safari theme change

PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
EDIT Edit this Article
EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
Browse Articles
Learn Something New
Quizzes Hot
This Or That Game New
Train Your Brain
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Computers and Electronics
Smartphones

2 Easy Ways to Customize the Safari Homepage Background

Last Updated: April 19, 2023 Fact Checked

Using iPhone or iPad

This article was written by Luigi Oppido and by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly . Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 32,847 times.

Do you want to customize your Safari start page? Whether you're using the Safari app on iOS or the desktop version on Mac, you'll be able to change Safari's background image in a few simple steps. You can use Apple's default backgrounds or one of your own saved photos. If you're trying to change your Safari theme from white to black (or vice versa), you'll need to configure your Light/Dark display in the Settings app. This wikiHow will show you how to change the background image on Safari using your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Things You Should Know

On iOS, open a new start page. Tap "Edit," toggle on "Background Image," and then select a photo.
On Mac, open Safari, click "Settings," and check the "Background Image" box. Select a photo and then click "Choose."

Changing the Safari background is different from enabling Dark Mode .
To enable or disable Dark Mode, go to Settings → Display & Brightness → select Light or Dark .

If you have a lot of Favorites on your start page, you may need to scroll down to see this button.

When it's toggled on, a collection of background images will appear. If you want to use one of Apple's provided backgrounds in Safari, tap it to apply it immediately.
To use your own image as the background, continue to the next step.

The Photos app will open.

If you have a photo on your computer you'd like to use, you can transfer it to your iPhone or iPad using AirDrop.
Tap X to close the page.
If you want to remove the background image, return to the "Edit" menu and toggle off "Background Image".

Be sure to update your Mac .

A pop-up menu will open.

When the box is checked, two tiles will appear. You can scroll towards the right to see more. If you want to use one of Apple's provided background images, click it to change your background immediately.
To use your own image, continue to the next step.

The Finder will open to your photos. Navigate through your folders to find a picture.

Step 6 Click a picture and click Choose.

If you want to remove the background image, return to the "Settings" menu and uncheck "Background Image".

Expert Q&A

About This Article

Send fan mail to authors

Is this article up to date?

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Do Not Sell or Share My Info
Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

Privacy Policy
Advertise with Us

Customize Safari on Mac with this Ultimate Guide

For most Mac owners, Safari is the gateway to the World Wide Web. Given that it’s probably your most used application, knowing tips, tricks and new features is the best way to get the most out of it. While Safari does not have the extension libraries of Chrome, it still has a few tricks up its sleeve for Mac owners. Read on to learn how to customize Safari on your Mac.

1. Pin Tabs

You probably visit a couple of sites on a regular basis, and keeping them close can make it easy to refer back to them. When a tab is pinned in Safari, it stays docked as the farthest-left tab. Pinning a tab is incredibly easy: right-click on any open tab and select “Pin Tab.” Rearranging pinned tabs is as easy as dragging the tabs around one another until you have a setup you prefer.

2. Mute Tabs

We have all been there as you open a new tab expecting to read new content and are instead hit with an auto-play video. In Safari, when a new tab is opened with audio playing, you’ll see a little speaker icon in the tab. Click the speaker icon, and it will automatically mute the tab.

3. Rearrange Tabs

For anyone who has more than a few tabs open at a time, organization can become an issue. To help with this, Safari enables you to get at least some semblance of order.

1. Open the “Window” menu on the Mac bar.

2. Choose “Arrange Tabs By.”

3. You can now choose between “Title” and “Website.”

For many, choosing to sort by website will be the most useful. That way, if you have multiple tabs open, they will all be next to each other.

4. Customize Safari Toolbar

The Safari toolbar is where your most important buttons will go for daily use. That includes your Home button, Sidebar, Tab overview, and so on.

1. Right-click anywhere on the toolbar and select “Customize Toolbar.” You can then drag any item into the toolbar.

2. Once you have dragged all of the icons you want to use, click “Done.” Then, all of your changes will be saved.

5. Change Your Search Engine

Safari, like most browsers, will let you choose between a few different default search engines. Google is the default search engine in Safari, but it’s not your only available option.

1. Go to “Safari -> Preferences” and open the Preferences window.

2. Click the “Search” tab.

3. You will immediately see a drop-down that allows you to choose between Google, Yahoo, Bing, Ecosia, or DuckDuckGo.

At this time, there is no way to add your own search engine. For now, Safari has chosen to add the most popular options.

6. Save Pages as PDFs

If you ever need to export a website as a PDF, Safari makes it super simple. Head to the page you want to save, then click on File and “Export as PDF.”

The last remaining step is to choose where on your hard-drive you want to save the page. You can then refer to the PDF at any time, and it will automatically open in Safari, Preview or your PDF viewer of choice.

7. Handoff Continuity

As Safari is the default browser for iOS and Mac, Apple has long explored how to make it seamless between the two systems. Enter Handoff , Apple’s solution for starting an email on Mac and picking it up on iOS. This also works incredibly well with Safari.

1. Start by signing in to your iCloud account on both devices.

2. On your Mac computer, go to “System Preferences -> General,” and click on the box next to Handoff to allow it.

3. On iOS or iPad OS, go to “Settings -> Handoff” and move the switch so that it’s active.

4. Once activated, you can go about your regular browsing business on your Mac. When you want to pick up wherever you left off on your Mac on your iPhone or iPad, a little icon will appear above your Safari icon. Tap on Safari and it will allow you to select whatever page you want to continue browsing.

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

8. Reading List

Bookmarks were yesterday’s news. Today, it’s all about Safari’s Reading List. We have all come across interesting articles that we want to read but don’t have time at the moment. Across all Apple devices, Reading List is enabled via the Sidebar icon on Safari on Mac or by using the book icon on Safari on iOS/iPadOS. You can choose the eyeglasses icon to view your entire article list. To add a new article, you have two options on Mac.

1. The first is to hit the “+” sign that appears next to the website URL. The article or site will automatically save itself to your reading list.

2. Alternatively, you can click on the Share Sheet icon, and the first option in the drop-down is “Add to Reading List.” Select that and the article will automatically save itself to your Reading List.

If you want to read these articles offline, say while you are on a plane, go to “Safari -> Preferences -> Advanced” and click on “Save articles for offline reading automatically.”

9. Safari Reader

Safari Reader strips away all of the distractions from any site where it’s available, allowing for an uninterrupted view of your chosen content. Note that it does not work on every website but definitely works on many.

1. To activate Reader, click on the four-line icon that appears next to the “+” button to the left of the URL.

2. A single press of that button will enable Reader view. Clicking on it again will take you out of reader view.

10. Set Custom Safari Icon

If you want to customize your Safari icon, doing so is surprisingly straightforward.

