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Discover how to easily extract the original URL from a saved `.webarchive` file in macOS using PlistBuddy.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/65657792/ asked by the user 'Greg' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/2565086/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/66438610/ provided by the user 'lizyn' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/8567816/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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How to Retrieve the Original URL from a Saved .webarchive on macOS

If you’ve ever saved a webpage on your Mac using Safari, you’re likely familiar with the .webarchive format. This format allows you to save the complete content of the page, enabling you to revisit a specific state of that webpage. But what happens when you need to find out the original URL from which the content was saved? This can be particularly frustrating when you have important information to edit or submit, as illustrated in a recent query about retrieving a URL from a .webarchive file. Let's explore the problem and its solution in detail.

The Problem: Missing Original URL

In the scenario presented, a user saved a lengthy application as a .webarchive but lost track of the original URL they were on when completing the application. They faced a time crunch, needing to return to the specific web page for edits before the application deadline. Searching through Safari history only yielded an error, and manual checks of the .webarchive file didn’t reveal any obvious clues. This prompted the question: Is it possible to extract the original URL?

The Solution: Using PlistBuddy to Extract URL

Fortunately, locating the original URL from a .webarchive file is indeed possible. This is achievable using a built-in utility on macOS called PlistBuddy, which allows you to read property list files (plist) that .webarchive files are essentially structured as. Below, we’ll break down the steps to help you retrieve that essential URL.

Step-by-Step Guide to Retrieving the Original URL

Step 1: Open Terminal

Access the Terminal application on your Mac. You can find this by searching for "Terminal" in Spotlight or navigating through Applications Utilities.

Step 2: Run PlistBuddy Command

In the Terminal, input the following command:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Replace /path/to/file with the actual path where your .webarchive file is located. For example, if the file is on your desktop and named application.webarchive, the command would look like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 3: Analyze the Output

If the command is successful, it will return the original URL of the webpage that was saved. If there’s no output or an error message appears, it suggests that the original URL is not available in the .webarchive file.

Additional Considerations

Binary Format: Remember that the .webarchive files are saved in binary plist format. This means any non-technical approaches (like simply opening in text editors) may not yield useful or readable results.

Regular Backups: It’s a good practice to back up important URLs or content while completing online forms, especially lengthy applications, to avoid similar situations in the future.

Conclusion

Being able to retrieve an original URL from a .webarchive file on macOS is a straightforward process once you know how to use the right tools. With just a few commands in Terminal, you can save yourself a lot of hassle in critical situations. So, next time you find yourself searching for that elusive original URL, remember this method and tackle that application with confidence!