open safari from ios app

Safari: A Beginner’s Guide for iPhone or iPad Users

Safari can be intimidating to learn when you first start using it, but this guide will help you get used to it.

On Apple devices, the default web browser is called Safari. It shares a lot of similar features to other common browsers, like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. But if you’re new to using Safari, you may feel a little lost because the interface is slightly different to the others.

So, here’s a beginner’s guide on how to use the Safari app to browse the web on your iPhone or iPad.

How to Search for Content in the Safari App

As with all web browsers, you’ll need to first enable your iPhone’s mobile data or connect to a Wi-Fi network to access the internet.

Then, to search in Safari, simply type a term, phrase, or URL into the Smart Search bar at the bottom of the screen and tap Go on your keyboard. The Smart Search bar is a combination of the address bar and search bar. As you type, you’ll see search suggestions based on your keyword as well as results from your bookmarks and browsing history.

How to Navigate a Webpage in Safari

Once you obtain your search results, you tap on a link you’re interested in. Now let’s look at how you can navigate the webpage once it’s loaded.

How to Jump Back to the Top of Webpage

After swiping to scroll down a long article, you may want to go back up to access the website’s menu. To instantly jump back to the top of the webpage, just tap the topmost edge of your screen.

How to Go Backward (or Forward) a Webpage

After tapping on a link, perhaps the webpage isn’t quite something you’re looking for. To go back to your search results, swipe from left to right from the edge of your screen.

To go forward on a webpage, swipe from right to left instead.

Related: Essential Safari iOS Tips & Tricks for iPhone Users

How to Reveal the Safari Address Bar

Your Safari address bar is automatically hidden away when you’re scrolling down a webpage. To bring it back, tap the bottom edge of the screen that shows the website’s main URL.

How to Work With Multiple Tabs in the Safari App

Having multiple tabs opened in Safari can help you to compare information between webpages and search for new content without having to close your current webpage. Here’s how to work with multiple tabs in Safari on your iPhone or iPad.

How to Open a New Tab

To open a new tab, select the Tabs icon in the bottom-right corner, which looks like two overlapping squares. Then tap the Plus (+) to open a new tab.

How to Switch Between Tabs

Again, hit the Tabs icon. You’ll see a gallery of all your opened tabs in Safari. Select a tab to visit the webpage you want.

Since the release of iOS 15, Apple introduced a new feature in Safari: tab groups. Many of us are probably guilty of having way too many opened tabs. Therefore, organizing tabs into groups makes them more manageable. Learn more about how to use tab groups in Safari on your iPhone .

How to Open a Link in a New Background Tab

When you read long articles, you’ll likely come across a link or two within the content that sparks your interest. To avoid disrupting your reading process, you can make Safari open the link in the background, in a new tab. To do so:

Go to the Settings app.
Select Safari .
Scroll down and tap Open Links .
Choose In Background .

Next time you want to open a link, long-press it. Then, select Open in Background . When you want to visit that link, select Tabs to view all your opened tabs and choose the loaded webpage.

Saving and Sharing Webpages in Safari

The internet gives you access to a whole new world of information. Save a webpage to refer to it later, or share it with your family and friends.

How to Bookmark a Safari Webpage

To bookmark a webpage to read later, tap the Share icon in the middle of the bottom of the screen (it looks like an arrow coming out of a square) and select Add Bookmark . Type in a bookmark name.

To access your bookmarked webpage later, tap the Bookmark icon (an opened book) and browse through your bookmarks, reading list, and history to find what you’re looking for.

Besides the bookmark option, you’ll also notice that you can add a webpage to your favorites or reading list. Marking a webpage as a favorite will make it show up on your Safari home page. It’s useful if you visit the website often.

To learn more about reading lists, you can visit our guide on the differences between a bookmark and a reading list .

How to Share a Link From the Safari App

Stumble upon an interesting DIY project? A promising recipe you’d like to share with your family? You don’t have to bookmark and remind yourself to show the webpage to them later. You can share the link directly from the Safari app.

Tap the Share icon. You can then select the receiver’s name from the horizontal list of recent contacts, or choose your preferred communication app to send the Safari link to them.

Erasing Your Digital Footprint in Safari

If you’re an aspiring crime writer, having a friend notice your crime-filled search history when they peer over your shoulder is inevitably awkward. Hence, there are some things we’d prefer to keep private and erase all traces of once we exit a web browser.

Safari has a few features to help you with this.

How to Close a Tab

If you don’t close your tabs, old webpages will just auto-load again the moment you head into Safari. Having too many opened tabs affects your browsing speed as well.

Closing a tab is simple. You just need to tap the Tabs icon and then tap the Close (x) button in the corner of the tab.

How to Browse Privately in Safari

Similar to Google Chrome’s Incognito Mode, Safari has a feature called Private Browsing Mode. Your autofill information and browser history won’t be saved when you use this function. Here’s how to use it:

First, tap the Tabs icon.
Select the center Tabs button with an arrow next to it.
Choose Private .
To open a new private tab, tap the Plus (+) button.

Whenever you’re in doubt about whether you’re in Private Browsing Mode, just check the Smart Search Bar. It will be dark grey instead of white when you’re browsing privately.

How to Clear Your Safari Browsing History

If you forgot to use Private Browsing while searching for confidential information, don’t worry. You can still clear your history in Safari. Just follow these steps:

Tap the Bookmarks icon.
Select History (the clock icon).
Tap Clear .
Choose the time length from which you want Safari to clear your history.

Use the Safari App to Surf the Internet on Your iPhone

The Safari app has all the features you need for a seamless browsing experience. Once you’re familiar with these basic functions, you can check out and download Safari extensions from the App Store to enjoy more helpful features while surfing the internet on your iPhone or iPad.

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How to Use the Safari Web Browser on iPhone

Get online wherever you are

Ithaca College

Jump to the Top of a Page

Browse Your History
Open a New Tab
Find the Action Menu
Use Private Browsing
Search for Content

The web browser that comes with every iPhone , iPod touch , and iPad is called Safari . While you can install third-party web browsers from the App Store , Safari is a great option for most users.

Apple adapted the iOS version of Safari from the desktop version that has come with Macs for many years. However, the mobile version of Safari is different in many ways.

These instructions apply to devices with iOS 12 or later.

How to Use Safari in iPhone and iOS Devices

To control Safari, you use the same gestures as found elsewhere on the iPhone. Swipe to scroll web pages and tap links to open web pages. But Safari also has some special features that might not have counterparts in other apps you use. Here are some tricks that will help you get the most out of your internet browsing.

Zoom in and Out in iPhone Safari

To zoom in on a particular section of a web page—for example, to enlarge the text on the page you're reading—tap twice on that part of the screen. This gesture enlarges that section of the page. The same double-tap zooms out again.

To have more control over what you're zooming in on, use the iPhone multitouch pinch feature:

Put your index finger together with your thumb and place both fingers on the part of the iPhone screen that you want to zoom in on.
Then, drag your fingers apart to zoom in on the page.
To zoom out and make things smaller, put your fingers at opposite ends of the screen and drag your fingers together in a pinching motion.

To scroll down the page, drag a finger down the screen. On a long, scrolling page, jump back to the top quickly with a single tap. Tap the top center of the screen. The first tap reveals the address bar in Safari, and the second immediately jumps to the top of the web page.

The second tap should be near the top of the screen, on the clock. Otherwise, Safari opens the address field for you to type a search or website address.

Move Back and Forth Through Your History

Safari keeps track of the sites you visit. Use the Back and Forward buttons and gestures to move through the sites and pages you've been to recently. There are two ways to access this feature:

Arrow buttons at the lower-left corner of the screen are the Forward and Back buttons.
Swipe to go back or forward. Swipe the left edge of the screen to go back and the right edge to go forward.

Open a New Safari Tab

Opening a new tab in Safari lets you visit another website without closing the one you're on currently. Here's how to use this feature.

These instructions use Safari with the phone in portrait mode. The features work the same in landscape mode, but the buttons may be in different places.

Tap the Tabs icon in the lower-right corner of the screen. The page you're on gets smaller. Tap the plus icon to open a new, blank tab.

You can also open a link on a web page in a new tab. Find the link you want to open in a new window. Tap and hold the link on the screen to open the menu. Tap Open in New Tab . The link opens in a new tab.

If your device supports 3D Touch , long-press down to open this menu.

Find the Action Menu in Safari

The icon at the lower-center of Safari that looks like a box with an arrow coming out of it is called the Action menu. Tapping it reveals features to bookmark a site, add it to your favorites or reading list, make a shortcut for it on your device's home screen , print the page , share a page, and more.

Use Private Browsing in iPhone Safari

Use the Private Browsing mode to browse websites without Safari keeping a browser history, search history, or AutoFill information after you close a tab. To enable it, tap the Tabs button to open your browser tabs. Tap Private in the lower-left corner to open a private browsing section. Here, you can press the plus button at the bottom to open a private browsing tab and start surfing the web.

