safari not opening apps

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.

iPhone Not Opening Apps From Links (solved)

By: Author Jason Kendell

As an iPhone user, clicking on a link found in a message normally opens the appropriate app. Sometimes, however, links won’t open or will open in a web browser instead of an app.

If restarting and resetting your iPhone doesn’t help, you can install a third-party opener app like Opener which allows you to open links in their respective apps instead of the default web browser on your iPhone. 

Links are not opening in an app

How do i get my iphone to open links in the browser instead of the app, how to make links open in safari on iphone instead of chrome, why are hyperlinks not working on the iphone, can you change default apps on iphone, can’t open links from my email on my iphone.

See also: How do I turn off swipe between apps on iPhone?

iPhone users often complain that after an update, they’re unable to open links directly in their respective apps. Here are a few good approaches for getting links to open directly in apps instead of Safari.

1. Restart the app

In some cases, an app will not load properly, and this can cause these universal links to not work as expected. Simply closing the app and then reopening it may fix the issue.

You may have to do it a couple of times to see results. Also try to close the app, restart your phone, and then re-open the app. In many cases your links will start opening in their proper apps again.

2. Check if the AASA file is downloaded successfully

A file named AASA file associated with the app is often responsible for glitches associated with weblink opening. Here’s how to ensure this file is properly installed:

• Copy the link that you want to open and paste it in the “Notes” app.
• Long-press the link in the “Notes” app to see if the drop-down menu appears with the “Open link in app” option.
• If it shows this option with a link preview, the AASA file is properly configured.

3. Reinstall the app

Some components of the app may not have installed properly, possibly causing issues in opening links in their respective apps. The AASA file mentioned previously, for instance, often causes the issue. To fix it, you can try reinstalling the app:

• Uninstall the app from the device.
• Restart the device.
• Download and install the app again.

Now check if the problem is fixed.

4. Check for updates

If the links are not opening in a particular app, check if an update is available for that app as it may include a fix for the link issue. To check for updates:

• Open “App Store”.
• Tap on your account on the top right corner.
• Scroll down and see if the updates are available for the app.
• Tap “Update”.

5. Opener iOS utility

An easy way around the issue is to install Opener , a third-party (paid) app that lets you open web links in their respective apps instead of Safari. You copy the link and paste it in Opener, and Opera opens the link in the appropriate app.

This is the opposite question to the previous one. To open links in the default browser of iPhone instead of the app, use one of these methods:

1. Uninstall the app

Apps register with the OS using app-specific URLs. So if you install the Youtube app, it will register itself with all the youtube.com URLs. When you try to open a Youtube link, it will trigger the Youtube app to open the link instead of the browser.

If you want the URLs to open in the browser instead of the app, simply uninstall that specific app. The phone will fall back onto opening the link in the browser.

2. Open the app using the drop-down menu

If you don’t want links to open in the associated app, another thing you can do is press and hold the link until the drop-down menu pops with with a “Open in Safari” option – Safari being the default web browser on iPhone.

This forces the phone to open the link in the default web browser instead of the app.

3. Use Safari’s private browsing mode

With private browsing mode enabled, Safari doesn’t let third-party apps take over links and prevents URLs to open in a third-party app.

When in private browsing mode, Safari will ask you if you want to open the link in the specific app. If you decline, the link will open in the browser instead.

4. Use guided access

“Guided Access” restricts the use of your iPhone. This means that you are locked in a specific app while the guided access is enabled. 

As a result, when you are surfing the web with “Guided Access” enabled, the links you tap on will open in the browser instead of a third-party app.

You won’t be able to leave the browser until the guided access is disabled. While this mode is enabled, your browser won’t try to open the links in other apps.

Here’s how to enable “Guided Access”:

• Open “Settings” > “Accessibility”.
• Toggle on the switch next to “Guided Access” to turn it on.
• The guided access session will start/end whenever you triple-press the home button .

See also: Why Do My Apps Keep Moving on iPhone ?

Safari is the default web browser in iOS devices, so by default, all the links you open go directly to Safari – which may then launch an app to open the link. 

If you have another browser installed on your iPhone such as Chrome, you can make it your default web browser instead of Safari.

If your links are opening in Chrome instead of Safari and it’s not what you want, make sure your default web browser is set to Safari, as follows:

• Open “Settings” > “Chrome”.
• Tap on “Default Browser App”.
• Choose “Safari”.

Now Safari is again your default browser on the iPhone, and all the links will open in Safari.

iOS version 9.3 has several issues related to hyperlinks. Many users complain about hyperlinks not working correctly and Safari crashing a lot.

These issues are frequently due to the “universal links” feature available to developers for connecting apps directly with specific hyperlinks. With this feature, when a user clicks on a URL linked to an app, the app opens instead of the default browser.

To solve this issue, try updating your iOS software, this will fix the issue most of the time. You can also restart your phone or the problematic app.

More specifically, if Safari fails to open web links on your iPhone, try these solutions:

1. Update iOS

iOS 9.3 had issues with hyperlinks not opening in Safari or other browsers. The bug is fixed with the new iOS updates. Try updating your iOS right away to see if the problem is fixed.

2. Disable JavaScript

Here’s how to disable JavaScript:

• Open “Settings” > “Safari”.
• Scroll down and tap on “Advanced”.
• Toggle off the “JavaScript” switch.

