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How to use and manage your tabs in mobile Safari on an iPhone

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Managing your tabs in Safari on an iPhone has always been a challenge, mostly due to the small screen size. But with iOS 15, Apple has improved the way you navigate and use your tabbed pages. A new tab screen lets you see and manage all your open tabs in the form of viewable thumbnails. The tab bar itself now rests at the bottom of the screen, though you can move it back to its more familiar spot at the top. You can also create tab groups to organize your tabs. Here’s how to work with tabs in mobile Safari on your iPhone.

SEE: How to protect against 10 common browser threats (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

First, make sure you’re running iOS 15 or higher. Go to Settings and then General and select Software Update. You’ll be told that your OS is up to date or prompted to install the latest update.

Access the address bar’s location

By default, the Safari address bar in iOS 15 now appears at the bottom of the screen. Thanks to the new location, you can more easily access all your open tabs. With the address bar nestled at the bottom, simply swipe left and right on it to shift from one tab to another ( Figure A ).

open tabs in safari

With your iPhone in landscape mode, you can also view and access all your tabs at the top of the screen. To enable this, go to Settings and select Safari. Turn on the switch for Landscape Tab Bar. Go back to Safari. Put your iPhone in landscape mode, and the tabs now appear at the top ( Figure B ).

open tabs in safari

Change the address bar’s location

Okay, maybe you don’t like the new location of the address bar. No problem since you can easily change it. On your iPhone, go to Settings and select Safari. Move down to the Tab section. The option for Tab Bar displays the address bar at the bottom. Change to it to Single Tab, and the address bar returns to its spot at the top. You can more quickly make this switch within Safari itself. Click the aA icon on the address bar and select Show Top Address Bar or Show Bottom Tab Bar to jump back and forth ( Figure C ).

open tabs in safari

Access your tabs

To access your tabs on an iPhone if the address bar is at the top, tap the Tabs icon in the lower right. Your open tabs appear as thumbnails. Tap the + icon to open a new tab. Tap a specific thumbnail to open its page. Tap the X icon for any tabbed page you want to close. To sort your tabbed pages, press down on one of the thumbnails and select the option for Arrange Tabs By. You can then arrange them by title or by website. Tap Done to exit the tab screen and go back to your current page ( Figure D ).

open tabs in safari

SEE: Hiring kit: iOS developer (TechRepublic Premium)

Organize your tabs into groups

At times you may have so many tabs open in Safari that you lose track of them all. In that case, you may want to organize them into groups so you can more easily find them. Tap the Tabs icon. There are two ways you can create a tab group. Press down on any thumbnail, tap the option for Move To Tab Group, and then select New Tab Group. Alternatively, tap the Start Page or X Tabs entry at the bottom and select New Tab Group from X Tabs. Name your tab group and then tap Save ( Figure E ).

open tabs in safari

You can create an empty tab group and then add pages to it. At the tabs screen, tap the Start Page or X Tabs entry at the bottom and select New Empty Tab Group. Name the group and tap Save. Now open a page you want to add to the group. Tap the Tabs icon. Tap the plus icon to open another page to add to the group. Tap the plus icon again to open a third page. Follow the same steps for each page you want to add. When you’ve finished adding the pages, return to the tabs screen to make sure that all the pages appear as thumbnails. Tap Done ( Figure F ).

open tabs in safari

To view a tab group you just created, tap the Tab icon. Tap the entry at the bottom and then select the group you want to access ( Figure G ).

open tabs in safari

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How to use tabs and private browsing in Safari for iPhone and iPad

Become a tab master.

iPhone 14 Pro with Safari on screen held in front of computer monitor

  • How to open a new tab in Safari
  • How to switch tabs in Safari
  • How to close a tab in Safari
  • How to view recently-closed tabs in Safari
  • How to view websites from your other devices in Safari

How to use Tab Groups in Safari

  • How to use private browsing in Safari

Tabs in Safari let you keep multiple web pages open so you can switch between them efficiently or refer back to them whenever you want. You can open links in new tabs, so you don't lose where you're currently surfing, and even go into Private Mode to give you some privacy on the internet.

Safari has been around for a couple of decades now, and there's a lot to learn — especially for power users. As a first-party app, there are some excellent iOS features Apple's browser can offer, and it integrates seamlessly with your other Apple devices, making it the best web-browser to navigate seamlessly between iPhone, iPad, and Mac. 

How to open a new tab in Safari on iPhone and iPad

Note: We have our Safari Tab Bar at the bottom of our iPhone screen, but all the steps in this guide work if you have yours at the top except from gesture-based manoeuvring. For more on moving the Safari address bar, check out our guide: How to change the Safari address bar on iPhone .