1. While holding down the Ctrl button, click the Safari logo and select “Options -> Show in Finder.”

2. When Finder loads, you’ll find yourself on the Applications page. Click the Safari logo again while holding Ctrl and choose “Get Info.”

to the top-left corner of the Get Info window, you’ll see a tiny Safari icon next to “Safari.app”. Click on it to highlight it, then drag your replacement icon image to replace it.

11. Customize Safari Theme

When you first use Safari on your Mac, you’ll see the standard white and grey interface. This is fine, but it can get a little boring for some users. Fortunately, you can customize your Safari theme in several ways.

Change to Dark Mode

For instance, you can change your browser to show dark mode.

1. Go to the Apple icon in the top left of your toolbar and choose “System Preferences … ” in the drop-down.

2. Select “General.”

At the top of the next window, you’ll see the “Appearance” option. Click on “Dark.”

Change Safari’s Background Image

Another way you can customize Safari’s theme is by tweaking the background image on your homepage.

1. Click on the “+” button in the top right of your Safari browser to open a new page.

2. Select the icon showing three lines with sliders in the bottom-right corner.

3. Make sure the box next to “Background Image” is ticked. Then, choose from one of the custom background images beneath it.

In addition to using the background images included with Safari, you can add your own. Click the “+” icon instead of one of the other images.

Choose the picture you want to have as your background image for Safari.

Once you’ve picked your image, you should see the changes take place immediately.

If you want to clear your background later, you can click on the screen while holding the Ctrl button and choose “Clear Background.”

12. Customize Safari Homepage

Once you’ve customized the theme of Safari, you can fine tune the homepage.

When you see your “Frequently Visited” section, all pages in this area will initially appear as smaller versions of the actual web pages. However, you can make them show up as icons again.

1. Click on one of the pages while holding down the Ctrl button.

2. Select “View as Icons.”

You can also remove some of your Favorites from view. As with changing the “Frequently Visited” pages to icons, click on one of the pages and simultaneously hold the Ctrl button. Select “Delete” from the dropdown menu, and your changes will take effect.

13. Create Custom Bookmark Folders

When customizing Safari on your Mac, you’ll want to think about productivity and not just aesthetics. One of the best ways to organize your most-visited pages is by creating custom bookmark folders to put all of them in.

1. Click on the icon in the top left that sits next to the red, yellow, and green circles.

2. On the bookmark tab, click anywhere while holding Ctrl .

3. Select New Folder and give it a name.

4. Drag to add pages to this folder.

14. Customize Safari Location

Like your iPhone, your Mac can easily track where you are in the world. It uses this for several reasons, such as changing the date and time on your device.

However, websites can also track you – and some users may want them to do so. If you don’t want specific sites knowing where you are in Safari, follow these steps:

1. Click on “Safari” next to the Apple logo and choose “Preferences … ” from the drop-down.

2. Go through your currently open websites and choose whether you want to allow or deny access.

You can also block future visited websites from tracking you. Go to the bottom where it says “When visiting other websites.” If you want to revoke permission, open the drop-down and select “Deny.”

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

Frequently Asked Questions

1. can i change the color of the safari browser.

Besides tweaking from light to dark mode, you can’t customize Safari’s color on your Mac without third-party software.

2. Can I change my Mac’s default browser?

Yes. To change your Mac’s default browser, go to “System Preferences -> General -> Default Web Browser.” Open the drop-down and change to the browser of your choice.

3. Why won’t my Safari icon change on my Mac?

In some cases, you may find that the Safari icon on your Mac doesn’t change. You may need to close and reopen the app. If that doesn’t work, try changing the “Read & Write” privileges on your device.

Wrapping Up

Safari is one of the most important native Apple apps, and customizing it will both let you show off your personality and improve productivity. The above tips to customize Safari are only the tip of the iceberg. Don’t forget that you can also add extensions to extend its functionality . Do you use Safari on your Mac or one of the strong alternatives ?

Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox

Danny has been a professional writer for over five years. Now based in Copenhagen, Denmark, he plied his trade working for various companies in the UK — where he was born — before taking the leap into freelancing. He specializes in iOS and Mac.

Accessories
Meet the team
Advertise with us
Privacy Policy

macOS Big Sur brings a lot of exciting customization options into Safari. Now you can alter its looks to suit your working style & liking, from changing the start page background to adjusting favorites, Siri Suggestion, Reading List, iCloud Tabs, etc. Quite like wallpapers, a great background image could help you get into the groove. Apple has very graciously offered some fitting Safari backgrounds , or you can choose a custom one.

Oh yes! Whether a color bomb or something subtle or a family photo, you can set anything as Safari’s background, here’s how:

How to set custom background in Safari on Mac

Browse through the folders and select the image you want to set as a background in Safari
Click on an image to see a translucent preview of it as the background

select image and click on choose set custom background in safari in macos big sur

And that’s how easy it is to set a custom wallpaper to Safari start page. While it may seem a small change, but it surely adds character to your Safari.

custom background set in safari in macos big sur

Note : When you wish to change the custom Safari Background, you will have to delete the existing one first. Open Safari start page → three-toggle icon → click the ‘x’ & then tap ‘+’ to add a new one.

click on x to remove existing safari background in macos big sur

But what if you prefer a plain jane, no background Safari start page? Disable the setting as easily, open Safari → three-toggle icon → uncheck the Background Image option.

disable backbround from safari in macos big sur

Signing Off

Safari has sort of had a facelift, and customizable start page is the start. Apple’s default browser now incorporates incredible features such as Favicons in the tab, website previews, built-in translation tools, better password monitoring, and even a Privacy report tool.

In all honesty, we think these smart additions to Safari is enough to lure users to upgrade to latest macOS. What are your views, share it with us in the comment section below

How to enable Dark Mode on Mac
Change wallpaper on Mac
How to use Live Text on Mac
How to use tab groups in Safari on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

A self-professed Geek who loves to explore all things Apple. I thoroughly enjoy discovering new hacks, troubleshooting issues, and finding and reviewing the best products and apps currently available. My expertise also includes curating opinionated and honest editorials. If not this, you might find me surfing the web or listening to audiobooks.

View all posts

🗣️ Our site is supported by our readers like you. When you purchase through our links, we earn a small commission. Read Disclaimer .

How-To Geek

How to change the safari background image on mac.

Bored of the same old gray background in Safari's start page on Mac? Spice things up by adding your own background image. Here's how it works!

You might have spent years looking at the same bland gray background in Safari's start page on Mac, but it doesn't have to be that way. You can spice things up by adding a custom background. Here's how!

Mac users who are running Safari 14.0 or higher have access to the customizable start page. Here, you can easily add or remove different sections and change the background image. The Safari 14.0 (or newer) update will be automatically installed if you are running the latest version of macOS Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur , or higher.

To get started, open the Safari browser on your Mac.

From the start page, click the Menu button from the bottom-right corner of the screen. Now, check the box next to the "Background Image" option.