3. Clear history & restart Safari

To clear history of Safari:

• Tap on “Settings” > “Safari”.
• Tap on “Clear history and website data”.
• Restart Safari.

If links on your iPhone are not opening in the app you want, you can change the default browser and mail app. Simply go to Settings > [your current default browser] > tap “Default Browser App” and choose the browser you want as default.

If you can’t open links from email on your iPhone browser, do the following:

• Disable JavaScript in Safari.
• Clear history and delete browser data in Safari.
• Update your iOS to the latest version.
• Check content restrictions under “Screen Time” to make sure you have unrestricted access to the web content. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content Restrictions, choose Web content and select Unrestricted Access

Safari Not Working on iPhone? Here’s How to Fix It

What to know.

• If Safari is not working, be sure to check your cellular and Wi-Fi connection.
• Confirm that you have not set any Screen Time limits for Safari.
• If all else fails, try clearing Safari history and browsing data.

It can be incredibly frustrating when Safari is not working on iPhone. Whether web pages are not loading or you’re getting a “Safari cannot open page” error message, we’re going to go over a few different fixes that should help resolve any issues you are having with your web browser.

Why Is Safari Not Working?

• How to Check Screen Time Settings

How to Clear Safari Browsing Data

There are a few different reasons why Safari is not working on your iPhone, so we'll recommend multiple solutions to help resolve the problem. Let’s get started with how to fix Safari on iPhone.

How to Check Cellular & Wi-Fi Connection

Like any web browser, Safari needs an internet connection to work. For more Safari troubleshooting fixes, like how to fix the Safari cannot open page error, be sure to sign up for our Tip of the Day newsletter. Now, to fix any problems with Safari not working on your iPhone, let’s first check your cellular and Wi-Fi connection:

If these settings are already enabled, but your web browser is still giving you trouble or Safari can't find server, there are other solutions to try.

How to Enable Cellular Data for Safari

One of the iPhone’s many useful features is that you can restrict certain apps from using your cellular data . This is great for those who do not have unlimited data plans. However, that also means that if you disable data for Safari, then the web browser will be unable to load any web pages if you're not connected to Wi-Fi. If Safari is not working on your iPhone, here’s how to check your cellular data settings:

Once you've confirmed that cellular data is enabled for Safari, try opening a web page to see if the issue has been resolved.

Safari Won’t Open on iPhone? Check Screen Time Settings

Screen Time is a handy feature that is designed to help you reduce the amount of time you spend on your phone, including restricting access to a particular app. If you played around with Screen Time settings in the past, you might have accidentally set an App Limit for Safari by accident. If Safari won't open this is one of the first things you should check. Here’s how to check your Screen Time settings when Safari is not working on iPhone:

If you do not see Safari in this list, then you have not set any Screen Time limits for your web browser. If Safari is still not opening on your iPhone, the issue could be elsewhere.

Sometimes clearing out old website history and data can help with issues related to Safari not working. Here’s how to do it:

Note:  Clearing this data will log you out of your online accounts and clear recent websites from your browsing history. While that is not a huge loss for most people, it can be a bit annoying when you get Safari working again, so it is best to use this option as a last resort.

If Safari is not working on your iPhone after clearing your browsing data, try closing the app completely.

Close & Re-open Safari

If Safari is still not working on iPhone, try closing and re-opening the app . Sometimes apps stop functioning correctly so completely closing it can help resolve things. When you close the app and re-open it, this effectively restarts the app.

If Safari cannot open a page, the above fixes should help resolve any underlying issues. However, if you are still having trouble with Safari not working on iPhone, you may need to seek further assistance from Apple Support . Next, find out how to block or allow pop-ups in Safari .

• How do I get the Safari icon back on my iPhone?  Safari is one of the few Apple apps that cannot be removed from your iPhone. However, if it has somehow vanished from your phone, there are a few different ways to get Safari back on iPhone . Our article covers each method in detail, ensuring you can find the app.
• Why won't Safari open on my iPhone?  If Safari won't open at all, the problem could be your Screen Time settings. If you don't have any Screen Time restrictions, you could be experiencing a software bug, in which case, I would recommend reaching out to Apple Support for help.
• How do I reset Safari on my iPhone? You can close and re-open Safari to reset it. However, if that does not work, you can follow the above steps for clearing your browsing data .

Author Details

Rhett Intriago

Rhett Intriago is a Feature Writer at iPhone Life, offering his expertise in all things iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. He enjoys writing on topics related to maintaining privacy in a digital world, as well as iPhone security. He’s been a tech enthusiast all his life, with experiences ranging from jailbreaking his iPhone to building his own gaming PC.

Despite his disdain for the beach, Rhett is based in Florida. In his free time, he enjoys playing the latest games, spoiling his cats, or discovering new places with his wife, Kyla.

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Links from Apps (Mail, Messages, Facebook, etc) Won’t Open in Safari, How to Fix

Several users have said that they are having issues opening web links in Safari from other apps such as Mail, Messages, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc. In order to explain this issue more clearly, I can give this example. When a user taps a link in Mail to open a particular website, the link opens the Safari but Safari does not open the webpage. Safari says “Loading” or “Nothing to see here” but still, the site does not load. Safari displays a blank page only. However, when the user goes back to the app and taps the same link again (the second time), this time the website loads successfully. Some users have further said that they even have this issue with the links inside Safari as well. From the users’ comments, I think that the issue may affect both iPhone and iPad users.

