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How to sync Safari bookmarks between Mac and iPhone

mac safari sync with iphone

In Apple’s ecosystem, you can easily sync Safari bookmarks between iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The key is using iCloud with the same Apple ID. After that, you can enable the feature and then open those saved sites across your Apple devices. To find out how this is done, here’s a detailed guide on how to sync Safari bookmarks from Mac to iPhone and vice-versa.

How to sync Safari bookmarks with iCloud on iPhone and iPad

How to sync safari bookmarks with icloud on mac, safari bookmarks not syncing between mac and iphone.

  • Open the  Settings  app on your iPhone or iPad.
  • Select your  Apple ID . Be sure to use the same Apple ID as the other devices you’re syncing.
  • Choose  iCloud  → Tap  Show All  below Apps Using iCloud.

Sync Safari bookmarks with iCloud on iPhone and iPad

  • Use the arrows on the top left to exit and return to the main Settings screen, and then close the app.

That’s it! Syncing your Safari bookmarks is as easy as turning on the option in your iCloud settings. By taking this step, you can easily access your bookmarked sites on your iPhone and iPad with a tap.

Along with enabling bookmarks for Safari in iCloud on your mobile device, you can do the same on macOS.

This way, you can sync Safari bookmarks from Mac to iPhone and vice-versa.

  • Open your  System Settings  using the icon in your Dock or Apple icon in the menu bar.
  • Select your  Apple ID  on the left. Again, use the same Apple ID as your other Apple devices.

Tap Apple ID and Select iCloud on Mac

You can use the arrows on the top left to exit or simply close your System Settings.

If you notice that your Safari bookmarks are not syncing between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, there are a few things you can try to correct the problem.

Safari bookmarks not syncing

If you don’t see the green light, then the problem is on Apple’s end, and you can check again later.

If the problem persists after all of the above, you should consider contacting Apple Support for further assistance.

Your favorites at your fingertips

Now that you know how to sync Safari bookmarks from Mac to iPhone, iPhone to iPad, and every combination in between, you’ll always have your favorite websites at your fingertips. Also, we’re happy to help if you need help restoring deleted Safari bookmarks .

  • How to save all Safari Pages to Reading List on Mac
  • Best Safari tips and tricks for iPhone
  • How to change Safari search engine on iPhone, iPad and Mac
  • How to add, view, or remove Favorites in Safari on Mac

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13 Ways to Use Your Mac and iPhone Together With Apple's Continuity

Have a Mac and an iPhone? These tips, features, and apps let you use them together in awesome ways!

Apple's macOS and iOS work well together. If your desktop and phone both come from Apple, you have many useful functions at your fingertips thanks to Continuity features.

Let's explore the best ways you can use your iPhone and Mac together.

1. Copy and Paste Content With Universal Clipboard

It's easy to move between your Apple devices seamlessly, thanks to a special set of features called Continuity.

The Universal Clipboard feature is part of this set and it allows you to share clipboard content between your Mac and iPhone. You just need to enable the Handoff feature on both devices.

After that, you can copy content on your Mac and paste it in anywhere on your iPhone, or vice-versa.

2. Resume Tasks With Handoff

Once you've enabled Handoff, you can also stop tasks on one device and resume them on another.

This works for all apps that work with Handoff, including Mail, Safari, Notes, Reminders, Calendar, Keynote, Pages, and Notes. Many third-party apps support the Handoff feature as well.

When you’re using an app that works with Handoff on your iPhone, you should see that app’s Handoff icon on your Mac’s Dock . It will look like the regular app icon with a gray circle with a tiny phone hovering on its upper right. Click on that icon to continue where you left off from your iPhone.

If you're transferring work from your Mac to your iPhone, you won’t see this Handoff icon. Instead, you’ll get an app banner that will appear on the App Switcher.

Just do what you would normally do when you need to switch apps, either by double-pressing the Home button for iPhones 8 and lower or slowly swipe up from the bottom of the screen for iPhones X and newer.

3. AirDrop Files, Webpages, and More

To share files between your Mac and iPhone, you can use AirDrop, Apple's in-built file transfer utility. To share, simply enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices and ensure that they're discoverable.

To begin sharing from your Mac, hold the Control button and click the file you want to share. Choose the Share > AirDrop option from the dropdown menu. Then choose your iPhone when it shows up in the AirDrop dialog.

If you're transferring files in the other direction, choose the file want to send then tap on the Share button. You should see the AirDrop icon or even your device’s AirDrop icon surrounded by dotted lines if it's nearby.

You can transfer not only files and folders with AirDrop, but other types of data as well. This includes webpages, notes, contacts, and photos.

4. Play Music, Movies, and TV Shows Across Devices

There are various ways to play music across devices. One option is to play audio from your iPhone on your Mac with a Lightning USB cable. You can also sync your Apple Music library across devices. Many third-party apps, like Spotify, support Apple’s Handoff feature as well.

You can stream from your Apple TV app across all devices. Just make sure that you’re logged in on your Apple device. You can even share your purchased movies with your family !

5. Share an Internet Connection

You only need a simple tweak to turn your Mac's internet connection into a Wi-Fi hotspot. First, head to System Preferences > Sharing and enable the checkbox for Internet Sharing . Then click on the Start button at the confirmation prompt.

To use your iPhone's internet connection on your Mac (known as tethering), you'll need to enable the Personal Hotspot option under Settings > Cellular on your iPhone. Your mobile device will then show up in the list of networks on your Mac, and you can connect to it.

6. Share and Close Safari Tabs

If you enable iCloud sync for Safari on your Mac and iPhone, you can close tabs open on one device from the other. Once enabled, the open Safari tabs from your iPhone will show up in the Safari tab switcher on your Mac. You might need to scroll down to see them.

To reveal the tab switcher on a Mac, hit Shift + Cmd + Backslash (\) or click on View > Show Tab Overview .

To close one of the iCloud tabs, click on the Close button that appears when you hover over it. If you want quick access to iCloud tabs, keep the Show iCloud Tabs toolbar button handy.

On your iPhone, you'll find your Mac's Safari tabs listed below your active tabs in the tab switcher. To reveal the tab switcher, tap on the Tabs toolbar button at the bottom right. Slide the tab name to the left to reveal its Close button.

7. Unlock Your Mac Using Your iPhone

You'll need a third-party app, like Unlox ($3.99), for the convenience of using your iPhone's passcode or Touch ID fingerprint to unlock your Mac.

If you have an Apple Watch, you can use it to unlock your Mac simply by sitting in front of it. That's the Auto Unlock feature in action. Speaking of which, you might be missing out on more Apple Watch features like this one.

8. Type on Your iPhone Using Your Mac's Keyboard

If an iPhone app you're typing into has a Mac version and supports iCloud syncing, anything you type into the app on your desktop shows up in the mobile version soon and vice-versa.

Even if that's not an option, a Mac app that simulates a proper Bluetooth keyboard, like Typeeto ($7.99), can work.

9. Make and Receive Calls From Your Mac

You can receive and make both cellular and FaceTime calls on your iPhone from your Mac. To make this work, your Mac and iPhone must be connected to the same network and signed in with the same iCloud and FaceTime account. You also have to enable these settings:

  • On macOS: Go to Facetime > Preferences > Settings > Calls from iPhone
  • On iOS: Go to Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices > Allow Calls on Other Devices . From the same section, enable the toggle switch for the Mac in question.

Now, when you receive a call on your phone, you'll see a notification for it on your Mac. You can accept or decline the call from the notification itself.

To make a call from your Mac, first Control-click on a phone number or its link from any app. Next, click on the Call button . A popup saying Call using iPhone: [Number] will appear. Click on the number to start the call.

10. Send and Receive SMS From Your Mac

You can use your Mac to send text messages using your iPhone if you enable Text Message Forwarding from Settings > Messages on your iPhone.

You also have to ensure that you're reachable at your phone number and email address on iMessage. To do this, put a checkmark next to the relevant contact details in the Messages app settings:

  • On macOS: Go to Messages > Preferences > Accounts .
  • On iOS: Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive .

Now you're all set to send SMS from your Mac. Start an iMessage conversation as you normally do, but this time see if you can select a phone number to send the message to. With text forwarding in place, you should be able to do so.

11. Request Markups and Sketches in Real-Time

With the Continuity feature, you can send a request from your Mac to your iPhone to make markup annotations on images or PDFs and add sketches to supported apps, like Pages, Keynote, and Numbers.

A Sketch or a Markup window will open on your iPhone in real time, allowing you to see changes on both screens as you sketch and finish your markups.

12. Speed Up Payments

For easy, seamless payments, you can set up Apple Pay on both your Mac and iPhone. If you own a Mac with Touch ID, you can authorize your Mac to use Apple Pay without the help of your iPhone by using the Touch ID sensor.