Here, you can scroll horizontally to see bundled background images. Click an image to instantly turn it into the start page's background image.

However, if you want to add your own image as the background instead, click the "+" button.

Now, select your image from the file picker and click the "Choose" button.

You'll see the image as the new start-page background.

If you want to remove this image or switch to a different photo, go back to the "Background Image" section in the customization menu. Then, click the "X" button to remove the current background image. Repeat the above process to change the background.

Want to directly open a specific web page every time you open Safari? Here's how to change the default Safari home page on Mac .

Related: How to Change the Safari Home Page on a Mac

How To Change Color Of Safari On Mac

Software & Applications
Browsers & Extensions

Introduction

Changing the color of your Safari browser on Mac can be a fun and personalized way to enhance your browsing experience. By customizing the color theme, you can add a touch of individuality to your browsing environment, making it more visually appealing and tailored to your preferences. Whether you prefer a vibrant and energetic color scheme or a more subdued and calming palette, Safari allows you to make these adjustments with ease.

In this article, we will explore the step-by-step process of changing the color of Safari on your Mac. From accessing the Safari preferences to selecting a new color theme and customizing the accent color, you will learn how to transform the appearance of your browser to reflect your unique style. By following these simple instructions, you can infuse your browsing sessions with a fresh and personalized look that resonates with your personality.

Let's dive into the exciting world of Safari customization and discover how a simple change in color can elevate your browsing experience. Whether you're a creative individual seeking inspiration from a vibrant color palette or someone who values a harmonious and soothing browsing environment, the ability to customize Safari's color theme empowers you to curate a digital space that aligns with your aesthetic preferences. So, grab your Mac, open Safari, and get ready to embark on a journey of visual transformation as we delve into the process of changing the color of Safari on your Mac.

Step 1: Open Safari Preferences

To begin the process of changing the color of Safari on your Mac, you need to access the Safari Preferences. This is where you can explore a range of customization options, including the ability to modify the color theme to suit your personal taste.

First, launch the Safari browser on your Mac. You can do this by clicking on the Safari icon in your dock or by searching for Safari in Spotlight and selecting it from the search results. Once Safari is open, navigate to the top-left corner of your screen and click on "Safari" in the menu bar. A drop-down menu will appear, and you should select "Preferences" from the options listed. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut "Command + ," to directly access the Preferences window.

Upon selecting "Preferences," a new window will open, presenting you with a range of customization settings for Safari. This is where you can fine-tune various aspects of the browser to align with your preferences. Within the Preferences window, you will find a series of tabs at the top, each representing different categories of settings. To change the color theme of Safari, you will need to navigate to the "General" tab, which is typically the first tab displayed in the Preferences window.

By accessing the General tab, you are one step closer to transforming the visual appearance of your Safari browser. This tab serves as a hub for fundamental settings that impact the overall browsing experience. Here, you can adjust settings related to the browser's homepage, default search engine, and more. However, for the purpose of changing the color theme, the General tab also houses the option to customize the appearance of Safari.

With the General tab now open, you are ready to proceed to the next step in the process of changing the color of Safari on your Mac. By accessing the Preferences window and navigating to the General tab, you have unlocked the gateway to a world of customization possibilities, setting the stage for the exciting journey of transforming the visual aesthetics of your Safari browser.

Step 2: Select the General Tab

Upon reaching the Preferences window in Safari, you will be presented with a series of tabs at the top, each offering a distinct category of settings. Among these tabs, the "General" tab holds the key to customizing the visual aspects of your browsing experience. By selecting the General tab, you gain access to a range of options that enable you to personalize the appearance of Safari according to your preferences.

As you click on the General tab, a plethora of customization settings will unfold before you, inviting you to embark on a journey of visual transformation. This tab serves as a central hub for fundamental settings that shape the overall browsing environment, offering a seamless and intuitive interface for users to tailor their Safari experience.

Within the General tab, you will encounter various options that allow you to refine the aesthetics of Safari. One of the primary features housed within this tab is the ability to modify the browser's appearance, including the color theme. By delving into the settings available in the General tab, you can infuse your browsing environment with a new color palette that resonates with your personal style and preferences.

In addition to color customization, the General tab also presents options to configure the browser's homepage, set the default search engine, and manage the behavior of new windows and tabs. This comprehensive array of settings empowers you to craft a browsing environment that aligns with your unique preferences, ensuring that your Safari experience is tailored to suit your individual needs.

By selecting the General tab in Safari's Preferences window, you are poised to embark on a journey of personalization and visual enhancement. The options presented within this tab provide a gateway to a world of customization, enabling you to curate a browsing environment that reflects your personality and aesthetic sensibilities. With the General tab at your fingertips, you are ready to explore the next phase of the color customization process, where you will have the opportunity to select a new color theme that resonates with your unique style.

Step 3: Choose a New Color Theme

After navigating to the General tab in Safari's Preferences window, you are now ready to embark on the exciting process of selecting a new color theme for your browser. Within the General tab, you will find the option to modify the appearance of Safari, including the color scheme. By choosing a new color theme, you can infuse your browsing environment with a fresh and personalized aesthetic that resonates with your individual style.

To begin the process of selecting a new color theme, look for the "Appearance" section within the General tab. Here, you will find a dropdown menu labeled "Default web browser ." Clicking on this dropdown menu will reveal a selection of color themes, each offering a distinct visual palette for your Safari browser. These color themes are designed to cater to a variety of preferences, ranging from vibrant and energetic hues to more subdued and calming tones.

As you explore the available color themes, take a moment to consider the ambiance and visual impact that each option conveys. Whether you are drawn to bold and striking colors that exude dynamism or prefer a more tranquil and soothing color palette, Safari's selection of color themes provides a diverse array of options to suit your personal taste.

Once you have identified a color theme that resonates with your preferences, simply click on the corresponding option in the dropdown menu to apply it to your Safari browser. Instantly, you will witness the transformation of your browsing environment as the new color theme takes effect, imbuing Safari with a fresh and personalized visual identity.

By choosing a new color theme for Safari, you have the power to curate a browsing experience that aligns with your unique style and aesthetic sensibilities. Whether you opt for a vibrant and lively color scheme to invigorate your browsing sessions or a more subdued and harmonious palette to create a calming ambiance, the ability to select a new color theme empowers you to personalize your digital space with ease.

With the new color theme now adorning your Safari browser, you have successfully taken a significant step towards transforming the visual aesthetics of your browsing environment. The chosen color theme serves as a reflection of your individuality, infusing your browsing sessions with a touch of personal flair and visual distinction. As you revel in the newly customized appearance of Safari, you are poised to explore the next phase of the color customization process, where you will have the opportunity to further refine the visual aesthetics by customizing the accent color.

Step 4: Customize the Accent Color

Having selected a new color theme for your Safari browser, you now have the opportunity to further refine the visual aesthetics by customizing the accent color. This additional layer of customization allows you to fine-tune the details of your browsing environment, adding a personalized touch that complements the chosen color theme.

