restart safari iphone

How to reset the Safari browser on your iPhone in 2 different ways

• You can reset Safari on an iPhone by clearing cookies and erasing your browsing history.
• There are two ways to reset your Safari data: through the Safari app itself, and through the Settings app.
• Both methods will let your clear both your browsing history and cookies.

If you're looking to clear your Safari data, simply removing your Frequently Visited sites isn't going to address privacy concerns if you have cookies stored, for instance.

Fortunately, it's easy to reset all your browsing history and settings. Here are two ways to do it, one directly through Safari, and the other through your iPhone's Settings.

How to reset Safari on iPhone through the browser

1. At the bottom of an open Safari page, tap the book icon .

2. At the top of the menu that opens, tap the clock icon to open your history.

3. Tap Clear at the bottom of the page. A prompt menu will open to warn that you'll clear your history, cookies, and other data over a selected time period. Tap All time to reset your browser.

How to reset Safari on iPhone through the Settings app

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Search for or scroll down to Safari and open it.

3. Tap Clear History and Website Data in blue about halfway down the page.

4. A prompt menu will pop up. Tap Clear History and Data and wait a few moments while the iPhone processes your request. Once it does, all your data will have been cleared.

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How to Get Safari Back on iPhone (iOS 17)

What to know.

• Typically, if Safari has disappeared, it most likely was just removed from the Home Screen.
• Some users are reporting that there is a glitch that appears to delete the Safari app from your iPhone altogether.
• To get it back, you must re-download the Safari app from the App Store.

Has your Safari app suddenly vanished into thin air? The good news is that you don't have the option to delete the native Safari app on your iPhone, so it has likely just been accidentally removed from your Home Screen. For this situation, we'll show you how to find the hidden app and move it back to your Home Screen. In rare cases, a software glitch can delete the app from your iPhone, so it will need to be re-installed. For either situation, let's cover how to get Safari back on your Home Screen.

Safari Disappeared from iPhone? Here’s How to Find It

Safari deleted re-install safari on iphone.

For most people, the missing Safari app has not been deleted, just removed from the Home Screen. Below, we'll show you how to find the app and move it back to your Home Screen by searching the App Library or by using Siri Search. Both methods will work if Safari has simply been removed from your Home Screen, so you can simply choose the option you prefer. 

How to Put App Back on Home Screen Using the App Library

Here's how to add Safari to your Home Screen by searching the App Library: 

Your Safari app should now be added back to your Home Screen! If you're not familiar with the App Library, I recommend checking out this article on how to use the App Library . It's a great way to help you stay organized. For more nifty organization hacks and ways to use your iPhone's features, sign up for our free Tip of the Day Newsletter. 

How to Add Safari to Home Screen Using Siri Search

If you prefer to avoid searching your App Library, you can also find the hidden app by using Siri Search. Here's how to add Safari to your iPhone Home Screen:

Adding the Safari app to your dock is optional, but it does make it more convenient to access Safari. Your dock displays up to four apps at any given time, and will appear at the bottom of each Home Screen. 

If you were not able to find Safari using the solutions above, the app has likely been removed from your iPhone. Below, we'll show you how to re-download Safari from the App Store. If that fails, you may need to reset your Home Screen layout to get Safari back on your device. 

Download Safari from the App Store

Here's how to re-install the Safari app on your iPhone so you can get it back on your Home Screen: 

Reset Your Home Screen to Re-install Safari

If you were not able to find or re-install Safari using the steps above, this method will reset your iPhone’s Home Screen back to the factory version, which is how the Home Screen looks when setting your device up as new. Since Safari is one of the apps featured on the default Home Screen, this method will allow you to add Safari to your Home Screen.

Hopefully, the solutions above worked, and you found adding Safari to your Home Screen to be a breeze! However, if the above solutions haven't worked, there might be a deeper issue with your device. In this case, I recommend contacting Apple Support or visiting the nearest Apple store for further assistance. If you're interested, I also recommend learning how to find your lost iPhone , even if the battery has died. 

• How do I get the Safari icon back on my iPhone?  If your Safari app was accidentally erased, you can get the app icon back on your iPhone by redownloading the Safari app from the app store. If your Safari app was simply removed from the Home Screen but not your device, you can just add the Safari icon back to your Home Screen by using the App Library.
• Why did my Safari app disappear on my iPhone?   At the moment, it is unclear why this glitch is happening to some iPhone users. However, for the most part, if your Safari icon has disappeared, you can either redownload the app from the App Store or add it to your Home Screen again via the App Library.
• Why can't I get Safari on my iPhone?  Sometimes people are unable to download apps and run into many other glitches and issues if their iOS is old or out of date. It's important for security reasons and for the overall smooth running of your device to keep it as up-to-date as possible. Check to see if your iPhone needs to be updated, and if so, check out this article on how to do it . 

Author Details

Rhett Intriago

Rhett Intriago is a Feature Writer at iPhone Life, offering his expertise in all things iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. He enjoys writing on topics related to maintaining privacy in a digital world, as well as iPhone security. He’s been a tech enthusiast all his life, with experiences ranging from jailbreaking his iPhone to building his own gaming PC.

Despite his disdain for the beach, Rhett is based in Florida. In his free time, he enjoys playing the latest games, spoiling his cats, or discovering new places with his wife, Kyla.

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How to Reset Safari on iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide

Safari, the default web browser on iPhone, plays a crucial role in our daily online activities. However, as time goes by, Safari may start to accumulate cached data, cookies, and browsing history, leading to potential performance issues. If you've been experiencing slow browsing speeds or encountering glitches while using Safari on your iPhone, it might be time to reset the browser and start afresh.

In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to reset Safari on your iPhone. By following these instructions, you can optimize Safari's performance and enjoy a smoother browsing experience. So, let's dive right in!

Reasons to Reset Safari on iPhone

Before we delve into the process of resetting Safari, let's explore why it is necessary to do so. There are a few key reasons why resetting Safari can prove beneficial:

Clear Accumulated Data : Over time, Safari collects a significant amount of cached data, cookies, and browsing history. By resetting Safari, you can wipe out this accumulated data, freeing up storage space and potentially improving performance.

Troubleshooting Safari Issues : If you've been experiencing frequent crashes, freezes, or other glitches while using Safari, resetting the browser can help resolve these issues. It essentially gives Safari a fresh start, eliminating any underlying problems that may have caused the instability.

Enhancing Performance and Speed : Safari's performance can be affected by factors such as excessive cached data and cookies. By resetting Safari, you can optimize its performance, resulting in faster loading times and smoother browsing.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Reset Safari on iPhone

Now that we understand the importance of resetting Safari, let's walk through the step-by-step process of doing so on your iPhone:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone : Locate the Settings app on your home screen and tap on it to open the settings menu.

Find Safari settings : Scroll down the settings menu and look for the “Safari” option. Tap on it to access Safari's settings.

Reset Safari : Within the Safari settings, scroll down until you find the “Clear History and Website Data” option. Tap on it to proceed with the reset process.

Confirm the reset action : A pop-up window will appear, asking you to confirm the reset action. Read the warning message carefully, as resetting Safari will delete your browsing history, cookies, and other website data. If you are certain about proceeding, tap on “Clear History and Data” to confirm.

Congratulations! You have successfully reset Safari on your iPhone. Now, let's discuss a few precautions you should take before resetting Safar

Precautions before Resetting Safari on iPhone

While resetting Safari can be beneficial, it is essential to take a few precautions to ensure a smooth transition and avoid any potential loss of data. Consider the following steps before proceeding with the reset:

Backup important data and bookmarks : Before resetting Safari, it is wise to create a backup of any important data, bookmarks, or saved passwords. You can use iCloud or other backup methods to safeguard your data.

Understand the consequences : Resetting Safari will delete your browsing history, cookies, and other website data. Make sure you are aware of the consequences and are prepared to lose this information.

Save login credentials : Take note of any login credentials for websites you frequently visit. After resetting Safari, you will need to re-enter your login information for each site.

By following these precautions, you can ensure a seamless transition while resetting Safari on your iPhone.