However, for older Macs, you can complete the purchase you've initiated with your Mac through Apple Pay on your iPhone or Apple Watch.

13. Take Quick Snapshots

Aside from sketches and markups, you can also make your Mac send a request on your iPhone to scan documents or take images so you can add them in supported apps like Mail, Keynote, and Messages.

This feature comes in handy when you need to rush urgent reports and documents!

Mac Plus iPhone Equals Harmony

As a Mac user, you don't always have to buy an iPhone (and vice versa), but if you do so, it can prove quite convenient. You can use a mix of native features and third-party apps to move effortlessly from your Mac to your iPhone and back.

How To Sync Safari Favorites Across Devices

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  • Browsers & Extensions

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Introduction

Safari, Apple's native web browser, offers a seamless browsing experience across all your Apple devices. One of its most convenient features is the ability to sync your favorites (bookmarks) across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This means that any website you save to your favorites on one device will automatically appear on all your other devices, allowing you to access your preferred websites effortlessly.

Syncing Safari favorites across devices is particularly beneficial for individuals who use multiple Apple devices throughout the day. Whether you're researching a topic on your Mac, browsing on your iPad, or quickly accessing a favorite website on your iPhone, having your bookmarks synchronized ensures that you can easily pick up where you left off, regardless of the device you're using.

In this guide, we will explore the step-by-step process of setting up iCloud for Safari and enabling Safari sync on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac . Additionally, we will address common troubleshooting issues that may arise during the syncing process, ensuring that you can make the most of this convenient feature without any hiccups. Let's dive into the seamless world of syncing Safari favorites across your Apple devices.

Setting Up iCloud for Safari

To begin syncing your Safari favorites across your Apple devices, you'll first need to set up iCloud for Safari. iCloud is Apple's cloud storage and computing service, and it seamlessly integrates with Safari to ensure that your bookmarks are always up to date across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Here's how to set up iCloud for Safari:

Ensure iCloud is Enabled : On your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, navigate to the Settings app and tap on your Apple ID at the top of the screen. From there, select iCloud and ensure that the Safari toggle is switched on. This step ensures that Safari data, including your bookmarks, is synced with iCloud.

Enable Safari Sync on iPhone and iPad : On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app and tap on your Apple ID at the top. Next, select iCloud and toggle the switch next to Safari to enable Safari syncing with iCloud. This step ensures that any changes made to your Safari bookmarks on your iPhone or iPad are automatically updated in iCloud.

Enable Safari Sync on Mac : On your Mac, click on the Apple menu at the top-left corner of the screen and select System Preferences. Next, click on Apple ID, then iCloud, and ensure that the Safari checkbox is checked. This action enables Safari to sync your bookmarks with iCloud, ensuring that they are accessible across all your Apple devices.

Verify Syncing : Once you've enabled iCloud for Safari on all your devices, it's a good idea to verify that the syncing process is working as expected. Open Safari on each device and navigate to your bookmarks to ensure that they are consistent across all platforms. This step confirms that your Safari favorites are successfully syncing with iCloud.

By following these steps, you can seamlessly set up iCloud for Safari, laying the foundation for effortless syncing of your favorite websites across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. With iCloud serving as the bridge between your devices, you can enjoy a consistent browsing experience, knowing that your bookmarks are always within reach, regardless of the device you're using.

Enabling Safari Sync on iPhone and iPad

Enabling Safari sync on your iPhone and iPad is a straightforward process that ensures your favorite websites are seamlessly accessible across all your Apple devices. By syncing your Safari bookmarks with iCloud, you can effortlessly pick up where you left off, whether you're browsing on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Here's a detailed guide on how to enable Safari sync on your iPhone and iPad:

Accessing Settings : Begin by unlocking your iPhone or iPad and locating the Settings app. The Settings app is represented by a gear icon and is typically found on the home screen or within a folder.

Navigating to Apple ID : Once you've opened the Settings app, tap on your name at the top of the screen. This will take you to your Apple ID settings, where you can manage various aspects of your Apple account and device preferences.

Selecting iCloud : Within your Apple ID settings, you'll find the "iCloud" option. Tap on "iCloud" to access the iCloud settings, where you can manage the synchronization of various data, including Safari bookmarks.

Enabling Safari Sync : Scroll down the list of apps using iCloud and locate "Safari." Next to the Safari icon, you'll find a toggle switch. Tap the switch to enable Safari syncing with iCloud. Once enabled, your Safari bookmarks will be seamlessly synchronized across all your Apple devices connected to the same iCloud account.

Verifying Sync Status : After enabling Safari sync, it's a good practice to verify the sync status to ensure that your bookmarks are being successfully updated across your devices. Open the Safari app on your iPhone and navigate to your bookmarks to confirm that they reflect the changes made on your other devices.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your Safari bookmarks on your iPhone and iPad are consistently updated and accessible across all your Apple devices. This seamless synchronization process enhances your browsing experience, allowing you to effortlessly access your favorite websites regardless of the device you're using. With Safari sync enabled, you can seamlessly transition between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, knowing that your preferred websites are always at your fingertips.

Enabling Safari Sync on Mac

Enabling Safari sync on your Mac is an essential step in ensuring that your favorite websites are seamlessly accessible across all your Apple devices. By synchronizing your Safari bookmarks with iCloud, you can effortlessly pick up where you left off, whether you're browsing on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Here's a detailed guide on how to enable Safari sync on your Mac:

Accessing System Preferences : Begin by navigating to the Apple menu located at the top-left corner of your Mac's screen. From the drop-down menu, select "System Preferences." This will open a window where you can manage various settings and preferences for your Mac.

Navigating to Apple ID : Within the System Preferences window, locate and click on "Apple ID." This option is represented by the familiar Apple logo and allows you to manage your Apple account settings, including iCloud preferences.

Accessing iCloud Settings : Once you've entered your Apple ID settings, you'll find the "iCloud" option. Click on "iCloud" to access the iCloud settings, where you can manage the synchronization of various data, including Safari bookmarks.

Enabling Safari Sync : Within the iCloud settings, you'll find a list of apps and services that can be synced with iCloud. Locate "Safari" in the list and ensure that the checkbox next to it is checked. This action enables Safari to sync your bookmarks with iCloud, ensuring that they are accessible across all your Apple devices.

Verifying Sync Status : After enabling Safari sync, it's important to verify the sync status to ensure that your bookmarks are being successfully updated across your devices. Open the Safari app on your Mac and navigate to your bookmarks to confirm that they reflect the changes made on your other devices.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your Safari bookmarks on your Mac are consistently updated and accessible across all your Apple devices. This seamless synchronization process enhances your browsing experience, allowing you to effortlessly access your favorite websites regardless of the device you're using. With Safari sync enabled, you can seamlessly transition between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, knowing that your preferred websites are always at your fingertips.

This straightforward process ensures that your Safari bookmarks are seamlessly integrated across all your Apple devices, providing a cohesive browsing experience that adapts to your preferences and usage patterns.

Troubleshooting Sync Issues

While Safari's sync feature is designed to seamlessly update your bookmarks across all your Apple devices, you may encounter occasional issues that disrupt this synchronization process. Understanding how to troubleshoot these sync issues can help ensure that your Safari favorites remain consistent and readily accessible. Here are some common troubleshooting steps to address sync issues:

Check iCloud Status

Before delving into device-specific troubleshooting, it's essential to verify the status of iCloud services. Visit Apple's System Status page to check if there are any ongoing issues with iCloud services. If there are reported problems, it's likely that they are affecting the sync process. In such cases, it's best to wait for Apple to resolve the underlying issues before attempting further troubleshooting.

Verify Internet Connectivity

Syncing Safari favorites across devices relies on a stable internet connection. If you're experiencing sync issues, ensure that your devices are connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network or have cellular data enabled. Poor connectivity can hinder the sync process, leading to discrepancies in your bookmarks across devices.

Update Device Software

Outdated software on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac can sometimes lead to sync issues. Ensure that all your devices are running the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS. Updating to the latest software version can resolve underlying compatibility issues and improve the syncing functionality of Safari bookmarks.

Restart Devices

A simple yet effective troubleshooting step is to restart the devices experiencing sync issues. This can help clear temporary glitches and reestablish the connection to iCloud, potentially resolving any underlying sync discrepancies.

Reset Safari Sync

If you notice persistent sync issues on a specific device, you can attempt to reset the Safari sync settings. On iPhone and iPad, navigate to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Drive, then toggle off Safari. After a few moments, toggle it back on to initiate a fresh sync. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud, then uncheck and recheck the Safari option. This can help reinitialize the sync process and address any underlying issues.

