Safari

You can choose the tab bar layout that works best for you in the Safari app. You can pick either Separate Tab Bar or Compact Tab Bar, and moving between layouts as much as you want won’t close the tabs you have open.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Apps, then tap Safari.
3. Scroll down to Tabs and then select either Separate Tab Bar or Compact Tab Bar.

   You can move between layouts as much as you want without losing the tabs you have open.

   Note: If you’re using the Compact Tab Bar layout, the menus and layout may look different from what’s described in this guide.

See also

• Customize your Safari settings on iPad
• Organize your tabs in Safari on iPad

You can customize your start page, change the text size on websites, and change display and privacy settings. Sign in to iCloud with the same Apple Account on multiple devices, and your open tabs, bookmarks, browsing history, and Reading List stay up to date across them.

Every new tab begins on your start page, which you can customize with new background images and options.

Here’s how to customize your Safari settings on iPad.

Customize your start page

When you open a new tab, you start on your start page. To customize it, add new background images and options.

1. Go to the Safari app on your iPad.
2. To open a new tab, tap the New Tab button at the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and then tap Edit.
4. Choose options for your start page.
   • Use Start Page on All Devices: Use these settings on all your Apple devices where you have Use Start Page on All Devices turned on and you’re signed in to the same Apple Account using two-factor authentication.
   • Tab Group Favorites: Display shortcuts to your favorite bookmarked websites in the current Tab Group. See Create a new Tab Group.
   • Favorites: Display shortcuts to your favorite bookmarked websites. See Add a website to Favorites.
   • Suggestions: See websites you visit most, websites shared in other apps (such as Calendar and Maps), and links shared with you in Messages, Mail, and more. See Find links shared with you.
   • Privacy Report: Stay updated on how many trackers and websites Safari blocked from tracking you. See View the Privacy Report.
   • Reading List: Show webpages currently in your Reading List. See Add the current webpage to your Reading List.
   • Recently Closed Tabs: Go back to tabs you previously closed.
   • iCloud Tabs: Show open tabs from other Apple devices where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account and Safari is turned on in iCloud settings or preferences. See Organize your tabs with Tab Groups.
   • Background Image: Choose the image you want to appear in the background each time you open a new start page. To use a photo as your background, tap Select Image from Library.

Customize the Page menu

You can add your favorite Page and Tab Actions to the Page menu.

1. Open the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Tap the Page Menu button on the left side of the search field. Then tap Customize Menu.
3. Tap the Insert button to add Page or Tab Actions to the Page menu.

   Tap the Remove button to remove an action.

4. Tap the Done button. Tap the Done button again.

Make the content larger or smaller for a website

Use the Page Menu button to zoom in or out on a webpage.

1. Open the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Tap the Page Menu button on the left side of the search field and tap Page Zoom.
3. Tap Zoom In or Zoom Out. Tap Actual Size to return to the default size.

Change the display controls for a website

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

1. Open the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Tap the Page Menu button and then do any of the following:
   • Hide the search field: Tap Hide Toolbar (tap the top of the window to get it back).
   • See a streamlined view of the webpage: Tap Show Reader (if available).

     To return to the normal view, tap the Page Menu button, then tap Hide Reader.

   • See what the webpage looks like on a desktop computer: Tap Request Desktop Website (if available).
   • See a summary of the webpage (with Apple Intelligence): Tap Summarize. See Summarize a webpage.

     Note: Apple Intelligence on iPadOS 27 or later is available on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPad mini (A17 Pro) and iPad models with M1 or later. Apple Intelligence is not available in all languages or regions. Usage limits may apply.*

You can also adjust Safari settings in Accessibility settings. Go to the Settings app, tap Accessibility, then tap Per-App Settings. Tap Safari to adjust settings. If Safari isn’t listed, tap Add App, then tap Safari to add it.

Choose where to save downloads

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

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Apps, then tap Safari.
3. Tap Downloads and then choose one of the following:
   • iCloud Drive: Select this option to save downloads to the Downloads folder in iCloud Drive. This allows you to access the downloaded file on any iPhone, iPad, or Mac where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account.
   • On My iPad: Select this option to save downloads to the Downloads folder on your iPad.
   • Other: Select this option to save downloads in a location other than a Downloads folder.

Share website passwords with a group

Create a group of trusted contacts to share a set of passwords with. Everyone in the group gets up-to-date passwords, and you’re able to remove someone at any time.

For how that works, see our article, Share passwords or passkeys with people you trust.