To customize the accent color in Safari, navigate to the General tab within the Preferences window. Within the Appearance section, you will find the option to modify the accent color, which is represented by a color swatch or a dropdown menu, depending on the version of Safari you are using.

Upon accessing the accent color settings, you will be presented with a spectrum of color options, ranging from vibrant hues to more muted tones. By exploring this selection, you can identify an accent color that harmonizes with the chosen color theme, enhancing the overall visual coherence of your browsing environment.

As you consider the accent color options, take into account the visual impact and the way in which the accent color complements the primary color theme. Whether you opt for a contrasting accent color to add a dynamic pop to your browsing interface or prefer a complementary shade that seamlessly integrates with the primary color theme, the customization of the accent color allows you to tailor the finer details of your Safari browser to your liking.

Once you have identified the perfect accent color, simply select it from the available options to apply it to your Safari browser. Instantly, you will witness the transformation of the accent elements within the browser, as the new accent color imbues your browsing environment with a heightened sense of visual cohesion and personalization.

By customizing the accent color in Safari, you have added a layer of individuality and refinement to your browsing experience. The carefully chosen accent color serves as a subtle yet impactful detail that elevates the overall visual aesthetics of your Safari browser, creating a cohesive and personalized environment that resonates with your unique style.

With the accent color now seamlessly integrated into your Safari browser, you have successfully fine-tuned the visual details of your browsing environment, culminating in a personalized and visually captivating interface that reflects your individual preferences. As you revel in the harmonious blend of the chosen color theme and accent color, you are ready to embrace the final step in the process of changing the color of Safari on your Mac.

Step 5: Enjoy Your New Safari Color

With the color theme and accent color meticulously customized to align with your personal style and aesthetic preferences, it's time to revel in the transformative impact of your new Safari color. As you navigate through your browsing sessions, you will be greeted by a visually captivating environment that reflects your individuality and enhances your overall digital experience.

The new color theme, infused with vibrant energy or soothing tranquility, sets the stage for an immersive browsing journey that resonates with your unique sensibilities. Every tab, toolbar, and interface element within Safari now bears the hallmark of your chosen color palette, creating a cohesive and visually engaging browsing environment.

As you interact with websites, conduct research, or indulge in leisurely browsing, the harmonious blend of the selected color theme and accent color imbues your browsing interface with a sense of personalization and refinement. The visual coherence achieved through the meticulous customization of Safari's color elements elevates the overall browsing experience, creating a space that feels distinctly yours.

The impact of your new Safari color extends beyond mere aesthetics, influencing the way you engage with digital content and interact with the browser interface. Whether you find inspiration in the vibrant hues that invigorate your browsing sessions or seek solace in the calming tones that create a serene ambiance, the personalized color theme enriches your digital interactions, infusing them with a touch of individuality.

As you navigate through your favorite websites, the visual harmony achieved through the customized color theme and accent color creates a seamless and immersive browsing experience. Every click, scroll, and interaction within Safari is accompanied by a visual backdrop that aligns with your unique style, enhancing the overall enjoyment and personal connection you feel with your browsing environment.

In essence, the process of changing the color of Safari on your Mac transcends mere customization; it is a journey of self-expression and personalization. By infusing your browsing environment with a new color palette that resonates with your individual preferences, you have curated a digital space that reflects your personality and enhances your overall browsing experience.

So, as you embark on your next browsing adventure, take a moment to appreciate the visual transformation that your new Safari color has brought to your digital world. Embrace the personalized browsing environment that reflects your unique style, and revel in the seamless integration of your chosen color theme and accent color as you navigate the digital landscape with a renewed sense of visual delight and personal connection.

How To Change Safari Color On Macbook

How To Change Safari Tabs Back To Normal

What Is Reader View In Safari

How To Change Safari To White Mode

How To Change Background Of Safari

Where Are The Settings In Safari

How To Cast To Chromecast From Macbook

How To Get Dark Mode In Safari

Fintechs and Traditional Banks: Navigating the Future of Financial Services

AI Writing: How It’s Changing the Way We Create Content

How to Find the Best Midjourney Alternative in 2024: A Guide to AI Anime Generators

How to Know When it’s the Right Time to Buy Bitcoin

Unleashing Young Geniuses: How Lingokids Makes Learning a Blast!

How to Sell Counter-Strike 2 Skins Instantly? A Comprehensive Guide

10 Proven Ways For Online Gamers To Avoid Cyber Attacks And Scams

$10 Best AI Math Solvers for Instant Homework Solutions$

Privacy Overview
Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

iPhone: How to set a custom Safari background in iOS 15

One of the notable changes with iOS 15 is a totally redesigned Safari. The all-new browser aims to make it easier to use with one hand and offers more customizability. Follow along for how to set a custom iPhone Safari background in iOS 15.

There are quite a few changes with Safari on iPhone in iOS 15. For an in-depth look at all the changes, check out our guide as well as all the best new extensions for Safari:

Hands-on: Here’s how the all-new Safari in iOS 15 works
Here are the best new Safari extensions to download for iOS 15 and iPadOS 15

As for setting a custom iPhone Safari background, it’s a quick and easy change and you can use any of your own images or the new included background wallpapers from Apple.

How to set a custom iPhone Safari background in iOS 15

Open an empty Safari page (tap the two square icon > tap the + icon in bottom corner)
Swipe to the very bottom and tap Edit
Tap the toggle next to Background Image
Tap the + to use your own image or choose from one of the included background wallpapers

Here’s how the process looks:

You can also reorder the sections of the start page or turn them on/off to further customize your setup.

Michael Potuck's favorite gear

Satechi USB-C Charger (4 ports)

Really useful USB-C + USB-A charger for home/work and travel.

Apple Leather MagSafe Wallet

My slim wallet of choice for iPhone 12

Manage push notifications

Tips & Tricks

Troubleshooting, how to change safari background image in macos.

How to Change Safari Background Image in MacOS Big Sur

Beyond customizing the Safari start page for things like Favorites, Reading List, and Frequently Visited, you can also change the background image used by Safari in modern macOS versions. This allows you to use any picture you want as the default background image in Safari, offering a neat way to customize the Safari web experience on Mac.

To be able to set a custom background image in Safari, you’ll need Safari 14 or newer on a modern macOS release, like macOS Big Sur, macOS Catalina, macOS Mojave, or newer. Beyond that, it’s simply a matter of learning how this works, so read on to learn how to set and change the Safari background image on a Mac.

How to Change Background Image of Safari in MacOS

Here’s how to customize your Safari background picture:

There you go. Now, you’ve learned how to use any picture as the Safari background on your Mac. Pretty easy, right?

Remember, this only impacts the background image of Safari. If you want to change the desktop background picture on the Mac, that’s done differently as detailed here .