Contact Apple Support

If you've exhausted troubleshooting steps and continue to experience sync issues with Safari favorites, reaching out to Apple Support can provide further assistance. Apple's support team can offer personalized guidance and troubleshooting tailored to your specific device and iCloud account.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you can address common sync issues and ensure that your Safari favorites remain consistently updated across all your Apple devices. This proactive approach to troubleshooting can help maintain a seamless browsing experience, allowing you to access your preferred websites without interruptions.

In conclusion, the seamless synchronization of Safari favorites across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac offers a significant convenience in managing your browsing experience. By leveraging iCloud as the conduit for syncing, Apple has streamlined the process of ensuring that your preferred websites are readily accessible across all your devices. This cohesive integration aligns with Apple's commitment to delivering a seamless ecosystem that adapts to users' needs and usage patterns.

The process of setting up iCloud for Safari and enabling Safari sync on your devices is relatively straightforward, empowering users to effortlessly manage their bookmarks without the need for manual intervention. This streamlined approach reflects Apple's dedication to user-friendly experiences, where technology seamlessly adapts to users' preferences, allowing for a consistent and intuitive browsing experience.

Furthermore, the troubleshooting steps provided offer practical solutions to address potential sync issues, ensuring that any discrepancies in Safari favorites can be promptly resolved. This proactive approach to troubleshooting aligns with Apple's emphasis on providing reliable and consistent user experiences, where potential obstacles are swiftly addressed to maintain the seamless integration of Safari across devices.

Ultimately, the ability to sync Safari favorites across devices underscores the value of a cohesive ecosystem that prioritizes user convenience and accessibility. Whether you're researching a topic on your Mac, browsing on your iPad, or quickly accessing a favorite website on your iPhone, the synchronized bookmarks ensure that you can seamlessly transition between devices without losing access to your preferred websites.

As technology continues to evolve, Apple's commitment to seamless integration and user-centric experiences remains evident in the synchronization of Safari favorites. This feature not only enhances productivity and convenience but also exemplifies Apple's dedication to creating a harmonious digital environment where users can effortlessly access their personalized content across their Apple devices.

In essence, the ability to sync Safari favorites across devices epitomizes the harmonious integration of technology into users' daily lives, reflecting Apple's commitment to delivering intuitive and seamless experiences across its ecosystem.

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Get your Safari bookmarks from your Mac to your iPhone

By Rob LeFebvre • 1:45 pm, June 3, 2015

Bookmarks everywhere!

I took the plunge and downloaded a password manager today, and when I was researching how to use it on my iPhone, one help page said I needed to put some bookmarklets onto my Mac and then move them over to the iPhone.

Problem was, I wasn’t sure how to make that happen; I figured it was just automatic.

It might be magically enabled for you, but if you’re like me and don’t know how to get your Safari bookmarks from one device to the other, here’s how to get it to work.

Safari bookmark sync

You’ll need to launch your System Preferences app on your Mac, and then click on iCloud. Once there, click on Safari to enable your web browser sync.

Next, hop on over to your iPhone (or iPad; it’ll work the same way), and tap on Settings.

Tap on iCloud, and then swipe down to the Safari area. Tap on the toggle switch to turn on Safari sync ON. Tap on the Merge button that slides up from the bottom of the screen, and then you’ll be all set.

Give it a few minutes, and all your bookmarks will sync across your Mac and iOS versions of Safari. Hoorah!

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How-To Geek

How to sync any browser's bookmarks with your ipad or iphone.

Apple makes it easy to synchronize bookmarks between the Safari browser on a Mac and the Safari browser on iOS, but you don't have to use Safari -- or a Mac -- to sync your bookmarks back and forth.

Quick Links

Safari on a mac, internet explorer, firefox, or chrome via icloud, google chrome sync, manual bookmark sync in itunes.

You can do this with any browser. Whether you're using Chrome, Firefox, or even Internet Explorer, there's a way to sync your browser bookmarks so you can access your same bookmarks on your iPad.

Apple's iCloud service is the officially supported way to sync data with your iPad or iPhone. It's included on Macs, but Apple also offers similar iCloud bookmark syncing features for Windows.

On a Mac, this should be enabled by default. To check whether it's enabled, you can launch the System Preferences panel on your Mac, open the iCloud preferences panel, and ensure the Safari option is checked.

Related: Safari for Windows is (Probably) Dead: How to Migrate to Another Browser

If you're using Safari on Windows -- well, you shouldn't be. Apple is no longer updating Safari for Windows . iCloud allows you to synchronize bookmarks between other browsers on your Windows system and Safari on your iOS device, so Safari isn't necessary.

To get started, download Apple's iCloud Control Panel application for Windows and install it. Launch the iCloud Control Panel and log in with the same iCloud account (Apple ID) you use on your iPad or iPhone.

You'll be able to enable Bookmark syncing with Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Chrome. Click the Options button to select the browser you want to synchronize bookmarks with. (Note that bookmarks are called "favorites" in Internet Explorer.)

You'll be able to access your synced bookmarks in the Safari browser on your iPad or iPhone, and they'll sync back and forth automatically over the Internet.

Google Chrome also has its own built-in sync feature and Google provides an official Chrome app for iPad and iPhone. If you're a Chrome user, you can set up Chrome Sync on your desktop version of Chrome -- you should already have this enabled if you have logged into your Chrome browser.

You can check if this Chrome Sync is enabled by opening Chrome's settings screen and seeing whether you're signed in. Click the Advanced sync settings button and ensure bookmark syncing is enabled.

Once you have Chrome Sync set up, you can install the Chrome app from the App Store and sign in with the same Google account. Your bookmarks, as well as other data like your open browser tabs, will automatically sync.

This can be a better solution because the Chrome browser is available for so many platforms and you gain the ability to synchronize other browser data, such as your open browser tabs, between your devices. Unfortunately, the Chrome browser is slower than Apple's own Safari browser on iPad and iPhone because of the way Apple limits third-party browsers, so using it involves a trade-off.

iTunes also allows you to sync bookmarks between your computer and your iPad or iPhone. It does this the old-fashioned way, by initiating a manual sync when your device is plugged in via USB. To access this option, connect your device to your computer, select the device in iTunes, and click the Info tab.

Related: How to Never Use iTunes With Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

This is the more outdated way of synchronizing your bookmarks. This feature may be useful if you want to create a one-time copy of your bookmarks from your PC, but it's nowhere near ideal for regular syncing. You don't have to use this feature, just as you really don't have to use iTunes anymore . In fact, this option is unavailable if you've set up iCloud syncing in iTunes.

After you set up bookmark syncing via iCloud or Chrome Sync, bookmarks will sync immediately after you save, remove, or edit them.

How to Sync Website Settings between Devices in Safari in iOS 16

mac safari sync with iphone

One useful new Safari features in iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura (coming this fall and available as beta software now) is the ability to have the browser remember your settings for specific websites even when you open the site on another device, as long as you're logged into the same Apple ID. This includes your Reader Mode settings, content blockers, whether you prefer to view the desktop site on mobile, and more. We'll show you how to turn syncing on and off and where to find these settings to adjust them.

  • How to Sync Website Settings on iPhone in  iOS 16
  • How to Sync Website Settings on iPad in iPadOS 16
  • How to Sync Website Settings in macOS Ventura

How to Sync Website Settings in iOS 16

Before you sync your custom Safari settings, you'll need to have some customized website settings already enabled. Check out our guide on customizing individual websites in Safari  to learn how to, and be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter for more information on new iPhone features.

Home screen with Settings app icon marked.

How to Sync Website Settings in iPadOS 16

iPad Home screen with the Settings app icon marked.

How to Adjust Synced Website Settings in macOS Ventura

Safari in MacOS with the Safari menu marked.

That's it, now you know how to enable, or turn off, the syncing of website settings across your devices in Safari 16, and some basics on the different settings you can customize for specific sites.

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Master iOS 17 with our latest in-depth guide!

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How To : Safari Now Lets You Sync and Manage All Your Web Extensions Across Your iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Safari Now Lets You Sync and Manage All Your Web Extensions Across Your iPhone, iPad, and Mac

We've had access to real Safari extensions on iPhone and iPad for a year, and they've been available on Mac for a lot longer than that. To install the same one on all your devices, you always had to find the app in the App Store, install it, and enable the extension on each device. Now, Apple is streamlining the process, making it easier to install and manage extensions across devices.

Starting with iOS 16 , iPadOS 16 , and macOS 13 Ventura, you can share Safari extensions across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac by enabling a simple setting on each device. After that, any compatible Safari extensions on one device can be installed quickly on your other devices. Then, you can enable, disable, and fine-tune them from one device and sync the settings with the others.

  • Don't Miss: Upgrade Safari on Your iPhone with These Powerful Add-Ons

Enable Extension Syncing on Your iPhone or iPad

Toggle on the "Share Across Devices" switch in your iPhone or iPad's Safari settings to sync your extensions across all your iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS 13 devices.

