how to change safari on ipad

How to customize your start page in Safari on iPhone and iPad

• Choose sections for your start page
• Set a background image for your start page

Safari is probably one of your most used apps on your current iPhone. After all, Safari is your gateway to the wonderful world of the internet on the go. But have you ever wished you could make your mobile Safari experience a little more personal?

Since macOS Big Sur, Apple gave users the ability to customize the start page in Safari on the Mac . But this same feature did not make its way to the iPhone and iPad until iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, respectively. When you customize the start page in mobile Safari, you can pick your own cool background image and choose what sections you want to display when you first open a new tab. Sections can include your Favorites, Siri Suggestions, Reading List, and more. It's a simple little setting, but customizing your start page makes Safari feel more like your own.

Here's how to customize your start page in Safari on iPhone and iPad.

How to choose sections for your start page in Safari on iOS

• Launch Safari on your iPhone or iPad.
• If you are on an existing webpage, tap the Tabs button and launch a new tab .

• Scroll down to the bottom of the start page and tap Edit .
• If you prefer to use the same start page customization across all of your iPhones, iPads, and Macs, make sure the toggle for Use Start Page on All Devices is set to ON (green). This ensures that your start page appearance and settings are synced through iCloud.
• You'll see sections for Favorites , Frequently Visited , Shared With You , Privacy Report , Siri Suggestions , Reading List , and iCloud Tabs . Tap the toggles for the sections that you want to display to ON (green).
• If you want to rearrange the order that these sections appear in, just drag-and-drop with the handle into the order that you prefer.

In iOS 16 , a new section for Recently Closed Tabs will be added to the available options listed above. This section will show tabs that you've recently closed, in case you want to pull them up again.

How to set a background image for your start page in Safari on iOS

Adding a background image is a good way to spice up your Safari browsing experience while you're on the start page. Apple gives you the option to choose a preset image, or you can even pick out your own. Here's how.

• Make sure you're in a new tab so you can be on the start page .
• Scroll down to the bottom and tap Edit .
• Tap the toggle for Background Image to ON (green).
• Select one of the preset images by tapping on it.
• If you prefer to use your own, tap the large plus (+) button.
• Choose an image from your Photo Library .

If you've already set an image from your Photo Library but want to change it, just tap on the square with your custom image to browse your Photo Library again for a different image.

A personalized Safari

As you can see, it's easy to customize your start page in Safari on your favorite iPhone and iPad in iOS 15 . Doing so will give you a better experience whenever you open up a new tab in Safari, and it is a great way to add your own touch to the browser.

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!

Updated June 2022: Updated with information from iOS 16 developer beta .

Christine Romero-Chan was formerly a Senior Editor for iMore. She has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade at a variety of websites. She is currently part of the Digital Trends team, and has been using Apple’s smartphone since the original iPhone back in 2007. While her main speciality is the iPhone, she also covers Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac when needed. When she isn’t writing about Apple, Christine can often be found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as she is a passholder and obsessed with all things Disney, especially Star Wars. Christine also enjoys coffee, food, photography, mechanical keyboards, and spending as much time with her new daughter as possible.

New Apple Pencil report makes it sound like the PS5 controller - no, really

iPad Pro M3 (2024): Everything you need to know

Apple could be springing a big surprise with M4 chip debut on iPad Pro

Most Popular

• 2 iPad Pro M3 (2024): Everything you need to know
• 3 Apple could be springing a big surprise with M4 chip debut on iPad Pro
• 4 Apple has realized what the iPad's best feature is after 14 years
• 5 Mimestream, my favorite Mac email app, is getting an iOS version

How to turn on Safari dark mode on a Mac

How to turn on safari dark mode on an iphone or ipad, how to turn on safari's dark mode on any apple device to save battery life and reduce eye strain.

• You can enable dark mode for Safari on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad, which can help ease eye strain and extend your device's battery life.
• Turn on dark mode for your Mac in System Preferences in the General section.
• For an iPhone or iPad, enable dark mode in the Settings app by going to the Display & Brightness section. 