Apart from being able to set a custom background, modern Safari versions also have additional customization options. You now have full control over the various sections that show up on the start page like Favorites, Frequently Visited, Reading Lists, etc, and if that interests you then learn more about Safari start page customization for Mac here .

The latest versions of Safari have a variety of handy features that you might want to check out, including checking the Privacy Report for websites , which makes use of DuckDuckGo’s tracker radar list to safeguard your privacy, and the ability to translate webpages from different languages automatically and easily.

Did you set a picture as the background image of Safari on your Mac? What do you think of this feature? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments.

Enjoy this tip? Subscribe to our newsletter!

Get more of our great Apple tips, tricks, and important news delivered to your inbox with the OSXDaily newsletter.

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

How to Turn Off Split Screen in Safari for iPad? Exiting Safari Split Screen in iPadOS
How to Play YouTube Videos in Background on iPhone and iPad
How to Change the Background Color of a Note on iPhone & iPad
How to Change the Safari Download Location on Mac OS

» Comments RSS Feed

This only works on a Safari window / tab set as Start Page, but not Empty Page, etc. Right Click in an Empty Page does nothing, (unless you have the Debugger enabled).

But you can remove all the start page items, using the menu in the lower right, so Start Page function like Empty Page but with a color/image background.

(found on MacOS Mojave w Safari 14.0.3 )

This feature doesn’t work on my 2012 15″ MacBook Pro, any image I select is so badly pixellated it’s unrecognisable. Even a clean install didn’t cure the problem. I hope the next version of Safari fixes the problem!

So the Safari feature works on your Mac, it just doesn’t look well. Perhaps the image is too small of resolution so it is scaling up?

It’s any image, including the pre-installed ones in Safari or the high resolution wallpapers. The image switches, holds for a second or two, then turns into a jagged mess.

Sounds like maybe you’re grabbing a thumbnail and not the full resolution image. Can’t explain the built in ones showing up pixelated though.

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Subscribe to OSXDaily

- How to Uninstall Apps on MacOS Sonoma & Ventura via System Settings
- How to Mute a Call on Apple Watch
- How to Use the Latest GPT 4 & DALL-E 3 Free on iPhone & iPad with Copilot
- 15 Mail Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac
- How to Use Hover Text on Mac to Magnify On-Screen Text
- Apple Event Set for May 7, New iPads Expected
- Beta 2 of iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5, Available for Testing
- Opinion: Shiny Keys on MacBook Air & Pro Are Ugly and Shouldn’t Happen
- MacOS Ventura 13.6.6 & Safari 17.4.1 Update Available
- Using M3 MacBook Air in Clamshell Mode May Reduce Performance

iPhone / iPad

- How to Bulk Image Edit on iPhone & iPad wth Copy & Paste Edits to Photos
- What Does the Bell with Line Through It Mean in Messages? Bell Icon on iPhone, iPad, & Mac Explained
- iOS 16.7.7 & iPadOS 16.7.7 Released for Older iPhone & iPad Models
- Fix a Repeating “Trust This Computer” Alert on iPhone & iPad
- Make a Website Your Mac Wallpaper with Plash
- The Best Way to Clean a MacBook Air Keyboard: Microfiber Cloth & KeyboardCleanTool
- Fix “warning: unable to access /Users/Name/.config/git/attributes Permission Denied” Errors
- How to Fix the Apple Watch Squiggly Charging Cable Screen
- NewsToday2: What it is & How to Disable NewsToday2 on Mac

Shop on Amazon to help support this site

About OSXDaily | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Sitemap

This website is unrelated to Apple Inc

All trademarks and copyrights on this website are property of their respective owners.

5 Ways You Can Customize Safari on iPhone to Give It a New Look

Thanks to iOS 15, Safari is now more customizable than ever. Learn the different ways to personalize the look and feel of Safari on your iPhone.

Safari is usually one of the most used apps on one's device. Luckily for us, recent iOS updates have increasingly allowed us to make multiple edits to Safari's physical appearance.

You can change your background, enable website tinting, change the position of the address bar, and access websites in different layouts. You can easily make all of these changes in your iPhone's Settings app.

Here, we'll look at some of the different ways you can give Safari a whole new look on your iPhone.

1. Change Your Background for Safari's Start Page

You can use any image from the stock Photos app to change your Safari background. Some pre-set wallpapers are also available for you to choose from. Follow these steps to customize your Safari's background :

Open a new Safari tab by pressing the Tabs button. Then, tap on the plus ( + ) icon.
Swipe to the bottom of your new tab and tap on Edit .
You will see the Background Image toggle at the very bottom. Enable it.
Choose from any of the options present on your screen. Tap on the plus ( + ) icon to open your gallery and select a photo from any album. You can also use a Live Photo, but keep in mind that it will remain a still background in Safari.

The Edit button lets you customize your Safari start page in several ways. Besides changing the background, you can use the toggles to choose what sections appear on your start page.

2. Shift the Position of the Address Bar

Apple's iOS 15 software update brought the address bar to the bottom of the screen by default as a part of the Safari revamp. However, if you want to switch back and put it at the top, you can do so in your iPhone's settings. Here's what you need to do:

Open Settings and go to Safari .
Scroll down to the section labeled Tabs . You will see multiple tab options here, including Tab Bar and Single Tab . As the icons depict, opt for Tab Bar to keep the address bar at the bottom of your screen or select Single Tab to shift it to the top.

3. Enable or Disable Website Tinting

Website Tinting is a feature that allows the layout of your Safari page (the address bar) to change according to the website you have open. If the website's theme is black, your address bar will also turn black to match the layout when Website Tinting is enabled in Settings.

To turn website tinting on or off in Safari , follow these steps:

Scroll down to the section labeled Tabs , and turn the toggle on or off for Website Tinting .

If you haven't updated to iOS 15 yet, you can still find a similar feature in the Settings app under Accessibility with the name Show Color in Tab Bar .

4. Switch On Reader View and Make Edits to Text

Reader View tends to rework your webpage into a perfectly organized, ad-free layout to help you focus better on reading the content. The feature also allows you to do multiple things , like editing a webpage, changing font style, font size, and color. Here's how to switch on Reader's view in Safari:

After you open the webpage you'd like to read on Safari, tap on the Reader View icon in the corner of the address bar. The icon has an upper case and lower case alphabet paired together.
From the dropdown menu, select Show Reader View . Your webpage will appear ad-free and organized automatically. If the option is grayed out, Reader View is unavailable for that particular website.

If you want to make Reader View your default browsing method for a particular website, you won't have to repeat the above steps every time you open it. Follow these steps to make Reader View your go-to method for a particular URL:

Tap on the Reader View icon.
Choose Website Settings from the dropdown menu.
Turn on the toggle for Use Reader Automatically and press Done . The web page will now automatically switch to Reader View every time you open it.