  • Settings –> Safari –> Extensions –> Share Across Devices

Safari Now Lets You Sync and Manage All Your Web Extensions Across Your iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Enable Extension Syncing on Your Mac

Check the "Share Across Devices" box in your Mac's Safari preferences to sync your extensions across all your iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS 13 devices.

  • Safari –> Preferences –> Extensions –> Share across devices

Safari Now Lets You Sync and Manage All Your Web Extensions Across Your iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Quickly Install Shared Extensions

For any Safari extensions you already have on one device but not any others, the Extensions settings on those other devices will show a new "On Other Devices" section. In those settings, you'll see each app that's not installed, but an iCloud download button will be there for you to install them quickly.

However, there's a catch: The only apps you'll see under "On Other Devices" are those whose Safari extension is currently enabled on one of your other synced devices. If it's installed but disabled on another device, you won't see it in the list until you activate it there. If you see the extension in the list, it will disappear whenever it's turned off on your other devices.

Once an app is installed from the "On Other Devices" section, it will move up to the "Allow These Content Blockers" or "Allow These Extensions" group.

Tip: Enable automatic downloads for apps on all your devices so whenever you install an app on one device, it will automatically install on your other devices. On iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, go to Settings –> App Store –> App Downloads (under Automatic Downloads) to set the feature.

Safari Now Lets You Sync and Manage All Your Web Extensions Across Your iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Sync Your Extension Settings

When syncing Safari extensions, any extension you have enabled on one of your devices will be enabled on your other devices, as long as they have the associated app installed. If you toggle an extension off on one device, it should turn off on all your synced devices.

However, the permissions for each Safari extension will not always sync across your devices. So if you have one extension set to "Allow" on all websites and change it to "Ask," it may not affect that permission on your other devices. Sometimes after installing an extension, the permissions for websites will be the same as on your other devices, but any further changes may not sync.

Limitations

The most significant limitation is that each Safari extension needs to be compatible with each device. Not all iPhone apps are available for iPad and Mac, and some iPad and Mac apps only support those platforms. Some of the Safari extensions on your Mac may not have even come from the App Store, so those won't appear on your other devices.

Depending on the Safari extensions you use, it may severely limit the number of extensions that sync to your other devices. For example, I have seven Safari extensions on my iPhone, and only one of those was shared with my Mac.

Just updated your iPhone? You'll find new emoji, enhanced security, podcast transcripts, Apple Cash virtual numbers, and other useful features. There are even new additions hidden within Safari. Find out what's new and changed on your iPhone with the iOS 17.4 update.

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Top 5 Ways to Fix Safari Bookmarks Not Syncing on Mac

Adding bookmarks is a convenient feature across web browsers. Apple devices use iCloud to sync saved Safari bookmarks across different devices sharing the same account. You can even organize bookmarks on Safari according to your requirement.

Safari bookmarks not syncing

At times, you may struggle if the Safari bookmark syncing does not reflect on your Mac. If you’ve added a bookmark on your iPhone or iPad and it doesn’t show up on your Mac, it can impact your workflow. Should you be facing an issue with your iCloud syncing Safari bookmarks on your Mac, here are your top bets to identify and fix this issue.

1. Connect to a Stable Wi-Fi Network

Ensure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection to begin the troubleshooting. Sometimes, an unstable Wi-Fi network may hinder a proper bookmark sync. This would affect the added bookmark reflecting on your Mac from your other synced devices.

Connect to same Wi-Fi network

Also, a metered Wi-Fi connection like a mobile hotspot may not facilitate syncing bookmarks. Hence, a Wi-Fi network with high bandwidth is preferable.

2. Enable iCloud Sync for Safari

If there is no issue in your Wi-Fi network, check if the iCloud sync for Safari is on. The bookmarks on Safari will not reflect on your Mac without enabling the iCloud sync for Safari. You’ll need to turn on this sync option on all devices using the same iCloud account. Here’s how to enable iCloud sync for Safari.

iCloud Sync for iPhone

Note that the following steps would apply to an iPad as well.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Tap on your name at the top of the Settings screen.

iPhone settings

Step 3: Then, press the iCloud option.

iCloud

Step 4:  Tap on Show All.

Show all settings

Step 5: Now scroll down to locate the Safari option. Enable the toggle next to it. If the toggle is already turned on, turn it off by tapping on it. Then, re-enable the toggle to turn it on.

Safari sync

You’ve now enabled Safari iCloud sync on your iPhone/iPad. It is now time to repeat the process on your Mac.

iCloud Sync for Mac

Step 1: Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your Mac’s screen.

Apple logo on Mac

Step 2: Select the System Preferences option.

System preferences

Step 3: Then, click on Apple ID.

Apple ID settings for AirPlay

Step 4: Choose the iCloud option in the left pane.

iCloud option

Step 5: Scroll down on the right pane till you find Safari. Then, tick the checkbox next to it. Should the toggle already be enabled, turn it off and re-enable it.

Safari sync

3. Login With the Same Apple ID on All Your Devices

One prerequisite for the bookmarks to sync across your Apple devices – the same Apple account on all the Apple devices. Here’s how you can check all the devices linked to your Apple ID.

Step 1:  Click on the Apple logo on the top-left corner of your Mac’s screen.

Step 2:  Select System Preferences.

Step 3:  Click on Apple ID on the top-left side of the window.

Step 4:  You will see the list of your Apple products signed in to your Apple ID on the bottom-left side.

List of AirPlay devices

If your devices don’t appear there, log in with the same Apple ID on your iPhone and Mac. Then, try seeing if the bookmarks are syncing. You can also use the universal clipboard feature across all devices.

4. Update Safari From the App Store

Every piece of software contains bugs and errors. These bugs tend to cause deficiencies in the smooth use of any software. Enter – software updates. Software updates could eliminate these bugs and errors in turn resolving the issue you’re facing.

So, Safari may be glitching due to a bug on your Mac. Update the Safari from the App Store on your Mac and check if your iCloud enables bookmark sync. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1:  Open the App Store on your Mac.

Step 2:  Click on the Updates section in the left pane.

updates on app store

Step 3:  If an update is available for Safari, it’ll appear on that screen. Click on the Update button and wait for the newer version of the app to be installed.

available updates

5. Delete PLIST files of Safari

Deleting the PLIST file of an app on Mac is the equivalent of resetting the app’s preferences. So, this tip is as good as installing the app for the first time and setting it up. You could clear the PLIST files and start with a clean slate. See if this solution could cater to solving the issue of bookmark not syncing on your Mac. Here’s how to do that.

Step 1:  Open a new Finder window on your Mac.

Finder window on Mac

Step 2:  Click on the Go option located at the top of your screen on the menu bar.

Go option in finder

Step 3:  Press and hold the Option key on your keyboard. You will see the Library option listed in the drop-down menu. Click on it.

Library option to fix preview

Step 4:  Scroll down and double-click on the Preferences folder to open it.

Preferences folder for preview

Step 5:  In the list of files, find ‘com.apple.Safari.plist’ file and delete it.

Safari plist

Step 6:  Open the Safari app and your Mac will create a new PLIST file for the app.

Sync in a Blink

Following these steps should help you sync your Safari bookmarks in the blink of an eye! Having your bookmarks synced across all devices can ease your workflow and can help you navigate through websites at a faster pace.

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Last updated on 01 July, 2022

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Sumukh has been simplifying tech for the masses and helping consumers pick the right gadgets with his in-depth insights and reviews. He decided to hide his engineering degree in the closet to pursue his passion for writing. Over the past 5 years, he has contributed with guides, reviews, and detailed opinions to notable publications like TechPP and XDA-Developers. When not jamming his fingers on thoccy mechanical keyboards, Sumukh is busy convincing people how VR Gaming is the next best thing after sliced bread.

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iOS 17.4 Brings All These Features to Your iPhone

The update includes new emoji, additional Stolen Device Protection options and much more.

mac safari sync with iphone

  • Apple software beta tester, "Helps make our computers and phones work!" - Zach's grandparents

Apple iOS 17

Apple released  iOS 17.4  on March 5, more than a month after the tech giant released  iOS 17.3  to the general public. This major iOS update brings new features, including major changes for people in the European Union  and  new emoji , as well as important bug fixes to your iPhone. Apple later released iOS 17.4.1 on March 21, but that update patched a couple of zero-day vulnerabilities on your iPhone and didn't include any new features.

CNET Tech Tips logo

To download the update, go to  Settings  >  General  >  Software Update , tap  Install Now  and follow the onscreen prompts. 

Here's what iOS 17.4 brings to your iPhone.