In recent years, developers have been making it easier to enable dark mode for all your most common apps. That's good, because many people prefer dark mode because the palette is often easier on the eyes — especially at night — and it can even help extend your device's battery life by not illuminating the screen as brightly. Here's how you can turn on dark mode for the Safari browser on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad. 

Safari automatically uses dark mode if you enable it in your Mac's System Preferences.

1. Click the Apple menu and then choose System Preferences…

2. Click General .

3. In the Appearance section, click Dark or Auto . 

If you choose Dark , Safari and all other compatible apps will switch to a dark color palette right away and stay that way until you change this setting. Auto , on the other hand, sets the palette to dark at night and switches it to light during the day. 

Just like on the Mac, Safari on your iOS device uses dark mode if you enable the feature in your iPhone or iPad's settings. 

1. Start the Settings app.

2. Tap Display & Brightness .

3. In the Appearance section, tap Dark . 

If you want Safari (and the rest of your device) to use dark mode automatically at night but switch to a light palette during the day, turn on Automatic by swiping the button to the right.

• Main content

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

How do I change safari search bar back to white?

I just upgraded my iPad 2 to IOS 8.2.1. Now my safari search bar at top is black with white lettering. Nothing I have found on line so far has worked to change it back or maybe the info I found is now outdated since it's now 2015. How do I change the search bar from black back to the original color?

Posted on Jan 17, 2015 2:12 PM

Posted on Jan 19, 2015 9:53 AM

Hey Bvwilliams,

Thanks for the question. It sounds like Safari on your iPad is currently in Private Browsing mode. For more information on Private Browsing and how to turn it off, see this resource:

Turn Private Browsing on or off on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203036

Loading page content

Page content loaded

Jan 19, 2015 9:53 AM in response to Bvwilliams

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.

• a. Send us an email
• b. Anonymous form
• Buyer's Guide
• Upcoming Products
• Tips / Contact Us
• Podcast Instagram Facebook Twitter Mastodon YouTube Notifications RSS Newsletter

New AI Features Reportedly Coming to Safari in iOS 18

Safari will gain a series of AI-powered features and UI enhancements in iOS 18 , AppleInsider reports .

• An "Intelligent Search" browser assistant tool that leverages Apple's on-device AI technology to identify key topics and phrases on webpages for summarization purposes.
• A "Web Eraser" tool that allows users to remove unwanted portions of webpages easily. Erasure is persistent, remaining even when revisiting a site unless changes are reverted.
• A new, quick-access menu emerging from the address bar that consolidates page tools, bringing over some functions that currently sit in the Share Sheet and placing them alongside the new tools.

The iPadOS and macOS versions of Safari are also expected to align further. These new features are purportedly undergoing evaluation alongside internal builds of ‌iOS 18‌ and macOS 15 ahead of their unveiling at Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC) in June. Earlier this month, backend code on Apple's servers suggested that a new Safari browsing assistant is in the works, corroborating this report.

Farther in the future, Apple is said to be working on a more powerful version of Visual Look Up that allows users to obtain information on products when browsing through images. The feature is expected to be released sometime in 2025.

Last week, Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman said that ‌iOS 18‌ will "overhaul" many of Apple's built-in apps , including Notes, Mail, Photos , and Fitness. Apple's next-generation operating systems are almost certain to be previewed during Apple's WWDC keynote on June 10, and the updates should be widely released in the fall.

Get weekly top MacRumors stories in your inbox.

Top Rated Comments

A "Web Eraser" tool that allows users to remove unwanted portions of webpages easily. Erasure is persistent, remaining even when revisiting a site unless changes are reverted.