To turn Private Browsing Mode off, tap the Private button again in the lower-left corner of the window.

Search for Content in Safari

Have you browsed to a web page that's full of text and want to find a specific word or phrase? The Safari Find on Page feature can help.

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How To Open Links In App Instead Of Browser iPhone

How-To Guides
Software Tutorials

how-to-open-links-in-app-instead-of-browser-iphone

Introduction

As iPhone users, we often encounter situations where we click on a link and it opens in the default web browser. While this may be convenient for general browsing, there are times when we would prefer the link to open directly in a specific app. Whether it’s a YouTube video link that you want to watch in the YouTube app or an Instagram profile that you want to view in the Instagram app, opening links in the appropriate app can provide a more seamless and optimized user experience.

In this article, we will explore different methods to open links in apps instead of the browser on your iPhone. These methods will give you more control over how links are handled, allowing you to bypass the browser and open them directly in the associated app. We will cover both built-in settings and third-party apps that can help you achieve this.

By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of how to customize your iPhone’s settings to ensure that links open in apps rather than the browser, providing a more efficient and streamlined experience for your online activities.

Why Open Links in App?

Opening links in the appropriate app instead of the browser on your iPhone offers several advantages and can significantly enhance your digital experience. Here are a few reasons why you might want to consider opening links in apps:

Improved User Experience: Apps are specifically designed to provide a seamless and tailored experience for specific types of content. Whether it’s watching videos, browsing social media, or reading articles, using the dedicated app will often offer a more intuitive and immersive experience compared to a web browser.
Access to Additional Features: Many apps have unique features not available in the browser. For example, the YouTube app allows you to subscribe to channels, create playlists, and receive personalized recommendations. By opening links in the app, you gain access to these features and can fully utilize the app’s capabilities.
Optimized Content Display: Apps are optimized for displaying content in a specific format, ensuring that it looks and feels consistent with the app’s design. Opening links in the app can enhance the readability of articles, the playback quality of videos, and the overall visual experience of images and multimedia.
Efficient Workflow: For frequent app users, opening links directly in the app can save time and improve productivity. For example, if you receive an email with a link to a document stored in a cloud storage app, opening it directly in the app eliminates the need to navigate through the browser and find the file manually.
Preset Preferences: Some apps allow you to personalize your settings, such as dark mode, font size, or autoplay preferences. By opening links in the app, you ensure that your preferences are applied, providing a consistent and customized experience every time.

By choosing to open links in apps instead of the browser, you can enjoy a more streamlined, feature-rich, and personalized digital experience on your iPhone. The following sections will provide you with practical methods to implement this functionality and take full advantage of your favorite apps.

Method 1: Change Default Browser Settings

If you prefer to open links in specific apps rather than the browser on your iPhone, you can start by adjusting the default browser settings. By changing the default browser, you can ensure that links open directly in the desired app. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap on the “Safari” option.
Step 3: Within the Safari settings, locate the “Default Browser App” option.
Step 4: Tap on the option and choose the app that you prefer to use as your default browser.
Step 5: Once you’ve selected the app, the links you click on will now open directly in that app instead of Safari.

By changing the default browser settings, you are directing your iPhone to open links in the desired app. However, keep in mind that this method only works for links that open in the browser by default. In cases where links are designed to open in specific apps, this method may not be effective.

It’s worth noting that this method is available on devices running iOS 14 and later. If you are using an earlier version of iOS, the default browser settings may not be available, and you will need to explore alternative methods.

Now that you’ve learned how to change the default browser settings, you can ensure that links are opened directly in the app of your choice. However, if you’re looking for more flexibility and control over opening links in apps, let’s explore an additional method using the Shortcuts app in the next section.

Method 2: Use Shortcuts App

If changing the default browser settings doesn’t give you the desired control over opening links in apps on your iPhone, you can utilize the Shortcuts app to create custom shortcuts for specific actions. Shortcuts allow you to automate tasks and workflows, including opening links in specific apps. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Ensure that you have the Shortcuts app installed on your iPhone. If not, you can download it for free from the App Store.
Step 2: Open the Shortcuts app and tap on the “Create Shortcut” button to start creating a new shortcut.
Step 3: Tap on the “+” button to add an action to the shortcut.
Step 4: Search for and select the “Open URLs” action from the list of available actions.
Step 5: In the URL field, enter the link that you want to open in the desired app. For example, if you want YouTube links to open in the YouTube app, enter a YouTube link.
Step 6: Tap on the “+” button again to add another action to the shortcut.
Step 7: Search for and select the “Open App” action from the list.
Step 8: Choose the app that you want to open the link in. For example, select the YouTube app.
Step 9: Customize the shortcut if desired, such as adding a name or an icon to easily identify it.
Step 10: Tap on the “Done” button to save the shortcut.

Once you’ve created the shortcut, you can use it to open specific links in the desired app. Simply run the shortcut, and it will automatically open the link in the designated app, bypassing the browser.

The Shortcuts app provides a powerful and flexible solution for opening links in apps. You can create custom shortcuts for various apps and purposes, allowing for a personalized and efficient browsing experience on your iPhone.

While the Shortcuts app can be a great way to open links in specific apps, you may find that some third-party apps provide even more streamlined and integrated solutions. Let’s explore the use of third-party apps in the next section to further enhance your link-opening experience.

Method 3: Use Third-Party Apps

If the previous methods didn’t meet your specific needs or if you’re looking for more extensive features and customization options, utilizing third-party apps can be an excellent solution. There are various apps available on the App Store that can enhance your ability to open links directly in specific apps. Here are a few popular apps that you can consider:

Opener: Opener is a well-regarded app that allows you to open links directly in your preferred apps. It supports a wide range of apps, including social media platforms, video streaming services, and productivity apps. With Opener installed, you can easily customize which links open in which apps, providing a seamless and tailored experience.
Browser apps: Some alternative browsers, such as Google Chrome and Firefox, offer built-in features or extensions that allow you to open links in specific apps. These browsers often have more extensive customization options and can be a great alternative to the default browser for opening links in apps.
App-specific tools: Many apps, such as YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter, offer their own tools or share extensions that allow you to open links directly in their respective apps. These tools are designed to enhance the user experience and ensure that content is accessed and viewed within the app, providing a more seamless and integrated experience.
Workflow automation apps: Workflow automation apps, like IFTTT (If This Then That) and Zapier, can also be useful for opening links in specific apps. These apps allow you to create custom automations that trigger specific actions when certain conditions are met. You can set up automations that open specific links in the desired app, providing a more personalized and automated link-opening experience.

By exploring and utilizing third-party apps, you can find the perfect solution to open links directly in apps on your iPhone. These apps offer a range of features and customization options, allowing you to tailor your browsing experience to your preferences.

It’s important to note that as apps and their functionalities evolve, new apps or updates may offer even more refined ways to open links in apps directly. Therefore, it’s worth exploring the App Store periodically to discover any new apps or updates that can further enhance your ability to open links in apps.

With the methods we’ve covered in this article, you now have a variety of options to open links directly in apps on your iPhone. Whether you change the default browser settings, use the Shortcuts app, or leverage third-party apps, you can enjoy a more seamless and customized browsing experience that aligns with your preferences and needs.

In this article, we explored different methods to open links in apps instead of the browser on your iPhone. By customizing your settings and utilizing various apps, you can achieve a more streamlined and tailored browsing experience.

Changing the default browser settings allows you to open links directly in the desired app. This method is effective for links that typically open in the browser by default. However, it may not work for links designed specifically to open in certain apps.

The Shortcuts app provides a more flexible solution, allowing you to create custom shortcuts that open links in specific apps. This method gives you greater control over opening links and can be customized to fit your preferences.

Third-party apps, such as Opener and alternative browsers, offer even more extensive features and customization options. These apps allow you to open links directly in your preferred apps, providing a seamless and integrated browsing experience.

It’s important to stay updated with the latest app releases and updates, as new solutions may become available over time. By exploring the App Store periodically, you can discover apps that provide enhanced ways to open links in apps on your iPhone.

By following these methods and finding the approach that suits your needs, you can optimize your online activities and enjoy a more efficient and tailored browsing experience on your iPhone.

Now that you have a range of methods at your disposal, you can choose the one that best aligns with your preferences and needs. Start exploring the different options and enjoy the convenience of opening links directly in your favorite apps on your iPhone.

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How-To Geek

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad.

Want to stop Safari from automatically opening apps on your iPhone or iPad? We've got some tricks for that.

Quick Links

Option 1: uninstall the app, option 2: long-press on a link, option 3: use safari in private browsing mode, option 4: lock safari with guided access.

Safari for iPhone and iPad will automatically open many web links in apps. For example, if you tap a LinkedIn, Reddit, or YouTube link on a web page, you'll be taken to the associated app. Here's how to stay in Safari.