Read more:   You Should Really Update to iOS 17.4.1 Right Now

Downloading other app stores in the EU

Apple introduced a significant change to Safari, the App Store and iOS with iOS 17.4, but only for people in Europe. With iOS 17.4, people in the EU can download an alternative app store and apps from outside the App Store. As CNET's Katie Collins reports , this marks one of the largest changes to the App Store since its inception in 2008. People in the EU will also be given new default app controls, giving them more ways to customize their iPhone experience. 

apple-store-iphone11-app-9823

People in the EU have access to other app stores and more now.

Apple made these changes , which were announced in January, to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act.

Read more: Apple Will Allow Installation of Rival App Stores On iPhones In Europe

More options for in-app payments

Apple introduced more ways to make in-app payments with iOS 17.4. If you go to Settings > Privacy & Security , you'll see an option called Contactless & NFC , or near-field communication . If you tap the new option, you'll be taken to a mostly blank page that has a small disclaimer that says the page will show apps that have requested the ability to use contactless and NFC payments in the future. Apple announced these options alongside the changes for people in the EU, and there's no word on whether this will be used by apps outside that region.

At least 100 new emoji

New emoji to come to iPhones with the first iOS 17.4 developer beta

Some of the new emoji in iOS 17.4 include a phoenix, a slice of lime and broken chains.

Apple introduced over 100 new emoji to iPhone users with iOS 17.4. Those emoji include heads shaking up and down or left and right, a phoenix and a slice of lime. These emoji were announced in 2023, and some Android devices, including the latest Samsung phones , already have them.

Improved iMessage security against future threats

With iOS 17.4, your iMessage chats get a security boost to protect them from cyberattacks that involve quantum computing. According to CNET's David Lumb , Apple said it hasn't seen these kinds of cyberattacks yet, but the company wants to get ahead of the potential threat now. 

Read more:   Apple's Next iOS Update Protects iMessage Against Future Quantum Computing Attacks

Podcasts can now show transcripts

apple-podcast-icon

You can now read a transcript of your favorite podcasts with iOS 17.4.

In iOS 17.4, you can read the transcripts of your favorite podcasts as you listen to them. To see the transcripts, go into the Podcasts app and start listening to a show, then tap the media player across the bottom of your screen. There's a new button in the bottom left corner of your screen that looks like a speech bubble with quotes inside it. Tap this button and you'll see the transcript of the show you're listening to.

You can search within the transcript, too, so if someone mentions a book or movie title and you only remember part of it, you can search the part you do know and find the whole title. 

Read more:   What to Know About Podcast Transcripts on iOS 17.4

Virtual card numbers come to Apple Cash

Your Apple Cash  gets an upgrade with iOS 17.4, too. Now you can view  virtual card numbers for your Apple Cash which lets you shop at online stores that don't accept Apple Pay. This card comes with its own number, expiration date and three-digit security code, like a physical card. You can also easily request a new card number if you think your card has been compromised.

Read more: How to View Your Apple Cash's Virtual Card Numbers

Another digital clock widget

In iOS 17.4, Apple introduced a new digital clock app widget called City Digital. This widget displays the time as well as a set location as opposed to wherever your iPhone is at the moment. This can be helpful if you're traveling or live far from family and friends but want to keep in touch without waking them up in the middle of the night.

Apple introduced the digital clock widget to iPhones with the release of iOS 17.2 .

More Stolen Device Protection options

smartphone with a keyhole lock

Stolen Device Protection now lets you always require a security delay, or only when you're away from locations like your home.

Apple introduced a few new options in  Stolen Device Protection  with iOS 17.4. The new options let you choose whether you want to always require a 1-hour security delay to access certain settings or make changes, or to only require the delay when you're away from a familiar location like your home. 

Apple introduced Stolen Device Protection with iOS 17.3 with the intent to protect some of your data if your device is stolen or falls into nefarious hands. The feature doesn't protect all your data, but Apple still recommends everyone turn it on.

Read more: How to Give Your iPhone's Stolen Device Protection a Boost

New Battery Health readout for iPhone 15 models

With iOS 17.4,  iPhone 15 models  get a new  Battery Health  readout. If you go to  Settings > Battery, you'll see a new option that tells you the status of your battery's health in a word, like Normal or Service. You can also tap this option for more details about your battery, like its cycle count and maximum capacity. Before, your iPhone would show a percentage correlating to your battery's health without any indication of what it means.

Read more:   iOS 17.4's New Tool Shows if Your iPhone 15's Battery Health Is Normal

New Home button in the Music and Books apps

Apple introduced a Home button in Apple Music and the Books app with iOS 17.4. If you open either app and look at the bottom of your screen, the Home button is in the far-left corner. This button replaced Listen Now in Apple Music and Read Now in Books. 

If you're an Apple Music subscriber and tap the button, you're taken to a page that shows you menus, like Recently Played, and recommendations based on artists you've listened to. If you tap this button in the Books app, you see menus like Current Bestsellers and Start Reading for Free.

Previous iOS updates brought Home buttons to the Podcasts and Apple TV apps, so this change is likely Apple trying to apply some uniformity across its apps.

Siri can read messages in multiple languages

In iOS 17.4, Apple gave Siri the ability to read messages in multiple languages . Once enabled, Siri can read messages in languages like Spanish, dialects of Mandarin and Thai. Apple writes that this won't change the primary language Siri listens and responds in. 

Read more: How to Enable Siri to Read Messages in More Languages

New Apple CarPlay and Maps experience in certain vehicles

Apple CarPlay in-car display

Certain Apple CarPlay-supported vehicles will show a new Maps instrument cluster with iOS 17.4.

With iOS 17.4, if you use Apple CarPlay with Maps in certain supported vehicles, you'll see a new instrument cluster. 

"With supported CarPlay vehicles, Apple Maps will present a new instrument cluster experience with information about upcoming maneuvers," Apple wrote online . "Users will be able to swap the desired display type between the main and instrument cluster screen by tapping the map configuration button on the upper right of the Maps main screen."

Apple didn't say which vehicles support this new feature, and the company didn't respond to a request for comment.

Here are the full release notes for iOS 17.4.

Emoji New mushroom, phoenix, lime, broken chain, and shaking heads emoji are now available in the emoji keyboard. 18 people and body emoji add the option to face them in either direction. Apple Podcasts Transcripts let you follow an episode with text that highlights in sync with the audio in English, Spanish, French and German. Episode text can be read in full, searched for a word or phrase, tapped to play from a specific point and used with accessibility features such as Text Size, Increase Contrast and VoiceOver. This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes: Music recognition lets you add songs you have identified to your Apple Music Playlists and Library, as well as Apple Music Classic. Siri has a new option to announce messages you receive in any supported language. Stolen Device Protection supports the option for increased security in all locations. Battery Health in Settings shows battery cycle count, manufacture date, and first use on iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models. Call Identification displays Apple-verified business name, logo and department name when available. Business updates in Messages for Business provide trusted information for order status, flight notifications, fraud alerts or other transactions you opt into. Apple Cash virtual card numbers enable you to pay with Apple Cash at merchants that don't yet accept Apple Pay by typing in your number from Wallet or using Safari AutoFill. Fixes an issue where contact pictures are blank in Find My. Fixes an issue for Dual SIM users where the phone number changes from primary to secondary and is visible to a group they have messaged. Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

For more on iOS 17, here's what could be coming in iOS 17.5 and what you should know about iOS 17.4.1 . You can also check out our iOS 17 cheat sheet .

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More people choose alternative iphone web browsers when prompted.

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy

One of the changes Apple had to make to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) was to present customers with a list of iPhone web browsers during setup, and to choose the one they want. Browsers must be listed in random order, so that Safari isn’t highlighted.

We’d previously seen some indication that the new antitrust law was proving effective, and a new report today says this is true for six leading browser companies …

iPhone web browsers must be a free choice

The most popular desktop web browser in the world was once Netscape, with around a 90% market share in the 1990s. That all changed when Microsoft began bundling its own web browser, Internet Explorer, with Windows. Internet Explorer also failed to stick to industry standards, meaning that some website features would only work with its own browser. By 2000, Netscape’s share was just 1%.

In 2001, the US government brought an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft for this and other issues.

Europe decided there’s a similar problem today in mobile browsers. When you first setup an iPhone, it comes with Safari preinstalled, and this will be used by default unless you download an alternative browser and manually set that as your default.

Even if you do this, all competing browsers were required to use Apple’s WebKit, meaning they couldn’t offer faster engines or features not supported by Apple’s API.

DMA requirements for EU iPhone owners

iPhone owners in Europe must now be asked to choose their web browser when they first setup the device. A list of the 11 most popular browsers must be shown, and the order must be randomised. Apple’s own Safari browser cannot be highlighted in any way.