Popular Stories

Apple Event Rumors: iPad Pro With M4 Chip and New Apple Pencil With Haptic Feedback

iOS 18 Rumored to 'Overhaul' Notes, Mail, Photos, and Fitness Apps

Apple to Use 'Best OLED Panels on the Market' for Upcoming iPad Pro

Apple Announces 'Let Loose' Event on May 7 Amid Rumors of New iPads

iOS 18 Rumored to Add These 10 New Features to Your iPhone

Top Stories: Apple Announces 'Let Loose' Event With New iPads and More Expected

Next article.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other Stories

14 hours ago by Tim Hardwick

5 days ago by Tim Hardwick

5 days ago by Joe Rossignol

5 days ago by MacRumors Staff

6 days ago by Joe Rossignol

Rumor: iOS 18 to add new ‘Web Eraser’ and page summarization features to Safari

Apple is reportedly planning big updates to Safari as part of iOS 18 and macOS 15 later this year. According to a report on Tuesday, the changes will include a new AI-powered tool called “Intelligent Search” with page summarization, a “Web Eraser” feature, and more.

iOS 18: New Safari features

The report, which comes from Marko Zivkovic at Apple Insider , cautions that “exact implementation” of these features “remains fuzzy.” We’d treat these claims with skepticism for the time being.

According to Zivkovic, Apple is planning a redesigned controls menu for Safari’s address bar that “consolidates old and new page control tools” in a central location. One of the new tools is reportedly something called “Intelligent Search.”

This feature, which is not enabled by default in test builds of Safari 18, can be activated from the new menu in the address bar. From there, the tool will “identify topics and key phrases within a webpage” and generate a summary of the page. The report speculates that Apple is “striving to deliver text summarization alongside Safari 18 later this year,” but again, the specific details are “fuzzy.”

Arc from The Browser Company  also combines a variety of AI features with web browsing, including page summarization options.

Safari 18 in iOS 18 and macOS 15 will also reportedly include something called “Web Eraser.” This feature is “designed to allow users to remove, or erase, specific portions of web pages,” according to Zivkovic.

Using the Web Eraser feature, users could choose to remove certain elements from a webpage like ads, images, and more. It’s a functionality already offered by certain third-party ad blockers, but Apple is apparently working on its own first-party implementation for iOS 18 and macOS 15.

Notably, any changes you make to a webpage would apply each time you visited that page. “This means that Safari will remember the changes even after the original tab or window has been closed,” Zivkovic says.

When visiting a web page with previously erased content, Safari will inform the user that the page has been modified to reflect their desired changes. The browser will also give the user the option to revert changes and restore the webpage to its initial, unaltered state.

9to5Mac’s Take

Apple implementing what is essentially a built-in ad blocker to Safari could be disastrous for ad-supported online publications like the one you’re reading right now.

Follow Chance :  Threads ,  Twitter ,  Instagram , and  Mastodon . 

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest Apple news for 9to5Mac.

Tips, questions, typos to [email protected]

Manage push notifications

Clear the history, cache, and cookies from Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Learn how to delete your history, cookies, and cache in Settings.

Delete history, cache, and cookies

Clear cookies and cache, but keep your history, delete a website from your history, block cookies, use content blockers.

Go to Settings > Safari.

Tap Clear History and Website Data.

Clearing your history, cookies, and browsing data from Safari won't change your AutoFill information.

When there's no history or website data to clear, the button to clear it turns gray. The button might also be gray if you have web content restrictions set up under Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time .

To visit sites without leaving a history, turn Private Browsing on .

Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data.

Tap Remove All Website Data.

When there's no website data to clear, the button to clear it turns gray. The button might also be gray if you have web content restrictions set up under Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time .

Open the Safari app.

Tap the Edit button, then select the website or websites that you want to delete from your history.

Tap the Delete button.

A cookie is a piece of data that a site puts on your device so that site can remember you when you visit again.

To block cookies:

Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced.

Turn on Block All Cookies.

If you block cookies, some web pages might not work. Here are some examples:

You will likely not be able to sign in to a site even when using your correct username and password.

You might see a message that cookies are required or that your browser's cookies are off.

Some features on a site might not work.

Content blockers are third-party apps and extensions that let Safari block cookies, images, resources, pop-ups, and other content.

To get a content blocker:

Download a content blocking app from the App Store.

Tap Settings > Safari > Extensions.

Tap to turn on a listed content blocker.

You can use more than one content blocker. If you need help, contact the app developer .