Here's why Safari does this: App developers can choose to register their apps with URLs. For example, if you install the LinkedIn app, it will register itself with linkedin.com addresses. Whenever you tap a linkedin.com link in Safari with LinkedIn installed, Safari will take you to the LinkedIn app. Apple doesn't offer a way to disable this for individual apps.

If you really don't like using a service's app and prefer its website, you can uninstall the app from your iPhone or iPad. Safari won't open the app if it's not installed.

To avoid opening an app when opening an individual link, you can long-press it in Safari. A preview of the web page will appear. Tap "Open" to open the link in Safari in the current tab or "Open in New Tab" to open the link in Safari in a background tab.

This will bypass opening the link in the associated app, but you'll have to use the context menu each time. If you find yourself doing this all the time, uninstalling the service's app may save you some time.

In Private Browsing mode, Safari's behavior changes to protect your privacy. Safari will never open a private browsing link in its associated app before asking you first. This helps protect your privacy---after all, you may be signed into the app and it may reveal personal information.

When in Private Browsing mode , you'll receive an "Open in [App]?" prompt after tapping a link if that link would normally open in an app. Tap "Cancel" and Safari will open the link in a normal Private Browsing tab.

However, there is still that extra step after enabling Private Browsing mode---you have to tap "Cancel" rather than just instantly opening the link.

Related: How to Use Safari Private Browsing on an iPhone or iPad

Guided Access mode is a feature on your iPhone or iPad that lets you "lock" your iPhone to a specific app. For example, you might enable this if you want a child to use a specific app on your device (like a game or video player) without accessing anything else (like your email or online banking.)

This feature can stop Safari from opening apps, too: With Guided Access enabled, you can't leave Safari until you disable Guided Access mode. Safari won't even try to open links in other apps.

To set up Guided Access mode, head to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access. (You can use the search box to search for the Guided Access page in settings, too.) Activate "Guided Access" here.

Next, switch to Safari and triple-click the side button, as explained on the Guided Access settings screen. Tap "Start" to enable Guided Access mode. You'll be prompted to enter a PIN the first time you do this. You'll need this PIN to leave Guided Access mode.

You can now browse and Safari won't offer to open any apps. To leave Safari, you'll have to exit Guided Access mode by triple-clicking the side button once again and entering your PIN. You can tap "Passcode Settings" on the Settings screen where you enabled Guided Access to enable other authentication methods like Touch ID and Face ID.

None of these methods are perfect. You'll either have to uninstall the associated app or do some extra tapping around to avoid opening its links in Safari.

Ideally, Apple would offer a Settings screen that lets you control which apps can take over links just as you can control other app features like location access and notification permissions.

Blazing fast. Incredibly private.

Safari is the best way to experience the internet on all your Apple devices. It brings robust customization options, powerful privacy protections, and optimizes battery life — so you can browse how you like, when you like. And when it comes to speed, it’s the world’s fastest browser. 1

Performance

More with the battery. less with the loading..

With a blazing-fast JavaScript engine, Safari is the world’s fastest browser. 1 It’s developed to run specifically on Apple devices, so it’s geared to make the most out of your battery life and deliver long-lasting power.

Increased performance

We’re always working to make the fastest desktop browser on the planet even faster.

Improved power efficiency

Safari lets you do more online on a single charge.

Up to 4 hours more streaming videos compared with Chrome 3

Up to 17 hours of video streaming 3

Best-in-class browsing

Safari outperforms both Mac and PC browsers in benchmark after benchmark on the same Mac. 4

JetStream /
MotionMark /
Speedometer /

JavaScript performance on advanced web applications. 4

Safari vs. other Mac browsers

Safari on macOS

Chrome on macOS

Edge on macOS

Firefox on macOS

Safari vs. Windows 11 browsers

Chrome on Windows 11

Edge on Windows 11

Firefox on Windows 11

Rendering performance of animated content. 4

Web application responsiveness. 4

4K video streaming

See your favorite shows and films in their best light. Safari supports in-browser 4K HDR video playback for YouTube, Netflix, and Apple TV+. 5 And it runs efficiently for longer-lasting battery life.

Privacy is built in.

Online privacy isn’t just something you should hope for — it’s something you should expect. That’s why Safari comes with industry-leading privacy protection technology built in, including Intelligent Tracking Prevention that identifies trackers and helps prevent them from profiling or following you across the web. Upgrading to iCloud+ gives you even more privacy protections, including the ability to sign up for websites and services without having to share your personal email address.

Intelligent Tracking Prevention

Safari stops trackers in their tracks.

What you browse is no one’s business but your own. Safari has built‑in protections to help stop websites and data-collection companies from watching and profiling you based on your browsing activity. Intelligent Tracking Prevention uses on‑device intelligence to help prevent cross‑site tracking and stops known trackers from using your IP address — making it incredibly difficult to learn who you are and what you’re interested in.

Privacy Report

Safari makes it simple to see how your privacy is protected on all the websites you visit. Click Privacy Report in the Safari menu for a snapshot of cross-site trackers currently prevented from profiling you on the website you’re visiting. Or view a weekly Privacy Report to see how Safari protects you as you browse over time.

Customization

Putting the you in url..

Safari is more customizable than ever. Organize your tabs into Tab Groups so it’s easy to go from one interest to the next. Set a custom background image and fine-tune your browser window with your favorite features — like Reading List, Favorites, iCloud Tabs, and Siri Suggestions. And third-party extensions for iPhone, iPad, and Mac let you do even more with Safari, so you can browse the way you want across all your devices.

Safari Profiles allow you to separate your history, extensions, Tab Groups, favorites, cookies, and more. Quickly switch between profiles for topics you create, like Personal and Work.

Web apps let you save your favorite websites to the Dock on Mac and to the Home Screen on iPhone and iPad. A simplified toolbar and separate settings give you an app-like experience.

Safari Extensions add functionality to your browser to help you explore the web the way you want. Find and add your favorite extensions in the dedicated Safari category on the App Store.

Save and organize your tabs in the way that works best for you. Name your Tab Groups, edit them, and switch among them across devices. You can also share Tab Groups — making planning your next family trip or group project easier and more collaborative.

Smart Tools

Designed to help your work flow..

Built-in tools create a browsing experience that’s far more immersive, intuitive, and immediate. Get detailed information about a subject in a photo with just a click, select text within any image, instantly translate an entire web page, and quickly take notes wherever you are on a site — without having to switch apps.

Notes is your go-to app to capture any thought. And with the Quick Note feature, you can instantly jot down ideas as you browse websites without having to leave Safari.

Translation

Translate entire web pages with a single click. You can also get translations for text in images and paused video without leaving Safari.

Interact with text in any image or paused video on the web using functions like copy and paste, translate, and lookup. 6

Visual Look Up

Quickly learn more about landmarks, works of art, breeds of dogs, and more with only a photo or an image you find online. And easily lift the subject of an image from Safari, remove its background, and paste it into Messages, Notes, or other apps.

Surf safe and sound.

Strong security protections in Safari help keep you safe. Passkeys introduce a safer way to sign in. iCloud Keychain securely stores and autofills passkeys and passwords across all your devices. Safari also notifies you when it encounters suspicious websites and prevents them from loading. Because it loads each web page in a separate process, any harmful code is always confined to a single browser tab so it won’t crash the entire application or access your data. And Safari automatically upgrades sites from HTTP to the more secure HTTPS when available.

Passkeys introduce a more secure and easier way to sign in. No passwords required.

Passkeys are end-to-end encrypted and safe from phishing and data leaks, and they are stronger than all common two-factor authentication types. Thanks to iCloud Keychain, they work across all your Apple devices, and they even work on non-Apple devices.

Learn more about passkeys

Apple Pay and Wallet make checkout as easy as lifting a finger.

Apple Pay is the easiest and most secure way to shop on Safari — allowing you to complete transactions with Face ID or Touch ID on your iPhone or iPad, with Touch ID on your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, or by double-clicking the side button on your Apple Watch.

Learn more about Apple Pay

With AutoFill, you can easily fill in your previously saved credit card information from the Wallet app during checkout. Your credit card details are never shared, and your transactions are protected with industry-leading security.

Same Safari. Different device.

Safari works seamlessly and syncs your passwords, bookmarks, history, tabs, and more across Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch. And when your Mac, iOS, or iPadOS devices are near each other, they can automatically pass what you’re doing in Safari from one device to another using Handoff. You can even copy images, video, or text from Safari on your iPhone or iPad, then paste into another app on your nearby Mac — or vice versa.

When you use Safari on multiple devices, your tabs carry over from one Apple device to another. So you can search, shop, work, or browse on your iPhone, then switch to your iPad or Mac and pick up right where you left off.

Save web pages you want to read later by adding them to your Reading List. Then view them on any of your iCloud-connected devices — even if you’re not connected to the internet.

iCloud Keychain securely stores your user names, passkeys, passwords, and credit card numbers and keeps them up to date on your trusted devices. So you can easily sign in to your favorite websites — as well as apps on iOS and iPadOS — and quickly make online purchases.