  • Open Safari
  • On an iPhone, tap the show pages icon in the bottom right of the screen (it looks like two squares). A quick swipe up from the Bottom Tab Bar on iOS 15 and newer gets you there even quicker.
  • Tap the + button.

How to open a new tab in Safari: Open Safari, tap the show pages icon, tap the + icon

Alternatively, tap and hold the show pages icon, then tap New Tab . For those who like gestures, a quick swipe to the left on the Bottom Tab Bar opens a new tab while a swipe to the right goes back to your previous one. 

You can also open links you come across in a new tab by doing the following:

  • Tap and hold (long press) the link you want to open in a new tab.
  • Tap Open in New Tab (or Open in Background on iPad).

How to open a new tab in Safari: Tap and hold on a link in Safari, tap Open in New Tab

If you're on an iPad, you can open a link in a new window with Split Screen in Safari . Instead of tapping Open in Background, hit Open in Split Screen to have both tabs side by side -- great for when you're working on an essay for example.

How to switch tabs in Safari on iPhone and iPad

  • On an iPhone, tap the show pages icon in the bottom right of the screen (it looks like two squares). On iPad, this looks like four squares and appears in the top right of the screen.
  • Tap the tab you want to view.

How to switch tabs in Safari: In Safari, tap the show pages icon, tap on the tab you want to open.

You'll also benefit from Mac-like tab dividers beneath the URL field on the iPad's larger display. You can tap these to switch between tabs too.

Master your iPhone in minutes

iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!

How to close a tab in Safari on iPhone and iPad

  • Tap the X in the top right of a tab to close it. (You can also swipe the card to the left to throw it away).

How to close a tab in Safari: In Safari, tap the show pages icon, tap the X on the corner of the tab you want to close.

While the above steps work on an iPad, it is easier to tap the X next to your tab in the toolbar to close it and save yourself an extra tap.

How to quickly close all tabs in Safari on iPhone and iPad

How to quickly close all tabs in Safari: In Safari, tap and hold the show pages, tap Close All X Tabs.

  • On an iPhone, tap and hold the show pages icon in the bottom right of the screen (it looks like two squares). On iPad, this looks like four squares and appears in the top right of the screen.
  • Tap Close All X Tabs .

How to view recently-closed tabs in Safari for iPhone and iPad

  • On an iPhone, tap the show pages icon in the bottom right of the screen (it looks like two squares). On iPad, you can skip this step.
  • Tap and hold the + button to bring up the Recently Closed Tabs menu.

How to view recently-closed tabs in Safari: In Safari, tap the show pages icon, tap and hold the + icon.

How to view tabs open on your other devices in Safari on iPhone and iPad

Safari's iCloud Tabs feature lets you quickly and easily access web pages you've already opened in Safari on any of your other Apple devices — iPhones, iPads, or Macs. It's a very useful tool for getting the most out of your Apple ecosystem.

  • On iPhone or iPad, tap the URL field in the Bottom Tab Bar .
  • Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see tabs open on your other devices.
  • Click on the tab you want to access from your other device.

How to view tabs open on your other devices in Safari: Tap on the URL field, scroll to the bottom of the page, and select the correct device from the drop down menu to see tis open tabs.

Each device linked to your iCloud account is sorted alphabetically -- if you don't see your iPhone, iPad, or Mac make sure you sign in with the same Apple ID credentials across all devices. Note: tabs created in Private Browsing mode do not appear in iCloud Tabs, so you won't see those.

In iOS 16 , Apple improved upon Tab-Groups in Safari. Tab-Groups are a great way to combine several tabs together and organize them to make them easy to find. The feature also saves you from leaving a ton of tabs open for later reference.

We have a dedicated guide on how to use Tab Groups in Safari , so check that out to get the most out of the organizing tool. 

How to use private browsing in Safari on iPhone and iPad

Private browsing works just like regular browsing, except Safari won't cache your search terms or add the pages to your browser history -- this can be useful around the holiday period when gift shopping. Here's how to open private browsing on iPhone or iPad.

  • Tap Private or New Private Tab .

How to use private browsing in Safari: In Safari, tap and hold the show pages, tap Private or New Private Tab.

To exit private browsing mode, press and hold the show pages icon and tap (number) Tabs to return to your previously open regular tabs.

You can also start and stop a private browsing section from the sidebar menu on the iPad.

Become a tab master

Using Safari on iPhone and iPad is similar to using Safari on Mac , however, the interface has some differences to account for smaller screens and touchscreen input. With the above guidance, you'll be well on your way to browsing Safari like a pro on your iOS devices making sure you're getting the best iPhone and best iPad experience possible.

