Are you getting “Safari Can’t Open the Page” error message while trying to visit a web page or web site on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac? In this article, I’ll explain exactly why you are experiencing “Safari Can’t Open the Page” error and how to fix the issue for good.
The “Safari Can’t Open the Page” error can happen on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, on any version of the web browser. If you encounter this issue, you can usually fix the problem easily by following the troubleshooting steps explained below.
Fix “Safari Can’t Open Page” Error on iPhone, iPad, Mac
Fix 1: If “Safari Can’t Open the Page” Error, Check Your Internet!
The first thing you should do is check your internet connection, Ensure it is active and enabled. This applies to Mac, iPhone, iPad, and anything really.
If the device or computer is disconnected from the internet, you will encounter the “Safari Can’t Open the Page” every time.
Make sure that you have an active and functioning internet connection first, this is often the problem. Maybe it’s due to low cell phone reception, or a junky wi-fi connection, whatever it is, confirm that your internet actually is working. Visit a different web page, use a different Wi-Fi, etc.
See also:
Fix 2: Check the URL!
The next thing you want to do is check the website URL address, so that you know it is correct and proper. This is a really common reason why web pages can’t be loaded. A typo in the URL web address will prevent the site from loading. Ensure it is correct!
Fix 3: Refresh the Web Page
Simply refreshing the web page often resolves the issue, especially if the connection was interrupted for some reason.
You can refresh the webpage by clicking the ‘refresh’ button, it looks like a little circular arrow in a circle and it is near the address URL bar.
Fix 4: Reset Network Settings
On your iPhone, iPad or Mac, reset your network settings. Please note that this will remove all of your network-related settings including your VPN settings, saved Wi-Fi passwords, etc.
iPhone or iPad, head over to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings and then follow the onscreen prompts.
Fix 5: Restart
Simply restarting your iPhone , iPad or Mac may fix this problem.
- Face ID iPhone and iPad Models: Press and hold the volume up (or down) and the power buttons together until the power off slider appears. And slide the slider. Wait for your device to turn off. Then press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo.
- Home button iPhone and iPad Models: Press and hold the power button until you see the power off slider. Then slide the slider. Wait for your device to turn off. Then press and hold the power button until the Apple logo appears.
- Mac: You can restart your Mac by choosing Restart from the Apple menu.
Fix 6: Force restart your device
Performing a force restart also known as a hard reset can resolve your issue. Here is how:
- iPhone 8 or later and iPad with Face ID models: Press and release the Volume up button followed by Volume down button. Then, Press and hold the power button until you see the Apple Logo.
- iPhone 7 models: Press and hold the power button together with the Volume down button until you see the Apple Logo.
- Devices with a home button including iPhone 5, iPad Air, etc: Press the power button together with the home button until you see the Apple Logo.
See also: How To Force Restart a MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro
Fix 7: Force close Safari and restart again
- On an iPhone X or newer, or an iPad running iOS 12 or higher, or iPadOS, from the Home screen, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause slightly in the middle of the screen. On an iPhone 8 or older, double-click the Home button to bring up your most recently used apps
- Swipe right or left to find Safari.
- Swipe up on the app’s preview to close Safari.
Fix 8: Delete your history, cookies, and cache in Safari
- To clear your history and cookies on your iPhone or iPad, head over to Settings > Safari, and tap Clear History and Website Data and confirm that you want to remove website data.
- To clear browser data on Mac, head over to “Safari” in the menu bar > Preferences > Privacy > Remove all website data, and confirm that you want to remove website data.
Fix 9: VPN
Are you using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. If so, try to disable your VPN and then try to load Safari again.
Fix 10: Updates
Ensure that your iPhone, iPad or Mac is running the latest software version. Here is how you can check:
- iPhone and iPad: Head over to Settings > General > Software Update. This will check for iOS or iPadOS updates. And if there is an update available, follow the onscreen prompts.
- Mac: Launch System Preferences and then click Software Update. If there are updates, follow the onscreen prompts.
Fix 11: Restore to Factory Settings
If restarting doesn’t work for you, you may want to try restoring your iPhone, iPad or Mac to factory settings. This will completely wipe the data and settings on your phone. Your iPhone will still be running iOS 14 if you choose this option.
First, backup your device. There are two options. iCloud: On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > iCloud > Backup. Make sure that iCloud Backup is enabled. You will be able to see when your last backup was. If you have never backed up your iPhone or iPad before or if it has been awhile, select Backup Now.
iTunes (Windows or macOS Mojave or earlier) or Finder (macOS Catalina or later): Plug your iPhone or iPad into your PC or Mac using a USB cable. Click on the iPhone icon in the top-left corner of iTunes, under the Play button. Then follow the onscreen instructions.
Now to Factory-reset your iPhone or iPad.
- Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
- If you have an iCloud backup, there will be an option to update it. Tap Back Up Then Erase.
- Type in your passcode if prompted. Tap Erase iPhone in the warning box.
- Enter your Apple ID to confirm.
Fix 12: Try a Different Browser
Another choice is to use a different web browser. This is in case the site loads in other browser such as Chrome but not in Safari, it may indicate a specific problem with Safari.
If Safari is not opening web sites after these troubleshooting steps, you may want to contact Apple Support.