Designed for developers.

Deep WebKit integration between Mac hardware and macOS allows Safari to deliver the fastest performance and the longest battery life of any browser on the platform, while supporting modern web standards for rich experiences in the browser. WebKit in macOS Sonoma includes optimizations that enable even richer browsing experiences, and give developers more control over styling and layout — allowing for more engaging content.

Make Safari your default browser

Customize your start page, view your browsing privacy report, monitor your saved passwords, use apple pay in safari, view your tabs across all your devices, read the safari user guide, get safari support.

4.1 • 2.9K Ratings

Screenshots

Description.

Explore the web with lightning-fast speed, powerful privacy protections and robust customisation options. With Safari, you can browse sites, translate web pages and access your tabs across iOS, iPadOS and macOS. Features • Passwords, bookmarks, history, tabs and more seamlessly sync across iPhone, iPad and Mac • Private Browsing mode doesn’t save your history and keeps your browsing your business • Intelligent Tracking Prevention prevents trackers from following you across websites you visit • Tab Groups let you save and organise your tabs and access them across iOS, iPadOS and macOS • Profiles help keep your browsing history, website data and more separate between topics like work and personal • Shared Tab Groups help you share tabs and collaborate with family and friends • Extensions allow you to personalise Safari and add even more functionality to the browser • Reader formats articles for easy reading without ads, navigation or other distracting items • Privacy Report shows known trackers that have been blocked from tracking you • Reading List easily saves articles for you to read later • Voice Search lets you search the web using just your voice • Web page translation converts entire web pages into other languages directly in the browser • Handoff effortlessly passes what you’re doing in Safari from one device to another • Add to Home Screen allows you to quickly launch a website or web app from your Home Screen

Ratings and Reviews

2.9K Ratings

Hello, I’m Skylah and Safari has always been here when I was confused on something the thing is I have dyslexia and I am getting my sister to write this for me and it would really help if there was text to speech on everything for dyslexia people, so all I am saying is make a dyslexia setting so people can still be able to understand what they’re looking at. From Skylah

Inappropriate

This is my review that safari should be Able to remove as it has many inappropriate websites that kids under 18 are not allowed to watch apple please fix this and create a block for all phones on inappropriate websites that are not good for children’s health I recommend it. Secondly this is the worst update I believe listen apple they may be people in the world above 18 but it doesn’t mean just add random stuff whenever it is not the purpose of the phone as it is supposed to be used for better stuff like the widgets their helpful but this websites is straight up madness so it’s please apple make a phone that has an inappropriate blocker and please block those who try do inappropriate stuff that is not life but is addicting. Oh yea one more thing please make i specific app that can be used for websites there are to many that even my friend had to download them just to take up space. And please stop producing phones as it takes to much resource from the earth that we might need for much important stuff than building a piece of iron and gadgets that are useless!!

Jury Is Still Out.

I’m starting to get the hang of the new layout after the latest update, now if I could just retrain my muscle memory I’d actually enjoy the browser. There appears to be a glitch, at least with my set up. (iPhone 12 Pro Max, iOS 15.1.1) I open a website, and it is hit and miss the next time I open the app as to whether the last page I opened will appear, or the page prior to that will open. Even if the second last page visited was on a second tab that I closed before closing the app, it will often appear on the open tab when reloading the app. It’s not a persistent system screen shot like some people have seen, as it doesn’t disappear after a few seconds, and functions as the page. No idea if it’s a glitch, or I need to clear the cache. (Something that requires browsing the web, because the app doesn’t include a “Clear cache” option.

App Privacy

The developer, Apple , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy .

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

User Content
Identifiers

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

Browsing History
Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Arabic, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Norwegian Bokmål, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

Developer Website
App Support
Privacy Policy

More By This Developer

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Porn Shield-Block Ad in Safari

Dark Browser- Private&Safe

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Pass4Wallet - store cards

Private Web Browser Incognito

Private Browsing Web Browser

This tweak makes apps open links in the Safari app instead of an in-app web browser

One of the things you’ll notice when tapping on links in apps on your iPhone or iPad is that some apps launch the full-fledged Safari web browser app to load a web page while others launch an in-app web browser that’s based on Safari.

If an app is trying to show you something on the web and you don’t plan to browse the web further afterward, then the in-app web browser is a fast and convenient way to go about it. On the other hand, if you plan to do any long-term web browsing after tapping on said link, then you might prefer being in the Safari app itself where you have much more control over web content than you would in the basic in-app web browser.

If you side with the camp that prefers using the iPhone or iPad’s standalone Safari web browsing app full-time instead of using the in-app web browser provided by various apps, then the good news is you can now take control of the matter with a new and free jailbreak tweak called NoInAppSafari by iOS developer nyuszika7h .

The Before (left image) shows the in-app browser from the Deliveries app, whereas the After (right image) shows the same page in the standalone Safari app.

Albeit true that you can always get to the standalone Safari web browser from the in-app browser, the point remains that the in-app browser is somewhat of a ‘lite’ web browser and that taking the extra steps to get to Safari can be inconvenient. With NoInAppSafari, iOS automatically boots you to the standalone Safari app when tapping on links in your favorite apps, which saves you a step if you really hate using the in-app browser.

Worthy of note however, is that NoInAppSafari only plays nicely with apps that utilize the native in-app browser of iOS. If the app you’re using provides its own custom in-app browser experience like the Instagram app does (probably for the sake of added tracking), then the tweak unfortunately won’t work with it.

Those who’d like to give the NoInAppSafari tweak a try can download it for free from the cadoth repository via their favorite package manager. The tweak supports jailbroken iOS 13 and 14 devices and is open source on the developer’s GitHub page .

If you’re not already using the cadoth repository, then you can add it to your package manager with the following URL:

Do you plan to do away with the in-app web browser experience on your pwned handset with NoInAppSafari, or are you happy not using the standalone Safari app when tapping on a link in various apps? We’d love to hear your opinion in the comments section down below.

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How to open links in app not Safari on iPhone

When I click a link it opens in safari instead of the app and when I click open in app it takes me to the App Store, even though I already have the app downloaded. My iOS is up to date and my apps are all updated.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone XS Max, iOS 15

Posted on Apr 3, 2022 7:40 AM

Posted on Apr 4, 2022 10:44 AM

It mostly happening with Instagram links, either through TikTok or Twitter. Instead of launching the Instagram app it will take me to safari or the App Store.

How to Make an App from a Web Page on Safari

Even with tools like bookmarks and favorites available to you, keeping your web browsing streamlined can still be challenging – especially if your screen tends to be crowded with windows and tabs over time. Luckily, macOS Sonoma adds a nifty feature to Safari called web apps. This tool lets you save a webpage as a web app for easy access from the Dock. This tutorial shows how to make an app from a web page on Safari.

How to Create a Web App in Safari

Where to find your web apps, how to manage web app notifications.

The ability to save a webpage as a Home Screen app has been on the iPhone and iPad for a while. Apple added this feature to Mac with macOS Sonoma. Follow these steps to create your own web app:

Open Safari and navigate to the webpage you want to turn into a web app. Select File -> Add to Dock from the menu bar.

Safaris Add To Dock Option For Maketecheasier Site

Edit the web app’s name, then click Add .

Add To Dock Button For Creating A Web App

Your new web app will appear in the Dock. When you visit the website in Safari, a notification will prompt you to open it in the web app. Just click Open to be redirected to it.

You can customize your web app’s settings, including the app’s name, icon, and URL. Open the web app, click its name in the menu bar, and select Settings .

Safari web apps are easy to find via your Dock. However, if you remove them or can’t find them there for any reason, you can access each one in your Applications list or by using Spotlight.

Finding Safari Web Apps in the Applications Folder

Your Mac also saves your web apps in the Applications Folder in your Home folder . Open a new Finder window, then select Applications . You should see all the web apps you’ve made here.

Use Launchpad and Spotlight to Find Web Apps

If you prefer using Launchpad, you can search for a Safari web app on Spotlight by clicking the Search icon in the menu bar and typing in the name of your web app.

For websites that typically give you notifications, such as an email service or a news site, the web app you create for it will ask permission to send you notifications. The website notification request will appear when you first open the web app.

When you open the web app, click Options in the pop-up, and select Allow or Don’t Allow .

How to Fix a Web App With Missing Notifications

If the web app does not ask for notification permission, it’s probably because you’ve already permitted Safari. But you can check these settings at any time.

To check a Safari web app’s permissions, open Safari -> Settings . Click the Websites tab, and select Notifications in the sidebar.

Notification Settings On Websites In Safari

Scroll to find the website for which you’ve created a web app. It will specify whether you allowed or denied notifications.

Once you highlight the website, click Remove at the bottom. Then, close the window.