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

Related topics

Explore Apple Support Community

Find what’s been asked and answered by Apple customers.

Contact Apple Support

Need more help? Save time by starting your support request online and we'll connect you to an expert.

How to watch Apple's May 2024 iPad launch event

Get ready for the May 7 Apple 'Let Loose' livestream

• How to watch Apple's Let Loose event

What to expect at the Apple May event

The next Apple event is taking place on May 7 , where we're expecting to see a new suite of iPads get revealed, with pre-orders sure to follow. 

Titled 'Let Loose', Apple will be livestreaming the launch, which suggests it'll be a significant one, with the Cupertino crew having plenty to show off; we're not expecting much beyond new tablets, so be ready for new software demonstrations, though surprises definitely aren't out of the question. 

The main image for the event features a hand twirling an Apple Pencil amid a colorful Apple logo, so we expect there to be a focus on using iPads for creativity, likely with a new and enhanced Pencil. And rumors suggest that the Apple Vision Pro will get Pencil support; if so, expect Apple to tout the creation of digital art with in a virtual and mixed reality environment. 

So read on for details on how to watch May's Apple event , along with a quick overview on what to expect. 

How to watch the Apple Let Loose livestream

Apple's May event will take place in the form of a livestream. It kicks off on May 7 at 7am PT / 10am ET / 3pm BST, and on May 8 at 12am AEST. 

The easiest way to watch the livestream will be on YouTube , where Apple currently has a holding page (see below) where you can set a reminder to get notified of when the steam starts. But you can also watch the May Apple event on the company's website and on the Apple TV app. 

We'll be reporting on all the action so do keep an eye on TechRadar if you can't' follow the livestream. And we're sure to have some interesting videos and insights over on the TechRadar TikTok . 

Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox

Get the hottest deals available in your inbox plus news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more from the TechRadar team.

In short: iPads. Going by the rumors so far, we expect Apple to launch an iPad Air 6 , which is tipped to potentially come with an OLED display, a new M-series chip – probably the M2 chip but with scope for the M3 chip at a push – and come in a new 12.9-inch option for people who want a bigger tablet without needing to splash the cash on a high-end iPad Pro. 

Speaking of which, we're expecting to see new iPad Pro models. The iPad Pro 2024 modes are tipped to carry on with the 11-inch and 12.9-inch models, but are likely to drop the LCD and mini-LED displays of their respective predecessors for OLED panels ; these would likely promise better colors and contrast, a boon for digital artists and content creators. As 'pro' tablets we can expect the new iPad Pros to make use of the M3 chip, with the larger model potentially getting a more powerful M3 Pro slice of silicon. 

There have been murmurs of a new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil . The former could have a more laptop-like design, potentially being made out of aluminum and featuring a larger trackpad. The new Pencil could have various sensitivity improvements, more gesture options, and better compatibility with third-party apps; moreover it could also work with the Vision Pro. 

We also wouldn't be surprised if Apple touted more Vision Pro features and interconnectivity with the new iPads. And there's scope for the likes of a new iPad AIr getting a gaming focus given how the iPhone 15 Pro 's A17 Pro chip can run console-quality games and Apple Arcade keeps building out its library. 

All in all, the May Apple event could be an interesting one. It's not likely to shake things up like an iPhone launch; we'll need to wait until September and the likely launch of the iPhone 16 range go that. But May 7 could still host a livestream that Apple fans won't want to miss. 

You might also like

• iPad mini 7 : what we want to see
• Check out the  best iPad apps
• The iPhone 16 Plus could be the last Plus model of its kind

Roland Moore-Colyer is Managing Editor at TechRadar with a focus on phones and tablets, but a general interest in all things tech, especially those with a good story behind them. He can also be found writing about games, computers, and cars when the occasion arrives, and supports with the day-to-day running of TechRadar. When not at his desk Roland can be found wandering around London, often with a look of curiosity on his face and a nose for food markets. 