This problem can be very frustrating. You may have to tap links twice in order to open them in your browser. In this article, I explain how you can fix this Safari problem.

Update iPhone or iPad

Make sure that your iPhone or iPad is updated to the latest version of the iOS or iPadOS software. If you update iOS or iPadOS, this means that all of its built-in apps are up to date. And this includes Safari. On your device, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

Restart Safari and your device

If your links are still not opening in Safari, I recommend you restart everything. Follow these steps in this order:

• If your device has a Home button: Double-press the Home button, find the Safari icon and swipe up on it.
• If your device does not have a Home button: Swipe up from the bottom of your iPad’s or iPhone’s screen, find Safari and swipe up.
• Now restart your device. You can turn off your device by going to Settings > General > Shut Down. Then press and hold the power button until the Apple logo appears.
• Now open Safari. Test your links. Do they work?

Delete website data

If you are still having issues with the links, clearing website data will improve Safari performance and this may also fic this issue. On your device, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website. You will need to confirm again by tapping Clear History and Data.

Disable JavaScript

If you are still having this problem, try disabling JavaScript. If disabling JavaScript does not make a difference, you can again enable it. Of course, when you disable JavaScript, some websites may not work properly as most websites require javascript. On your device, go to Settings > Safari > Advanced and then turn off JavaScript. Then open Safari and try again.

• Safari Loading Blank Pages on iPhone or iPad, Fix
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• YouTube Website Not Opening in Safari on Mac, Fix

Dr. Serhat Kurt worked as a Senior Technology Director specializing in Apple solutions for small and medium-sized educational institutions. He holds a doctoral degree (or doctorate) from the University of Illinois at Urbana / Champaign and a master’s degree from Purdue University. He is a former faculty member. Here is his LinkedIn profile and Google Scholar profile . Email Serhat Kurt .

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My email is opening, However it’s not showing the message content. What should I do?

You can try to rebuild as we described in this article: https://macreports.com/unable-to-open-mail-because-it-keeps-crashing-in-ventura-on-mac/

Thank you so much! Your advice worked for me and links in emails on iPad now working. Thank you so much as the problem, which just started after an update, was driving me crazy! You are brilliant!

If I don’t keep Safari open at all times on my iPhone, then external-app links won’t properly open the webpage.

I can’t get any hyperlinks to open at all when clicking on them. This started right after the last Apple update iOS 15.6.1

for me it is opening a specific email inbox that only opens when messages are marked as read. it is frustrating and the only way Apple knows to get users to buy their products is to update them whilst platforms like Android beats t safari to pieces nearly everything,it shows the iOS weaknesses bigly.

for me it was webex extension, after uninstalling links started opening.

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How to Fix It When Safari Is Not Working on an iPad

Restarts, updates, and checking your network are common fixes

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Fixing Safari issues on iPad can take seconds to fix due to an unknown minor issue, or it can take a lot longer. Here's how to fix it when Safari won't work on an iPad.

Causes of Safari Not Working On iPad 

There are many reasons why Safari may not be working on iPad. Try these troubleshooting tips to figure out what's happened.

• Your iPad is out of date. If your iPad is not up to date, you may find yourself running into trouble loading standard apps including Safari.
• You're offline. If your iPad doesn't have a data connection, Safari won't be able to load any websites, making it look as if Safari is the issue.
• Your iPad has a major problem. If your iPad won't load any apps including Safari, the problem may be deeper than just the one app.

How to Fix Safari Not Working On iPad 

If your iPad won't open Safari or it won't load correctly, it severely limits your ability to browse the internet. Here's how to fix Safari not working on iPad. 

Restart your iPad . Many common issues are solved by restarting or rebooting the device in question. Restart your iPad to hopefully fix Safari.

Check your data connection . If your iPad is a Wi-Fi model, check you're connected to a Wi-Fi network with internet access. If your iPad has a cellular connection, check it has a signal and is working correctly. Tap Settings > Cellular and check the toggle next to Safari is On.

Check Airplane mode . Check if Airplane mode is enabled on your iPad. If it is, you won't be able to browse online.

Check content restrictions . If you have parental controls set up on your iPad, these may stop you from browsing using Safari. Check the settings to confirm this isn't the issue.

Clear your browsing history . If Safari opens but is unresponsive, clear your browsing history to see if that makes it work more effectively. 

Disable Safari suggestions. Safari suggestions can sometimes cause Safari to crash. Try disabling them by tapping Settings > Safari > then toggle off the Safari Suggestions switch.

Update your iPad . If you haven't updated your iPad in a while, you may need the latest version of iPadOS to correct any issues. It's simple to do but set aside a while for the update process to complete.

Reset your iPad . Resetting your iPad to factory settings removes all your personal information but can sometimes solve an underlying issue previous steps haven't solved.

Contact Apple . If none of the above fixes work, you may have a hardware issue with your iPad. If you have remaining warranty or AppleCare+ , the appointment and fix may be free.

The first thing you should check is that you're entering the correct URL. If you're typing it manually, try finding a link. If you're following a link, try typing it by hand. The website may also be down, and you should try again later.