Additional Tips for Optimizing Safari on iPhone

Resetting Safari is not the only step you can take to enhance your browsing experience. Here are a few additional tips to optimize Safari on your iPhone:

Regularly clear cache and browsing history : To prevent the accumulation of excessive data, make it a habit to clear the cache and browsing history regularly. This can be done within the Safari settings menu.

Manage website data and cookies : Safari allows you to manage website data and cookies on an individual basis. Review and delete unnecessary data to enhance performance and protect your privacy.

Enable content blockers : Content blockers can significantly improve the speed and smoothness of your browsing experience. Enable them in Safari settings to block unwanted ads and trackers.

By implementing these tips, you can further optimize Safari's performance and enjoy a hassle-free browsing experience on your iPhone.

In conclusion, resetting Safari on your iPhone is a simple yet effective way to optimize its performance and enjoy a smoother browsing experience. By following our step-by-step guide, you can reset Safari with ease and take additional measures to enhance its performance. Remember to back up your important data before resetting and be aware of the consequences. With these precautions in mind, you can confidently reset Safari and enjoy a fresh start with improved browsing speeds and stability.

Restore Safari Tabs on iPhone from iCloud | Reinstall Safari on iPhone

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Safari Not Working on Your iPhone? Here’s How to Fix It

Although iPhones and iPads support other apps to reach the Web, Safari remains the most favored and frequently used browser for iOS users. Troubleshooting on Safari can be frustrating, especially if its issues prevent you from searching for a solution online. Here are a few common reasons why Safari may not be working on your iPhone and how to fix the problems.

Turn on Mobile Data for the Safari App

Disable experimental features, change your network settings.

Also read: How to Make Mobile Safari Save Your Passwords on iOS

Test Your Internet Connection

To begin with, ensure that the problem is with Safari and not with your internet connection. For this, open, say, a non-Apple app like Facebook or Chrome, and see whether the website or the feed loads. If it does, then Safari is at fault. Otherwise, your internet connection is at fault. If it’s the former, move on to the next step.

If you’ve been exploring your iPhone’s data-saving features, which let you specify which apps have access to your phone’s mobile data, then there’s a chance that you turned off mobile data for the Safari app. That means Safari will work when you’re connected to Wi-Fi but not to mobile data. (Try running Safari over Wi-Fi to test this.)

If that’s the case, then to turn mobile data back on for Safari, go to “Settings -> Mobile Data,” and then in the “Mobile Data” list, make sure the slider next to Safari is in the green “On” position.

Also read: 20 of the Best Siri Shortcuts for iOS Power Users

You may not know about this, but Safari for the iPhone has a whole load of experimental features that you can disable and enable as you please.

The problem with these, as the name suggests, is that they are indeed experimental and subsequently don’t all work properly. Disabling them one by one can fix Safari if it’s not working and help you discover which exact feature was causing the problem,

On your iPhone, go to “Settings -> Safari -> Advanced -> Experimental Features.”

If you have more than one feature enabled here, disable just one, then check to see if Safari works normally again. If it doesn’t, re-enable that feature (if you want it) and disable the next one. Keep repeating this procedure until Safari starts working again.

Also read: Everything You Need to Know About Using “Shared with You” in iOS 15

Try resetting your Wi-Fi connection and reconnecting to the network.

• Go to “Settings -> Wi-Fi” and turn it off, then turn it back on after a few seconds.

• If you’re using mobile data, go to “Settings -> Mobile Data” and turn “Mobile Data” off and back on after a few seconds.

• If neither option works, go to “Settings -> Wi-Fi,” connect to a different Wi-Fi network, and try loading the web page again.

If the problem persists, try restoring your network settings to their original configuration.

• Go to “Settings -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone -> Reset” and choose “Reset Network Settings.”

Also read: How to Fix Contact Names Not Showing, Appearing as Numbers in iOS

Common Problems With Safari And How To Solve Them

By following the fixes we’ve mentioned above, you should be able to revive Safari and make it work normally again. However, there are some specific issues that commonly come up with Safari. Here’s how to solve them.

Problem: Safari Crashed and Won’t Open

If you’ve ever panicked after Safari closed unexpectedly and couldn’t get the app to start, you probably encountered a bug that affects Safari’s search engine suggestions. This issue can cause the app to crash, freeze, or fail to start altogether. Although the bug usually plagues devices running iOS 10, it can affect just about any iPhone or iPad.

How to Fix It: Disable Search Engine Suggestions

Go to “Settings” and choose “Safari” in your list of apps. Here, find “Search Engine Suggestions” and turn it off.

This feature offers suggestions for what you can search for as you type into Safari’s search bar. Disabling it gets rid of the problem for many users.

Problem: Safari Is Gray (and Won’t Open)

Sometimes when you update your iPhone’s iOS to a newer version, you may encounter a bug that turns some apps gray and prevent them from opening.This bug causes Safari to stop working and turns its icon gray when you switch to another app while Safari is running in the background.

How to Fix It: Update Your Software

To solve this problem, update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS. Apple includes important bug fixes in each software update, so it’s important to keep your iPhone or iPad up to date. iOS 11.1 fixed this bug for most users, so be sure to update to 11.1 or greater if you’re running an older version of iOS.

Go to “Settings -> General,” choose “Software Update,” and install the latest update.

Also read: How to Update to iOS 17 Smoothly

Problem: Safari Is Slow

As powerful as your iPhone can be, it can get bogged down with all the extraneous information that it processes. If you notice that Safari takes longer to load pages or graphics, it may be time to do some housekeeping. Try clearing your browser history, website data, and cache to make Safari run more smoothly.

How to Fix It: Clear Your Data

To delete your cookies, cache, and browsing history, go to “Settings -> Safari,” choose “Clear History and Data,” and confirm that you want to go ahead. Safari will remember your AutoFill information if you choose this option.

To keep your browsing history but clear your cache and cookies, first go to “Settings -> Safari -> Advanced.”

There, choose “Website Data -> Remove All Website Data” and tap “Remove Now.” Note that Safari will not remember your AutoFill information if you choose this option.

To remove only a portion of your browsing history, cache, and cookies, start by opening Safari and tapping the Bookmark icon. Here, open your history and tap “Clear.” Now Safari will give you the option to clear your history, cookies, and browsing data from the past hour, the past day, the past 48 hours, or from your entire history. Pick the relevant option.

Problem: Safari Still Isn’t Working

Although it sounds cliche, turning your phone off and back on again can be the solution to any number of Safari-related issues.

How to Fix It: Restart Safari or Reboot Your Phone

If none of the previous fixes help solve your problem, try restarting the app or rebooting your phone.

• Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and press on the screen when your finger is near the center to open the multitasking view, and then swipe up on Safari to close it. This will reset Safari.
• To shut down your phone, press and hold the sleep/wake button until a slider appears. Slide to the right to power off your phone. For iPhone X and above, press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons until the slider appears. Then slide it to the right to power off your phone.

Also read: How to Block Websites on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Android, and iOS

Frequently Asked Questions

How to fix "safari can't find server" on iphone.

The most probable and common reason behind the “Safari can’t find server” error is not with Safari but with your internet connection. Here are a few ways to fix it.

• Reset your wireless router.
• Turn mobile data off and turn it back on again.
• Clear Safari cache and data.
• Restart your iPhone.

How to reset Safari on iPhone?

To reset Safari on your iPhone, open the Settings app and scroll to the Safari settings. There, tap on “Clear History and Website Data” and the bottom of the page and follow up along with the pop-up on your screen to confirm the action. Once it’s complete, all your data and cookies will be wiped clean, and Safari will be as good as new.

Can you reinstall Safari on your iPhone?

Yes, just like any other app, you can uninstall Safari from your iPhone by holding down the Safari icon on the home screen and tapping “Remove app.” Then, visit the App Store, search for Safari, and reinstall it from there. Can’t find the Safari app to delete it? Here’s how to delete hidden apps .