To change the font style, size, and color once you're in Reader View, here's what you need to do:

Enable Reader View by tapping on it and selecting Show Reader View . Once turned on, tap on the Reader View icon again.
A new pop-up will appear, displaying multiple options for font color and style. To change font size, tap on the upper case alphabet repeatedly to increase and lower case to decrease as much as you like.

5. Switch to Desktop Website

Today, most websites offer a mobile version and desktop version to support various devices people use. This increases efficiency and makes the browsing experience more convenient for the user. Both versions usually tend to differ in layout and functionality.

If you prefer to use the desktop version of a website on your mobile device, you can request to do so in Safari. Follow these simple instructions:

Tap on the Reader View icon in the address bar
From the context menu that pops up, tap on Request Desktop Website . The webpage will reload automatically to show the desktop version of the site.

If you want to make the desktop version of a website the default option on Safari, you can do so with these steps:

Open the website you want to change the feature for, tap on the Reader View icon, and a pop-up will appear. Tap on Website Settings .
Now, simply turn on the toggle for Request Desktop Website .

That's it. From now on, every time you visit this particular website, it will automatically load the desktop version of the site.

Give Your Safari a Whole New Look With These Tricks

The iOS 15 software update brought a ton of new features that let you change the physical appearance of your Safari to give you a more personalized browsing experience. From colors and fonts to backgrounds and layouts, you can apply a wide range of edits. So, update your iPhone to ensure all these features are available to use.

If you want to make functional improvements to your Safari besides these physical characteristics, extensions and shortcuts are the perfect way to go.

How to turn on Safari dark mode on a Mac

How to turn on safari dark mode on an iphone or ipad, how to turn on safari's dark mode on any apple device to save battery life and reduce eye strain.

You can enable dark mode for Safari on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad, which can help ease eye strain and extend your device's battery life.
Turn on dark mode for your Mac in System Preferences in the General section.
For an iPhone or iPad, enable dark mode in the Settings app by going to the Display & Brightness section.

In recent years, developers have been making it easier to enable dark mode for all your most common apps. That's good, because many people prefer dark mode because the palette is often easier on the eyes — especially at night — and it can even help extend your device's battery life by not illuminating the screen as brightly. Here's how you can turn on dark mode for the Safari browser on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad.

Safari automatically uses dark mode if you enable it in your Mac's System Preferences.

1. Click the Apple menu and then choose System Preferences…

2. Click General .

3. In the Appearance section, click Dark or Auto .

If you choose Dark , Safari and all other compatible apps will switch to a dark color palette right away and stay that way until you change this setting. Auto , on the other hand, sets the palette to dark at night and switches it to light during the day.

Just like on the Mac, Safari on your iOS device uses dark mode if you enable the feature in your iPhone or iPad's settings.

1. Start the Settings app.

2. Tap Display & Brightness .

3. In the Appearance section, tap Dark .

If you want Safari (and the rest of your device) to use dark mode automatically at night but switch to a light palette during the day, turn on Automatic by swiping the button to the right.

Main content

Safari 15: New UI, Theme Colors, and… a CSS-Tricks Cameo!

There’s a 33-minute video (and resources) over on apple.com covering the upcoming Safari changes we saw in the WWDC keynote this year in much more detail. Look who’s got a little cameo in there:

Perhaps the most noticeable thing there in Safari 15 on iOS is URL bar at the bottom ! Dave was speculating in our little Discord watch party that this probably fixes the weird issues with 100vh stuff on iOS. But I really just don’t know, we’ll have to see when it comes out and we can play with it. I’d guess the expectation is that, in order for us to do our own fixed-bottom-UI stuff, we’d be doing:

On desktop, the most noticeable visual feature is probably the theme-color meta tags.

This isn’t even a brand new Apple-only thing. This is the same <meta> tag that Chrome’s Android app has used since 2014 , so you might already be sporting it on your own site. The addition is that it supports media queries.

It’s great to see Safari get aspect-ratio and the new fancy color systems like lab() and lch() as well. Top-level await in JavaScript is great as it makes patterns like conditional imports easier.

I don’t think all this would satisfy Alex . We didn’t exactly get alternative browser engines on iOS or significant PWA enhancements (both of which would be really great to see). But I applaud it all—it’s good stuff. While I do think Google generally takes privacy more seriously than what general internet chatter would have to believe, it’s notable to compare each company’s newly-released features. If you’ll forgive a bit of cherry-picking, Google is working on FLoC , a technology very specifically designed to help targeted advertising. Apple is working on Private Relay , a technology very specifically to making web browsing untrackable.

I’ve been using the iOS 15 beta for a few days, and I’ve liked how Safari handles the viewport height for the most part. While the URL bar is in its normal state, the viewport extends to the bottom of the screen (and going past the safe area on devices with a notch). The viewport shrinks down to right above the URL bar when it becomes hidden.

This video might explain it better than I can.

Last Christmas, my wife got me a new Android phone with 6” display. On it, Android 11 featured Chrome serach bar at the bottom. Firefox for Android also has search bar at the bottom by default (although this can be changed).

I suspect it has something to do with larger screen sizes and top part of the screen not being as acessible on handheld devices (espacially when using single-hand).

If I were to do design prediction, I would say we should see even more movement from headers toward rich footers in the future.

Yeh, I feel another pattern Apple are using is the card from the bottom, which improves the thumb reach area.

The URL bar at the bottom really bugs me. It seems that Apple believes that Safari is the primary app in itself, not a gateway to other experiences on the web.

I see no reason to have the most accessible part of the screen reserved for interacting with the URL bar instead of it being available to websites, to make them easier to use.

Though the notch on their latest models already killed more than 44 CSS pixels of the bottom for interactive use, the new URL bar now demands twice that and does it always, not just until the user has scrolled down the page.

Am I the only one who thinks this actually makes the 100vh issues way more complicated? Ugh.

This is a big change too:

Y’all see the new default html form controls in Safari???!? Woah 🤯 pic.twitter.com/PI6Wm4hhfh — Kevin Gutowski (@kevgski) June 12, 2021

This url bar on mobile is absolutely bad. What this means? You have to fix all old project for one browser! Stupid

There are quite a few bugs. For example, interfaces where you have fixed cards or absolute cards will cause the env() of the tab bar to inexplicably double. -> https://codepen.io/paul3fa/pen/gOmBxxY try this on your phone in debug mode, ios15

Has there been more research on how to handle the new address bar?

I just had to fix this in one of my current project. It seems that using bottom: env(safe-area-inset-bottom) worked out of the box for me, without the need for calc .

How do I get it to apply on Bottom address bar on Safari 15?

It should be default! But if not, 9to5Mac breaks down the steps which you can do with the Safari app open:

In the address/search bar, tap the “aA” icon on the left (when on a website)
Tap “Show Bottom Tab Bar”

Alternatively, you can also change the iOS 15 address/search bar by heading to the Settings app > Safari > swipe down and choose “Tab Bar.”