The best way is to delete your Safari data. Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data .

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Top 12 Ways to Fix Safari Not Working on iPhone and iPad

Supreeth is passionate about technology and dedicates himself to helping people figure it out. An engineer by education, his understanding of the inner workings of all types of gadgets and devices ensures he provides top-notch guidance, tips, and recommendations to his readers. When away from the desk, you will find him traveling, playing FIFA, or hunting for a good movie.

Apple’s ingenious web browser, Safari, was developed in 2003 and received many praises. However, Google responded with Chrome and many migrated to it as Safari had bugs . Although it has improved a lot over years, sometimes the web browser stops working. If you’re facing this issue, here’re twelve fixes for Safari not working on iPhone and iPad.

Following are some of the most common methods that have worked to troubleshoot Safari. We recommend you try every method, except the Reset iPhone option which should be used as a last resort. We have provided detailed steps for each method, but let us start with the basics.

Why Is Safari Not Working On iPhone and iPad

Safari might not work for a lot of reasons, but the most common issue is the app not being able to connect to the internet. This is probably because you are not connected to a good internet connection, or there are a few misconfigurations on your iPhone settings that are preventing Safari from doing so.

Fortunately, there are a few effective methods to fix the issue. As you start reading the next section of this article, you will find a detailed procedure to fix Safari on your device.

How to Fix Safari Not Working on iPhone and iPad

Below are twelve easy methods to fix Safari. Most of these will resolve the issue within a few steps only, and therefore will not consume a lot of time.

We also came across a lot of users across forums suggesting toggling a few features off/on to fix the issue. So, let us take a look at all of these methods in detail. We can start by simply trying to restart the device

1. Restart iPhone or iPad

Simply trying to restart your device will fix most issues, and it can probably fix Safari not working as well. Here’s how you can restart your iPhone or iPad.

Step 1:  First, shut down your device.

• On iPhone X and above : Press and hold the volume down and the side button.
• On iPhone SE 2nd or 3rd gen, 7, and 8 series : Press and hold the side button.
• On iPhone SE 1st gen, 5s, 5c, or 5 : Hold the power button at the top.
• On iPad : Hold the power button at the top.

Step 2:  Now, drag the power slider to turn off the device.

Step 3:  Next, turn on your device by pressing and holding the power button on your iPhone.

If it’s a software issue, restarting the device should fix your Safari not working issue. If it doesn’t, try tweaking a few settings shown in the next few fixes and see if they help.

2. Turn off Safari Suggestions

We’re not entirely sure how this fixes the issue, but a lot of users reported that doing this restored the functionality of their browser. Here’s how you can turn off Safari Search Suggestions on iPhone or iPad.

Step 1: Open the Settings app and open Safari

Step 2: Toggle off ‘Search Engine Suggestions’.

That is how you can disable Search Engine Suggestions. If the issue persists, you need to check if Safari is limited by any Screen Time settings.

3. Edit Your Screen Time Settings

To provide digital well-being controls to the user, Apple has an option to set a limit to the duration of any app being used. If you’ve enabled Screen Time for Safari , it cannot be used once you exhaust the set limit. Here’s how you can remove the limit to ensure Safari works as usual on iPhone.

Step 1: Open the Settings app and select Screen Time.

Step 2: You need to select App Limits.

Step 3: Safari will show up in this list if there is a limit for it. Tap on it, and select Delete Limit.

This ensures that you do not have any limits set on using Safari. You now need to check if there is a network limit set on Safari.

4. Check Cellular Settings for Safari

If you have turned off cellular data access for Safari, and are trying to use Safari on mobile data, it won’t work. Therefore, you need to remove the restrictions. Here’s how you can do it.

Step 1: Open the Settings app and select Cellular.

Step 2: Scroll down to find Safari. Turn on the toggle to give Safari access to cellular connectivity.

If the issue persists, perhaps it is time you now try and clear all browsing data from Safari.

5. Clear Safari History and Data

If you have been using Safari for a long time, it will accumulate a lot of website data. This can slow down Safari and affect the web browsing performance. Hence, it is a good practice to clear browsing history and cache from Safari every fortnight. Here’s how you can do it.

Step 1: Open the Settings app and select Safari.

Step 2: Tap on ‘Clear History and Website Data’ and select ‘Clear History and Data’ to confirm. This will delete your browsing history, stored cache, cookies, and saved passwords.

6. Check Network Connectivity

As mentioned earlier, a major reason why Safari does not work on iPhone and iPad is due to a lack of connectivity. Here’s how you can ensure that you are connected to a good network on your device.

Step 1: Open the Settings app and select Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Now, check if the Wi-Fi network you are connected to has full strength, and does not show errors like ‘Not Connected to Internet’ or ‘Weak Security’.

If you are operating on mobile data, the connection needs to either be on 4G or 5G running on strong signal strength.

Step 2: Ensure the toggle is on for Cellular Data. Also, ensure that the network is connected to 4G/5G and has a good signal strength.

Step 3: If you can’t connect to a 4G or 5G network despite having a plan for the same, tap on ‘Cellular Data Options’.

Step 4: Now, tap on ‘Voice & Data’. Select 4G or 5G as your default network.