The iPad Pro 2024 could have 'by far' the best OLED tablet screen and an M4 chipset

The next Apple Pencil could have haptic feedback, and it might land alongside the iPad Air 6

Is your MSI Claw struggling with performance issues? Download the latest GPU and BIOS update ASAP

Most Popular

• 2 Want an AirTag-style tracker for your Android phone? Anker’s new devices could be bargains
• 3 2PB SSD storage in your computer? Why not — storage firm debuts tech that can support up to 32 drives, perfect if you want to use 61.44TB Solidigm SSDs or even bigger PCIe 5.0 ones in the future
• 4 Tesla EVs could get a massive range boost from new battery tech that promises a 373-mile range from a 10-minute charge
• 5 Manor Lords already feels like it has all the ingredients of a superb strategy game - but one of its greatest tricks is a camera that brings you down to earth
• 2 I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes – this app helped me change my diet
• 3 Tiny heat pump that relies on changing ambient temperature could be key to powering IoT devices and sensors without batteries forever — Nanoparticles are critical to the process, posit scientists
• 4 So what if OpenAI Sora didn't create the mind-blowing Balloon Head video without assistance – I still think it's incredible
• 5 'A game of chicken': Samsung set to launch new storage chip that could make 100TB SSDs mainstream — 430-layer NAND will leapfrog competition as race for NAND supremacy heats up

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Computers and Electronics
• Smartphones

2 Easy Ways to Customize the Safari Homepage Background

Last Updated: April 19, 2023 Fact Checked

Using iPhone or iPad

This article was written by Luigi Oppido and by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly . Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 33,289 times.

Do you want to customize your Safari start page? Whether you're using the Safari app on iOS or the desktop version on Mac, you'll be able to change Safari's background image in a few simple steps. You can use Apple's default backgrounds or one of your own saved photos. If you're trying to change your Safari theme from white to black (or vice versa), you'll need to configure your Light/Dark display in the Settings app. This wikiHow will show you how to change the background image on Safari using your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Things You Should Know

• On iOS, open a new start page. Tap "Edit," toggle on "Background Image," and then select a photo.
• On Mac, open Safari, click "Settings," and check the "Background Image" box. Select a photo and then click "Choose."

• Changing the Safari background is different from enabling Dark Mode .
• To enable or disable Dark Mode, go to Settings → Display & Brightness → select Light or Dark .

• If you have a lot of Favorites on your start page, you may need to scroll down to see this button.

• When it's toggled on, a collection of background images will appear. If you want to use one of Apple's provided backgrounds in Safari, tap it to apply it immediately.
• To use your own image as the background, continue to the next step.

• The Photos app will open.

• If you have a photo on your computer you'd like to use, you can transfer it to your iPhone or iPad using AirDrop.
• Tap X to close the page.
• If you want to remove the background image, return to the "Edit" menu and toggle off "Background Image".

• Be sure to update your Mac .

• A pop-up menu will open.

• When the box is checked, two tiles will appear. You can scroll towards the right to see more. If you want to use one of Apple's provided background images, click it to change your background immediately.
• To use your own image, continue to the next step.

• The Finder will open to your photos. Navigate through your folders to find a picture.

• If you want to remove the background image, return to the "Settings" menu and uncheck "Background Image".

Expert Q&A

You might also like.

• ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/customize-a-start-page-ibrw01514823/mac

About This Article

• Send fan mail to authors

Is this article up to date?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Keep up with the latest tech with wikiHow's free Tech Help Newsletter

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Apple to unveil AI-enabled Safari browser alongside new operating systems

Safari getting new AI tools in iOS 18

The software — expected to debut as Safari 18 later in 2024 — is currently undergoing evaluation alongside internal builds of Apple's next-generation operating system updates, namely iOS 18 and macOS 15, according to people familiar with the matter. Should all of the new features make it to the release candidate stage, users will be treated to a new user interface (UI) for customizing popular page controls, a "Web eraser" feature, and AI-driven content summarization tools.

Intelligent Search - AI-enhanced browsing and text summarization

Engineers evaluating the latest builds of Safari 18 can find a toggle for the new page controls menu within the browser's address bar. The menu consolidates — and provides quick access to — old and new page control tools, among them being the browser's new "Intelligent Search" feature.