Remove Permissions To Show Alerts In Notification Center 2

After you do this, you must remove the web app you previously made and create a new one. Then, open the web app, wait for the pop-up asking for permission for the web app to send you notifications, and respond to it.

Like other apps, you’ll see the number of unread notifications as a red badge on the top-right of the app’s icon. You’ll also see the notifications on your Mac’s Notification Center and lock screen.

You can manage notifications on Mac for your web app just as you would for any other application. Head to System Settings , click Notification in the sidebar, and look for your web app. Modify where and how you want your web app’s notifications to appear.

Notification Settings On System Settings For Web App 1

Streamline Web Browsing

With web apps, you can easily access your favorite websites without contributing to Safari’s clutter. Additionally, directly sending you notifications makes sure you won’t miss anything.

If web apps aren’t for you, you can customize Safari to suit your preferences and needs.

Image credit: Pexels . All screenshots by Rachel Melegrito.

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Rachel Melegrito is a health and tech writer who enjoys educating herself and others about topics that provide value to one's well being, health, and overall productivity.

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iPhone User Guide

iPhone models compatible with iOS 17
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iPhone 11 Pro
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Setup basics
Make your iPhone your own
Take great photos and videos
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Expert advice from Apple Support
What’s new in iOS 17
Turn on and set up iPhone
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Track daily activity and change your move goal
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Create a Freeform board
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Fill out your Health Details
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Write in your journal
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Change the layout
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Use Siri to listen to a webpage
Bookmark favorite webpages
Save pages to a Reading List
Find links shared with you
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Automatically fill in forms
Get extensions
Hide ads and distractions
Clear your cache
Browse the web privately
Use passkeys in Safari
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Get shows, movies, and more
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Watch Major League Soccer with MLS Season Pass
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Change the settings
Make a recording
Play it back
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Organize recordings
Search for or rename a recording
Share a recording
Duplicate a recording
Keep cards and passes in Wallet
Set up Apple Pay
Use Apple Pay for contactless payments
Use Apple Pay in apps and on the web
Track your orders
Use Apple Cash
Use Apple Card
Use Savings
Pay for transit
Access your home, hotel room, and vehicle
Add identity cards
Use COVID-19 vaccination cards
Check your Apple Account balance
Use Express Mode
Organize your Wallet
Remove cards or passes
Check the weather
Check the weather in other locations
View weather maps
Manage weather notifications
Use Weather widgets
Learn the weather icons
Find out what Siri can do
Tell Siri about yourself
Have Siri announce calls and notifications
Add Siri Shortcuts
About Siri Suggestions
Use Siri in your car
Change Siri settings
Contact emergency services
Use Emergency SOS via satellite
Request Roadside Assistance via satellite
Set up and view your Medical ID
Use Check In
Manage Crash Detection
Reset privacy and security settings in an emergency
Set up Family Sharing
Add Family Sharing members
Remove Family Sharing members
Share subscriptions
Share purchases
Share locations with family and locate lost devices
Set up Apple Cash Family and Apple Card Family
Set up parental controls
Set up a child’s device
Get started with Screen Time
Protect your vision health with Screen Distance
Set up Screen Time
Set communication and safety limits and block inappropriate content
Charging cable
Power adapters
MagSafe chargers and battery packs
MagSafe cases and sleeves
Qi-certified wireless chargers
Use AirPods
Use EarPods
Apple Watch
Wirelessly stream videos and photos to Apple TV or a smart TV
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Pair Magic Keyboard
Enter characters with diacritical marks
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External storage devices
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Share your internet connection
Allow phone calls on your iPad and Mac
Use iPhone as a webcam
Hand off tasks between devices
Cut, copy, and paste between iPhone and other devices
Stream video or mirror the screen of your iPhone
Start SharePlay instantly
Use AirDrop to send items
Connect iPhone and your computer with a cable
Transfer files between devices
Transfer files with email, messages, or AirDrop
Transfer files or sync content with the Finder or iTunes
Automatically keep files up to date with iCloud
Use an external storage device, a file server, or a cloud storage service
Intro to CarPlay
Connect to CarPlay
Use your vehicle’s built-in controls
Get turn-by-turn directions
Change the map view
Make phone calls
View your calendar
Send and receive text messages
Announce incoming text messages
Play podcasts
Play audiobooks
Listen to news stories
Control your home
Use other apps with CarPlay
Rearrange icons on CarPlay Home
Change settings in CarPlay
Get started with accessibility features
Turn on accessibility features for setup
Change Siri accessibility settings
Open features with Accessibility Shortcut
Change color and brightness
Make text easier to read
Reduce onscreen motion
Customize per-app visual settings
Hear what’s on the screen or typed
Hear audio descriptions
Turn on and practice VoiceOver
Change your VoiceOver settings
Use VoiceOver gestures
Operate iPhone when VoiceOver is on
Control VoiceOver using the rotor
Use the onscreen keyboard
Write with your finger
Use VoiceOver with an Apple external keyboard
Use a braille display
Type braille on the screen
Customize gestures and keyboard shortcuts
Use VoiceOver with a pointer device
Use VoiceOver for images and videos
Use VoiceOver in apps
Use AssistiveTouch
Adjust how iPhone responds to your touch
Use Reachability
Auto-answer calls
Turn off vibration
Change Face ID and attention settings
Use Voice Control
Adjust the side or Home button
Use Apple TV Remote buttons
Adjust pointer settings
Adjust keyboard settings
Adjust AirPods settings
Turn on Apple Watch Mirroring
Control a nearby Apple device
Intro to Switch Control
Set up and turn on Switch Control
Select items, perform actions, and more
Control several devices with one switch
Use hearing devices
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Flash the LED for alerts
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Play background sounds
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Show transcriptions for Intercom messages
Get Live Captions (beta)
Type to speak
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Keep your Apple ID secure
Use passkeys to sign in to apps and websites
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View your passwords and related information
Share passkeys and passwords securely with AirDrop
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Control the location information you share
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Customize your Safari settings on iPhone

Customize your start page

When you open a new tab, you begin on your start page. You can customize your start page with new background images and options.

The start page in Safari, which shows favorite websites, websites saved to the Reading List, and websites open on your other Apple device. At the bottom of the screen is the Edit button.

Scroll to the bottom of the page, then tap Edit.

Choose the options you want to appear on your start page:

Favorites: Display shortcuts to your favorite bookmarked websites. See Bookmark a favorite website .

Frequently Visited: Go straight to the websites you visit most.

Shared with You: See links shared with you in Messages, Mail, and more. See Find links shared with you .

Privacy Report: Stay updated on how many trackers and websites Safari blocked from tracking you. See View the Privacy Report .

Siri Suggestions: As you search, allow websites shared in Calendar and other apps to appear.

Reading List: Show webpages currently in your Reading List. See Add the current webpage to your Reading List .

Recently Closed Tabs: Go back to tabs you previously closed.

iCloud Tabs: Show open tabs from other Apple devices where you’re signed in with the same Apple ID and Safari is turned on in iCloud settings or preferences. See Organize your tabs with Tab Groups .

Note: Your custom start page settings are updated on all your Apple devices where you have Use Start Page on All Devices turned on, and you’re signed in with the same Apple ID using two-factor authentication .

Change the text size for a website on Safari

Use the Page Settings button to increase or decrease the text size.

Tap the large A to increase the font size or the small A to decrease it.

Change the display controls for a website on Safari

You can hide the search field, switch to Reader, and more.

Hide the search field: Tap Hide Toolbar (tap the bottom of the screen to get it back).

See a streamlined view of the webpage: Tap Show Reader (if available).

To return to the normal view, tap Hide Reader.

See what the webpage looks like on a desktop computer: Tap Request Desktop Website (if available).

You can also adjust Safari settings in Accessibility settings. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Per-App Settings. Tap Add App, choose Safari, then tap Safari to adjust the settings.

Choose where to save downloads

When you download a file in Safari, you can choose whether to save it to iCloud or on your iPhone.

iCloud Drive: Select this option to save downloads to the Downloads folder in iCloud Drive. This allows you to access the downloaded file on any iPhone, iPad, or Mac where you’re signed in with the same Apple ID .

On My iPhone: Select this option to save downloads to the Downloads folder on your iPhone.

Share website passwords with a group

You can create a group of trusted contacts and share a set of passwords. Passwords stay up to date for everyone in the group, and you can remove someone at any time.

See Create shared password groups .

Adjust privacy settings for Safari

You can choose what privacy settings you want across Safari, and create individual exceptions for websites. See Browse privately .

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Iphone web browser choice gets one thing right, two things wrong, say developers.

Being prompted to make an iPhone web browser choice in Europe has seen an uptick in the use of third-party apps , but not everyone is happy about it.