7. Turn Off Hide IP Address From Trackers

The ‘Hide IP Address From Trackers’ option ensures that your IP address is not provided to any browser trackers. To know more, you can read our article on trackers on Safari . However, this causes a few issues that might cause Safari to not work on iPhone and iPad.

Here’s how you can disable this feature.

Step 2: Tap on ‘Hide IP Address’.

Step 3: Select Off, if not already.

Another feature on Safari that might cause a few errors are extensions. Here’s you you can disable them to fix Safari not working on iPhone and iPad.

8. Check Safari Extensions

While Safari extensions on iPhone help expand functionality, not all extensions are stable and some might cause issues with your web browsing experience. Here’s how you can turn off an extension.

Note : The extension we are using to show you the steps is just an example. By no means we are stating that this extension is causing issues.

Step 2: Now, tap on Extensions.

Step 3: Now, select the extension, and toggle it off.

This is how you can turn off extensions to ensure they are not the means of any problem. However, sometimes disabled JavaScript can also affect Safari. Let’s understand this in detail in the next section.

9. Enable JavaScript

JavaScript is a crucial element in websites that enables interactive content. If you disable it, you won’t see any images, videos, or other media content on a website. Thus, it can prevent Safari from responding on iPhone. Here’s how you can turn JavaScript on.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap on Advanced.

Step 3: Ensure to turn on the toggle for JavaScript.

That is how you enable JavaScript and ensure all kinds of websites work fine on Safari. If this does not work too, you need to check if your device is connected to a VPN network and if this prevents Safari to operate normally.

10. Disable VPN

VPN is a private network that hides your IP address while browsing the web. However, if you don’t connect to a VPN using a reliable service, you will face low speeds while browsing on Safari. Therefore, you can turn off the VPN connection.

Step 1: Open the Settings app and select General.

Step 2: Tap on ‘VPN & Device Management’ and ensure that the VPN status remains ‘Not Connected’.

If none of the above methods work, you can try some generic methods that help resolve most issues on iPhone and iPad, you can check if there is any software update for your iPhone.

11. Update Your iPhone and iPad

Apple ensures to fix issues faced by a lot of users through a software update. Therefore, it is best to remain on the latest version of iOS. Here’s how you can do the same.

Step 2: Tap on Software Update and select Download and Install. This will download and install the latest iOS update for your iPhone and iPad.

If this does not work either, you can probably try and reset your iPhone or iPad as a last resort.

12. Reset All Settings

Resetting your iPhone has a good probability of fixing any issue, and it goes the same for Safari not working as well. Here’s how you can Reset your iPhone.

Step 2: Tap on Transfer or Reset.

Step 3: Select Reset.

Step 4: Now, you can select Reset Network Settings to restore all original settings related to the network, i.e Wi-Fi settings, cellular Settings, saved passwords, etc.

If that does not work, you can select Reset All Settings. However, this will restore all your iPhone settings to default. This will not erase any of your data.

Step 5: If this does not work too, you can try to completely erase your iPhone and start afresh. You can tap on the ‘Erase All Content and Settings’ option on the reset page.

Now, follow the on-screen instructions to erase and reset your iPhone. However, since it wipes your phone, we suggest you take a full backup of your iPhone and iPad .

This, as mentioned earlier, should only be tried as a last resort as you’ll have to set up your iPhone or iPad as a new device.

Get Safari Working Again With these methods

That is all you need to know about trying to fix Safari not working on iPhone or iPad. We hope you found these methods helpful. Realistically speaking, it will most probably be an issue with your network connectivity, or from the website’s end. We hope your Safari is up and running soon.

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Last updated on 28 March, 2023

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

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Supreeth Koundinya

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Safari Not Working on Your iPhone? Here’s How to Fix It

Although iPhones and iPads support other apps to reach the Web, Safari remains the most favored and frequently used browser for iOS users. Troubleshooting on Safari can be frustrating, especially if its issues prevent you from searching for a solution online. Here are a few common reasons why Safari may not be working on your iPhone and how to fix the problems.

Turn on Mobile Data for the Safari App

Disable experimental features, change your network settings.

Also read: How to Make Mobile Safari Save Your Passwords on iOS

Test Your Internet Connection

To begin with, ensure that the problem is with Safari and not with your internet connection. For this, open, say, a non-Apple app like Facebook or Chrome, and see whether the website or the feed loads. If it does, then Safari is at fault. Otherwise, your internet connection is at fault. If it’s the former, move on to the next step.

If you’ve been exploring your iPhone’s data-saving features, which let you specify which apps have access to your phone’s mobile data, then there’s a chance that you turned off mobile data for the Safari app. That means Safari will work when you’re connected to Wi-Fi but not to mobile data. (Try running Safari over Wi-Fi to test this.)

If that’s the case, then to turn mobile data back on for Safari, go to “Settings -> Mobile Data,” and then in the “Mobile Data” list, make sure the slider next to Safari is in the green “On” position.

Also read: 20 of the Best Siri Shortcuts for iOS Power Users

You may not know about this, but Safari for the iPhone has a whole load of experimental features that you can disable and enable as you please.

The problem with these, as the name suggests, is that they are indeed experimental and subsequently don’t all work properly. Disabling them one by one can fix Safari if it’s not working and help you discover which exact feature was causing the problem,

On your iPhone, go to “Settings -> Safari -> Advanced -> Experimental Features.”