Image credit: Flickr

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Ojash has been writing about tech back since Symbian-based Nokia was the closest thing to a smartphone. He spends most of his time writing, researching, or ranting about Bitcoin. Ojash also contributes to other popular sites like MakeUseOf, SlashGear, and MacBookJournal.

How to Get Safari Back on iPhone 13

The iPhone has long included a number of default apps that let you use the basic functionality of the device. This includes things like a Settings app, Phone app, Camera app, Messages, Mail, and Safari, the Apple default Web browser.

For a while, you weren’t able to hide or delete these default apps at all, but Apple has gotten a little more flexible with this in recent versions of iOS.

Some of the default apps can be uninstalled, such as GarageBand, while others can simply be moved to different locations. This is one of the more effective ways to save space on an iPhone or iPad, as some of these apps can be quite large.

The Safari browser is one of the apps that can’t be uninstalled, but it is possible to remove it from the Home screen. This still lets you access it from the App Library by tapping a link or searching for it, but you may wish to restore it to the Home screen.

Our tutorial below will show you how to get Safari back on the iPhone Home screen so that you can more easily access it to browse Web pages on the Internet.

How to Add Safari to the Home Screen from the iPhone App Library

• Swipe to the left until you reach the App Library.
• Tap and hold on the Safari icon.
• Select the Add to Home Screen option.

Our guide continues below with additional information on getting Safari back on the iPhone, including pictures of these steps.

If you would like to start using the stored history on your iPhone to improve your browsing experience, then our Safari history iPhone article can show you how.

How to Restore Safari to the iPhone Home Screen (Guide with Pictures)

The steps in this article were performed on an iPhone 13 in iOS 15. This guide assumes that you have removed the Safari app from the Home screen and would like to restore it to its previous location. We will be navigating to the App Library which is where you can find all the apps on the edevice.

Note that your Safari browser data will remain on the device even if you have removed the Safari iPhone icon from the Home screen.

Step 1: Navigate to the App Library . It’s the rightmost Home screen.

You can get to the App Library by repeatedly swiping to the left on the Home screen.

Step 2: Tap and hold on the Safari icon.

If you haven’t rearranged the apps in the App Library then it will likely be in a folder labeled “Utilities.”

Step 3: Select the Add to Home Screen option.

If this does not restore the Safari app to your iPhone’s Home screen, then there may be something else affecting the app. Our guide continues below with some potential solutions to this problem, including working with Screen Time and searching for the app in the App Store.

How to Move the Address Bar Back to the Top in the Safari Browser on an iPhone

In versions of iOS before iOS 15, the address bar was at the top of the screen in the Safari app.

However, iOS 15 moved it to the bottom. This has the added benefit of giving you the option to swipe between your tabs, but you may not like this change.

Fortunately, you can restore the address bar to the top of the screen like in previous versions of Safari.

• Open Settings .
• Choose Safari .
• Select Single Tab under Tabs .

Now when you go back to Safari, you should be able to enter search terms and Web addresses at the top of the screen instead of the bottom, like you used to be able to do in iOS 14 and earlier.

How to Delete the Safari App from an iPhone Home Screen

While we have focused on getting the Safari app back on the Home screen in this article, you may be wondering how it got deleted in the first place. You can delete Safari from the Home screen on your iPhone by tapping and holding on the Safari app, then choosing the Remove App option. For Safari and other default apps, you will then see a pop up where you need to tap Remove from Home Screen .

This is the same method that you can use to delete other apps on your iPhone. However, for apps that actually can be deleted, there is going to be a Delete App option on the pop-up where you could only remove the Safari app from the Home screen.

How to Change Screen Time Settings on iPhone

It’s possible to hide Safari on an iPhone by disabling it via the Screen Time menu on the device. If this has happened, then you will need to know the Screen Time passcode to restore.

• Choose Screen Time .
• Select Content & Privacy Restrictions .
• Tap Allowed Apps .
• Enter the Screen Time passcode.
• Turn on Safari .

Conversely, if you are trying to hide or block the Safari app on the device, then you can go to this menu and turn off the Safari option to hide it.

Note that anyone with the Screen Time passcode for this device will be able to hide or Safari at will. Therefore the passcode should be different than the one that is used to sign in to the device.

How to Reset Home Screen Layout on iPhone 13

One other way that you can get the Safari app icon back on the iPhone’s Home screen is to reset the home screen layout on the device. You can do this with the following steps.

• Choose General .
• Select Transfer or Reset iPhone .
• Touch Rese t.
• Tap Reset Home Screen Layout .
• Choose Reset Home Screen .

This will restore all of the default apps to their original locations and will add all of your third-party apps after them in alphabetical order.

If you have other problems with the device and simply wish to complete the Restore iPhone procedure, then it’s possible to get it back to factory default settings. To do this, you will choose to Erase All Content and Settings from that menu instead, but that is going to essentially restore your iPhone to its factory settings, so it’s best not to complete that action unless you have tried everything else and are willing to go through the process of setting your iPhone up again.

You can perform a factory reset on your iPhone by following the directions in the following section if you’ve been trying to fix issues with it but would rather start from scratch.

How to Reset an iPhone to Factory Settings

The vast majority of iPhone models and iOS operating system updates are compatible with the guidelines in this section.

In this tutorial , you can get more details on how to factory reset an iPhone 11.

Your iPhone 11 will be reset to its factory settings after you erase all of its data and settings. You may need to reset your iPhone 11 for a number of reasons, such as selling or gifting it or if you are experiencing software problems that can’t be resolved any other way. We’ll walk you through the quick process of factory resetting an iPhone 11 in this article.

Back up your data before doing a factory reset. This crucial step involves performing a factory reset, which deletes all data, including apps, pictures, contacts, and personal settings. You may backup your iPhone 11 using either iCloud or iTunes , depending on your preferences.

To reset your iPhone 11 to factory settings, adhere to the following steps:

Step 1: Launch the “Settings” software first.

Step 2: The next action is to choose “General.”

Step 3: Click the “Transfer or Reset iPhone” button at the bottom of the page.

Step 4: From the menu, choose “Erase All Content and Settings”.

Step 5: Enter your passcode.

Following your selection of “Erase All Content and Settings,” you will be prompted to enter your passcode. This method makes sure that only people in positions of power can do a factory reset.

Step 6: You must confirm your choice in this step.

A pop-up box will appear after you input your passcode and ask you if you are certain you want to wipe all data and settings. Decide what to do by clicking “Erase Now.”

Step 7: Watch for the procedure to be completed.

The quantity of data on your iPhone 11 affects how long it takes to conduct a factory reset. Your iPhone 11 will restart during this time and show the Apple logo.

Step 8: Reset your iPhone 11 or restore from a backup.

Your iPhone 11 will restart after you’ve finished the factory reset and ask you if you want to set it up from scratch or restore it from a backup. You can utilize a data backup to restore your iPhone 11 if you have one.

Related: How to Change the Default Safari Search Engine in iOS on an iPhone

More Information on How to Get Safari Back on iPhone 13

One useful action that you can take when something weird or unexpected occurs on your iPhone is to reboot it. You can do this by holding the volume up and the Power button at the same time, then swiping the Slide to Power Off slider to the right. It will take a few seconds for the device to power down, then you can hold down the Power button to turn it back on.

If, somehow, you did manage to uninstall the Safari app, then you can simply reinstall Safari from the App Store like you would with any other app. You can do this if you open App Store > Search > type “safari” into the search bar and select it, then tap the download icon. This method to reinstall Safari app is slightly different than installing a new app because you’ve already “purchased” the Safari app.

If the Safari app is still installed on the device, then there will be an “Open” button next to it when you search for it in the App Store.

You can also search for the Safari app on your iPhone or iOS device by swiping down on your Home screen, which will open Spotlight Search. You can then type “safari” into the search box and select Safari from the list of search results.

When you tap and hold on the Safari icon, there is an Edit Home Screen option on the pop-up menu. If you choose that, there will be a small minus icon at the top-left of the Safari icon, which also lets you remove the Safari app from the Home screen.

If you have changed the default Web browser on your iPhone to something other than Safari and would like to make it Safari again, then follow these steps.