The EU itself is investigating whether Apple’s implementation of the antitrust requirement goes far enough, and developers of third-party browsers say the process gets one thing right, and two things wrong …

iPhone web browser choice

While iPhone owners have been theoretically able to choose their preferred web browser since iOS 14, it wasn’t much of a choice, for a couple of reasons.

First, most people didn’t even know they could choose an alternative browser. The default is Safari, and you’d have to proactively install a third-party one and then manually set it as your default.

Second, Apple insisted that all browsers had to use its own WebKit API. That ensured that competing browsers couldn’t do anything to impact security of privacy, but it also meant that they couldn’t offer faster speeds, or features not available in Safari.

The EU required Apple to drop the WebKit requirement, and also to proactively present users with a choice of browser when they first use their device. These changes were introduced in iOS 17.4 , and only apply within EU countries.

Apple gets one thing right

Developers of third-party web browsers have seen an increase in usage following the implementation of the changes, and they say Apple did play fair in one important respect: browsers are listed in random order, and Safari doesn’t get any special position or prominence in the list.

But two things remain unfair, they say

Wired spoke to a number of developers of alternative iPhone web browsers, and found that they had two criticisms.

First, iPhone owners are not asked to make their choice during the initial iPhone setup process. Instead, they are only presented with the choice when they first open the Safari app. This means that Safari has already presented itself as the default.

“It starts from you clicking Safari,” says Jon von Tetzchner, CEO and cofounder of Vivaldi. “Which, I think all of us agree, that’s the wrong spot.” Tetzchner said he prefers Google’s implementation of its new browser choice screen that guides Android users to select a default while setting up their phone.

Second, users are given zero information about each browser – just a list of names, many of which will be unfamiliar to non-techy users. That reinforces the idea that they should select Safari unless they already know a reason to make a different choice.

“Giving people information about the choice, and also information about what they’re choosing is really, really important,” says Kush Amlani, a global competition and regulatory counsel at Mozilla, which makes the Firefox browser.

A fairer option would be to give each developer a few words to pitch their browser. DuckDuckGo, for example, might have something like “Uses our privacy-first search engine, which doesn’t track you or filter your results.”

We’ll need to wait for the EU’s conclusion to determine what changes might be needed to comply with the law.

Photo by Amanz on Unsplash

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iOS 18 Rumored to Add New Features to These 16 Apps on Your iPhone

Apple is expected to announce iOS 18 during its WWDC keynote on June 10 , and new features have already been rumored for many apps, including Apple Music, Apple Maps, Calculator, Messages, Notes, Safari, and others.

iOS 18 Apple Music Messages and Notes Feature 1

Apple Maps: At least two new Apple Maps features are expected on iOS 18, including custom routes and topographic maps . Custom routes would allow users to choose specific roads to travel on while navigating, while topographic maps include details such as trails, contour lines, elevation, and points of interest for hiking. Topographic maps were added to the Apple Watch with watchOS 10.
Apple Music: With iOS 18, Apple Music will reportedly be able to auto-generate playlists .
Calculator: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 are rumored to feature a revamped Calculator app with several new features , including a sidebar that lists recent calculations, an improved interface for converting units, integration with the Notes app, and more. That means the Calculator app will finally be available on iPads .
Calendar: Two other apps rumored to be integrated on iOS 18 are Calendar and Reminders .
Freeform: iOS 18 is rumored to add a new "Scenes" option to Apple's drawing app Freeform . This feature would allow users to select specific sections ("scenes") on the canvas for easier navigation.
Health: Apple is reportedly planning new AI-powered features for its Health app , but no specific details are known yet.
Keynote, Numbers, and Pages: Alongside iOS 18, Apple reportedly plans to update its iWork suite of productivity apps with new generative AI features for auto-generating slides in Keynote, writing faster in Pages, and more .
Mail, Photos, and Fitness: These apps will reportedly be "overhauled" with iOS 18 , but no specific details are known yet.
Messages: iOS 18 is expected to add RCS support to the Messages app , which will improve the messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices by allowing for higher-resolution photos and videos, audio messages, typing indicators, read receipts, Wi-Fi messaging, and more. It has also been rumored that the Messages app will use generative AI to auto-complete sentences more effectively.
Notes: With iOS 18, the Notes app is expected to be able to display mathematical notation , allowing users to include more types of algebraic equations and formulas in notes. The app is also rumored to gain a built-in audio recording tool, eliminating the need to switch over to the Voice Memos app.
Safari: iOS 18 is likely to add a browsing assistant to Safari , which could summarize web pages and more . A new "Web Eraser" feature that would allow users to remove certain elements from web pages has also been rumored.
Shortcuts: With iOS 18, users will reportedly be able to automate complex tasks more easily with the Shortcuts app.

While they are not dedicated apps, it has also been rumored that generative AI technology will allow the iPhone's virtual assistant Siri and built-in search tool Spotlight to respond to more complex questions and search queries .

For even more rumors, read our iOS 18 roundup .

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Our comprehensive guide highlighting every major new addition in iOS 17, plus how-tos that walk you through using the new features.

App Store changes for the EU, new emoji, Podcasts transcripts, and more.

Get the most out your iPhone 15 with our complete guide to all the new features.

A deep dive into new features in macOS Sonoma, big and small.

Revamped models with OLED displays, M3 or M4 chip, and redesigned Magic Keyboard accessory.

Updated 10.9-inch model and new 12.9-inch model, M2 chip expected.

Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference will kick off with a keynote on June 10.

Expected to see new AI-focused features and more. Preview coming at WWDC in June with public release in September.

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Ios 18—new apple overhaul reveals exciting iphone ai privacy feature.

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Apple’s soon-to-launch iOS 18 software could include an exciting AI-based privacy feature as part of an overhaul of the Safari browser. The new iPhone feature, dubbed Web Eraser, allows you to browse the web while removing portions of the page, such as ads or other content you don’t want to see.

Web Eraser comes as part of a wider AI-based browser overhaul in iOS 18, according to Apple-focused website Apple Insider , which first reported the news.

Apple’s soon-to-launch iOS 18 software could include an exciting AI based privacy feature as part of ... [+] an overhaul of the Safari browser.

Currently being tested by the iPhone maker, the overhaul includes the advanced content blocking features enabled by Web Eraser, as well as UI tweaks and AI-powered Intelligent Search. The changes to Safari will be included in iOS 18 and macOS 15, according to the report, which cites “people familiar with the matter.”

What Web Eraser Does In iOS 18

From the looks of it, Web Eraser in iOS 18 is a pretty cool feature, building on privacy tools already built into the iPhone maker’s Safari browser. Specifically, it's “designed to allow users to remove, or erase, specific portions of web pages,” including banner ads, images, text or entire page sections.

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Apparently, Safari will remember your preferences so they aren’t limited to one specific browsing session. “When visiting a web page with previously erased content, Safari will inform the user that the page has been modified to reflect their desired changes. The browser will also give the user the option to revert changes and restore the webpage to its initial, unaltered state,” Apple Insider writes.

The new controls will be easy to access in the Safari Settings menu.

Exciting New iOS 18 Features Coming Soon

Web Eraser comes alongside multiple new AI-based iOS 18 features for your iPhone, most of which will be processed on the device , at least initially.

It looks like Intelligent Search will use Apple’s large language model Ajax to identify topics and key phrases within a web page.

Essentially, Web Eraser in iOS 18 is an ad blocking feature as offered by many companies, but it’s built into the Safari browser. It’s a great move for privacy—and ease of use since it’s ready made. However, it could create problems for publishers, who rely on web ads for their business revenue.

Apple of course, values privacy as one of its key marketing messages and iOS 18 seems to embrace that ethos wholeheartedly. Apple’s new iPhone operating system will launch in just over a month at its Worldwide Developers Conference and there’s a lot to look forward to for privacy-conscious users.

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How to clear the cache on your iPhone (and why you should)

How many tabs are open on your mobile browser right now? Go ahead, check -- you might be surprised by what you find.

Americans spend over five hours a day on their smartphones. That's over five hours of your phone potentially accessing, retrieving, and saving cache and cookies, which can negatively impact your iPhone's storage space .

What is cache?

Cache is the temporary storage of some data, like parts of a website from the last time you visited it, for example. Browser cache is content from a website that is stored on your phone during a browser session to help the browser execute faster the next time you visit that page.

Also: How to clear Google search cache on Android

Cache data can slow down your phone's overall browsing performance, however, since it takes up storage space on your device, so it's good to clear it out regularly. In this article, we mainly focus on clearing web browser cache on an iPhone, but you should know that other types of cache include mobile app cache and CPU cache.

How to clear cache on iPhone

What you'll need: Everything you need to clear your browser cache is within the iPhone's settings app or the Safari app, so grab your iPhone to get started.

Keep in mind that clearing the cache can clear private data, which can close all open tabs in Safari. This is also likely to log you out of all your websites, prompting you to sign in again the next time you open them.

How do I clear the cache from Chrome on iPhone?