The same is true with Android phones, with Google’s Chrome browser given no special treatment.

The Brave browser saw a sharp increase in take-up when the change was introduced in iOS 17.4, and Reuters reports the same has been true for other browsers.

Top comment by Chazak

The simple truth is just about all users who aren't tech enthusiasts or people who make their living from tech and related businesses, could not care less about this.

It is driven by EU regulators and the developer community, neither of which has much awareness of the average user's needs and wants.

All six companies approached by Reuters reported growth in the EU since the change – including one company which actually charges a subscription.

Founded in 2016, Aloha, which markets itself as a privacy focused alternative to browsers owned by big tech, has 10 million monthly average users and earns money through paid subscriptions, rather than selling ads by tracking users. “Before, EU was our number four market, right now it’s number two,” Aloha CEO Andrew Frost Moroz said in an interview.

But Apple may not be fully compliant

Other browser companies claim that the process is convoluted, and provides no information on any of the browsers listed. They say this means iPhone users are more likely to simply pick the name they know, which is most likely to be Safari.

The EU is currently investigating this complaint .

Photo by  Amanz  on  Unsplash

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Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!

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  • Open documents
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  • Combine files into a PDF
  • Organize files on your desktop
  • Organize files with folders
  • Tag files and folders
  • Back up files
  • Restore files
  • Change System Settings
  • Choose your desktop wallpaper
  • Add and customize widgets
  • Use a screen saver
  • Add a user or group
  • Add your email and other accounts
  • Automate tasks with Shortcuts
  • Create Memoji
  • Change your login picture
  • Change the system language
  • Make text and other items on the screen bigger
  • Set up a Focus to stay on task
  • Set up Screen Time for yourself
  • Use Dictation
  • Send emails
  • Send text messages
  • Make a FaceTime video call
  • Edit photos and videos
  • Use Live Text to interact with text in a photo
  • Start a Quick Note
  • Get directions
  • Work across devices using Continuity
  • Use iPhone as a webcam
  • Use iPhone with Desk View
  • Stream audio and video with AirPlay
  • Use one keyboard and mouse to control Mac and iPad
  • Hand off between devices
  • Unlock your Mac with Apple Watch
  • Make and receive phone calls on your Mac
  • Sync music, books, and more between devices
  • Manage Apple ID settings
  • Set your Apple ID picture
  • What is iCloud?
  • What is iCloud+?
  • Store files in iCloud Drive
  • Share and collaborate on files and folders
  • Manage iCloud storage
  • Use iCloud Photos
  • What is Family Sharing?
  • Set up Family Sharing
  • Set up Screen Time for a child
  • Share purchases with your family
  • Watch and listen together with SharePlay
  • Share a Photo Library
  • Collaborate on projects
  • Find content shared with you
  • Find your family and friends
  • Play games with your friends
  • Listen to podcasts
  • Watch TV shows and movies
  • Read and listen to books
  • Read the news
  • Track stocks and the market
  • Apple Music
  • Apple Arcade
  • Apple News+
  • Podcast shows and channels
  • Manage subscriptions in the App Store
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  • Guard your privacy
  • Use Mail Privacy Protection
  • Control access to your camera
  • Use Sign in with Apple for apps and websites
  • Set up your Mac to be secure
  • Keep your data safe
  • Create a passkey
  • Understand passwords
  • Keep your Apple ID secure
  • Find a missing device
  • Get started with accessibility features
  • Connect an external display
  • Use the built-in camera
  • Connect a Bluetooth device
  • Use AirPods with your Mac
  • Optimize your Mac battery life
  • Optimize storage space
  • Burn CDs and DVDs
  • Control accessories in your home
  • Use Windows on your Mac
  • Resources for your Mac
  • Resources for your Apple devices

mac safari sync with iphone

Sync content between your Mac and iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

You can select the information you want to sync between your Mac and device. You can sync all items of a specific type (for example, all your movies or photos). Or you can select specific items (for example, some of your movies and some of your books), which gives you more control.

After you select the content you want to sync, the items are updated whenever you sync your device and your Mac.

The first time you set up syncing, you must connect your device to your Mac using a USB or USB-C cable. After you connect the device, the device icon appears in the Finder sidebar and selecting the icon displays syncing options. You then select which items to sync.

If you have an iPhone (with iOS 5 or later) or iPad, you can also set up to sync wirelessly when your Mac and device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. See Sync content between your Mac and iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch over Wi-Fi .

For more information about syncing, see Intro to syncing your Mac and your devices .

Sync all items of a content type

Connect your device to your Mac.

You can connect your device using a USB or USB-C cable or using a Wi-Fi connection. See Sync content between your Mac and iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch over Wi-Fi .

A device selected in the Finder sidebar.

If you connect your device to your Mac using a USB cable and don’t see the device in the Finder sidebar, see If your device doesn’t appear in the sidebar .

Click the type of content you want to sync in the button bar.

The button bar showing the General button and buttons for contents such as music, movies, TV shows, and more.

Note: If you use iCloud Photos and Apple Music, your photos and music are synced automatically using iCloud. When you click Music or Photos, no options appear for syncing.

Select the “Sync [ content type ] onto [ device name ]” checkbox to turn on syncing for that type of item. For example, select the “Sync movies onto [ device name ]” checkbox to sync your movies.

“Sync Movies onto [device]” checkbox is selected. Below that, is the “Automatically include” checkbox is selected, and “all” is chosen in the pop-up menu.

With the checkbox selected, syncing is set to transfer all items of that type to your device.

Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each type of content you want to sync.

The bar at the bottom of the window shows how much free space remains on your device after you sync. Move the pointer over the bar to view details about the content you’re syncing.

When you’re ready to sync, click Apply.

You can choose to sync your Mac and your device automatically whenever you connect them. See Turn automatic syncing on or off .

WARNING: If you delete an automatically synced item from your Mac, the deleted item is removed from your device the next time you sync.

If you want to sync individual items instead of all items of a content type, see the following:

Sync music to a device

Sync movies to a device

Sync TV shows to a device

Sync podcasts to a device

Sync audiobooks to a device

Sync books to a device

Sync photos to a device

Sync files to a device

Sync contacts and calendars to a device

mac safari sync with iphone

Upcoming iOS 18 iPhone update tipped to include new Notes app voice recording and math features as WWDC 2024 nears

Changes are coming.

iPhone 15 Review

If Apple sticks to the familiar cadence we can expect it to announce the iOS 18 software update at WWDC in June before releasing it to the public in the fall. And while we're still a couple of months away from Apple previewing the new software we're starting to see more and more leaks around what it will and will not have to offer.

There have been plenty of claims of new Apple AI features coming to iOS 18 and macOS 15, and now we're hearing that there could be some big changes coming to an unsung hero of the Apple app family — Notes.

Apple's Notes app is available on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro and while it had a rocky start, it's grown into the go-to note-taking and data collection app of choice for a whole lot of people — yours truly, included. Now, a new report claims that iOS 18 and macOS 15 will see the Notes app gain some new features, specifically the ability to embed add a voice recording to a note as well as take advantage of new math capabilities.

This is all according to a new AppleInsider report which cites people "familiar with the matter" when it says that new audio recording support is coming to the Notes app.

"Recordings made within the app get embedded within individual notes, meaning that users will have the option to include additional text or images alongside their audio recordings," AppleInsider explains. "This would allow users to, for example, add descriptions or context to an audio recording made within the app." Some potential use cases, we're told, include students taking audio recordings of classes and then adding them to a note alongside photos of a whiteboard and their own written notes. All of the notes and recordings will then sync via iCloud, as you might expect.

Another addition is what is currently being called "Math Notes," a feature that will " leverage connectivity with the company's Calculator app, allowing users to integrate information from Calculator within the Notes app."

"Though it remains incomplete at press time, the update is likely to usher in support for displaying proper mathematic notation, an essential shorthand for academic, science, and engineering applications," the report explains. "Users will be able to open Math Notes from the Calculator app through a dedicated option or button, allowing for quick and easy navigation. The exact implementation of this new feature, however, remains to be seen."

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!

While I'm not sure that I would make extensive use of either of these new features, I'm absolutely a fan of Apple making regular and notable improvements to the Notes app. It's become my second brain , storing everything from my kids' report cards to notes about upcoming birthday get-togethers and everything in between. I would never have thought that possible until recent updates brought power user features to an app that was previously all too shallow.

With this rumor, it would appear that Apple will continue to give the Notes app some love, and I can't wait to see what else is coming to an app I use more than most on my iPhone and Mac.

As mentioned, Apple is likely to preview iOS 18 alongside updates for the iPad, Mac, and other platforms at WWDC on June 10. It's then expected to enter developer beta on the same day before being released to the public in September.