This feature is not automatically enabled in test builds of Safari 18 and instead requires manual activation from the page controls menu. Once enabled, it's believed the tool leverages Apple's on-device AI technology — specifically the Ajax language-learning model — to identify topics and key phrases within a webpage for which to base the summarization.

In selecting key phrases, Apple's LLM software identifies sentences that provide explanations or describe the structure of objects, depending on the text in question. Words repeated within a text and key sentences are recognized as text topics.

These early indications suggest Apple is striving to deliver text summarization alongside Safari 18 later this year, though the exact implementation of this feature remains fuzzy.

Apple's text summarization features could be a response to rival generative AI tools, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT. But Apple's on-device models and technologies like Private Relay could make the experience much more secure for users. Intelligent Search is also likely to be the same AI browser assistant that one X user hinted at a couple of weeks back.

Web Eraser for better content-blocking

Also accessible from the new page controls menu is a feature Apple is testing called "Web Eraser." As its name would imply, it's designed to allow users to remove, or erase, specific portions of web pages, according to people familiar with the feature.

The feature is expected to build upon existing privacy features within Safari and will allow users to erase unwanted content from any webpage of their choosing. Users will have the option to erase banner ads, images, text or even entire page sections, all with relative ease.

The erasure is said to be persistent, rather than limited to a browsing session. This means that Safari will remember the changes even after the original tab or window has been closed.

When visiting a web page with previously erased content, Safari will inform the user that the page has been modified to reflect their desired changes. The browser will also give the user the option to revert changes and restore the webpage to its initial, unaltered state.

As for where Apple got the inspiration for Web Eraser, the company could have Sherlocked the feature from the third-party app 1Blocker. The application features a similar way of erasing ads, where users would tap ads to make them disappear.

Updated UI will move key tools into one easy location

The new page controls menu referenced throughout this article will attempt to offer Safari 18 users quick and easy access to several options previously located across different menus and the Share Sheet. Running on pre-release versions of macOS 15, for instance, the menu also pulls in the "Aa" menu common on existing iPadOS versions of the browser. These include zoom options, webpage settings for privacy controls, content blocking options, extension shortcuts, and access to the new AI and erasure tools.

These various options existed previously on macOS, but were found by navigating through the Safari settings menu. Having all of these controls in one central location in the Address Bar will make these options more discoverable for end users. Other options like on-page text search and reader mode are also in this menu.

This all suggests Apple intends to unite the iPadOS and macOS Safari UI paradigms when it unveils its new OS releases during its Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

AI-enhanced Visual Lookup feature could be available in 2025

Simultaneously, Apple is also working on a much more powerful visual search feature scheduled for integration sometime in 2025 that will allow users to obtain information on consumer products when browsing through images. People familiar with the tool say it's similar to the Visual Lookup feature, through which Siri can identify plants, pets and landmarks from photos.

Visual Search could be implemented as a system-wide feature. So, instead of surfacing search results in the Photos app, the user may be able to use Visual Search directly in Safari by selecting an image.

Given development of this tool is in the earlier stages, it remains unclear how Apple will ultimately go about implementing it. It also remains to be seen whether or not the feature will make it through internal testing.

The iPhone maker has expressed significant interest in artificial intelligence and more recently published research related to on-device language learning models. This goes hand in hand with widespread rumors about several other AI-powered software features, many of which are expected to make their debut later this year with iOS 18.

Another big year for Safari

From its inception, Safari was always meant to rival existing web browsers.

Safari was originally added to macOS as a means of replacing Microsoft's Internet Explorer for Mac, which was the default browser. Over the years, the app made its way to the iPhone , and has since received various upgrades over the years.

More recent versions of Safari provide users with personalized web suggestions, and allow for greater privacy protection with features such as iCloud Private Relay.

This latest set of enhancements only serves to better position Safari against the competition, in an ever-increasing landscape of generative AI tools and third-party ad-blockers.

While Apple tests many such features during different development stages, it is important to remember that not all of them make it to release. Apple has been known to delay features or cancel them entirely, so there's always a chance we may not see these new Safari features after all.