If Google Chrome is your preferred browser, it may have a substantial amount of data stored on your device, which could also slow down performance.

To clear the cache in Chrome, open the Google Chrome app and follow these steps:

Tap Settings .
Go to Privacy and Security .
Select Clear Browsing Data .
Select the time from which to delete the data (if you want to delete all your browsing history, choose All Time ).
Go through the items you'd like to delete, like your Browsing History, Cookies and Site Data, Cached Images and Files, Saved Passwords , and Autofill Data.
Confirm by tapping Clear Browsing Data at the bottom of the screen.
Tap Done when you've deleted the Chrome cache.

Also: Apple releases iOS 17.4 with podcast transcripts, new emojis, and EU app store changes

Clearing the browsing and cache data in Google Chrome doesn't close all open tabs, but it will refresh each tab and log you out of websites. Once you tap on one of the tabs you want to access, you'll have to log back in.

How can I browse on Safari without history?

If you're learning how to clear cache on an iPhone, you may also be wondering if there's a way to use Safari without saving any browsing history. You can turn on Private Browsing by following these steps:

Open Safari .
Tap on Tabs .
Choose Private .

You can also enable private browsing by going to your iPhone Settings, finding Safari, and toggling on the private option.

How do I clear my app cache on my iPhone?

To clear the app cache from your iPhone Settings app, you can either delete the app and reinstall it, offload it, or try to clear the cache from within the app. Unfortunately, iOS apps don't have consistent settings across the board that would allow you to clear the cache of every app.

Also: Apple warns: Don't put your wet iPhone in rice. Do this instead

Apps like TikTok and CapCut, for example, have options to Clear Cache within their respective settings. Amazon lets users delete their browsing history, while the Reddit app can clear local history. It all depends on what the app's settings let you do.

Is "clear cache" the same as offloading?

Not exactly, though app offloading can help if your phone is slowed down by low storage. To offload an app means to uninstall an app without deleting any documents or data associated with it.

Also: Apple secures iMessage against threats from the future

To offload an app, go to Settings , then General , choose iPhone Storage and select the app to offload, then tap Offload App . If you ever download it again, you'll pick up where you left off for that app.

Are cookies and cache the same thing?

Cookies and cache are not the same. Cookies are data files that websites send to your phone, including things like saved passwords to keep you logged into an account or even the website preferences from the previous time you visited.

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Though they do sound harmless, cookies can also track how you browse the internet. They monitor patterns in your browsing and search history, even seeing what you clicked on or what your mouse hovered over. Ever made an innocuous search on Amazon only to find ads for it on all the apps you use? Cookies likely made that possible.

Can I block cookies on my iPhone?

While you can block cookies on Safari, the ranks are divided on whether you should. Blocking cookies entirely means that websites won't be able to get information from you, but it also means that some websites may not even work correctly on your browser. A lot of users actually enjoy a more personalized browsing experience, so cookies are a good thing for them.

If you'd like to block cookies in Safari, follow these steps:

Go to Settings and select Safari .
Tap on the toggle next to Block All Cookies .

There are also third-party extensions that help you block cookies and trackers in Google Chrome, like Ghostery and Disconnect .

How do I check iPhone storage?

On an iPhone, Settings can show you what's taking up most of your media storage, like photos, videos, and music. You can also see what each particular app's storage consumption is, which includes temporary data. To view the details of your iPhone's storage space, follow these steps:

Go to the iPhone Settings .
Tap on General .
Select iPhone Storage .
Scroll through to find the app you're looking for.
Tap on the app to view storage status and options.

Unfortunately, you can't clear your iPhone cache for third-party apps by going into your Settings app, but this gives you a visual of your iPhone's storage and the option to delete or offload apps.

Also: Here's the fastest way to declutter your iPhone and free up Gigabytes of space

When you look at your device's storage space, you'll probably see recommended steps you can take to optimize your iPhone's storage, like offloading unused apps.

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How to clear the cache on your iPhone (and why you should)

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

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Why Apple’s iPhone Browser-Choice Option Sucks

iPhone displaying a list of internet browser apps

You just bought a new iPhone in Europe and finished setting it up. You’re excited to start planning a much-needed vacation, so you tap on the Safari browser to search for upcoming flights. Oh, you suddenly see a pop-up asking you to choose a default browser. You quickly scan the list of options, only recognizing one or two, then decide to keep Safari and move on with your hunt for travel deals.

With the iOS 17.4 update , Apple now includes a default browser selection pop-up screen for European iPhone users. It’s part of the company’s response to the Digital Markets Act , which EU lawmakers enacted earlier this year to encourage competition on the internet. (The browser choice screen is not currently rolling out to iPhones in the United States.) While browser choice screens are, in theory, meant to level the playing field in markets dominated by a handful of gatekeepers , their effectiveness is determined by the quality of the user experience.

Many of the competitors appearing on Apple’s browser choice screen are dissatisfied with how it’s been implemented in European markets. Brendan Eich, CEO and cofounder of Brave , compared powerful companies that control the defaults on smartphones to street magicians who fan out cards to pick from but hustle you by forcing a specific card to the top of the deck.

An Apple spokesperson requested to speak off the record about browser choice screens. When WIRED declined and asked for an on-the-record comment, all further requests for an interview went unanswered.

Whenever someone updates their software to iOS 17.4 in Europe, they may see the browser choice pop-up the first time they tap on the Safari browser. After a short introductory screen about the default browser choice, a list of 12 browser options are displayed in a random order. The browsers that appear on the list vary slightly by country. Safari is automatically included, and the 11 other picks are browsers with the most iPhone downloads in a particular country that also adhere to Apple’s configuration requirements for defaults.

“It starts from you clicking Safari,” says Jon von Tetzchner, CEO and cofounder of Vivaldi . “Which, I think all of us agree, that’s the wrong spot.” Tetzchner said he prefers Google’s implementation of its new browser choice screen that guides Android users to select a default while setting up their phone.

Google actually has some experience implementing a choice screen to appease European regulators. When it was forced to add a search engine default selector to Android in 2019, many of the developers behind alternative options initially criticized the design and denounced Google’s practice of selling slots on the screen through auctions. The company responded by rolling out an updated pop-up without slot auctions in 2021. Google did not respond to multiple requests for comment on this story.

The slow speed of enforcement from European regulation means any changes mandated by lawmakers only arrive after a drawn-out process. “Google had implicit permission to implement a bad version of it and run out the clock. In the process, it makes the entire remedy of a choice screen look bad,” says Kamyl Bazbaz, a vice president of public affairs for DuckDuckGo . “If you can only judge the effectiveness of a thing based on a bad version of it, you're gonna think it sucks.”

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A few representatives from smaller browser companies also expressed that they wanted more information included with Apple’s choice process, like definitions of what a browser is for less tech-savvy users and descriptions of the different browsers’ specialties. “Giving people information about the choice, and also information about what they're choosing is really, really important,” says Kush Amlani, a global competition and regulatory counsel at Mozilla , which makes the Firefox browser.

Sophie Dembinski, a head of public policy and climate action at Ecosia , mentioned how Apple’s pop-up appears for all iPhone users even if they’ve already gone into their phone’s settings and set an alternative browser as their default. In comparison, Google’s browser choice screen for Android users won’t show up if you’ve already gone through the steps of setting a preference for a third-party option.

While many developers are unhappy with Apple’s implementation, not every company with a browser on the choice screen expressed frustration. “We believe that Apple's approach to presenting the browser choice screen is fair and acceptable,” says Andrew Moroz Frost, the Aloha Browser founder. He pointed out the randomized order of the browsers shown on the pop-up as one example of Apple designing it in a fair manner.

Richard Socher, the founder and CEO of You.com , seemed more encouraged by there being a browser choice screen that includes the search-focused startup rather than frustrated by Apple’s implementation. “I think it’s great that there’s not the default already preselected,” he says. Socher highlighted the randomized order as a positive sign as well.

Is this choice screen a true turning point for alternative browsers to grow their user base? “We’re expecting to have a clear picture on user uplift within months, not weeks,” says Dembinski. While some browsers reported initial upticks in downloads , it still seems too soon to make sweeping generalizations about the long-term efficacy of Apple’s choice screen.

“We would like to encourage platform providers to also level out the playing field for app developers around the world, not just in the EU,” says Jan Standal, a vice president of product marketing at Opera . Some of the companies WIRED spoke with remain hopeful that the precedent of browser choice screens set by the DMA will inspire international software changes.

Shortly after Apple’s choice screen launched, the European Commision announced that the screen would be part of its wider investigation into how Apple, Google, and Meta might be breaking these updated regulations: “The Commission is concerned that Apple's measures, including the design of the web browser choice screen, may be preventing users from truly exercising their choice of services within the Apple ecosystem, in contravention of Article 6(3) of the DMA.” In keeping with its slow-moving tradition, this investigation may take up to a year to complete.