More from iMore

  • iOS 18 is reportedly out in the wild ahead of WWDC reveal
  • iOS 18 AI revolution could be behind the curve already thanks to an Android update
  • iOS 18 could offer more iPhone Home Screen customization

Oliver Haslam

Oliver Haslam has written about Apple and the wider technology business for more than a decade with bylines on How-To Geek, PC Mag, iDownloadBlog, and many more. He has also been published in print for Macworld, including cover stories. At iMore, Oliver is involved in daily news coverage and, not being short of opinions, has been known to 'explain' those thoughts in more detail, too. Having grown up using PCs and spending far too much money on graphics card and flashy RAM, Oliver switched to the Mac with a G5 iMac and hasn't looked back. Since then he's seen the growth of the smartphone world, backed by iPhone, and new product categories come and go. Current expertise includes iOS, macOS, streaming services, and pretty much anything that has a battery or plugs into a wall. Oliver also covers mobile gaming for iMore, with Apple Arcade a particular focus. He's been gaming since the Atari 2600 days and still struggles to comprehend the fact he can play console quality titles on his pocket computer.

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mac safari sync with iphone

mac safari sync with iphone

How to pair an Apple Watch to your iPhone

P airing your Apple Watch with your iPhone is a straightforward process that unlocks features designed to enhance your day-to-day activities.

Whether you're setting up a brand-new Apple Watch or connecting a previously used one, the steps below will guide you through the process, ensuring a seamless integration between your devices.

How to pair Apple Watch with iPhone

Step 1: Open the Apple Watch App on Your iPhone

First, before you start pairing, make sure your phone has the latest iOS update and that the Health app is enabled if you use iCloud to back up your device.

If you're setting up your Watch for the first time, tap on "Start Pairing." The app will then open the camera, prompting you to align your Apple Watch in the viewfinder to initiate the pairing process.

Step 2: Set Up as New or Restore from Backup

After your Watch is recognized, you can set it up as a new device or restore it from a backup. Choose the option that best fits your needs. If you're setting up a brand-new Watch, selecting "Set Up as New Apple Watch" is the way to go.

Those migrating from an older Watch can choose to restore from a backup to transfer settings and content seamlessly.

Step 3: Log in to Your Apple ID and Set Up Features

Follow the on-screen instructions to log in with your Apple ID. This step is crucial for enabling features like iCloud, iMessage, and Find My. You'll also have the opportunity to set up Siri, Apple Pay, and other services during this phase.

Step 4: Customize and Sync

Finally, you can customize settings like passcodes, screen orientation, and which apps to install. Once you've adjusted these settings to your liking, your iPhone will begin syncing with your Watch. This process may take a few minutes, but once completed, your Apple Watch will be ready to use, fully paired with your iPhone.

Woman using smart watch and smart phone, Apple watch

Want to highlight a helpful answer? Upvote!

Did someone help you, or did an answer or User Tip resolve your issue? Upvote by selecting the upvote arrow. Your feedback helps others!  Learn more about when to upvote >

How do I sync my iPhone photos with my iPad?

Photos in my iPhone gallery don’t show in my iPad.

Posted on Apr 15, 2024 3:07 AM

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SravanKrA

Apr 15, 2024 3:10 AM in response to alicedjones

Photos do not sync between devices. Let us understand this.

Many Functions Don't Sync Between Your Devices - Keeping Everything in Sync with iCloud

5414Last modified Mar 6, 2024 1:15 PM

These do not sync between devices. Photos, Notes, Reminders, Messages, etc.

Enabling iCloud for various functionalities such as Photos, Notes, Reminders, Messages , and more, as illustrated in the accompanying image, facilitates the seamless synchronisation of each of these elements with iCloud through the internet.

If one of the devices is not connected to the internet then it may seem to you that they are not syncing.

This link could assist you in pinpointing internet issues, a crucial step for synchronization. Internet not available WiFi and Cellular … - Apple Community

Note: If you delete any or all data from one device, it will also be removed from iCloud and all other devices linked to the same Apple ID. Likewise, the reverse is true as well.

mac safari sync with iphone

Similarly...

These don't sync between devices Contacts , Calendars , Bookmarks , Notes , Voice Memos ,  shared photos ,  iCloud Photos , and emails . Each device syncs to the email account server which may be Google , iCloud , AOL , Exchange , Outlook , Yahoo , or any Other. Please see the pic below.

For Audiobooks, iMovie Project, and Apple Podcast log in with the same Apple ID as used in your Mac

mac safari sync with iphone

Ensure seamless access across multiple devices by utilizing the same Apple ID. If iCloud is activated for Photos, Notes, Voice Memos, Messages, Health, iCloud Calendar, iCloud Contacts, Reminders, Safari, Stocks, Home, Wallet, Siri, Books, Numbers, iMovies, FaceTime, Maps, Music, Shortcuts, Phone, Weather, and more, the data will be consistently available on all devices linked to the shared Apple ID, including Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

This synchronization eliminates the need for separate backups on iCloud, iTunes/Finder, as the information is securely stored and accessible through iCloud.

Mac/iPhone/iPad --> See your recordings on all your devices - Apple Support

mac safari sync with iphone

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Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 192 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements

Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview , the experimental browser Apple first introduced in March 2016. Apple designed the ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ to test features that may be introduced into future release versions of Safari.

Safari Technology Preview Feature

The current ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ release is compatible with machines running macOS Ventura and macOS Sonoma , the latest version of macOS that Apple released in September 2023.

The ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ update is available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences or System Settings to anyone who has downloaded the browser . Full release notes for the update are available on the Safari Technology Preview website .

Apple's aim with ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download.

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Top Rated Comments

benface Avatar

Safari 17.5 with MacOS 14.5 scored a 14.2, Safari Tech Preview 192 was 13.3, and the latest Google Chrome was 26.8. Uggg....

vegetassj4 Avatar

"and Performance Improvements" Sooooo...at long last, it's the most snappiest Safari we've ever created. You're going to love it

sartorius Avatar

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Apple will soon let users in the EU download apps through web sites, not just the App Store

mac safari sync with iphone

Apple is opening up web distribution for iOS apps targeting users in the European Union starting Tuesday. Developers who opt in — and who meet Apple’s criteria, including app notarization requirements — will be able to offer iPhone apps for direct download to EU users from their own websites.

It’s a massive change for a mobile ecosystem that otherwise bars so-called “sideloading.” Apple’s walled garden stance has enabled it to funnel essentially all iOS developer revenue through its own App Store in the past. But, in the EU, that moat is being dismantled as a result of new regulations that apply to the App Store and which the iPhone maker has been expected to comply with since early last month .

In March, Apple announced that a web distribution entitlement would soon be coming to its mobile platform as part of changes aimed at complying with the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The pan-EU regulation puts a set of obligations on in-scope tech giants that lawmakers hope will level the competitive playing field for platforms’ business users, as well as protecting consumers from Big Tech throwing its weight around.

Briefing journalists on the latest development to its EU app ecosystem Tuesday, ahead of the official announcement, an Apple representative said developers wanting to distribute iOS apps directly will be able to tap into the entitlement through beta 2 of iOS 17.5.

In order to do so developers will have to opt into Apple’s new EU business terms, which include a new “core technology fee” charged at €0.50 for each first annual install over 1 million in the past 12 months regardless of where apps are distributed. App makers wishing to avoid the fee currently have no choice but to remain on Apple’s old business terms, meaning they are unable to access any of the DMA entitlements.

In earlier DMA changes, App has opened up to allow marketplace apps in the EU where developers can run their own app stores on iOS, including marketplaces composed of only their own apps .

Additional DMA-driven reforms include more flexibility from Apple around in-app payments, as well as a ban on its usual anti-steering measures. This means that iOS developers opting into the new T&Cs can inform their users of cheaper offers available outside Apple’s own App Store.

Returning to the new option of web distribution for iOS apps, Apple’s criteria for developers wanting to distribute their software directly include that they be in good standing with its developer program; attest to handle things like IP disputes and government takedown requests; and commit to providing iOS users with customer service, as Apple will not offer that kind of support for iOS apps downloaded outside its App Store.

Europe’s DMA rules for Big Tech explained

It also emphasizes that all apps distributed from the web must meet its notarizations requirements, which it says are intended to protect platform integrity.

An Apple rep described this as a baseline safety and security standard, which they said iOS users expect to help ensure their device is protected from external risks.

The company continues to argue that sideloading apps carries inherent security risks for mobile users, suggesting it’s trying to find a way to comply with the DMA while taking steps to limit risks the changes create for its users.

The first time an iOS user attempts to download an app from a developer’s website they will be required to authorize the developer to install apps directly on their device. Apple’s current design of the authorization flow involves multiple steps and requires users to verify that they wish to provide permission for developer via the iOS settings menu and by clicking “allow” on subsequent permission pop-ups (the other option, i.e. to deny permission, reads “ignore”).

