Apple bookmark hell (resolved)

See the previous post in time sequence for background information.

INVARIANT

• Keep bookmarks on Xmarks server correct at all times; Xmarks offers more control.
• On Mac Chrome/Firefox, UPLOAD good bookmarks to Xmarks server.
• Guard this TREASURE.

PROBLEM

• Bookmarks on iPhone/iPad were all messed up, because iCloud bookmarks were all messed up.
• Bookmarks on desktop Chrome / Firefox / Safari were all good, thanks to Xmarks.
• There seemed to be no way to delete the messed up bookmarks on iCloud.

SOLUTION

1. On iPhone/iPad, turn OFF iCloud/Safari syncing and DELETE local (messed up) bookmarks.
2. On Mac System Preferences, turn OFF iCloud/Safari syncing.
3. On Mac Safari, DELETE ALL BOOKMARKS.
4. On Mac Safari, use Xmarks for Safari to DOWNLOAD good bookmarks from Xmarks server.
5. On Mac System Preferences, turn ON iCloud/Safari syncing.
6. Good ["fresh-looking" imported from Xmarks] Mac Safari bookmarks should propagate to iCloud.
7. If you see on Mac Safari messed up bookmarks:
• Delete Safari bookmarks, go back to 2nd step and retry.
• You aren't winning until the Mac Safari bookmarks stay OK after iCloud is re-enabled.
8. Then on iPhone/iPad, turn ON iCloud/Safari syncing.
9. If iPhone/iPad bookmarks are still messed up:
• Go back to 1st step and retry.
• You haven't won until the iPhone/iPad Safari bookmarks stay OK after iCloud is re-enabled.

Apple bookmark hell

My Chrome bookmarks are perfect, and synced to an Xmarks server. I have Xmarks for Safari and Xmarks for Firefox, and so my bookmarks are also perfect on Safari and Firefox. Enter iCloud. There seems to be no way to get bookmarks from a Mac to iPhone/iPad without going through iCloud. The problem is that iCloud's bookmarks are a train wreck, duplicates everywhere, everything out of order. I can't delete the iCloud bookmarks, I can only "merge" with them. Well, I don't want to merge perfectly good bookmarks with a pile of crap. I want to delete the iCloud bookmarks and have them replaced with what's on Safari, Apple's own browser. I can't believe there's no way to do that. I've been through the Apple Community pages and various blogs, and there are some people who write recipes with 23 steps, turning computers and devices off and on a half dozen times. Really? Apple is usually so good, but my God, I can't believe it's so bad at this. Does anyone happen to have a magic incantation?