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Apple's 'incredibly private' Safari is not so private in Europe

Infosec eggheads find igiant left eu ios 17 users open to being tracked around the web.

Apple's grudging accommodation of European antitrust rules by allowing third-party app stores on iPhones has left users of its Safari browser exposed to potential web activity tracking.

Developers Talal Haj Bakry and Tommy Mysk looked into the way Apple implemented the installation process for third-party software marketplaces on iOS with Safari, and concluded Cupertino's approach is particularly shoddy.

tl;dr: The way Apple has added support for third-party app stores lets any website, when visited by Safari on iOS at least, to ping a chosen approved software marketplace with a unique per-user identifier. That means as users move from website to website, or use a website, these sites can quietly disclose that activity to a non-Apple app store – revealing the sort of things individual netizens find interesting. That info can be used for targeted app promotions, ads, and so on. This appears to apply to iOS 17.4 users in the EU. Whether anyone will exploit this in the wild remains to be seen – but the potential is there.

"Our testing shows that Apple delivered this feature with catastrophic security and privacy flaws," wrote Bakry and Mysk in an advisory published over the weekend.

Apple – which advertises Safari as " incredibly private " – evidently has undermined privacy among European Union Safari users through a marketplace-kit: URI scheme that potentially allows approved third-party app stores to follow those users around the web.

A URI scheme is a way of determining how a particular network request gets handled. A website offering an alternative software marketplace can include a button that, when tapped in Safari, launches a marketplace-kit: request that is handled by a MarketplaceKit process on the EU user's iPhone. This process, built into iOS 17.4 by Apple, then reaches out to the back-end servers of the approved marketplace to complete the installation of that store's app on the phone.

The trouble is, any site can trigger a marketplace-kit: request. On EU iOS 17.4 devices, that will cause a unique per-user identifier to be fired off by Safari to an approved marketplace's servers, leaking the fact that the user was just visiting that site. This happens even if Safari is in private browsing mode. The marketplace's servers can reject the request, which can also include a custom payload, passing more info about the user to the alternative store. This is all illustrated in the video below.

Youtube Video

In addition to Apple's Safari, two other iOS browsers currently support third-party app stores in Europe: Brave and Ecosia.

Apple doesn't allow third-party app stores in most parts of the world, citing purported privacy and security concerns – and presumably interest in sustaining its ability to collect commissions for software sales.

But Apple has been designated as a "gatekeeper" under Europe's Digital Markets Act (DMA) for iOS, the App Store, Safari, and just recently iPadOS .

That designation means the iBiz has been ordered to open its gated community so that European customers can choose third-party app stores and web-based app distribution – also known as side-loading .

But wait, there's more

According to Bakry and Mysk, Apple's URI scheme has three significant failings. First, they say, it fails to check the origin of the website, meaning the aforementioned cross-site tracking is possible.

Second, Apple's MarketplaceKit – its API for third-party stores – doesn't validate the JSON Web Tokens (JWT) passed as input parameters via incoming requests. "Worse, it blindly relayed the invalid JWT token when calling the /oauth/token endpoint," observed Bakry and Mysk. "This opens the door to various injection attacks to target either the MarketplaceKit process or the marketplace back-end."

And third, Apple isn't using certificate pinning , which leaves the door open for meddling by an intermediary ( MITM ) during the MarketplaceKit communication exchange. Bakry and Mysk claim they were able to overwrite the servers involved in this process with their own endpoints.

The limiting factor of this attack is that a marketplace must first be approved by Apple before it can undertake this sort of tracking. At present, not many marketplaces have won approval. We're aware of the B2B Mobivention App marketplace , AltStore , and Setapp . Epic Games has also planned an iOS store . A few other marketplaces will work after an iThing jailbreak, but they’re unlikely to attract many consumers.

The two security researchers argue that scam apps regularly find their way through Apple's review process, meaning rogue app stores could be allowed through. And they claim the privacy problems arise from Apple wanting to track third-party store usage.

"The flaw of exposing users in the EU to tracking is the result of Apple insisting on inserting itself between marketplaces and their users," asserted Bakry and Mysk. "This is why Apple needs to pass an identifier to the marketplaces so they can identify installs and perhaps better calculate the due Core Technology Fee (CTF) ."

They urge iOS users in Europe to use Brave rather than Safari because Brave's implementation checks the origin of the website against the URL to prevent cross-site tracking.

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Back when Apple planned not to support Home Screen web apps in Europe – a gambit later abandoned after developer complaints and regulatory pressure – the iGiant justified its position by arguing the amount of work required "was not practical to undertake given the other demands of the DMA." By not making the extra effort to implement third-party app stores securely, Apple has arguably turned its security and privacy concerns into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

In its remarks [PDF] on complying with the DMA, Apple declared, "In the EU, every user's security, privacy, and safety will depend in part on two questions. First, are alternative marketplaces and payment processors capable of protecting users? And, second, are they interested in doing so?"

There's also the question of whether Apple is capable of protecting users – and whether it's interested in doing so.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment. ®

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How can I launch Safari from an iPhone app?
How to launch Safari and open URL from iOS app. 1. Is it possible to use safari within an iOS app? 33. How to open Safari from a WebApp in iOS 7. 0. Launch Safari from IOS. Hot Network Questions What other terms have been used to describe storing working data permanently besides "save"?
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Simply activate Siri by saying "Hey Siri" or holding down the side button, then ask, "Open Safari." Siri will promptly launch the Safari app, saving you the effort of manually searching for it. By following these simple methods, you can effortlessly locate the Safari app on your iPhone 11, setting the stage for seamless web browsing and access ...
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Get to know Safari in iOS 15. Learn how to switch between tabs, add a bookmark, use Private Browsing, and more.To learn more about this topic, visit the foll...
Browse the web using Safari on iPhone
If you don't see Safari on your Home Screen, you can find it in App Library and add it back. On the Home Screen, swipe left until you see the App Library. Enter "Safari" in the search field. Press and hold , then tap Add to Home Screen. In Safari on iPhone, view websites, preview website links, translate webpages, and add the Safari app ...
How to launch Safari and open URL from iOS app
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To avoid disrupting your reading process, you can make Safari open the link in the background, in a new tab. To do so: Go to the Settings app. Select Safari . Scroll down and tap Open Links . Choose In Background . Next time you want to open a link, long-press it. Then, select Open in Background.
‎Safari on the App Store
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Tap the plus icon to open a new, blank tab. You can also open a link on a web page in a new tab. Find the link you want to open in a new window. Tap and hold the link on the screen to open the menu. Tap Open in New Tab . The link opens in a new tab. If your device supports 3D Touch, long-press down to open this menu.
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Type the first couple of letters of the app you want to open. Search will automatically fill in the rest. It will also highlight the app icon. Now all you have to do is press the "Go" button on the keyboard of your iPhone or iPad. If you're using an iPad with an external keyboard, press the "Enter" key. This means you never have to take your ...
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Here's how you can do it: Step 1: Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone. Step 2: Scroll down and tap on the "Safari" option. Step 3: Within the Safari settings, locate the "Default Browser App" option. Step 4: Tap on the option and choose the app that you prefer to use as your default browser. Step 5: Once you've selected the ...
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Support app. Get personalized access to solutions for your Apple products. Download the Apple Support app. Learn more about all the topics, resources, and contact options you need to download, update and manage your Safari settings.
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There are two methods to re-enable Universal Links for that site. Either long press on a NYTimes link and select "Open in "NYTimes" from the menu, or open the NYTimes website in Safari and click on the "OPEN" link in the Smart App Banner at the top of the site. Let us know how you get on.
‎Safari on the App Store
With Safari, you can browse sites, translate web pages and access your tabs across iOS, iPadOS and macOS. Features. • Passwords, bookmarks, history, tabs and more seamlessly sync across iPhone, iPad and Mac. • Private Browsing mode doesn't save your history and keeps your browsing your business. • Intelligent Tracking Prevention ...
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Thanks for getting back to us. Let's have you perform step 4 from this article: If an app on your iPhone or iPad stops responding, closes unexpectedly, or won't open. Reinstalling the affected apps may help correct the shared links. If you're still having an issue, we then recommend contacting Apple Support.
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it doesn't allow you to sent commands to more than one app per session. Thats true, but you can run 2 sessions in a single test: create instance of appium driver with app-based capabilities; do what you need in the app; quit driver; create instance of appium driver with browser-based capabilities; do what you need in the safari; quit driver
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Customize your start page. When you open a new tab, you begin on your start page. You can customize your start page with new background images and options. Open the Safari app on your iPhone. Tap , then tap . Scroll to the bottom of the page, then tap Edit. Favorites: Display shortcuts to your favorite bookmarked websites.
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setTimeout('open_appstore()', 300); This code will set a timeout on the link that will call the open_appstore function if this timeout ends. Since your link is pointed at the app's custom url, Safari will try to open that link and if it can, it will open the app and stop the timer, so AppStore link will not be opened.