After they have gone through this multi-step flow and approved a developer, any future direct downloads involve fewer steps, per Apple.

The design of the follow-on flow that Apple showed during the briefing includes a screen notifying users that “updates and purchases in this app will be managed by the developer,” combined with a suggestion they “verify the information below before installing,” which is displayed above a card showing some basic app info and screenshots, as well as a link to see “more” info.

Apple argues these steps and the information iOS surfaces to users during the authorization process for direct web downloads are reasonable security measures; the DMA permits gatekeepers to apply these steps in order to protect platform integrity.

However critics of Apple’s DMA approach have decried these sort of pop-ups as “scare screens,” arguing the flow it designs is intended to inject friction and dissuade iOS users from stepping outside Apple’s garden — such as by implying direct downloads are riskier than downloads through Apple’s own App Store.

Apple’s approach to a number of other elements of DMA compliance are under investigation by the European Commission , so at least some of these criticisms have spurred EU enforcers to take a closer look at its take on what the law demands.

Last month the Commission announced that it’s looking into Apple’s rules on steering in the App Store and the design of choice screens for alternatives to its Safari web browser, which is another regulated core platform service under the DMA. The EU also announced some “investigatory steps” in relation to Apple’s new iOS fee structure, but, for now, the new core tech fee stands.

Given Apple has only just started implementing web distribution for iOS apps, it remains to be seen whether the EU will step in for a closer look at this aspect of its DMA compliance, too.

It’s also unclear how much demand there will be among iOS developers for direct web distribution. Asked about this, Apple said it’s heard from some app makers they want to have the option but it also pointed out it’s a new capability, which is just starting to be made available, saying it’s unsure how many developers will actually want to take advantage of the option. The option sits alongside the existing (established) and still available option of App Store distribution.

In the EU, developers also now have a third route for reaching users: They can submit a marketplace app to Apple requesting to distribute their software through their own alternative store hosted on its platform.

Apple to allow web distribution for iOS apps in latest DMA tweaks
Spotify, Epic Games and others pen letter to EC, claiming Apple has made a ‘mockery’ of the DMA

IMAGES

  1. How to sync mac and iphone

    mac safari sync with iphone

  2. How to Sync iPhone Favorites From Safari : Apple Products & Mac Tips

    mac safari sync with iphone

  3. How to Connect iPhone to Mac?

    mac safari sync with iphone

  4. How to Sync Your Open Safari Tabs Across Mac, iPhone, and iPad

    mac safari sync with iphone

  5. How to sync iPhone with Mac

    mac safari sync with iphone

  6. How to sync bookmarks between Mac, iPhone, and iPad

    mac safari sync with iphone

VIDEO

  1. How to transfer photos/Video iPhone to Any mac 2024 [ Quick & Easy ]

  2. Mac Safari Plugin for Interlogix TVN & TVR Recorders

  3. How to Automatically Sync iPhone with Windows PC Using iTunes

  4. How to Connect iPhone to Laptop

  5. How To Sync Messages From iPhone To Mac

  6. 13 Essential Safari Extensions for iPhone and Mac

COMMENTS

  1. Set up iCloud for Safari on all your devices

    Set up iCloud for Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > [ your name ] > iCloud. iOS 16, iPadOS 16, or later: Tap Show All, then turn on Safari. iOS 15, iPadOS 15, or earlier: Turn on Safari. To see your bookmarks, Reading List, Tab Groups, and tabs open on your other devices, open Safari.

  2. How to sync Safari bookmarks between Mac and iPhone

    How to sync Safari bookmarks with iCloud on iPhone and iPad. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Select your Apple ID. Be sure to use the same Apple ID as the other devices you're syncing. Choose iCloud → Tap Show All below Apps Using iCloud. Toggle on Safari. Use the arrows on the top left to exit and return to the main Settings ...

  3. If your iCloud or Safari bookmarks aren't syncing

    Turn off iCloud Bookmarks and turn it back on. Tap Settings > [your name] > iCloud. Turn off Safari. You can choose Delete from My [device] if your data exists on one or more of your computers. Otherwise, choose Keep on My [device]. Wait a few minutes, then turn on Safari again.

  4. 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 ...

  5. How To Sync iPhone Safari With Mac

    Enable Safari Sync on Mac: On your Mac, click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner and select "System Preferences." Next, click on "Apple ID," and ensure that the "Safari" option is checked. This allows Safari to sync with iCloud on your Mac.

  6. 13 Ways to Use Your Mac and iPhone Together With Apple's Continuity

    With text forwarding in place, you should be able to do so. 11. Request Markups and Sketches in Real-Time. With the Continuity feature, you can send a request from your Mac to your iPhone to make markup annotations on images or PDFs and add sketches to supported apps, like Pages, Keynote, and Numbers.

  7. How To Sync Safari Favorites Across Devices

    This step ensures that Safari data, including your bookmarks, is synced with iCloud. Enable Safari Sync on iPhone and iPad: On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app and tap on your Apple ID at the top. Next, select iCloud and toggle the switch next to Safari to enable Safari syncing with iCloud.

  8. Get your Safari bookmarks from your Mac to your iPhone

    Next, hop on over to your iPhone (or iPad; it'll work the same way), and tap on Settings. Tap on iCloud, and then swipe down to the Safari area. Tap on the toggle switch to turn on Safari sync ...

  9. How to Sync iPhone to Mac: What You Need to Know

    Key Takeaways. To make sure all your apps are synced, go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud on an iPhone or System Settings > Your Name > iCloud on a Mac. Enabled apps to make them use iCloud to store or transfer data. Use the Photos app to import media from your iPhone to your Mac, and consider purchasing iCloud storage for syncing data and apps ...

  10. How to Move Safari Tabs Between iPhone, iPad, and Mac

    First, ensure that Handoff is enabled on your devices. From there, launch the Safari browser and then open the website on the primary device. This can be your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Ensure that your device doesn't go to sleep or else the feature won't be able to hand the tab over to the secondary Apple device. Now, let's move over to the device ...

  11. How to Sync Any Browser's Bookmarks With Your iPad or iPhone

    Safari on a Mac Apple's iCloud service is the officially supported way to sync data with your iPad or iPhone. It's included on Macs, but Apple also offers similar iCloud bookmark syncing features for Windows. On a Mac, this should be enabled by default.

  12. Safari is not syncing profiles between my…

    On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > [ your name ] > iCloud. Do one of the following: iOS 16, iPadOS 16, or later: Tap Show All, then turn on Safari. iOS 15, iPadOS 15, or earlier: Turn on Safari. 3.To see your bookmarks, Reading List, Tab Groups, and tabs open on your other devices, open Safari."

  13. How to Sync Passwords between iPhone & Mac with Keychain

    Here's how to sync iPhone passwords to Mac with iCloud Keychain: Click the Apple Menu in the upper-left corner, the select System Preferences. Click Apple ID. Click iCloud. Select Keychain. Now that you have Keychain activated on both iPhone and Mac, your passwords will automatically sync and become available when you use Safari.

  14. How to sync iPhone with Mac

    Unfortunately you'll need your USB cable to set up Wi-Fi syncing for the first time. Connect your iPhone to your Mac via your cable. Launch iTunes and click on the iPhone icon. Click on the Summary tab. Under Options check the Sync with this iPhone over Wi-Fi box and click Apply. Now you can remove the cable.

  15. How to Sync Website Settings between Devices in Safari in iOS 16

    Find the Safari option in the left-hand menu and tap it to open the settings list on the right. Scroll down on the right to find the Settings for Websites section and the Share Across Devices toggle. Tap it to turn the feature off or on. If the toggle is green, syncing is enabled. To set your website settings, open Safari and navigate to the ...

  16. Safari Now Lets You Sync and Manage All Your Web ...

    We've had access to real Safari extensions on iPhone and iPad for a year, and they've been available on Mac for a lot longer than that. To install the same one on all your devices, you always had to find the app in the App Store, install it, and enable the extension on each device. Now, Apple is streamlining the process, making it easier to install and manage extensions across devices.

  17. Intro to syncing your Mac and your devices

    If you have an iPhone (with iOS 5 or later) or iPad, you can sync when your Mac and device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. To set up syncing via Wi-Fi, you must first connect your device with a cable, select your device in the sidebar, and turn on the syncing over Wi-Fi option. See Sync content between your Mac and iPhone, iPad, or ...

  18. Top 5 Ways to Fix Safari Bookmarks Not Syncing on Mac

    Step 1: Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your Mac's screen. Step 2: Select the System Preferences option. Step 3: Then, click on Apple ID. Step 4: Choose the iCloud option in ...

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  27. How to pair an Apple Watch to your iPhone

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