Adjust privacy settings

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

Use keyboard shortcuts

If you have an Apple external keyboard connected to your iPad, you can navigate in Safari with keyboard shortcuts.

To view available keyboard shortcuts, connect your keyboard, then touch and hold the Command key.

*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions. Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts. Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.

See also

• Change the layout in Safari on iPad
• Clear your cache and cookies on iPad
• Get extensions to customize Safari on iPad

You can browse the web, view websites, preview website links, translate webpages, and add the Safari app back to your Home Screen if it gets removed.

If you sign in to iCloud with the same Apple Account on all your devices, you can see pages you have open on other devices and keep your bookmarks, history, and Reading List up to date everywhere. You can also get back to the top of a long page quickly, refresh the page, and share links.

Go to a webpage

1. Start the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Enter the name or web address (URL) of the webpage in the search field.

View websites with Safari

1. Start the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Do any of the following:
   • Get back to the top: Tap the top edge of the screen. Then tap it again to quickly return to the top of a long page.
   • See more of the page: Turn iPad to landscape orientation.
   • Refresh the page: Pull down from the top of the page.
   • Share links: Tap the Share button at the top right of the window.

Preview website links

1. Start the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Touch and hold a link in Safari to see a preview of the link without opening the page.

   To open the link, tap the preview, or tap Open. To close the preview and stay on the current page, tap anywhere outside the preview.

   

Translate a webpage

Safari can translate a webpage that’s in another language (not available in all languages or regions).

1. Start the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Go to a webpage.
3. Tap the Page Menu button. Tap the Translate button (if translation is available).

Use Apple Intelligence to summarize a webpage

Apple Intelligence can generate summaries of webpages in the Safari app.

Note: Apple Intelligence on iPadOS 27 or later is available on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPad mini (A17 Pro) and iPad models with M1 or later. Apple Intelligence is not available in all languages or regions. Usage limits may apply.*

1. Start the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Go to a webpage.
3. Tap the Page Menu button, then tap Summarize.

You can also summarize webpages with Writing Tools. Check out our guide, Use Writing Tools to write, improve, and summarize content.

Get notified when a website changes

When a website updates content you’re interested in, such as a price or item change, Safari can let you know with Apple Intelligence.

Note: Apple Intelligence on iPadOS 27 or later is available on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPad mini (A17 Pro) and iPad models with M1 or later. Apple Intelligence is not available in all languages or regions. Usage limits may apply.*

1. Start the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Go to a webpage.
3. Tap the Page Menu button, then tap Notify Me.
4. Enter details about what Safari should look for.

   

5. If necessary, tap Edit to adjust how often Safari should check for updates and tap the checkmark button.

   At the time interval you set, a notification appears on your iPad if Safari detects that a website has been updated.

Manage downloads

1. Start the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Touch and hold the file or link you want to download and tap Download Linked File.

   Tap the Downloads button to check the status of a file you’re downloading, to access downloaded files quickly, or to drag a downloaded file onto another file or into an email you’re working on.

Quick tip: Files can download in the background while you keep using Safari.

Add Safari back to your Home Screen

Safari missing from your Home Screen? You’ll find it in App Library, where you can add it back.

1. On the Home Screen, swipe left until you see the App Library.
2. Enter “Safari” in the search field.
3. Touch and hold the Safari app icon. Then tap Add to Home Screen.

*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions. Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts. Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.

See also

• Search for websites using Safari on iPad
• Change the layout in Safari on iPad
• Clear your cache and cookies on iPad

Enter a URL or a search term to find websites or specific information.

You can see your favorite websites as suggestions while you search, search for text within a webpage, and choose a different search engine. Your favorites can also appear when you enter an address or create a new tab. With Visual Look Up, you can even identify and learn about popular landmarks, plants, pets, and more in your photos.

Here’s how to search for websites using Safari on iPad.

Search the web

1. Go to the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Enter a search term, phrase, or URL in the search field.
3. Tap a search suggestion, or tap the Go button on the keyboard.

If you don’t want to see suggested search terms, go to Settings > Apps > Safari, then turn off Search Engine Suggestions (below Search).

See your favorite websites while you search

When you enter an address, search, or create a new tab, your favorites can show up as suggestions.

1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Apps, then tap Safari.
3. Tap Start Page Favorites, then tap Favorites.

   If you have multiple folders in your favorites, you can select the one you want to appear in Safari search suggestions.

Search a webpage

Safari can find a specific word or phrase on a webpage.