John-Anthony Disotto

John-Anthony Disotto is the How To Editor of iMore, ensuring you can get the most from your Apple products and helping fix things when your technology isn’t behaving itself. Living in Scotland, where he worked for Apple as a technician focused on iOS and iPhone repairs at the Genius Bar, John-Anthony has used the Apple ecosystem for over a decade and prides himself in his ability to complete his Apple Watch activity rings. John-Anthony has previously worked in editorial for collectable TCG websites and graduated from The University of Strathclyde where he won the Scottish Student Journalism Award for Website of the Year as Editor-in-Chief of his university paper. He is also an avid film geek, having previously written film reviews and received the Edinburgh International Film Festival Student Critics award in 2019.  John-Anthony also loves to tinker with other non-Apple technology and enjoys playing around with game emulation and Linux on his Steam Deck.

In his spare time, John-Anthony can be found watching any sport under the sun from football to darts, taking the term “Lego house” far too literally as he runs out of space to display any more plastic bricks, or chilling on the couch with his French Bulldog, Kermit. 

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open tabs in safari

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How to Manage Tabbed Browsing in Safari for macOS

Easily navigate your many tabs with these simple tips

open tabs in safari

In This Article

Jump to a Section

Manage Safari Tabs

Open new pages in tabs, what to know.

  • Safari > Preferences > Tabs > adjust settings as desired.
  • To open pages in tabs instead of windows, select Never , Automatically , or Always .

This article explains how to make use of tabs in the Safari web browser in macOS.

To access the Tabs settings in Safari, open Preferences under the Safari menu (or press Command + , (comma) on the keyboard.

When the Preferences menu opens, select Tabs .

The first option in the Safari  Tabs  menu is a drop-down menu labeled  Open pages in tabs instead of windows . This menu contains the following options:

  • Never : With this option selected, when you click a link that's coded to open in a new window, the link opens in a separate Safari window.
  • Automatically : With this option selected, when you click a link that's coded to open in a new window, the link opens in a new tab in most cases. Although Safari makes an effort to launch a tab instead of a new window, it may not always be successful with this option enabled.
  • Always : With this option selected, when you click a link that's coded to open in a new window, the link opens in a new tab. Safari overrides all settings and forcefully opens the link in a new tab each time.

The Safari  Tabs  Preferences dialog also contains the following set of check boxes, each accompanied by a tabbed browsing setting.

  • Command-click opens a link in a new tab : Enabled by default, this option provides a keyboard shortcut ( Command + mouse click ) to force a specific link to open in a new tab.
  • When a new tab or window opens, make it active : When enabled, a new tab or window automatically gains focus as soon as it is opened.
  • Use Command-1 through Command-9 to switch tabs : Also enabled by default, this setting allows you to skip to specific open tabs by using these keyboard shortcuts.

At the bottom of the  Tabs  Preferences dialog are some helpful keyboard and mouse shortcut combinations:

  • Command + mouse click:  Opens a link in a new tab (only when enabled; see above).
  • Command + Shift + mouse click : Opens a link in a new tab and makes it the active tab.
  • Command + Option + mouse click : Opens a link in a new window.
  • Command + Option + Shift + mouse click : Opens a link in a new window and makes it the active window.

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open tabs in safari

6 Tips to Improve Your Safari Experience on iPhone

A ccessing the internet on an iPhone is made simple by Safari, Apple's native web browser; it does a great job of getting you started, but there are several other features that you can leverage to enhance your user experience.

Below, we'll list some valuable tips you can use to get the most out of Safari on your iPhone. So, let's get started.

1. Modify the Start Page

The start page is the first element you usually run into when launching Safari—it's the default screen if you've not used the browser before or didn't leave any tabs open after your last session. And the first step you can take in improving your Safari experience is to customize it.

Customizing the start page involves changing the background image and choosing the sections (listed below) you want the app to show. We've added descriptions to help you understand a little more about each section.

  • Favorites : This section will show all your favorite websites and bookmarks which have been added to the Favorites section on your iPhone.
  • Frequently Visited : This is a collection of searches and websites you've frequented in recent months. The information is said to be a mix from all your Apple devices if you've enabled iCloud.
  • Shared with You : It works by finding links, images, music, and more, sent within the Messages app, and brings them up in relevant applications. For example, if someone texted you a link via iMessage, you'll find it in this section of the start page.
  • Privacy Report : This section surfaces information on the trackers used by websites you've visited in the last 30 days and showcases when your iPhone—and other Apple devices—prevented them from profiling you.
  • Siri Suggestions : You can find website suggestions based on your recent browsing history, bookmarks, and open tabs within this section if you choose to use them.
  • Reading List : You can find the three latest additions to your Reading List in this section, with a Show All button available in case you want to view the other articles you've added to your read later list.
  • iCloud Tabs : This feature showcases up to four most recent tabs open on each Apple device you own with iCloud enabled for Safari.