If you have more than one feature enabled here, disable just one, then check to see if Safari works normally again. If it doesn’t, re-enable that feature (if you want it) and disable the next one. Keep repeating this procedure until Safari starts working again.

Also read: Everything You Need to Know About Using “Shared with You” in iOS 15

Try resetting your Wi-Fi connection and reconnecting to the network.

• Go to “Settings -> Wi-Fi” and turn it off, then turn it back on after a few seconds.

• If you’re using mobile data, go to “Settings -> Mobile Data” and turn “Mobile Data” off and back on after a few seconds.

• If neither option works, go to “Settings -> Wi-Fi,” connect to a different Wi-Fi network, and try loading the web page again.

If the problem persists, try restoring your network settings to their original configuration.

• Go to “Settings -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone -> Reset” and choose “Reset Network Settings.”

Also read: How to Fix Contact Names Not Showing, Appearing as Numbers in iOS

Common Problems With Safari And How To Solve Them

By following the fixes we’ve mentioned above, you should be able to revive Safari and make it work normally again. However, there are some specific issues that commonly come up with Safari. Here’s how to solve them.

Problem: Safari Crashed and Won’t Open

If you’ve ever panicked after Safari closed unexpectedly and couldn’t get the app to start, you probably encountered a bug that affects Safari’s search engine suggestions. This issue can cause the app to crash, freeze, or fail to start altogether. Although the bug usually plagues devices running iOS 10, it can affect just about any iPhone or iPad.

How to Fix It: Disable Search Engine Suggestions

Go to “Settings” and choose “Safari” in your list of apps. Here, find “Search Engine Suggestions” and turn it off.

This feature offers suggestions for what you can search for as you type into Safari’s search bar. Disabling it gets rid of the problem for many users.

Problem: Safari Is Gray (and Won’t Open)

Sometimes when you update your iPhone’s iOS to a newer version, you may encounter a bug that turns some apps gray and prevent them from opening.This bug causes Safari to stop working and turns its icon gray when you switch to another app while Safari is running in the background.

How to Fix It: Update Your Software

To solve this problem, update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS. Apple includes important bug fixes in each software update, so it’s important to keep your iPhone or iPad up to date. iOS 11.1 fixed this bug for most users, so be sure to update to 11.1 or greater if you’re running an older version of iOS.

Go to “Settings -> General,” choose “Software Update,” and install the latest update.

Also read: How to Update to iOS 17 Smoothly

Problem: Safari Is Slow

As powerful as your iPhone can be, it can get bogged down with all the extraneous information that it processes. If you notice that Safari takes longer to load pages or graphics, it may be time to do some housekeeping. Try clearing your browser history, website data, and cache to make Safari run more smoothly.

How to Fix It: Clear Your Data

To delete your cookies, cache, and browsing history, go to “Settings -> Safari,” choose “Clear History and Data,” and confirm that you want to go ahead. Safari will remember your AutoFill information if you choose this option.

To keep your browsing history but clear your cache and cookies, first go to “Settings -> Safari -> Advanced.”

There, choose “Website Data -> Remove All Website Data” and tap “Remove Now.” Note that Safari will not remember your AutoFill information if you choose this option.

To remove only a portion of your browsing history, cache, and cookies, start by opening Safari and tapping the Bookmark icon. Here, open your history and tap “Clear.” Now Safari will give you the option to clear your history, cookies, and browsing data from the past hour, the past day, the past 48 hours, or from your entire history. Pick the relevant option.

Problem: Safari Still Isn’t Working

Although it sounds cliche, turning your phone off and back on again can be the solution to any number of Safari-related issues.

How to Fix It: Restart Safari or Reboot Your Phone

If none of the previous fixes help solve your problem, try restarting the app or rebooting your phone.

• Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and press on the screen when your finger is near the center to open the multitasking view, and then swipe up on Safari to close it. This will reset Safari.
• To shut down your phone, press and hold the sleep/wake button until a slider appears. Slide to the right to power off your phone. For iPhone X and above, press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons until the slider appears. Then slide it to the right to power off your phone.

Also read: How to Block Websites on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Android, and iOS

Frequently Asked Questions

How to fix "safari can't find server" on iphone.

The most probable and common reason behind the “Safari can’t find server” error is not with Safari but with your internet connection. Here are a few ways to fix it.

• Reset your wireless router.
• Turn mobile data off and turn it back on again.
• Clear Safari cache and data.
• Restart your iPhone.

How to reset Safari on iPhone?

To reset Safari on your iPhone, open the Settings app and scroll to the Safari settings. There, tap on “Clear History and Website Data” and the bottom of the page and follow up along with the pop-up on your screen to confirm the action. Once it’s complete, all your data and cookies will be wiped clean, and Safari will be as good as new.

Can you reinstall Safari on your iPhone?

Yes, just like any other app, you can uninstall Safari from your iPhone by holding down the Safari icon on the home screen and tapping “Remove app.” Then, visit the App Store, search for Safari, and reinstall it from there. Can’t find the Safari app to delete it? Here’s how to delete hidden apps .