• Select Default Browser App .
• Tap Safari .

Now any link that you tap should open in Safari instead of whatever was previously set as the default.

The number of dots at the bottom of the Home screen indicates the number of Home screens on your device. This is the number of times that you will need to swipe left to reach the App Library.

Another way to restore the device is to connect iPhone to your computer, which will launch iTunes. There you can make selections for the iPhone from the left sidebar menu, including restoring it to factory defaults or restoring backup files saved through iTunes.

Continue Reading

• How to Change the iPhone Search Engine to Google in Safari
• Where is the Utilities Folder on the iPhone?
• How to Open Settings on an iPhone If You Cannot Find the Icon

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.

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How to Reset Safari to Default Settings on Mac and iPhone

Scratching your head to reset Safari to default settings? Don't know where to begin? Well don't worry, we have got your back!

Safari is an exceptional browser and there are no two ways about it. With Apple leading the charge against ad trackers on the internet with its anti-tracking policy, Safari has been a safe haven for users who want to protect their privacy.

That being said, while Safari might win the race when it comes to protecting its users but more often than not is not able to match up to its competitors in the game of extensible features.

However, many of us are extensively using safari on a daily basis. Some want to hold on to that last ounce of privacy on the net, and others do not want to install a 3rd party browser on their Macs or iPhones.

Whatever may be your case for using Safari. One thing is for sure, with years of use, Safari accumulates tons and tons of website data which might slow down your browser or in worst cases, your devices as well.

Reset Safari to Default Settings on Mac

To everybody’s shock, there’s no ‘Reset Safari’ button on any of the apple devices. As a result, we are bound to perform a list of steps not every user might be comfortable with. Anyways, resetting Safari consists of resetting 3 components :

• Website Data

We are going to reset the components on a first-come-first-serve basis. So let’s get started.

Reset History

First, Launch Safari from the Launchpad or from dock of your Mac.

Next, click on the ‘History’ tab from the menu bar. Next, click on the ‘Clear History…’ option from the list.

After that, choose ‘all history’ option from the drop-down. Then, click on ‘Clear History’ button.

Reset Website Data

First, Launch Safari from the Launchpad or from the dock of you Mac.

Next, click on the ‘Safari’ tab present on the menu bar. Now, click on the ‘Preferences’ option from the list.

After that, go to the ‘Privacy’ pane and click on ‘Manage Website Data’ button.

Now, click on ‘Remove All’ button from the bottom left corner of the pane.

Next, click on ‘Remove Now’ button to confirm.

Reset Cache

Next, click on the ‘Safari’ tab from the menu bar. Then, click on the ‘Preferences’ option from the list.

After that, go to the ‘Advanced’ pane. Now, check the ‘Show Develop menu in the menu bar’ option.

As a result, the ‘Develop’ tab would now be visible in the menu bar. Click on it, and then choose the ‘Empty Caches’ option from the list.

Reset Safari to Default Settings on iPhone

Resetting safari is pretty straight forward on iPhone and requires just couple of steps.

Launch the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone from the home screen.

Next, scroll down and locate ‘Safari’ from the list and tap on it.

After that, scroll down till you find the ‘Clear History and Website Data’ option on the screen and then tap on it, once located.

Now, tap ‘Clear History and Data’ from the pop-up alert menu to confirm.

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How to reset the Safari browser on your iPhone in 2 different ways

K303/Shutterstock

It's easy to reset Safari's data on your iPhone.

• You can reset Safari on your iPhone by clearing cookies and erasing your browsing history.
• There are two ways to reset your Safari data: through the Safari app itself, and through the Settings app.
• Both methods will let your clear both your browsing history and cookies.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

It's nice to get a clean start on Safari , but simply removing your Frequently Visited sites isn't going to address privacy concerns if you have cookies stored, for instance.

Fortunately, it's easy to reset all your browsing and history and settings.

Here's two ways, one directly through Safari , and the other through your iPhone's Settings.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Iphone 11 (from $699.99 at best buy), how to reset safari on your iphone through the browser.

1. At the bottom of the Safari page, tap the icon that looks like an open book.

Emma Witman/Business Insider

You'll need to open your Safari's history to wipe it.

2. At the top of the menu that opens, tap the icon that looks like a clock.

3. Tap "Clear" at the bottom of the page. You'll see options to clear your history, cookies, and other data for various time periods. Select "All time," at the bottom.

If you want a less extensive data wipe, you can always select a shorter time period than "All time."

How to reset Safari on your iPhone through the Settings app

1. Open the Settings app for iPhone .

2. Search for or scroll down to "Safari" and open it.

3. Tap "Clear History and Website Data" in blue near the bottom of the page.

4. A notification will pop up. Tap "Clear History and Data," and wait a few moments while the iPhone processes your request. Once it does, all your data will have been cleared.

You can't undo it once you've cleared the data, so you do want to be sure before proceeding.

The button to clear your data will be gray while data is being cleared, then go back to blue when complete.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech :

Ios 13 lets you automatically close tabs in the safari browser on an iphone after a set period of time - here's how to do it, how to stop pop-ups from appearing on your iphone's safari browser, how to add bookmarks and favorites on an iphone's safari browser for quick access to your preferred webpages, how to delete or edit the saved bookmarks on your iphone's safari browser.

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How to Reset Safari to Default Settings

Restoring default settings is a multistep process

What to Know

• First, remove the browser history: Select Safari in the menu bar > Clear History , then select All History > Clear History . 
• Remove cookies: Safari > Preferences . Select the Privacy tab > Manage Website Data > Remove All .
• Clear cache: Safari > Preferences . Advanced > Select Show Develop menu in menu bar . Exit. Develop > Empty Caches .

This article explains how to reset Safari to default settings by removing Safari's history and cookies, clearing the cache, and disabling extensions. Instructions apply to Safari versions 11 through 14 and iOS.

Remove Browser History

The first step when resetting Safari is to remove your browser history. When you clear your browsing history, Safari removes data such as recent searches, the frequently visited site list, web page icons, the history of web pages you've visited, and more.

From Safari's menu bar, select Safari > Clear History

In the drop-down menu, select All History .

Select Clear History to complete the process.

To clear a particular website instead, navigate to History > Show History , select the website you want to clear, and press Delete .

Remove Cookies

When you remove all cookies from Safari, you'll lose personal registration data such as your name and address, shopping cart contents, preferred web page layouts, and more.

From Safari's menu bar, select Safari > Preferences .

Select the Privacy tab.

Select Manage Website Data .

Select Remove All .

Select Remove Now .

Select Done .

Clear Safari's Cache

When you clear Safari's cache, you're removing stored website data.

Select the Advanced tab.

Place a check next to Show Develop menu in menu bar , and then exit out of Preferences.

From Safari's menu bar, select Develop > Empty Caches .

Disable or Uninstall Extensions

Safari extensions are like mini-apps that add functionality to the browser. If you're trying to reset Safari, you'll want to disable or uninstall any extensions.

Select the Extensions tab.

Select an extension, and then deselect the checkbox next to the extension to disable it.

Many extensions have several sub-extensions, so you'll need to uncheck all of them.

After you've disabled an extension, you can uninstall it. Select Uninstall .

You'll see a message that the extension is part of an application, and that you'll need to remove the application. Select Show in Finder .

Finder will open with the app selected. Right-click on the application and select Move to Trash .

Enter your password and select OK . You've deleted the extension.

Clear Website Data on Safari for iOS

To clear Safari's settings on an iPhone or iPad:

Open the iOS device's Settings app.

Scroll down and select Safari .

Under Privacy & Security , select Clear History and Website Data .

Select Clear History and Data to confirm.

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Safari Freezing on iPhone? Here Are 8 Fixes That Work

Safari is Apple’s default browser and many of us prefer using Safari due to the features it offers. Sadly, several users are encountering issues with Safari freezing on iOS 17. It can be a frustrating experience when you’re searching for something urgently but Safari refuses to function smoothly. Therefore, we’ve searched for the best solutions to fix this issue and put them together in this guide. Just follow these steps and you can easily fix Safari freezing on your iPhone. 