To begin customizing your Safari's start page, follow the steps listed below:

  • Scroll down to the bottom of the Safari start page and tap Edit.
  • Now, enable the desired sections using the toggles or reorder them by pressing (and dragging) the three horizontal lines.

If you want to experience Apple's Continuity feature , toggle on Use Start Page on All Devices at the top of the edit menu. This will ensure your start page is in sync across all devices connected to your iCloud account.

2. Create Tab Groups in Safari

The next step in improving Safari on iPhone is to create and use Tab Groups . The feature lets you bring order and control to tabs by allowing you to group similar ones—or those you often use together—into folders. Ideally, you can use the feature to separate search results and websites related to work from those you open during casual browsing.

To create a Tab Group, follow the steps listed below:

  • View all your tabs by tapping the Tab button in the bottom-right corner.
  • Now, tap the text box at the bottom of the screen—it mentions the number of tabs open.
  • In the menu that appears, tap New Empty Tab Group or the second option, New Tab Group with X Tabs .
  • Name the Tab Group according to your liking and hit Save .

The X in the second option will vary based on the number of tabs open when creating a Tab Group.

3. Use Safari Extensions

Like Chrome, you can install Safari extensions to improve your browsing experience. For those unaware, these are applications built for web browsers that bring additional functionality and make your life easier.

For example, you can install applications that scour the web for coupon codes and bring them up when you're making a purchase or add ones that help edit written content to ensure you aren't making silly errors.

Adding extensions to Safari on an iPhone is a bit different compared to installing and removing extensions in Safari on a Mac . To do this, follow the steps listed below:

  • Go to Settings > Safari on your iOS device.
  • On the next screen, find Extensions under the General subsection and tap on it.
  • You'll now see a list of extensions available. In case you see no options, tap More Extensions to visit the Safari Extensions store.

You may sometimes see options without having installed an extension before; these are present due to an application—that offers Safari extensions—installed on your iPhone from before.

Once you've installed an extension, activate it in Settings using the same steps above and then do the following:

  • Open Safari and tap the AA button in the address bar.
  • Now, tap Manage Extensions and select the extension you want to activate.

4. Choose Websites to Automatically Use Reader

Reader in Safari is a nifty add-on that lets you read content from a website with minimal distractions and no ads. It makes the experience quite simple and offers options like changing the page color, font, and font size.

Activating Reader is quite simple; tap the AA button in the address bar when you're on a supported webpage and choose Show Reader . However, if you frequently visit a specific website, you can configure Safari to load all its webpages in Reader. Here's what you need to do:

  • Open the desired website and tap the AA button.
  • In the context menu that appears, tap Website Settings .
  • Now, toggle on Use Reader Automatically . Each supported webpage will now open in Reader, making it easier to read the content.

5. Set Tabs to Open in Background

Despite it being easy to access AI tools like ChatGPT on mobile for learning about things, if you prefer getting deep into the weeds when doing research, you may want to view many of the following webpages in new tabs.

By default, opening a new tab via a hyperlink will leave the old tab behind and move you to the new tab. While this behavior is fine, it can feel like a chore if you'd like to open multiple results from a search page.

Fortunately, you can change this behavior. Here's what you need to do:

  • Open the Settings app, and scroll down to the Safari option.
  • On this page, under the Tabs subsection, tap on Open Links .
  • Now, choose In Background .

6. Configure Safari to Automatically Close Tabs

Lastly, while the ability to open many tabs in Safari is a boon, knowing ways to organize your browser and keeping it clutter-free can help you focus better and increase productivity. And keeping only a few tabs open can be a part of this regime.

Safari on iPhone also helps with this, with the ability to automatically close tabs after a set period of time; we've detailed the steps to activate the feature below:

  • On this page, under the Tabs subsection, tap on Close Tabs .
  • Now, choose from the available options: After One Day , After One Week , or After One Month .

Become a Safari Power User With These Changes

Each customization method listed above will help improve your Safari experience, be it with a new background image that makes the app feel more personal or a setting that keeps it clutter-free.

Overall, Safari is an excellent browser that can be made even better for power users with a few changes. And some of Apple's exclusive features make a strong case for the app, especially if you're a Mac user.

6 Tips to Improve Your Safari Experience on iPhone

How to open Safari links in new tabs on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Everyone browses the web differently. And whether you’re working, researching, or just bumming around the internet, you want control over the links you open.