Image credit: Flickr

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Ojash has been writing about tech back since Symbian-based Nokia was the closest thing to a smartphone. He spends most of his time writing, researching, or ranting about Bitcoin. Ojash also contributes to other popular sites like MakeUseOf, SlashGear, and MacBookJournal.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Safari “open in app” not working

I’ve had this issue for a while now where whenever safari has an open in app option the link takes me to the App Store for an app I already have downloaded. I tap the “open” button in the App Store pop-up and it just brings me to the home page of the app. The two most common/frustrating examples for me are google maps and Reddit. This has been ongoing over several months and restarts.

iPhone 13, iOS 15

Posted on Sep 6, 2022 1:29 PM

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Sep 7, 2022 3:59 PM in response to Jayd118

Hey Jayd118,

We understand you're having issues opening Safari links within their respective apps. We'd be happy to help out.

You mentioned that it takes you to the App Store where you then select to open the already installed app, instead of it going straight to the app. There seems to be some kind of disconnect where your iPhone isn't recognizing right away that these apps are already installed. With that being the case, we'd suggest uninstalling and reinstalling any affected app.

For help with doing so, please review: Redownload apps and games from Apple - Apple Support

How to redownload apps on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

1. Open the App Store app.

2. Tap the sign-in button   or your photo at the top of the screen.

3. Tap Purchased.

4. If you use Family Sharing, tap My Purchases or choose a family member’s name to see content that they purchased.

5. Tap "Not on this [device]."

6. Find the app that you want to download, then tap the download button  .

We hope this helps out.

5 Ways to Fix Safari Won’t Open on Mac

Although Safari is a lesser-known, lesser-used web browser when compared with Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox; yet, it commands a cult following of loyal Apple users.  Its simple user interface and focus on privacy make it an attractive alternative, especially for Apple users. Like any other application, Safari, too, is not immune to glitches, such as Safari won’t open on Mac. In this guide, we have shared some quick solutions to fix Safari not responding on Mac issue.

Table of Contents

How to Fix Safari Not Responding on Mac

If you notice the spinning beach ball cursor and Safari window will not open on your screen, this is Safari won’t open on Mac issue. You can fix this by following any of the methods listed below.

Click here to Download the latest version of Safari on your Mac.

Method 1: Re-launch Safari

Before trying any other troubleshooting method, the easiest fix is to simply, quit the application and open it again. Here’s how to re-launch Safari on your Mac:

1. Right-click on the Safari icon visible on your Dock.

2. Click Quit , as shown.

3. If this does not work, click on Apple Menu > Force Quit . Refer given pic.

4. Now, click on Safari to launch it. Check if Safari not loading pages on Mac issue is resolved.

Also Read: How to Force Quit Mac Applications With the Keyboard Shortcut

Method 2: Delete Saved Website Data

Safari web browser constantly saves information regarding your search history, frequently viewed sites, cookies, etc., to make your browsing experience quick and efficient. It is quite likely that some of this saved data is corrupt or excessively large in size, causing Safari not responding on Mac or Safari not loading pages on Mac errors. Follow given steps to delete all web-browser data:

1. Click on the Safari icon to open the application.

Note: Though an actual window may not appear, the Safari option should still appear at the top of your screen.

2. Next, click on Clear History , as depicted.

3. Click Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data .

 4. Finally, select Remove All to delete all stored web data.

With your website data cleared, the Safari won’t open on Mac issue should be resolved.

Also Read: How to Disable Split Screen in Safari

Method 3: Update macOS

Make sure your Mac is running on the latest operating system software as newer versions of apps might not function properly on an outdated macOS. This means Safari won’t open on Mac and hence, you should update your Mac as follows:

1. Click on System Preferences from the Apple menu.

2. Next, click on Software Update , as shown.

3. Follow the on-screen wizard to download and install the new macOS update, if any.

Updating your macOS should fix Safari not responding on Mac issue.

Also Read: How to Clear Browsing History in Any Browser

Method 4: Disable Extensions

Safari Extensions can make online surfing a lot easier by providing services like ads and tracker blockers or added parental control. Although, the downside is that some of these extensions might cause technical glitches like Safari not loading pages on Mac. Let us see how you can disable extensions in the Safari web browser on your macOS device:

1. Click on the Safari icon, and then, click Safari from the top right corner.

2. Click Preferences > Extensions , as depicted below.

3. Toggle OFF the Extension one-by-one to ascertain which extension is troublesome and then, Disable it.

4. Alternately, Disable all at once to fix Safari won’t open on Mac problem.

Method 5: Boot in Safe Mode

Booting your Mac in Safe Mode bypasses a lot of unnecessary background processes and might possibly, fix the said issue. Here’s how to reboot Mac in safe mode:

1. Turn off your Mac PC.

2. Press the Power button to initialize the start-up process.

3. Press and hold the Shift key .

4. Release the Shift key once you see the log-in screen .

Your Mac is now in Safe Mode. You can now use Safari without any errors.

Note: To revert your Mac to Normal mode , restart your device as you would normally.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Why is Safari not opening on my Mac?

Ans: There could be any number of reasons why Safari is not working. This could be because of saved web data or faulty extensions. An outdated macOS or Safari app could also inhibit Safari from working properly.

Q2. How do I fix Safari not loading pages on Mac?

Ans: Your first step should be to Quit  or Force quit the app and start it again. In case this doesn’t work, you can try to clear Safari web history and remove extensions. Updating the Safari app and your macOS version should also help. You can also attempt to boot your Mac in Safe Mode, and then try launching Safari.