How To Fix Safari Freezing on iOS 17

1. clear safari history.

Ever since Safari started freezing on iOS 17, several users have brought up the issue on Apple’s Community Discussions website. The silver lining to this dark cloud is that some users facing the issue have also mentioned solutions that helped them resolve it. One such solution is to Clear History and Website Data from Safari to fix Safari freezing on iOS 17. 

Time needed:  1 minute

Steps to Clear History and Website Data from Safari on iPhone. 

In most cases, when you clear history on Safari, it won’t log you out from any websites.  

2. Disable iCloud Private Relay To Fix Safari Freezing on iOS 17

iCloud Private Relay is an exclusive feature only available to users with an iCloud+ subscription. While it is supposed to help protect users’ privacy when browsing the web through Safari, it might be the reason for Safari freezing. Several people have reported that disabling iCloud Private Relay helped fix the issue which is why we suggest you do the same. 

• Open Settings on your iPhone. 
• Tap the “ Your Name ” option located at the top.
• Tap the iCloud option on the Apple ID page. 
• On the iCloud page, tap the Private Relay option. 
• Next, disable the Private Relay toggle.
• A pop-up will display two options: Turn Off until Tomorrow and Turn Off Private Relay . If you select the former, Private Relay will automatically enable tomorrow at the same time you’ve disabled it and if you select the latter Private Relay will be permanently disabled. 
• Pick any option that you deem fit as you can easily re-enable Private Relay whenever you want.  

3. Remove All Website Data

Safari is likely lagging on your iPhone due to Website Data. For those unaware, Website Data includes files, images, cookies, etc. of websites you visit or have visited. This stored data helps speed up the load times of previously visited websites. However, they also occupy a good chunk of storage over an extended period. Therefore, deleting website data might help fix the issue.

• Open Settings on your iPhone and navigate to Safari .

• Tap the Website Data button. 

• Tap the Remove Now button to confirm your selection. 

If you’d like to further optimize and clean your iPhone, I always recommend a reliable maintenance app like Intego Washing Machine because it has a dedicated iOS and macOS cleaning engine that gets rid of unnecessary files, build-up files, and stored data from your system, getting your device at its best performance.

4. Force Restart iPhone To Fix Safari Freezing on iOS 17

In case your iPhone is completely frozen and not responding ever since you opened Safari, you must force restart it. Simply because it’s the most convenient way to restart your iPhone. Moreover, it will also help get rid of temporary bugs that might be leading to freezing issues in Safari. 

Steps to Force Restart iPhone (iPhone 8, iPhone SE 2nd Gen and above) 

• Press and release the volume up button .
• Press and release the volume down button .
• Next, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. 
• As soon as you see the Apple logo, release the Side button . Please do not release the Side button before the Apple logo appears on the screen. 

Even though older iPhone models don’t support iOS 17, you can still encounter freezing issues in Safari. Therefore, we’ve mentioned the steps to help you force restart your iPhone. 

Steps to Force Restart iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus

Press and hold the Volume down and Side buttons simultaneously. Release the buttons once the Apple logo appears. 

Steps to Force Restart iPhone 6s or below 

Press and hold the Side and Home buttons simultaneously. Release the buttons once the Apple logo appears. 

5. Disable Extensions To Fix Safari Freezing on iOS 17

Have you added one too many extensions to Safari on your iPhone? Safari may be freezing or lagging due to multiple or buggy extensions. We suggest disabling Safari extensions as it can help resolve the issue.    

• Tap the Extensions button located in the General menu. 
• Now, tap the Extension you want to disable. 
• On the next screen, disable the “ Extensions Name ” toggle. 
• Repeat this step for every extension you’ve enabled for Safari. 
• Restart your iPhone. 
• Now open Safari and check if the issue is resolved. 

If the Safari freezing issue persists, follow the next step. 

6. Disable Safari Suggestion

Safari Suggestions interfering with the normal functioning of Safari is an old bug in iOS. There are chances that it has resurfaced and is causing Safari to freeze. Therefore, we suggest disabling Safari suggestions as it might help fix the freezing issues.

• Navigate to Safari .
• Disable the Safari Suggestion toggle. 

7. Reset Network Settings

Safari might be freezing or not loading properly because it cannot establish a stable internet connection. This can happen due to misconfigured network settings. Hence, resetting these network settings might help fix Safari freezing issues on iPhones. 

• Open Settings on your iPhone and head to the General option. 
• Here, scroll down and select the Transfer or Reset iPhone option. 
• On the next page, tap the Reset option. 
• Then select the Reset Network Settings option. 
• Enter the device passcode to confirm your selection. 
• Tap the Reset Network Settings option in the pop-up to confirm your selection. 

8. Update iOS To Fix Safari Freezing on iOS 17

Finally, software bugs in Safari or iOS 17 might be the primary reason Safari is freezing. Since Safari is a part of the operating system, we can’t update it from the App Store as it updates along with iOS. Moreover, software bugs that have made their way to stable iOS versions are usually fixed with iOS updates. Therefore, updating to the latest version of iOS might be your best bet to fix Safari freezing on your iPhone.   

• Open Settings on your iPhone.
• Navigate to the General option.
• Tap the Software Update option on the next screen. 
• Here, tap the Install Now or Update Now button to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.
• Enter your device’s passcode to continue. 

If none of these methods help fix Safari freezing issues, the last option is to contact Apple Support . Alternatively, you can also visit an official Apple Store and get your device inspected at the Genius Bar. We hope this guide helps you fix Safari freezing on iOS 17. If you have any doubts or are aware of other methods that help resolve the issue, please let us know in the comments below. 

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

How do I restart my safari browser

I have been getting the star ledger e edition they have made changes and I no longer can access they told me to

clear cache and restart safari browser

cannot find how to do it

iPad Wi-Fi, iOS 10.3.2

Posted on Jul 8, 2017 6:27 AM

Posted on Jul 22, 2017 6:33 AM

Please read this Apple article ☞ Clear the history and cookies from Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch .

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Jul 22, 2017 6:33 AM in response to barrettclr

Jul 22, 2017 6:46 AM in response to barrettclr

Double click the Home button and swipe Safari upwards. Then follow the posted article.

How Do I Restart an App on iPhone? A Step-by-Step Guide

Restarting an app on your iPhone is a simple process that can fix many common issues. Just double-click the home button, swipe to find the app you want to restart, and swipe up to close it. Then, you can reopen the app from your home screen.

After you complete the action of restarting an app, it’ll get a fresh start. This can help if the app was frozen, crashing, or experiencing other issues. It’s like giving your app a quick nap and then waking it up refreshed and ready to go.

Introduction

Have you ever been in the middle of using an app on your iPhone, and it just freezes or starts acting weird? We’ve all been there, and it can be super frustrating. But fear not, because there’s a quick and easy fix that often solves these little glitches: restarting the app. It’s a step that many iPhone users overlook, but it can be a game-changer. Whether you’re a tech newbie or someone who’s just looking for a refresher on iPhone basics, this article is for you. We’ll cover why restarting an app can be helpful, who might need this knowledge, and of course, how to do it.

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Restart an App on iPhone

Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about what restarting an app actually does. It clears the app from your iPhone’s memory, which can resolve issues like freezing or crashing. It’s a simple fix that can save you a lot of headaches.

Step 1: Access the App Switcher

Double-click the home button on your iPhone. This will bring up the app switcher, which shows you all the apps currently open on your device.

Step 2: Find the App

Swipe left or right to find the app you want to restart. You’ll see a preview of the app’s last active screen, making it easy to identify the app you’re looking for.

Step 3: Close the App

Swipe up on the app’s preview to close it. The app will fly off the top of the screen, indicating that it has been successfully closed.

Step 4: Reopen the App

Tap on the app’s icon from your home screen to reopen it. The app will start fresh, and any issues you were experiencing should be resolved.