In Safari , you have various ways to open links on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. One of the easiest ways to open a link is in a new tab. This lets you keep your current page open but still have a look at the link you click or tap.

Here, we’ll show you a few ways to open a link in a new tab in Safari. From opening it in the background or moving right to it, to shortcuts and settings, you decide how to open your links .

Safari Open Link in New Tab on iPhone

How to open new tabs in Safari

On iphone and ipad.

At times, when you tap a link from a webpage in Safari on iOS, it’ll open in a new tab. But many websites don’t want you to navigate away. So if you visit a site and tap to read an article, for example, it’ll open in the same tab. Here’s how to change this.

Instead of tapping a link on a webpage, press and hold the link . This will display the shortcut menu. From there, tap Open in New Tab .

Safari Open in New Tab on iPhone

When you do this, the link opens in a new tab and you switch to that new tab automatically . But you can change this too. You can still open the link in a new tab but do so in the background.

1) Open iPhone Settings and select Safari .

2) Under Tabs, pick Open Links .

3) Choose In Background .

Safari Open New Tab in Background on iPhone

Now, when you press and hold a link to display the shortcut menu, tap Open in Background . This will open the link in a new tab but won’t switch you over to it immediately . This way, you can continue viewing the site you’re on and pop over to that tab when you’re ready.

Safari Open in Background on iPhone

Check out: 4 quick ways to open Safari Private Tab on iPhone

You have different options in Safari on Mac than you do on iOS. You can control links by opening them in new tabs instead of new windows automatically and use a shortcut to immediately open links in new tabs.

Open Safari and click Safari > Preferences from the menu bar. Select Tabs at the top. Then configure these options.

Open pages in tabs instead of windows : Select either Automatically or Always from the drop-down. The difference between these is that Automatically will open the link in a new tab unless that link is designed for a specific format. Always will open it in a new tab regardless.

Command-click opens a link in a new tab : If you check this box, you can hold your Command key, click the link, and the page will open in a new tab.

When a new tab or window opens make it active : Check this box only if you want to immediately switch to the new tab when it opens. If you prefer to leave it open in the background, don’t check the box.

Safari New Tab Preferences on Mac

Along with the above adjustments, you can always open a link in a new tab with a right-click. Right-click the link and select Open Link in New Tab .

Safari Open Link in New Tab on Mac

This is how you can take control of the links you open in Safari. Open them in new tabs, switch right to them or open them in the background and use shortcuts. It’s all in your hands!

Do you have Safari tips you want to share?

Handy Safari tutorials:

  • 11 tips to customize and personalize Safari on iPhone and iPad
  • How to have Safari automatically close all open tabs on iOS
  • Ways to reopen recently closed tabs in Safari for Mac
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Disappearing Safari Tabs on iPhone or iPad? How to Find Them

Every so often, a seemingly small bug in Apple's operating systems survives the company's annual OS launches and continues to cause users huge frustration from one software update to the next.

apple macos bigsur safari improvedtabs 06222020

While there isn't an accepted solution to the problem of disappearing tabs, there are cases where it might seem that your tabs are gone, when in fact they are just hidden from view. Here are some ways that you may be able to get them back or stop them from disappearing in the first place.

Reveal Hidden Tabs

On iPadOS, for example, if you press and hold the Show Tab Overview button (four squares in a quadrant) in the top-right corner of the Safari window, this will reveal a dropdown menu that includes an option to Merge All Windows .

safari

Reveal the Shelf

Another action worth trying on iPadOS is pressing and holding the Safari icon in the Dock or on the Home Screen and selecting Show All Windows from the popup menu that appears.

shelf

Recently Closed Tabs

If you have an inkling that some of the tabs you're missing have been inadvertently closed, you can always use the Recently Closed Tabs option to re-open them. All you have to do is open up the tab view in Safari and long press on the "+" icon to get a look at all of the tabs that you've recently closed.

Turn Off Auto-Close Tabs

If you still haven't been able to find some of your tabs, make sure that Safari isn't closing them after a certain duration on your behalf: Open Settings , tap through to Safari -> Close Tabs and ensure that Manually is selected.

safari tabs

Bookmark All Open Tabs

If the above suggestions haven't worked for you, there is a workaround: Consider bookmarking your open tabs after each browsing session. This might sound like more hassle than it's worth, but since iOS 13 Apple has included a one-tap option to just that.

safari tabs

A popup menu will appear at the on the screen from which you can select Add Bookmarks for X Tabs , the X being the number of tabs open.