Recommended:

• Fix A Device Attached to the System is Not Functioning
• How to Fix Messages Not Working on Mac
• How to Block Pop-ups in Safari on Mac
• Fix iMessage Not Delivered on Mac

We hope you were able to fix Safari won’t open on Mac issue with our helpful and comprehensive guide. Let us know which method worked for you. If you have any queries or suggestions, drop them in the comment section.

About The Author

Elon Decker

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Safari User Guide

• Change your homepage
• Import bookmarks, history, and passwords
• Make Safari your default web browser
• Go to websites
• Find what you’re looking for
• Bookmark webpages that you want to revisit
• See your favorite websites
• Use tabs for webpages
• Pin frequently visited websites
• Play web videos
• Mute audio in tabs
• Pay with Apple Pay
• Autofill credit card info
• Autofill contact info
• Keep a Reading List
• Hide ads when reading articles
• Translate a webpage
• Download items from the web
• Share or post webpages
• Add passes to Wallet
• Save part or all of a webpage
• Print or create a PDF of a webpage
• Customize a start page
• Customize the Safari window
• Customize settings per website
• Zoom in on webpages
• Get extensions
• Manage cookies and website data
• Block pop-ups
• Clear your browsing history
• Browse privately
• Autofill user name and password info
• Prevent cross-site tracking
• View a Privacy Report
• Change Safari preferences
• Keyboard and other shortcuts
• Troubleshooting

If you can’t open a Safari window on Mac

If you can’t open Safari or a new Safari window, try these suggestions.

Check your startup disk using Disk Utility.

If the other suggestions don’t help, try reinstalling macOS .

Your Guide to Private Browsing in Safari

Private browsing is often misunderstood, but it can be a helpful feature if you know what’s what.

Quick Links

What private browsing does in safari, how to use safari private browsing on iphone and ipad, how to use safari private browsing on a mac, how to disable safari private browsing on iphone and ipad, how to disable safari private browsing on a mac, key takeaways.

• Private Browsing in Safari hides browsing history, autofill details, downloads, and locks tabs after inactivity.
• Safari on Mac groups private and non-private tabs, while on iPhone it shows all tabs regardless of mode.
• To use Private Browsing in Safari, identify it by a dark address bar, "Private" indicator, or "Private" next to the site URL.

Most browsers offer a private browsing mode that aims to keep the websites you view off the record. But what exactly does it do in Safari and how do you get the best out of it?

First and foremost, Private Browsing keeps the website pages you visit out of your History . The aim is to prevent someone else from seeing which pages you have visited if they have access to your phone or computer.

In Safari, Private Browsing does a lot more than just hide URLs. It also:

• Prevents recent searches from showing up in your history.
• Stops remembering details you enter in forms for autofill.
• Keeps downloaded items from appearing in your Downloads list.
• Locks private tabs after a period of inactivity.
• Adds tracking and fingerprinting protection.

However, it’s important to note that Private Browsing does not stop you from being tracked altogether. Websites you visit will still be able to use various methods to track you, and will still have access to all data that you send them.

On macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, Safari groups private tabs together, and separates them from non-private tabs. On Mac, each Safari window is either private or non-private, and can have as many tabs as you want.

On iPhone, you can switch between private and non-private modes, each of which shows all tabs belonging to that mode.

You can spot when you’re viewing a private tab with these signs:

• The address bar has a dark background. This may be less noticeable if you’re using Dark Mode .
• On Mac, you’ll see a prominent Private indicator in the title bar.
• On iPhone, you’ll see Private alongside the site URL at the bottom of your screen.

The steps to enter Private Browsing mode are nearly identical on an iPhone and iPad. The only difference is that the tab icon is at the bottom of the screen on iOS and the top on iPadOS.

• Long-press the tab icon (two overlapping pages) on the bottom-right (iPhone) or top-right (iPad) of your screen.
• Tap the New Private Tab menu item.
• If locked, enter your passcode to unlock Private Browsing.

You can enter Private Browsing mode on macOS using either a menu item or a keyboard shortcut:

• Open the File menu and choose New Private Window .
• Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Shift + Cmd + n .
• Use the browser as you normally would. Any tabs you open from this window will open in the same window, in private mode.

You may want to prevent users of an iPhone or iPad from using Private Browsing mode at all. To do so:

• Open the Settings app.
• Tap on Screen Time .
• Under RESTRICTIONS , click on Content & Privacy Restrictions .
• If not already enabled, press the toggle next to Content & Privacy Restrictions to enable.
• Tap Content Restrictions .
• Change the Web Content setting to Limit Adult Websites .

The option to enter private mode will now be gone.

On macOS, the wording of certain options differs slightly, but the overall process is near-identical to iOS:

• Open System Settings via the Apple menu.
• Click on Screen Time in the left panel.
• Under the Restrictions section, click on Content & Privacy .
• Click Content Restrictions .
• Change the Access to Web Content setting to Limit Adult Websites .

Private Browsing will now be unavailable in Safari, although any existing private windows will stay open.

Of course, anyone can re-enable Private Browsing using the same process, in reverse. However, you can use Screen Time’s Lock Screen Time Settings option to set a passcode and enforce the setting permanently.