Hope this helps!

how can i disable the divider/border between the adressebar and the website? The divider/border appears only on iOS Safari. A few websites e.g. t3n.de does`t have it.

Best, Florian

Safari 15 still has issues with 3d transform e.g: transform: rotate3d(1, 0, 0, -60deg); Or -webkit-transform: rotate3d(1, 0, 0, -60deg)

it just not renders while any other browser can.

Also still issues with html5 video tags. Somehow IOS restrictions are applied for desktop too :”HTTP servers hosting media files for iOS must support byte-range requests”

Safari is becoming the IE of browsers …

How to Change a Safari Browser Theme

Safari is the default web browser for the Mac operating system. As with most Mac applications, Safari does not include support for themes and the user interface can only be changed when making systemwide theme changes. However, that does not mean you cannot change the look and feel of Safari. Thanks to a few Safari extensions, the standard Safari browser theme can be changed to any number of pre-designated themes.

Things You'll Need

Video of the Day

Safari web browser
SafariStand
SafariMasks

Changing the Safari Browser Theme with SafariStand

Download and install the free software SafariStand (see Resources).

Select "Stand" and "SafariStand Settings."

Select "General" from the sidebar menu.

Select your preferred theme from the "Theme" drop-down menu.

Changing the Safari Browser Theme with SafariMasks

Download and install the free software SafariMasks (see Resources).

SafariMasks will launch automatically after installation is complete.

Click "Install."

Change your theme by launching SafariMasks from the Applications folder. Repeat steps 3 and 4.

Report an Issue

Screenshot loading...

PC & Mobile

How To Enable Dark Mode on Safari

Evan Gower With over a decade of experience in digital publishing. Evan leads our team with a keen eye for emerging tech trends. Read more September 15, 2022

Device Links

Device Missing?

If you spend a lot of time on your iPhone or Mac computer reading articles on the web, chances are that your eyes will hurt after sitting in front of the screen for several hours. Bright light and small font lead to eye strain, headaches, and decreased focus.

Windows users have had the Dark Mode for a long time, and now it’s finally available for Safari users on iOS devices. You can get an extension for your Safari browser and read articles all night. Read on and learn how to activate Dark Mode on your iOS device.

Safari’s Native Dark Mode Function

Safari (even older versions) already has a built-in dark mode feature. This function won’t work for every website because it’s meant to help ease the strain on your eyes while reading.

Users who are running a newer version of macOS can follow these steps:

If you don’t have the option to use Dark Mode, you can use ‘Reader View’ within Safari. Here’s how you can use the Reader View to darken your screen:

If you don’t see the Reader tab, you can find it by clicking View and selecting Show Reader .

Of course, this won’t work for every web page. It will work for any blogs or articles you’re trying to read, so we have a few more options listed below.

Night Eye for Safari

This extension is another download available in the App Store for Safari’s lack of dark mode options.

Although this app is free to download, it will cost you $39.99 per year to use it. The free option, ‘NightEye Lite,’ will limit you to five websites. This is perfect for someone looking to activate only a handful of pages. The extension offers full image support and the ability to use the features on multiple platforms.

Download Night Eye for Safari

Visit your Mac’s App Store and download the extension.

Activate the Extension

Tap on the Night Eye extension and choose the dark mode option. If there’s a website, you’d like to view without dark mode, simply tap the extension again and choose “Normal.”

With great reviews and the 24/7 support team, this is definitely an add-on worth looking into.

Nightlight for Safari

Another great option available for Safari is the Nightlight browser extension . The extension is free and available for those using macOS 10.13 or later. This is an Excellent, lightweight addition to your browser.

With the optional timer settings, you can enjoy dark mode on Safari without ever having to toggle it on and off. The nightlight will automatically shift the color patterns when at night, then back again during the day.

Using Dark Mode in Safari on iPad and iPhone

On the iPad and iPhone, Safari comes with a built-in reader mode designed to ease the pressure on your eyes during night reading. Here is how to activate it.

Repeat the process for every website you want to read in dark mode.

Dark Mode on macOS Mojave & Catalina

Most Mac users had to wait for the macOS Mojave update to be able to activate the dark mode on their computers. Previous versions had to use shortcuts, and you had to make exceptions for every site you wanted to view in dark mode. So, if you have Mojave installed on your Mac, follow these steps to set the dark mode up.

Select “Dark” in the “Appearance” options, and all websites on your Safari will switch to a black background.

Dark Mode and Other Apps

You can use the Dark Mode for other apps, not just your Safari browser. If dark mode is enabled, some apps will automatically have it activated. Here is a short how-to on toggling it on and off for the most popular apps on iOS.

Maps – If you want to use a dark background for maps with the Dark Mode activated, open the app and select “View,” and then select “Use Dark Map.”

Mail – If you want to use light mode when reading your emails, open your Mail and select “Mail,” then “Preferences.” Click on the “Viewing” tab and uncheck “Use dark backgrounds for messages.”

Notes – Your Notes will open with a black background if the Dark Mode is activated. You can disable it by selecting “Preferences” and then deselecting “Use dark backgrounds for note content.”

TextEdit – You can switch to the Dark Mode when working in TextEdit by selecting “View,” then “Use Dark Background for Windows.”

Safari – With the Dark Mode turned on; all websites will show as dark when you load them. If some website doesn’t support Dark Mode, you can use Safari Reader.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to more of your questions about Apple Dark Mode.

Can I use Dark Mode with Chrome on a Mac?

Yes, but unfortunately, it isn’t an option provided natively. This means you’ll need to use a Chrome browser extension like the ones we’ve mentioned above. If you follow the steps above to activate Dark Mode on your Mac, it will have no effect on third-party apps and browsers such as Firefox or Chrome.

Can I enable Dark Mode with Mozilla Firefox on my Mac?

Fortunately, yes! Firefox makes many things simpler than other web browsers, and Dark Mode is one of them. Enabling Dark Mode on Firefox is the same on a Mac or a PC. All you need to do is click on the three horizontal lines in the upper right-hand corner of the browser. Then, click ‘Add Ons.’ From here, you’ll see a Themes option on the left; click it, then click on one of the options in the list that gives you Dark Mode.

There are several different color variations, so choose one that you like. Now, the Firefox system will show in Dark Mode, but not all of your websites will, so you may need to enable Night Eye for Mozilla or another add-on.

Ease the Strain on Your Eyes

Reading texts all night long can cause migraines, sore eyes, and unpleasant muscle strain; switching to Dark Mode is a great option. Your eyes will be grateful, and you will be able to focus for longer periods. Who doesn’t want to increase productivity while keeping themselves healthy?

Disclaimer: Some pages on this site may include an affiliate link. This does not effect our editorial in any way.