Additional Information

When it comes to troubleshooting apps on your iPhone, restarting the app is a great first step. But it’s not the only trick in the book. Sometimes, apps misbehave due to a lack of updates. Always make sure your apps are up to date by checking the App Store for any available updates. Another tip is to restart your iPhone entirely if restarting the app doesn’t do the trick.

A full restart can clear more extensive issues that might be affecting your device’s performance. Remember, keeping your iPhone’s operating system updated is also key to ensuring a smooth experience. Lastly, if all else fails, reaching out to the app’s support team can provide more specific guidance on resolving issues.

• Double-click the home button to access the app switcher.
• Swipe to find the app you want to restart.
• Swipe up to close the app.
• Reopen the app from your home screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should i do if the app doesn’t work after restarting.

Try updating the app or restarting your iPhone. If that doesn’t work, contact the app’s support team for help.

Can restarting an app delete any of my data?

It’s possible to lose unsaved data within the app, but restarting shouldn’t affect saved data or settings.

How often should I restart my apps?

There’s no need to restart apps regularly unless you’re experiencing issues.

Is restarting an app the same as deleting and reinstalling it?

No, restarting is less drastic and usually doesn’t affect your data or settings within the app.

Why does restarting an app fix issues?

It clears the app from your iPhone’s memory, which can resolve minor glitches and free up resources for a smoother performance.

Restarting an app on your iPhone is a handy trick that can save you from a lot of frustration. It’s a simple process that can resolve many common issues and ensure your apps run smoothly. Whether it’s a game that won’t load or a social media app that keeps crashing, a quick restart is often all it takes to get things back on track.

Remember, technology isn’t perfect, but with a few troubleshooting tips like this one, you’ll feel like a tech whiz in no time. Keep this guide in mind the next time your app acts up, and you’ll be back to scrolling, swiping, and tapping without missing a beat.

Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.

His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.

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Ultimate Guide: How to Reset Safari on iPhone?

Cult.technology.

Do you want to reset to default Safari browser settings on iPhone? Are you searching for steps to reset Safari browser on iPhone, or how to clear safari history in order to get rid of your browsing trail? Well, this post is exactly what you need. Have a look at these instructions and start following the guidelines one by one.

Safari is the default web browser for iOS devices, including iPhones and iPads. It offers a seamless browsing experience, with a simple and elegant design that enhances user satisfaction. However, like any software, Safari may encounter issues that can impact its performance or user experience. Resetting Safari on your iPhone or iPad can be an effective solution to resolve these issues and ensure a smoother browsing experience.

The importance of resetting Safari lies in its ability to –

• Improve browser performance
• Resolve technical problems, and
• protect user privacy

By resetting the browser, you effectively clear browsing data, such as history, cache, and cookies, which can accumulate over time and slow down your device. This helps to enhance the browser’s responsiveness and speed, providing a more enjoyable browsing experience.

Additionally, resetting Safari can resolve various issues, such as unresponsive web pages, slow loading times, and browser crashes . It can also help fix problems with website access, as some settings or corrupted data may interfere with the browser’s ability to properly load specific websites. By reverting Safari to its default settings, you can eliminate these issues and enjoy a more reliable browsing experience.

Lastly, resetting Safari plays a crucial role in protecting user privacy. Clearing browsing data, such as history, cache, and cookies, helps maintain your online privacy and prevents others from viewing your browsing activities. This is particularly important if you share your device with others, such as family members or friends. Resetting Safari ensures that your personal information remains secure and confidential.

How to Reset Safari on iPhone or iPad?

Before getting to know how to reset Safari browser on iPhone without losing important data like passwords, browsing history etc., it’s better if we tell you what kind of situations require resetting Safari browser settings back to default. The most common scenarios are listed here:

• You forget your username/password for logging into some website. Now you have no idea how to reset password on Safari browser in iPhone or iPad.
• You are unable to visit certain websites – for example, Facebook, Google etc., so you want to reset safari’s settings in iPhone/iPad.
• You need to delete the browsing history quickly before giving your device to someone else (like kids).

So below are some useful steps that will help you restore Safari browser back to default settings when needed. Follow these steps carefully and get rid of all your browsing woes!

Steps To Reset Safari Browser On iPhone iOS 8 or Higher:

You can quickly reset Safari by following these simple steps:

• Go to Settings
• Click on Safari
• Choose Advanced;
• At the bottom of the screen, there is an option called ‘ Reset Safari ‘.

Tap on the button and confirm your action by tapping on ‘Reset’ option. That’s all! Your Safari browser will now be reset to default, with all your browsing data deleted.

If you’re using iOS 7 or earlier then follow these steps : Open Settings > Safari > Clear history; that’s it.

You’ll now see a message at the bottom of the screen that says “Safari has successfully cleared the History”. These quick settings are good enough to help you reset Safari browser to default; however, if there is some problem with clearing the history (like after resetting safari, it continues showing), then try out these steps:

How To Reset Safari Browsing History/Cache/Cookies In iPhone/iPad:

In this case, you’ll have to delete Safari browsing history from different sources like cookies, cache etc. In the previous method, these steps were auto-magically performed under Advanced Settings of Safari browser settings. But here you’ll have to do it on your own.

How To Clear Cookies On Safari Browser in iPhone/iPad:

• Navigate to Safari option
• Click on Passwords & AutoFill
• Select Manage Website Data; Now tap on each website and select ‘Remove All’.

How To Delete History On Safari On iOs7 or Earlier:

Tap on “Clear history” from the Advanced section of safari settings as explained above. You can also go to “Settings” and tap on “Safari”. Now, just tap on the option that says “Clear history” to delete browsing history .

How To Clear Safari Cache On iPhone/iPad:

Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced; at the bottom of screen select ‘Clear cache’.

That’s it! You’ve successfully cleared all your browser caches and data, including cookies in safari browser in iOS 8 or higher. If you’re using an older version of iOS then make sure you clear safari history from other sources as well before resetting safari to default settings. It’ll definitely help you get rid of your browsing troubles! Now, if despite performing these steps, there is some problem with clearing the history (like after resetting safari, it continues showing), then try out these steps:

Reset the Safari app by going to Settings > General > Reset and tap on ‘Reset Safari’. That’s all! You can now use safari like a new browser with all your browsing woes fixed.

How To Reset To Default Safari On iPhone/iPad:

Safari is one of the most popular web browsers for iOS devices and stands apart from other browsers due to its simple and elegant design that enhances user experience. With features like data compression, iCloud keychain etc., Safari is definitely a good web browser for iPhones, iPads and iPods Touch; however, sometimes we need to reset our device if we’re facing some problem with it or want to sell it to someone else.

So, if you need to reset your Safari browser on iPhone/iPad under any circumstances, for instance due to some ads problem on the browser, then follow these steps:

• Go to Settings option on your iPhone
• Choose General settings
• Click on Reset option and then select ‘Reset Safari’.

Safari will now be restored back to default settings and will work like a new browser (with all your browsing woes fixed).

If this quick fix still does not solve your problem with Safari browser, then re-install the safari browser on your iPhone, which covers almost all possible solutions for fixing common problems with apps. Further problem solving guides are available at cult.technology which includes various trouble-shooting steps for your iOS devices.

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How to make your iPhone go faster

I t’s hard to be patient with a slow iPhone , especially when using it for everything, from the calculator to getting directions on Maps. No one likes dealing with lag, buffering, or app freezing. Fortunately, there are a few ways you could speed up your iPhone.

Restart your iPhone

Let’s start with the classic “Did you try turning it off and on again?” It’s a classic for a reason, not just another tech myth. On a technical level, it helps refresh your iPhone’s RAM or working memory, which optimizes its overall performance. Since it’s probably the most straightforward hack, I’d recommend starting with this one.

There are slightly different ways to restart an iPhone based on its model. If you can’t get yours to restart, you might want to do a quick “how to restart [your iPhone model]” search. In case you’re unsure about your iPhone’s model, we have a guide for that , too.

Clear Safari Data

I’m sure we have encountered an ‘Accept Cookies’ popup. Even if you have no idea what that does, you’ve probably accepted tons of cookies by now. Refer to this helpful guide for a detailed and easy lesson on internet cookies. For the scope of this piece, all you need to know is that every time you click on ‘Accept Cookies’ on your browser, you’re putting a bunch of files on your device. These files pile up over time and end up slowing your phone.

