There are a few main reasons why pricey Apple devices compete with those running other operating systems. Less tech-savvy users value Apple’s sleek looks and ease of use. Many prefer Apple’s privacy measures to Microsoft’s.
Fans of all experience levels enjoy Apple’s preinstalled apps. Photo Booth, FaceTime, GarageBand…the list goes on.
One classic Apple app sometimes taken for granted is the default Safari browser. There’s no current version of Safari for Windows, so those without Macs don’t often consider it, but they should!
Even if you don’t have an Apple device, learning how to use Safari can help at the library, school, or a friend’s house. Learning to use the default browser now avoids confusion and awkwardness down the road.
Take a look at this easy guide to some key Safari skills.
1. Learning How to Use Safari for iOS 15
When iPhone users install the newest Safari update, they find it’s unlike any earlier version. In true Apple form, it’s also unique among other brands.
URLs on the Bottom
This mobile browser hides the URL at the bottom of the screen. It blocks some of the screen for a while but fades on its own after a little while.
If you turn off Auto-minimize Tab Bar in Settings > Safari, it stays until you scroll. Then, it vanishes so you can read the bottom of the page.
Flipping Through Tabs
You can find most browser settings and the ability to edit bookmarks on that bottom Tab Bar. Users switch tabs by swiping left and right. Some find flipping pages on accident is easy, so be careful when scrolling near the bottom of the screen.
2. Shift Things Around on Safari
Mac’s latest iOS update turned Safari upside-down, throwing off millions of users. Before panicking, take a closer look at Safari’s settings and learn how to make adjustments.
Single Tab Adjustment
If you’re not a big fan of the iOS 15 screen-bottom Tab Bar, worry not. You can return it to the top of the screen in Settings > Safari. Toggle Single Tab under the Tabs menu.
When you want to switch the bar placement without leaving the Safari app, click on “ᴬA,” found on the Tab Bar’s left side, or the ellipsis icon on an iPad. Click Show Top Address Bar and enjoy the old familiar web address placement.
Arranging Tabs in Safari
Much like Google Chrome for Android, iOS lets you split tabs into groups in the grid under the Tabs menu. You can tap and hold to drag tabs between groups or use the Move to Tab Group setting for precision.
You can also sort tabs alphabetically by title or website address. This setting is under Tabs on the Tab Bar on iPhone and in the Sidebar on Safari for iPad. On Mac, Safari 15 lets you organize tab groups from the Sidebar in the browser’s top-left corner.
3. Coordination for an Easy Switch
If this new system of tabs and bookmarks sounds confusing, you’re not alone. In a few years, most iOS users are sure to forget the old Safari. For now, plenty of long-time Apple users struggle to adjust to the new settings.
Syncing Tabs and Bookmarks In-Browser
Since Safari still syncs between Apple devices, you can coordinate tabs and bookmarks. You can do this even if one device runs an older version of Safari.
You won’t have trouble finding your go-to pages with your Apple account. Having that framework will help shape your use of the browser’s new features.
Extensions for a Smoother Transition
The browser itself supports sharing bookmarks and tab groups, but you don’t need to stop there.
Further, enhance your options by using a bookmark manager for Mac. That tool and countless other Safari extensions help personalize the browser for work and play.
4. Private Mode and Privacy Settings
Web security is a rising topic of conversation: As all sectors of life move online, hackers follow close behind. Safari is in on the trend and hosts a variety of privacy settings.
Private Mode in Safari
Safari’s private browsing mode, like all “private” browsers, doesn’t make you invisible. The top reason to use Private Mode is that your browsing and search history aren’t saved. Private tabs also don’t sync between devices.
Safari Privacy Report
Another handy tool in Safari for iOS 15 is the Privacy Report. It’s found under “ᴬA” on iPhone or “…” on iPad. There, you can learn what websites track you.
Safari blocks these trackers if you believe their privacy claims. Some privacy advocates note that Apple may collect the data they claim to protect.
Password Protection for Safari
Saving passwords for easy login is a habit for many, but aids security breaches. If you save passwords and use them across multiple sites, one compromised account may lead to dozens more. Yet, expecting everyone to stop saving passwords isn’t realistic.
Safari now scans passwords saved in iCloud Keychain. It notes overuse, data leaks, and strength. You can sift through them and fix security concerns with ease.
Customizing Privacy Settings
Custom privacy settings on Safari let you show/hide your IP address, block cookies, turn off web ads, and stop website tracking. These settings go a step beyond what Private Mode offers.
5. Browse Around the World
Communities around the world gain internet access each year, making it part of everyday life for billions. Global news, entertainment, and relationships educate and enrich lives online.
One snag complicates everything: There exist over 7,000 spoken languages. Most people know one or two!
For years, language divided the internet. After years of software development, browsers including Safari made translation services standard.
Safari translates English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Italian, German, Russian, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Arabic. That’s far from 7,000 languages, but it’s still a mighty help.
You can click “ᴬA” on an iPhone or “…” on an iPad and select Translate to [Your Language]. The address bar on Safari for Mac suggests translation when it’s available.
Technology, Advertising, Business, and Beyond
This simple guide of tips about how to use Safari will make your life easier the next time you use a Mac or iOS device.
These basic Apple skills help all kinds of people but are extra-vital for professionals. If you’re looking to get a leg up on your competition, look no further than this website. People outside the business world love pro-level tips for their academics, work, and leisure time, too.
Find technology, advertising, and business advice in the site’s quick, helpful articles. Click on another article and benefit from new ways to get ahead.