Once you've tapped this option, you'll be asked to save the tabs in a new bookmarks folder (remember to give it a recognizable name). Alternately, you can choose a location from the existing folder list in which to save the tabs.

safari

To access your bookmarks in Safari at any time, simply tap the Bookmarks icon in the main browsing interface or the sidebar to reveal all of your saved favorites and folders. Press and hold on the folder of bookmarks and select Open in New Tabs , or alternatively, Open in Tab Group if you want them grouped.

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6 days ago by Tim Hardwick

Closing all open tabs in Safari on an iphone14 Pro

All I’ve found so far is “Hold down the tabs button on the bottom right. When the popup menu appears select “close all tabs “.

The problem is that option doesn’t appear on the menu.

iPhone 14 Pro, iOS 17

Posted on Apr 24, 2024 3:18 PM

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sberman

Apr 24, 2024 3:31 PM in response to SumatraBorneo

Just to be certain you’re doing this correctly:

Pressing and holding the button shown by the arrow here should reveal “Close All [N] Tabs” as shown.

open tabs in safari

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.

Homepage for Safari 4+

Set any homepage in safari, ahnaf mahmud, screenshots, description.

With this extension, you can set any URL and Safari will automatically load your homepage upon opening a new tab. To set up, enable the extension and ensure it is set as the new tab page. To set the homepage URL of your choice: 1. Open your device's settings app 2. Select the Safari app followed by Extensions 3. Select the extension and tap Settings

Version 1.0.3

This version includes some minor tweaks and bug fixes.

App Privacy

The developer, Ahnaf Mahmud , 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 Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

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

Information

  • Developer Website
  • App Support
  • Privacy Policy

More By This Developer

SubManager: Subscription List

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How-To Geek

How to reopen closed tabs and windows in safari on a mac.

Safari lets you reopen closed tabs on a Mac, just as it does on iPhone. Here's how.

Quick Links

Restoring the last closed tab in safari, restoring the last closed tab using your keyboard.

Did you just close a Safari tab or window? No problem---you can get it back. Like all modern web browsers, Apple's Safari for Mac can reopen a closed tab or window---as long as you weren't browsing privately.

Tabbed browsing is perhaps the best thing to come to the internet since Keyboard Cat, and if you're anything like us you probably have more tabs open than you can ever remember looking at. That unfortunately sometimes leads to what we like to call "The Purge"---a cleanup of tabs that invariably has an unfortunate side effect---closing the one tab that you absolutely wanted to keep open.

Thankfully, someone at Apple thought about that and there's a handy dandy menu bar option that will return that recently closed tab to its former glory. There's even a keyboard shortcut, too!

There is, of course, one caveat to consider here. If you're browsing away in private browsing mode, and then close a tab, you're out of luck. No amount of spamming the right buttons or key combinations is going to bring it back. Sorry! Everything is discarded as soon as you close a private browsing tab. That ensures your private browsing stays private.

With that out of the way, here's how to get your lost tab back.

If you just closed a tab and realized that you shouldn't have, getting it back is a case of two mouse clicks.

To get started, click the "History" option in the menu bar at the top of the screen in Safari.

Next, click "Reopen Last Closed Tab."

Wonder as the tab springs back into view.

If you're in a super hurry, you don't even need to go clicking around. Instead, simply press Shift ⇧ + Command (or Cmd) ⌘ + T and your tab will be restored to its former glory.

You can reopen closed tabs in Safari on an iPhone or iPad , too.

Related: How to Reopen Closed Tabs on an iPhone or iPad

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

open tabs in safari

Use Private Browsing in Safari on Mac

When you browse privately , the details of your browsing aren’t saved, and the websites you visit aren’t shared with your other devices.

Open Safari for me

Browse privately one time

When you use a private window:

Browsing initiated in one tab is isolated from browsing initiated in another tab, so websites you visit can’t track your browsing across multiple sessions.

Webpages you visit and your AutoFill information aren’t saved.

Your open webpages aren’t stored in iCloud, so they aren’t shown when you view all your open tabs from other devices.

Your recent searches aren’t included in the results list when you use the Smart Search field.

Items you download aren’t included in the downloads list. (The items do remain on your computer.)

If you use Handoff , private windows aren’t passed to your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or other Mac computers.

Changes to your cookies and website data aren’t saved.

Websites can’t modify information stored on your device, so services normally available at such sites may work differently until you use a non-private window.

Note: None of the above applies in non-private Safari windows you may have open.

Always browse privately

Click the “Safari opens with” pop-up menu, then choose “A new private window.”

open tabs in safari

Stop browsing privately

Delete any items you downloaded while using private windows.

Close any other private windows that are still open, to prevent other people from using the Back and Forward buttons to see pages you visited in them.

Besides using private windows, you can manage cookies and data stored by all websites and prevent cross-site tracking .

