted backspace behaviour back. 😉

Best Answer

Not sure if you are asking what they are in Safari.

CMD + [ Go back (or cmd+alt+5)

CMD + ] Go forward (or cmd+alt+6)

But you can make it work using Terminal with following (Thanks to @Tetsujin research)

Terminal command to re-enable Backspace/Delete as "Back-Button":

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

Quit Safari, then copy & paste the command in a Terminal window (Applications → Utilities) and hit enter. Quit Terminal and restart Safari.

Terminal command to undo the set preference:

defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2BackspaceKeyNavigationEnabled -bool NO