If you frequently use Safari on your iPhone, you probably have a lot of passwords, cookies, tabs, and other login info in your Safari cache. It’s a good habit to clear that from time to time. Note that this will require re-entering login credentials or other personal info on some sites since clearing your cache will make your Safari brand new again.

To clear all Safari data, go to Settings on your iPhone and look up ‘Safari.’ Once in the Safari menu, scroll down until you see ‘Clear History and Website Data.’ It will ask you to pick a timeframe. Select ‘All history’ and then hit the red button at the bottom that says ‘Clear History.’

Free Up Space

Full storage is one of the leading causes of a sluggish iPhone. Go to Settings , scroll to General , and click on iPhone Storage from the menu. Doing so will present you with a stacked bar chart and an ordered list of your iPhone’s storage situation, clearly labeling how much space is occupied by which app.

It will also provide you with recommendations on how to free up space. Under Recommendations , click on Review Large Attachments to see the photos, videos, and attachments that are taking up the most space. When you see something you want to delete, swipe left and hit Delete .

There are other ways to free up space on your iPhone, but it ultimately depends on your priorities and your phone use. If you don’t always need all your photos and videos on your phone, you can back them up on iCloud and delete them from your iPhone. However, this would mean you would no longer be able to access them without the internet.

Similarly, if you don’t need all your iMessages, you can mass-delete them. I’ll review all the ways to clear storage on your iPhone in a separate, dedicated guide.

iOS updates often bring bug fixes that help improve your iPhone’s efficiency, so it’s a good idea to always be on the latest software update. You can do that by turning automatic updates on. Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates and turn on the toggle switch for all three options on the page. This will automatically download and install iOS software updates when your phone is connected to Wi-Fi, charging, and locked.

You can also manually update your iOS. A ‘Software Update Available’ notice on your Settings app under your Apple ID will tell you there’s a newer version you haven’t yet updated to. If you see that, scroll down to General > Software Update and click Download and Install to begin the update. If you don’t see that notice, you’re on the latest version.

Replace Battery

Another possible reason for a slow phone is a battery overused to the point of dysfunction. If your iPhone is old, its battery’s health may not be ideal. To see if that’s the case, go to Settings, look up Battery Health, and click on Battery Health & Charging from the open menu. Anything 80% and above is good, but Apple recommends replacing your battery when its health falls below that mark.

Turn Off Automatic Downloads and Background App Refresh

Apps on your iPhone tend to auto-update. While this is helpful, it could become overwhelming for your phone, especially if you have many apps on it. Multiple background app refreshes also take place without you knowing. Again, this is a helpful feature, but it could lead to a considerable drop in your phone’s efficiency if you have many apps that constantly refresh and update.

Go to Settings > App Store and turn off all three toggle switches under ‘Automatic Downloads.’ These are App Downloads, App Updates, and In-App Content. Then, go to General > Background App Refresh > Background App Refresh (again) and choose Off . Doing both will ensure no power-hungry apps are running in the background. If you’d like an app updated, you can constantly manually update it in the App Store.

No, closing your background apps won’t help.

I know; I felt as deceived as you did when Gizmodo Maxwell Zeff told us that closing background apps doesn’t do anything and that I have been making my poor little thumb do all that labor for years for nothing. It’s just a tech myth that originated years ago on Apple’s community forum and Stack Overflow and has been perpetuated ever since (because it sounds like it should work!). But yeah, doing that won’t affect either performance or battery.

Are some of your apps still running slow?

Are you sure it’s your phone and not your network? People often mistake a slow connection for a slow phone. Especially if you’re experiencing lag on apps that require an internet connection, it might just be your internet that needs fixing.

To quickly check this, look up ‘speed test’ on your browser. You’ll see an ‘Internet speed test’ pop-up. Hit the blue button that says ‘run speed test.’ In around 30 seconds, you’ll get precise stats on your download and upload speeds and a comment on your internet performance.

I just ran mine, and it said, “Your Internet connection is very fast. It should be able to handle multiple devices streaming HD videos, video conferencing, and gaming at the same time.” So, if my iPhone starts acting up, I’d know it’s not my internet.

A version of this article originally appeared on Gizmodo .

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Iphone web browser choice gets one thing right, two things wrong, say developers.

Being prompted to make an iPhone web browser choice in Europe has seen an uptick in the use of third-party apps , but not everyone is happy about it.

The EU itself is investigating whether Apple’s implementation of the antitrust requirement goes far enough, and developers of third-party browsers say the process gets one thing right, and two things wrong …

iPhone web browser choice

While iPhone owners have been theoretically able to choose their preferred web browser since iOS 14, it wasn’t much of a choice, for a couple of reasons.

First, most people didn’t even know they could choose an alternative browser. The default is Safari, and you’d have to proactively install a third-party one and then manually set it as your default.

Second, Apple insisted that all browsers had to use its own WebKit API. That ensured that competing browsers couldn’t do anything to impact security of privacy, but it also meant that they couldn’t offer faster speeds, or features not available in Safari.

The EU required Apple to drop the WebKit requirement, and also to proactively present users with a choice of browser when they first use their device. These changes were introduced in iOS 17.4 , and only apply within EU countries.

Apple gets one thing right

Developers of third-party web browsers have seen an increase in usage following the implementation of the changes, and they say Apple did play fair in one important respect: browsers are listed in random order, and Safari doesn’t get any special position or prominence in the list.

But two things remain unfair, they say

Wired spoke to a number of developers of alternative iPhone web browsers, and found that they had two criticisms.

First, iPhone owners are not asked to make their choice during the initial iPhone setup process. Instead, they are only presented with the choice when they first open the Safari app. This means that Safari has already presented itself as the default.

“It starts from you clicking Safari,” says Jon von Tetzchner, CEO and cofounder of Vivaldi. “Which, I think all of us agree, that’s the wrong spot.” Tetzchner said he prefers Google’s implementation of its new browser choice screen that guides Android users to select a default while setting up their phone.

Second, users are given zero information about each browser – just a list of names, many of which will be unfamiliar to non-techy users. That reinforces the idea that they should select Safari unless they already know a reason to make a different choice.

“Giving people information about the choice, and also information about what they’re choosing is really, really important,” says Kush Amlani, a global competition and regulatory counsel at Mozilla, which makes the Firefox browser.

A fairer option would be to give each developer a few words to pitch their browser. DuckDuckGo, for example, might have something like “Uses our privacy-first search engine, which doesn’t track you or filter your results.”

We’ll need to wait for the EU’s conclusion to determine what changes might be needed to comply with the law.

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Did You Know Siri Could Do This?

These are nine Siri voice commands on your iPhone you maybe didn't know about.

As long as you're running iOS 17, you no longer need to say "Hey, Siri" to activate Siri on your iPhone.

Siri was introduced on the iPhone 4S  all the way back in 2011, only four years after the release of the first iPhone. In the dozen or so years since, Apple's digital assistant has made it easier for all of us to complete actions with only our voice.

Whether you're sending a text message while driving, making metric conversions while cooking, or trying to start your white noise app while rocking a crying baby, the hands-free power of Siri can be a huge benefit.

Apple's own documentation of the things Siri can do for you is brief and doesn't cover nearly all of the possible iPhone actions you can achieve with voice commands. For example, did you know you can now restart your iPhone with only your voice ?

If you want to learn more about what you can do on your iPhone with just your voice, check out these nine hidden Siri voice commands.

For more about Siri and the iPhone, check out the coolest new features in iOS 17 and how you can replace Siri with Amazon Alexa on your iPhone home screen .

No more 'Hey, Siri' needed

As long as you're running iOS 17, you no longer need to say "Hey, Siri" to activate Siri on your iPhone. All you need to do is say "Siri," and your iPhone will begin listening for any voice commands you tell it. For example, you can just say  "Siri, set an alarm for 8 a.m. this coming Thursday" -- no "Hey" needed.