1. Start the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Go to a webpage.
3. Tap the Page Menu button. Tap the Search Document button.
4. Enter the word or phrase in the search field.
5. Tap the Next Result button to find other instances.

Choose a search engine

1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Apps, then tap Safari.
3. Tap Search Engine and choose a search engine.

Search for objects in your photos

Visual Look Up can identify popular landmarks, plants, pets, and more in your photos and videos, and help you learn about them. Read our article, Use Visual Look Up to identify objects in your photos and videos.

See also

• Browse the web using Safari on iPad
• Bookmark a website in Safari on iPad

Use Reader to hide navigation menus and other distracting items. Longer pages include a summary and table of contents.

Reader formats a webpage to show only the relevant text and images, and you can return to the full page at any time. You can even have Safari use Reader automatically for every website that supports it. You can also get extensions to customize Safari.

Here’s how to hide distractions when reading articles in Safari on iPad.

Show Reader

Reader formats a webpage to show just the relevant text and images.

1. Go to the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Go to a webpage.
3. On a supported website, tap the Page Menu button. Then tap Show Reader.

   To return to the full page, tap the Page Menu button, then tap Hide Reader.

Automatically use Reader for a website

1. Open the Safari app on your iPad.
2. On a supported website, tap the Page Menu button. Then tap Website Settings.
3. Turn on Use Reader Automatically.
4. Tap the Done button.

To automatically use Reader for all websites that support it, go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Reader, then turn on All Websites.

See also

• Get extensions to customize Safari on iPad
• Customize your Safari settings on iPad

You can erase your browsing history and data to clear the cache on your iPad. It removes the history of websites you visited and recent searches, along with the cookies and permissions you granted websites to use your location or send you notifications.

You can choose how much of your browsing history to clear. And if you have Safari profiles set up, you can clear the history of just one profile or of all profiles.

Note: Clearing your browsing history in Safari doesn’t clear any browsing histories kept independently by websites you visited, or your browsing history in other apps.

1. Go to the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Tap the Show Sidebar button, then tap History.

   If you don’t see History, tap the Back button at the top of the sidebar.

3. Tap the More button and then tap Clear.
4. Below Clear Timeframe, choose how much of your browsing history to clear.

   Note: If you have Safari profiles set up, select a profile to clear only the history of that profile, or select All Profiles.

5. Tap Clear History.

See also

• Protect your web browsing with iCloud Private Relay on iPad
• Browse the web privately in Safari on iPad

You can install extensions to customize the way your browser works, and they’re handy for finding coupons when shopping, blocking content on websites, and more.

With Apple Intelligence, Safari can even build an extension you describe, to customize or add to any webpage. You can also change Safari extension settings, and extensions that are available on other platforms show up on your other devices, too.

Here’s how to get extensions to customize Safari on iPad.

Add Safari extensions

1. Go to the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Tap the Manage Extensions button on the right side of the search field and then tap Manage Extensions.
3. Search for extensions, scan Recommendations, or tap Browse Extensions to look in the App Store.
4. When you find one you want, tap the price, or if the app is free, tap Get, and follow the onscreen instructions.

Note: If an extension you install for Safari on iPad is also available on other platforms, it shows up in Safari settings on any iPhone, iPad, or Mac that’s signed in to the same Apple Account, so it’s easier to find and download.

Create your own extension

With Apple Intelligence, Safari lets you describe and create an extension to customize or add to any webpage you visit.

Note: Apple Intelligence on iPadOS 27 or later is available on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPad mini (A17 Pro) and iPad models with M1 or later. Apple Intelligence is not available in all languages or regions. Usage limits may apply.*

1. Start the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Go to the webpage you want to create an extension for.
3. Tap the Page Menu button, then tap Describe Extension.
4. Enter a description of what you want to create, or select one of the suggested categories.

   

   Safari checks the App Store to see if a matching extension already exists.

5. Choose an item from the list of matching App Store extensions; if there are no results, tap Create.
6. Tap the resulting extension to make changes to it, or tap Try to try it out.
7. While you’re trying out the extension, tap Edit to make additional changes, or tap the checkmark button to save it.

To delete a custom extension, tap the Page Menu button, tap Manage Extensions, select the extension, then tap Delete Extension.

Change Safari extension settings

You can use an extension to customize the way your browser works. You can turn Safari extensions on or off at any time.

1. Start the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Tap the Manage Extensions button on the right side of the search field and then tap Manage Extensions.
3. Tap each extension you want to give permissions to and then follow the onscreen instructions to choose how much access to give each extension.