If you forget to use a private window, you can clear your browsing history .

IMAGES

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  6. How to Open Private Mode and New Tabs in Safari Computer?

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VIDEO

  1. How to Bookmark All Open Safari Tabs on Mac

  2. How to Close All Open Tabs in Safari in 1 Second!

  3. Automatically close browser tabs on iPhone

  4. how to close your tabs

  5. Automatically close Safari tabs on iPhone

  6. How to Close All Safari Tabs on iPhone (Step by Step Tutorial)

COMMENTS

  1. Open and close tabs in Safari on iPhone

    To stay on the current webpage when you open new links in a separate tab, go to Settings > Safari > Open Links, then tap In Background. View a tab's history. You can see which webpages you previously visited in this tab. Touch and hold or . Close tabs. Tap , then tap in the upper-right corner of a tab to close it.

  2. Change Tabs preferences in Safari on Mac

    Always: Open pages in tabs. ⌘-click opens a link in a new tab. Change what the listed shortcuts for opening links do. When a new tab or window opens, make it active. New tabs or windows open in front of the one you're currently viewing. Use ⌘-1 through ⌘-9 to switch tabs. Use keyboard shortcuts to select one of the first nine tabs in ...

  3. How to use and manage your tabs in mobile Safari on an iPhone

    On your iPhone, go to Settings and select Safari. Move down to the Tab section. The option for Tab Bar displays the address bar at the bottom. Change to it to Single Tab, and the address bar ...

  4. How to use tabs and private browsing in Safari for iPhone and iPad

    A quick swipe up from the Bottom Tab Bar on iOS 15 and newer gets you there even quicker. Tap the + button. How to open a new tab in Safari: Open Safari, tap the show pages icon, tap the + icon (Image credit: iMore) Alternatively, tap and hold the show pages icon, then tap New Tab. For those who like gestures, a quick swipe to the left on the ...

  5. The Complete Guide to Mastering Tabs in Safari

    Open a website in a new window and make it active: Command+Option+Shift+Click on a link. Select one of the first nine tabs: Command+1 through Command+9. Close all tabs but one: Option+click the close (X) button on the tab you want to keep open. Reopen the last tab (s) or window (s): Command+Shift+T.

  6. How to Manage Tabbed Browsing in Safari for macOS

    Command-click opens a link in a new tab: Enabled by default, this option provides a keyboard shortcut (Command+mouse click) to force a specific link to open in a new tab.; When a new tab or window opens, make it active: When enabled, a new tab or window automatically gains focus as soon as it is opened.; Use Command-1 through Command-9 to switch tabs: Also enabled by default, this setting ...

  7. How to Search Open Tabs in Safari on Mac

    To get started, open Safari on your Mac and visit several sites in multiple tabs. Then, click the Tab Overview button (which looks like one square overlapping another) in the top-right corner of the Safari window. (Alternately, you can select View > Tab Overview in the menu bar or press Shift+Command+\ on your keyboard.)

  8. How to Reopen Closed or Lost Tabs in Safari on Your ...

    Open Safari and tap the Tabs button (two overlapping squares) in the bottom-right corner. Tap and hold the Plus (+) button at the bottom of the screen. A list of recently closed tabs appears, tap an item to open it in a new tab. Tap and hold the Plus button to see your closed tabs. On an iPad: Open Safari.

  9. How to Copy URLs of All Open Tabs in Safari

    How to Copy Tab URLs in Safari on iPhone or iPad First, launch the Safari browser on your iPhone or iPad and open all the websites whose addresses you want to copy. On an iPad, tap the tabs button (four squares) or the plus ("+") button depending on your tab bar layout. On an iPhone, tap the "Tabs" button (overlapping squares) in the lower ...

  10. macOS: How to Manage Multiple Open Safari Tabs

    Safari offers two tab layouts: Compact and Separate. Compact is a more unified Safari design that does away with the dedicated URL and search interface and makes any individual tab able to be used ...

  11. 6 Tips to Improve Your Safari Experience on iPhone

    Lastly, while the ability to open many tabs in Safari is a boon, knowing ways to organize your browser and keeping it clutter-free can help you focus better and increase productivity. And keeping ...

  12. How to open Safari links in new tabs on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

    1) Open iPhone Settings and select Safari. 2) Under Tabs, pick Open Links. 3) Choose In Background. Now, when you press and hold a link to display the shortcut menu, tap Open in Background. This will open the link in a new tab but won't switch you over to it immediately.

  13. How to Save All Your Open Tabs in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox

    Apple makes it really easy to save your Safari tabs on your iPhone and your Mac.. If you have an iPhone, you can open Safari and hit the tabs button in the bottom-right corner of the browser ...