Along with Safari 18 and its associated improvements, we should also see a revamped Calculator with Math Notes make its way to iPadOS 18. Freeform Scenes and Adaptive Voice Shortcuts are new OS features, which are also expected to debut later this year.

Apple is expected to introduce various AI-related enhancements as part of iOS 18 and macOS 15, both of which should be announced at the company's annual WWDC on June 10.

17 Comments

"As for where Apple got the inspiration for Web Eraser, the company could have Sherlocked the feature from the third-party app 1Blocker. The application features a similar way of erasing ads, where users would tap ads to make them disappear." They may also have been inspired by Simplified Page....

As long as I can turn it off/hide it they can knock themselves out. 

Will the web eraser feature remove pop up videos, such as the ones that appear on this site?

I use the 'Reader' function in Safari quite a bit, but sometimes it doesn't work very well. Seems like something that AI could help make better. 

Web ads suck but how else do you think your favorite websites will stay in business? Are you prepared to pay a subscription to every site? I doubt it…

Top Stories

Save up to $350 on every Apple M3 MacBook Pro, plus get up to $80 off AppleCare

iPhone 16 Pro: what to expect from Apple's fall 2024 flagship phone

Beats Solo 4 headphones review: Great audio quality and features

An inside look at Apple's various internal iOS variants that aid development

New iPad Air & iPad Pro models are coming soon - what to expect

Featured deals.

Amazon crushes it with $179 AirPods Pro 2, $299 Apple Watch Series 9 deals

Latest exclusives.

Apple's iOS 18 AI will be on-device preserving privacy, and not server-side

Apple's macOS 15 to get rare cognitive boost via Project GreyParrot

Apple Notes in iOS 18 looks to up the ante with Microsoft OneNote

Latest comparisons.

Apple headphone shootout: Beats Solo 4 vs AirPods Max

M3 15-inch MacBook Air vs M3 14-inch MacBook Pro — Ultimate buyer's guide

M3 MacBook Air vs M1 MacBook Air — Compared

Latest news.

How to delete iCloud messages on Mac & iPhone

Efficiently managing and deleting messages from iCloud is crucial for freeing up storage space on your iPhone and Mac. Here's how to delete messages from iCloud.

New Repair State feature keeps Find My enabled during device repair

A new feature in iOS 17.5 called "Repair State" keeps Find My enabled on devices being sent in for repair.

Apple enhances USB-C Apple Pencil with new firmware update

Apple has released a firmware update for the USB-C Apple Pencil launched in 2023. It enhances the functionality and overall performance of the accessory.

TikTok pulls a 'Fortnite' and is trying to dodge in-app purchase fees

TikTok may be trying to follow in Epic's "Fortnite" footsteps by sneaking in external payment links that violate App Store guidelines.

Beats Solo 4 offer a premium experience at less than half the cost of Apple's AirPods Max. Here's how the two Apple offerings compare.

'Assassin's Creed Mirage' sneaks onto iPhone, iPad on June 10

Apple gamers can get ready to hit the streets of Baghdad in "Assassin's Creed Mirage," as the Ubisoft title will be available on select iPhone and iPad models this June.

Apple issues its fourth round of developer betas

The fourth round of developer betas for Apple's current operating systems has arrived, with new builds of iOS 17.5 and others now available for testing.

Apple distributes fourth visionOS 1.2 developer beta

Owners of the Apple Vision Pro who are also in the developer beta can now download and install the fourth test build of visionOS 1.2.

Latest Videos

Latest reviews.

Unistellar Odyssey Pro review: Unlock pro-level astronomy with your iPhone from your backyard

Ugreen DXP8800 Plus network attached storage review: Good hardware, beta software

Espresso 17 Pro review: Magnetic & modular portable Mac monitor

{{ title }}

{{ summary }}

How-To Geek

How to use custom app icons on your iphone and ipad.

Tired of seeing the same default app icons on your iPhone or iPad? Using this trick, you can change them to anything you like!