   Important: Check the extensions you have installed and make sure you’re familiar with what they do.

You can manage extensions further in Settings > Apps > Safari > Extensions.

Change Safari extension settings for an individual website

You can turn an extension on or off for an individual website without changing your overall Safari settings.

1. Start the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Tap the Manage Extensions button on the right side of the search field and then tap Manage Extensions.
3. Turn each extension on or off.

Remove an installed Safari extension

1. Swipe down on the Home Screen and then search for the extension you want to remove.
2. Touch and hold the extension icon, tap Delete app and then follow the onscreen instructions.

*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions. Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts. Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.

See also

• Hide distractions when reading articles in Safari on iPad
• Get apps in the App Store on iPad

You can open and use a website as if it’s an app. The web app gets its own icon on your Home Screen, only on the device where you add it, and it opens just like an app. You can even receive notifications from the web app and quit it like any app.

1. Go to the Safari app on your iPad.
2. While viewing the website, tap the Share button, tap View More, and then tap Add to Home Screen.
3. Turn on Open as Web App.
4. Tap Add.

An icon for the web app is added to your Home Screen. When you tap the icon, the website opens just like an app. You can receive notifications from the web app and quit the web app like you would any app.

See also

• Bookmark a website in Safari on iPad

You can bookmark websites, organize your bookmarks, or add a website icon to the Home Screen to easily revisit it later.

You can bookmark all your open tabs at once, organize bookmarks in folders, and see your Mac bookmarks on iPad. With Apple Intelligence, bookmarks can even be organized into suggested topics automatically. You can create new folders, too, and move bookmarks into them.

Here’s how to bookmark a website in Safari on iPad.

Bookmark a website

1. Go to the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Go to the website you want to bookmark.
3. Tap the Page Menu button and then tap Add Bookmark to.
4. Choose a location and tap Save.

Bookmark open tabs

1. Start the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Tap the Tabs button to view all your tabs.
3. Tap the More button. Tap Add Bookmarks for [number of] Tabs.

View and organize your bookmarks

1. Start the Safari app on your iPad.
2. Tap the Show Sidebar button and then tap Bookmarks (below Saved).

   Recently saved bookmarks, folders, and bookmarks list items appear at the top of the sidebar. The newest is on the left, and you can scroll through the others. Touch and hold a bookmark to copy, open, edit, or delete it.

   Tip: With Apple Intelligence, bookmarks and items you add to your Reading List are automatically organized into suggested topics if three or more of them are related. Tap a topic to view thumbnails, then tap a thumbnail to open it.

3. Do any of the following:
   • Create a new folder: Tap the More button, tap New Folder, enter a name, and tap Save.
   • Move a bookmark into a folder: Tap the More button, tap Select Bookmarks and touch and hold the Reorder button. Then drag the bookmark to a folder. Tap the Done button to return to your bookmarks.
   • Delete a bookmark: Touch and hold the bookmark and then tap Delete.
   • Rename a bookmark: Touch and hold the bookmark, tap Edit, enter a new name, and then tap Save.
   • Reorder bookmarks: Tap the More button, tap Select Bookmarks, touch and hold the Reorder button, and then drag the bookmark to a new location. Tap the Done button to return to your bookmarks.

Note: Apple Intelligence on iPadOS 27 or later is available on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPad mini (A17 Pro) and iPad models with M1 or later. Apple Intelligence is not available in all languages or regions. Usage limits may apply.*

See your Mac bookmarks on iPad

1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap your name, then tap iCloud.
3. Tap See All (next to Saved to iCloud) and then make sure Safari is turned on.

Note: Your Mac also needs Safari turned on in iCloud settings, and it’s got to be signed in to the same Apple Account.

Add a website icon to the Home Screen

You can add a website icon to your iPad Home Screen for quick access.

1. Start the Safari app on your iPad.
2. While viewing the website, tap the Share button, tap View More, and then tap Add to Home Screen.

   You can turn on Open as Web App to use the website as if it’s an app. See Turn a website into an app.

3. Tap Add.

   The icon appears only on the device where you add it.

Note: Some websites may ask whether they can send you notifications, and you can change your notification settings at any time. Read our guide, Change notification settings.

*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions. Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts. Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.

See also

• Bookmark a website as a favorite in Safari on iPad
• Save webpages to read later in Safari on iPad
• Find links shared with you in Safari on iPad