All you need to do now is say "Siri."

Have Siri read an article in Safari to you

Another addition is the ability to have Siri read you any article, short story or other webpage -- as long as it's compatible with the Reader View feature. If you're unsure whether Reader View works on a webpage, tap the AA icon on the top left and make sure that the Show Reader setting isn't grayed out.

To have Siri read a Safari webpage to you, say something like "Siri, read this to me" or "Siri, I want to listen to this page." If you tap the new Listen to Page icon on the top left, you can change Siri's speaking rate so that the voice assistant speaks faster or slower.

Quickly find saved passwords for websites and apps

Apple lets you save your usernames and passwords across all your Apple devices, including your iPhone, through the iCloud Keychain. In iOS, you can go to Settings > Passwords to view your saved passwords for your Apple ID, websites and applications -- but you can access them quicker with Siri.

All you need to do is ask Siri  "Show me the password for (app/website)" and you'll be automatically redirected to that specific password page in your settings. Before you can view the password, you'll need to use Face ID or Touch ID to gain access. From there, you can copy the username or password to your clipboard.

Restart your iPhone

If you're experiencing a software issue, like an application continuously force-closing or a laggy operating system, you can often fix the problem with a quick restart of your iPhone. All you need to do is press down the home button, plus either volume button for about a second and then slide to power off your device -- but there's an easier way to reboot.

Don't miss :  Your iPhone Has a New Siri Voice Command You'll Want to Know About

You can tell Siri "Restart my phone" and then say "Yes" when prompted to restart your device, without using your hands.

You can also tap on Restart to confirm.

Turn off an annoying alarm

Your alarm is going off, but you're either not near your iPhone or maybe you just can't find it because it's underneath your sheets or lost in your couch cushions. An iPhone alarm will persist for 15 minutes if you don't cancel or snooze it, but there is a way to stop it with just your voice.

Even if your alarm is blaring loudly, you can tell Siri  "Turn off my alarm" to silence it. In fact, you can even just say "Hey, Siri" and that will also stop your alarm from ringing. Unlike the snooze feature, using either Siri command will permanently turn off the alarm.

Find family or friends using the Find My tool

The Find My feature allows you to track not only your Apple devices but also those of your friends, family and loved ones. If you're tracking someone's location via Find My, like your significant other or your sibling, you can use Siri to quickly check where they're at.

Ask Siri  "Where is (contact name)?" and a small Find My window will appear at the top of the screen, showing you exactly where the person is. Siri will also announce how far they are and the approximate address of their location. If you tap the Find My window, you'll be redirected to the Find My app, where you can contact the person, get directions to their location and more.

Translate foreign words or sentences

Besides the stand-alone app, Apple's Translate feature is built into your iPhone, allowing you to quickly translate languages from pretty much anywhere on your device, including within your text messages, in your web browser and with Siri.

You can ask Siri to translate a single word or entire sentences with just your voice. For example, you can say  "Translate 'My head hurts. I think I'm going to sleep' in Spanish" and Siri will read out your sentence in the original language and then in the translated language. If you want to hear the translation again, you can hit the play button in the Translate window.

Currently, 17 languages, including Spanish and Chinese, are supported with Translate, but not all of them can be used with Siri.

This pop-up will appear at the top of your phone, previewing both what you said and the translation.

Set reminders based on your location

The Reminders app on your iPhone is a powerful productivity tool to help you remember what you need to do throughout the day, like make a phone call, send an email or make a purchase online. But you don't need to be reminded of everything on your to-do list at all times, which is why you can use Siri to create a reminder notification based on your location.

For example, if you want to be reminded that you need to pay your internet bill when you get home, tell Siri  "Remind me to pay my internet bill when I get home" and a reminder will be created. The next time you arrive home (which you can set in Contacts or Maps), the reminder should pop up on your phone. Besides work and home, you can set your location to somewhere like Target or a local park, but Siri will need you to verify the exact address.

Get directions back to your parked car

Parked at an airport and lost track of your car? It can be difficult to find your way back to your car, especially if you didn't make a mental note and you're in a large parking lot or garage with hundreds of other vehicles. Fortunately, your iPhone usually knows where you parked your car -- all you need to do is ask Siri.

Say "Get me directions to my car" and Siri will open the Maps application and get you walking directions to where it thinks your car is parked. Your iPhone tracks which other devices it's connected to, like your car stereo, as well as your traveling speed, to estimate where your car is parked.

Maps usually drops a parked car marker when you disconnect your iPhone from your car.

While you're here, check out how to blur your home on Google Maps and how to find all those hidden Wi-Fi passwords on your Mac or Windows .

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Restart your iPhone

Learn how to turn your iPhone off, then back on.

How to restart your iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, or later

Press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears.

Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. If your device is frozen or unresponsive, force restart your device .

To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button (on the right side of your iPhone) until you see the Apple logo.

How to restart your iPhone 6, 7, 8, or SE (2nd or 3rd generation)

Press and hold the side button until the power-off slider appears.

To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

How to restart your iPhone SE (1st generation), 5, or earlier

Press and hold the top button until the power-off slider appears.

To turn your device back on, press and hold the top button until you see the Apple logo.

Can't restart?

Learn what to do if your iPhone is frozen, doesn't turn on, or doesn't respond .

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Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 193 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.

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

I'm always curious about these Safari Tech Preview posts. Are they just a quick way to add another headline? I suspect so, as I don't see many people trusting these builds as their daily driver. I've tried that in the past, but it never stuck.

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

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

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

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

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

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Apple’s iPads Must Follow Tough EU Tech Rules After Being Branded A Digital ‘Gatekeeper’ — Joining Safari, App Store And iPhone’s iOS

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Apple’s tablet operating system counts as a digital “gatekeeper” under the European Union’s strict new technology rules, the European Commission said on Monday, a development that could force the tech giant to change how it operates in the region and opens it up to hefty penalties for noncompliance as the bloc ups the pressure on tech giants to play nice with smaller rivals.

The EU took aim at Apple's iPad as part of its new DMA rules.

The Commission said both business and end users are “locked-in” to Apple’s iPadOS ecosystem due to its size and user base, which it said the company leverages to disincentivize users from switching to competitors, giving Apple six months to ensure full compliance.

The landmark rules, which came into force on March 7, impose stringent guardrails on platforms designated as such “gatekeepers” from the world’s largest tech companies like Apple, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet and TikTok in an attempt to level the digital playing field and make markets fairer, with breaches potentially invoking fines as high as 10% of global annual turnover.

The decision follows a months-long investigation into whether iPadOS falls under the scope of the regime after the Commission designated three of Apple’s other platforms — the Safari web browser, the iOS operating system and the App Store — gatekeepers in September.

In a statement, Apple said it “will continue to constructively engage with the European Commission” to ensure all its designated services comply with the DMA, adding that its “focus will remain on delivering the very best products and services… while mitigating the new privacy and data security risks the DMA poses for our users.”

$38 billion. That’s roughly how big a fine Apple could face under the DMA for noncompliance should the maximum 10% of annual turnover be levied, going by the company’s report from the 2023 financial year. According to that report, Apple raked in $383.3 billion in revenue during 2023.

EU Commissioner Thierry Breton said the iPadOS investigation marks the first time the bloc has determined whether a platform can be considered a gatekeeper based on qualitative factors, rather than a for simply breaching a numerical threshold for users. “We continue monitoring market developments and will not hesitate to open new investigations should other services below the thresholds present characteristics to be considered important gateways for business users,” he said.

What To Watch For

The Commission said it is investigating whether other platforms fall under the purview of the DMA. It named Elon Musk’s X, ByteDance and Booking as platforms it is currently looking into. A decision will be made by May 13 “at the latest,” the Commission said.

Crucial Quote

“Our market investigation showed that despite not meeting the thresholds, iPadOS constitutes an important gateway on which many companies rely to reach their customers,” said European Commission executive vice-president and competition tsar Margrethe Vestager. “Today’s decision will ensure that fairness and contestability are preserved also on this platform, in addition to the 22 other services we designated last September.”

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