Parth Shah February 29, 2024

Lee Stanton February 23, 2024

Lee Stanton February 19, 2024

Send To Someone

Missing device.

Please enable JavaScript to submit this form.

Safari 15 Theme Color

Safari 15 adds a theme color for the tab bar. Safari can automatically pick a color based on the content or you can manually set the color with a meta tag.

Safari 15 Tab Bar Color

The Safari team at Apple have long been following a design trend of reducing the emphasis on the browser chrome to “defer to the content” . In Safari 15 that includes a more compact browser tab layout and having the tab bar take its color from the content.

By default, Safari attempts to set the color of the tab bar based on the page background or color of any header. For my site this seems to work on the iPhone and the iPad giving me a blue tinted tab and status bar that matches the page header.

On the desktop I see the unchanged white tab bar unless I manually set the theme color.

Setting The Theme Color

You can manually set the tab bar color if you don’t like the choice Safari is making. Add a meta tag in the HTML head with the name “theme-color” and the color you want to use in the content:

If you want a different color for light and dark color schemes use media queries:

Safari ignores colors that would hide the red, yellow and green window control buttons:

How Do I Turn It Off?

If you don’t like the tab bar tinting you can turn it off in the Safari preferences. On the desktop and the iPad it’s called “Show color in tab bar”:

On the iPhone, it’s called “Allow Website Tinting”:

I’m undecided if I like the effect. So far I’ve disabled it on the desktop but left it enabled on the iPad and iPhone.

Design for Safari 15

Never Miss A Post

Unsubscribe at any time. See privacy policy .

macOS User Guide

What’s in the menu bar?
Work on the desktop
Search with Spotlight
Quickly change settings
Get notifications
Open apps from the Dock
Organize your files in the Finder
Connect to the internet
Browse the web
Preview a file
Take a screenshot
Change your display’s brightness
Adjust the volume
Use trackpad and mouse gestures
Use Touch ID
Print documents
Keyboard shortcuts
Apps on your Mac
Work with app windows
Use apps in full screen
Use apps in Split View
Use Stage Manager
Get apps from the App Store
Install and reinstall apps from the App Store
Install and uninstall other apps
Create and work with documents
Open documents
Mark up files
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
View Apple family subscriptions
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

Use a light or dark appearance on your Mac

You can use a light or dark appearance for the menu bar , Dock, windows, and built-in apps on your Mac, or automatically adjust the appearance from light to dark during the day.

From left to right, samples of the Light, Dark, and Auto options shown in Appearance settings.

Open Appearance settings for me

Select Light, Dark, or Auto on the right.

Light is a light appearance that doesn’t change.

Dark is a dark appearance that doesn’t change. Dark Mode darkens the color scheme so the content you’re working on stands out, while windows and controls seem to recede into the background. It’s effective for viewing documents, presentations, photos, movies, webpages, and more.

Auto switches the appearance from light to dark based on the Night Shift schedule you set. See Change Night Shift settings .

Auto won’t switch the appearance until your Mac has been idle for at least a minute, or if an app is preventing the display from sleeping, such as during media playback.

In Appearance settings, you can also choose an accent color for buttons, pop-up menus, and other UI controls, and a highlight color to use for highlighting selected text.

Some dynamic wallpaper pictures may provide still images so the wallpaper doesn’t distract from the light or dark appearance. For example, if you chose the dark appearance during macOS setup, the wallpaper is set to a dark still image. You can change this picture. See Wallpaper settings .

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

Change the color in Safari toolbar (macOS Big Sur)

I would like to know how to change the color of the bookmarks bar and toolbar in Safari toolbar.

I would like to change the gray color of the toolbars, the coloring of the favorites, the text. I am not referring to the background colors of the home page, nor to the change in light or dark that can be made from the system preferences. I'm referring to the toolbars, text and colors.

iMac 27″, macOS 11.0

Posted on Nov 18, 2020 3:22 AM

Posted on Dec 16, 2020 12:00 AM

While Apple has never allowed visual customisation, they should as the comment above encourages users to use non-Apple software...

safari theme change

IMAGES

VIDEO

COMMENTS

2 Easy Ways to Customize the Safari Homepage Background

Using iPhone or iPad

Things You Should Know

Expert Q&A

About This Article

Is this article up to date?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

Customize Safari on Mac with this Ultimate Guide

1. Pin Tabs

2. Mute Tabs

3. Rearrange Tabs

4. Customize Safari Toolbar

5. Change Your Search Engine

6. Save Pages as PDFs

7. Handoff Continuity

8. Reading List

9. Safari Reader

10. Set Custom Safari Icon

11. Customize Safari Theme

Change to Dark Mode

Change Safari’s Background Image

12. Customize Safari Homepage

13. Create Custom Bookmark Folders

14. Customize Safari Location

Frequently Asked Questions

2. Can I change my Mac’s default browser?

3. Why won’t my Safari icon change on my Mac?

Wrapping Up

How to set custom background in Safari on Mac

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Related Articles

How-To Geek

How To Change Color Of Safari On Mac

Introduction

Step 1: Open Safari Preferences

Step 2: Select the General Tab

Step 3: Choose a New Color Theme

Step 4: Customize the Accent Color

Step 5: Enjoy Your New Safari Color

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Related Post

How To Change Safari Color On Macbook

How To Change Safari Tabs Back To Normal

What Is Reader View In Safari

How To Change Safari To White Mode

How To Change Background Of Safari

Where Are The Settings In Safari

How To Cast To Chromecast From Macbook

How To Get Dark Mode In Safari

Fintechs and Traditional Banks: Navigating the Future of Financial Services

AI Writing: How It’s Changing the Way We Create Content

How to Know When it’s the Right Time to Buy Bitcoin

How to Sell Counter-Strike 2 Skins Instantly? A Comprehensive Guide

10 Proven Ways For Online Gamers To Avoid Cyber Attacks And Scams

iPhone: How to set a custom Safari background in iOS 15

How to set a custom iPhone Safari background in iOS 15

More on Safari in iOS 15

Michael Potuck's favorite gear

Satechi USB-C Charger (4 ports)

Apple Leather MagSafe Wallet

Tips & Tricks

How to Change Background Image of Safari in MacOS

Enjoy this tip? Subscribe to our newsletter!

Related articles:

Leave a Reply

Subscribe to OSXDaily

iPhone / iPad

5 Ways You Can Customize Safari on iPhone to Give It a New Look

1. Change Your Background for Safari's Start Page

2. Shift the Position of the Address Bar

3. Enable or Disable Website Tinting

4. Switch On Reader View and Make Edits to Text

5. Switch to Desktop Website

Give Your Safari a Whole New Look With These Tricks

How to turn on Safari dark mode on a Mac

Safari 15: New UI, Theme Colors, and… a CSS-Tricks Cameo!

How to Change a Safari Browser Theme

Things You'll Need