  14. Better Browsing: 30 Hidden Tricks Inside Apple's Safari Browser

    Now, here are 30 tricks to help you have a better experience when using Safari. 1. Navigate Tab Bar. (Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple) The jump to iOS 15 moved Safari's address bar to the bottom of ...

  15. Disappearing Safari Tabs on iPhone or iPad? How to Find Them

    Turn Off Auto-Close Tabs. If you still haven't been able to find some of your tabs, make sure that Safari isn't closing them after a certain duration on your behalf: Open Settings, tap through to ...

  16. Open and close tabs in Safari on iPad

    Open and close tabs in Safari on iPad. In the Safari app , use tabs to help you navigate between multiple open webpages. Note: If you're using the Compact Tab Bar layout, the menus and other items may look different from what's described in this guide. See Change the layout of Safari.

  17. How to Use Tab Groups in Safari on Mac

    To add a new tab in any group, you can press Command+T to open a new tab or click the "+" (plus) button in the top-right corner of Safari. You can re-arrange the order of the tab groups by dragging them above or below the existing groups on the Sidebar. To delete a tab from a tab group, hit the Tabs Overview button in the top-right corner (four ...

  18. Keyboard shortcuts and gestures in Safari on Mac

    Open a page in a new tab, and make that tab the active tab. Shift-Command-click a link. Shift-Command-click a bookmark. Shift-Command-Return after typing in the Smart Search field. Go to the next tab. Control-Tab or Shift-Command-] Go to the previous tab. Control-Shift-Tab or Shift-Command -[Select one of your first nine tabs. Command-1 to ...

  19. Closing all open tabs in Safari on an iph…

    Closing all open tabs in Safari on an iphone14 Pro. All I've found so far is "Hold down the tabs button on the bottom right. When the popup menu appears select "close all tabs ". The problem is that option doesn't appear on the menu. Show more Less. iPhone 14 Pro, iOS 17 Posted on Apr 24, 2024 3:18 PM ...

  20. 10 Ways to Easily Find Safari Tabs On Your iPhone and iPad

    Method 1: View all your tabs. Open Safari on your iPhone. In your Safari browsing session, tap on the tabs option in the bottom right corner of your screen. This will open the grid view off all the tabs opened in your browsing session. In the tab-view page, you will see each tab represented as a separate grid.

  21. Want to Bookmark All Your Tabs in Safari at Once? Here's How You ...

    To re-open the tabs at a later date, just click the Bookmarks button again and select Show Favorites or Show Bookmarks, depending on where you saved your tabs.. You can also open the bookmarks by viewing the sidebar on your Safari window. Click the Show Sidebar icon at the top of your window and find your folder from the list shown. Control-click and press Open in New Tabs to open all your ...

  22. Your Guide to Private Browsing in Safari

    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.

  23. How to Close All Safari Tabs at Once on iPhone and iPad

    Long-press the "Done" button — place and hold your finger there for a moment until a pop-up appears. In the pop-up, select "Close All Tabs." The exact name of the pop-up action will vary, depending on the number of tabs you have open. Safari will ask you to confirm closing all the tabs with another pop-up message. Select "Close All Tabs" again.

  24. View your Safari tabs from another Apple device on iPhone

    Go to Settings > [ your name ] > iCloud > Show All, then make sure Safari is turned on. Note: To also see tabs open on your Mac, you must have Safari turned on in iCloud settings on your Mac, be signed in with the same Apple ID, and use two-factor authentication. In Safari on iPhone, view the tabs that are open on your other Apple devices and ...

  25. ‎Homepage for Safari on the App Store

    With this extension, you can set any URL and Safari will automatically load your homepage upon opening a new tab. To set up, enable the extension and ensure it is set as the new tab page. To set the homepage URL of your choice: 1. Open your device's settings app 2. Select the Safari app followed by Extensions 3. Select the extension and tap ...

  26. How to Reopen Closed Tabs and Windows in Safari on a Mac

    Restoring the Last Closed Tab in Safari. If you just closed a tab and realized that you shouldn't have, getting it back is a case of two mouse clicks. To get started, click the "History" option in the menu bar at the top of the screen in Safari. Next, click "Reopen Last Closed Tab." Wonder as the tab springs back into view.

  27. Use Private Browsing in Safari on Mac

    In the Safari app on your Mac, close the private window, switch to a non-private Safari window, or choose File > New Window to open a non-private window. To further enhance privacy: Delete any items you downloaded while using private windows. Close any other private windows that are still open, to prevent other people from using the Back and Forward buttons to see pages you visited in them.