Quick Links

How does it work, preparing a replacement icon image, "replace" iphone and ipad app icons with custom designs.

If you're tired of seeing the same old app icons on your iPhone or iPad home screen, you can customize their look by creating new ones and "replacing" them. The trick is possible using Apple's  Shortcuts  app, which allows you to use any image as an icon.

Currently, it's not possible to truly replace an app's icon on an iPhone or iPad. Instead, you can achieve a similar result by using the Shortcuts app. We'll be creating a custom shortcut that opens an app and then using a custom image as its icon on the home screen.

This technique has been possible since the introduction of Shortcuts in iOS 12 , but it became popular following the release of  iOS 14 , which allows you to officially hide home screen icons in your App Library .

iPhone owners running iOS 12 or iOS 13---or iPad owners with iPadOS 12 or 13---can do this same trick and place the original icons they don't want to see in folders to tuck them out of the way .

Before we begin, you'll need to decide which app icon you're replacing, and you'll need to locate or create the image you'd like to replace it with.

The ideal replacement icon will be a perfectly square image of about 512 x 512 pixels in size, although you'll have the opportunity to crop any image to a square shape in the steps ahead. For this example, we've created a simple purple mail icon in an image editor by using a simple envelope outline.

For your custom icon, you can use any image or photo you'd like as long as it's in your device's photo library. Try searching Google for custom icon designs and saving them, or you can draw your own icon and transfer it to your iPhone or iPad using AirDrop .

Related: How to Instantly Share Files with AirDrop on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

First, open the "Shortcuts" app. If you don't see it on your home screen, swipe downward with one finger in the middle of your screen to open Spotlight search . Type "shortcuts" into the search bar that appears and then tap the "Shortcuts" icon.

In the Shortcuts app, if you see the "Shortcuts" overview screen, tap the "My Shortcuts" tab and then select "All Shortcuts."

On the "All Shortcuts" page, tap the "+" button.

Next, you'll see a "New Shortcut" page where you add the steps to the automation, sort of like a computer program. We're going to add a single step that opens an app. Tap the "Add Action" button.

When the actions panel appears, choose the "Scripting" option.

In the "Scripting" panel, select "Open App."

Back on the new shortcut page, locate the box for the "Open App" action. Tap "Choose."

In the "Choose App" panel that appears, select the search bar and type the name of the app you'd like to launch when you tap your custom icon. Then tap the app's name in the results list. You can choose any app on your iPhone or iPad.

Next, tap the three-dot menu button in the top-right corner. On an iPad, these dots are at the very top-center of the screen beside the "New Shortcut" name.

A "Details" panel will appear. First, tap "Shortcut Name" and name the shortcut anything you'd like, so it will be labeled properly in the Shortcuts app. Then tap "Add to Home Screen."

In the panel that pops up, locate the "Home Screen Name and Icon" section. Select the placeholder icon to the left of "New Shortcut."

In the context menu that pops up, select "Choose Photo."

Using the photo selection panel that appears, locate and choose the photo in your library you'd like to use as your new custom app icon. After you select it, you'll have a chance to crop it to fit the square ratio of a standard app icon.

After that, tap the "New Shortcut" name. Enter the label you'd like to use for the icon on your home screen. Ideally, this will be the name of the app icon you're replacing, such as "Safari" or "Mail."

Finally, tap the "Add" button and your shortcut will be added to your home screen.

Once the custom icon is on your home screen, you can move the app icon wherever you like, including the Dock. To run the app, tap the shortcut icon you just created.

If you'd like to hide the original app icon (and you're running iOS 14 or later), enter Jiggle mode by pressing and holding a blank area of your home screen and then move the icon to your App Library .

If you're running iOS 12 or iOS 13, or using an iPad (which does not have an App Library), you can "hide" the original app icon by moving it to a folder that you can place on a different screen.

Related: How to Move iPhone Apps From a Home Screen to the App Library

The only downside of this technique is that when launching an app through your shortcut, you first make a quick detour through the Shortcuts app before the actual app appears. At the moment, this is a necessary drawback, but the behavior may change in a future update. Have fun customizing your device!