Note: Safari’s pinned tabs feature is available on Apple devices running iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 or later.

How to Pin Safari Tabs on iPhone and iPad

The process for pinning tabs in Safari is the same on both iPhone and iPad. You can pin more than one tab and pin those inside Safari Tab Groups as well.

1. Open the Safari app and select the Tabs icon (square on square) which is in the bottom right corner on iPhone and top right corner on iPad.
2. When you see your grid of open tabs, long-press (tap and hold) the tab you want to pin.

3. Select Pin Tab in the shortcut menu.

You’ll then see your pinned tab condensed and at the top of the tab browser. To open it, simply tap.

As mentioned, you can pin multiple tabs which also allows you to rearrange them at the top of the screen. To move a pinned tab, tap, hold, and drag it where you’d like it. Just keep in mind that it stays at the top of the tab browser with your other pinned tabs.

If you pin a tab within a Safari Tab Group, that pinned tab pops to the top of the tab browser for that group only.

How to Unpin Safari Tabs on iPhone and iPad

Pinning a tab in Safari isn’t permanent. This allows you to pin certain tabs for a few hours or just for the day and then unpin them when you’re through.

Open Safari, select the Tabs icon, and long-press the tab you want to unpin. Then, choose Unpin Tab in the pop-up menu.

The site will return to an open tab in your browser for you to open or close as needed.

Pin or Bookmark?

If you have favorite websites you visit regularly, bookmarking them is the ideal way to easily open them when you want them. However, if you just need quick access to a site you plan to visit again and again for a short time, pinning is the way to go.

For similar tutorials, look at how to save web pages to your Home screen on iPhone and iPad.

What exactly is website tinting? How do you turn it on or off? We’ll answer these questions so that you can decide if you want to use website tinting in Safari on your Apple device.

What Is Safari Website Tinting?

With the releases of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey, Apple introduced the website tinting feature for the Safari browser. When you enable this feature and visit a site in Safari, you’ll see the web page’s color scheme at the top of your screen or window, depending on your device.

On the iPhone, you can see the status bar at the top that contains your Wi-Fi, and the battery indicator changes to match the Safari website. The screenshots below show website tinting enabled on the left and disabled on the right for the same site.

Note: If you use the Single Tab layout on iPhone, you won’t notice the change in the top bar until you scroll down the webpage, as shown below.

On iPad and Mac, the feature works similarly but is limited to the Compact tab layout. For example, in the iPad screenshots below, you’ll see website tinting turned on in the first image and off in the second.

On Mac, you can also see the website tinting in the first image below and what the same website looks like with the tinting disabled in the second image.

Website tinting aims to enhance your browsing experience when using Safari. Not only will you see matching colors and tones in the status bar on iPhone, but your Safari toolbar, navigation buttons, and address bar match the theme as well on iPad and Mac.

You may not just find this an attractive feature but a useful one. For example, it’s easy to spot which tab you’re using on iPad and Mac when you have many tabs open.

Because this type of experience may not be for everyone, Apple has made it optional. So, you can turn it on or off on your device. This lets you use it on the iPhone but not on the Mac, for example.

How to Turn Website Tinting On and Off on iPhone

To control website tinting in Safari on iPhone, follow these simple steps.

1. Open the Settings app and select Safari.
2. Move to the Tabs section.
3. Use the toggle for Allow Website Tinting to turn it on (green) or off (gray).

You’ll see the change immediately when you head back to Safari. You don’t have to close and reopen the app.

How to Turn Website Tinting On and Off on iPad

To control website tinting in Safari on iPad, follow these steps instead.

1. Open the Settings app and select Safari.
2. Move to the Accessibility section.
3. Use the toggle for Show Color in Compact Tab Bar to turn it on (green) or off (gray).

4. If you enable website tinting, select Compact Tab Bar in the Tabs section on the same screen. Remember, the feature only works with that tab layout.

When you switch back to Safari, you’ll see the change immediately.

How to Turn Website Tinting On and Off on Mac

As you have probably guessed, you can enable or disable website tinting easily in Safari on Mac too.

1. Open Safari and select Safari > Settings in the menu bar.
2. Go to the Advanced tab.
3. In the Accessibility section, check the box for Show color in compact tab bar.

4. Like the iPad, ensure you use the Compact layout to see the website tinting. Go to the Tabs tab and select Compact next to Tab Layout.

Note: When this feature first arrived on macOS Monterey, you could go to Safari > Preferences, open the Tabs tab, and check the box for Show color in tab bar. It has since been moved to the above location.

Will You Tint Your Websites in Safari?

Website tinting in Safari is one of those small features that can make a big difference. Whether you enjoy it and have it enabled on all your Apple devices or find it distracting and have turned it off, it’s simply a matter of preference. Let us know what you think about the website tinting feature.

For more, look at additional ways to customize Safari on Mac.

You can add websites to your favorites in Safari on both your Mac and your iPhone using the steps below.

How to Add Websites to Your Favorites in Safari on a Mac

There are a few different methods you can use to add websites to your favorites list in Safari on a Mac. These methods include using the share button on the toolbar, the one-stop add button on the address bar, and by dragging the URL into your favorites manually.

Using the Share Button

One way to add a website to your favorites in Safari on a Mac is to use the share button. Here’s how:

1. Open Safari and visit the website that you want to add to your favorites list.
2. Press the Share button in the toolbar.
3. Click Add Bookmark in the share menu.

4. Select Favorites from the Add this page to: drop-down menu.
5. Click Add to add the website to your favorites.

Using the Add to Favorites Button

You can also use the Add to Favorites button on the address bar to add to your Safari favorites list. To do this:

1. Open Safari and open the website that you want to add to your favorites.
2. Move your cursor over the left side of the address bar until you see the plus (+) sign.

3. Click and hold the plus (+) sign and then select Favorites from the drop-down list.

Dragging the URL to Favorites

Finally, you can quickly add a website to your favorites list in Safari on your Mac by dragging the URL into your favorites list manually. Here’s how:

1. Open Safari and visit the website that you want to add.
2. Next, press the Show Sidebar icon in the top-left.

3. Press Bookmarks > Favorites.

4. Place your mouse pointer on the website URL in the address bar and drag it to the favorites section in the sidebar.

How to Add Websites to Your Favorites in Safari on an iPhone

You can quickly add a website to your favorites list using the Safari browser on your iPhone.

1. To do this, open Safari and visit the website that you want to add to your favorites.
2. Tap the Share icon at the bottom.

3. Next, tap Add to Favorites in the share menu.

4. Change the name of the website (if you want to) or update the URL, then tap Save to confirm.

You’ve now successfully added the website to your favorites list. If you’re using the same Apple account as your Mac, the favorites you add here will sync across (and vice versa), as long as this setting is enabled in your iCloud settings first.

How to Manage and Edit Your Favorites in Safari on an Mac

Once you’ve added some websites to your favorites in Safari, you might want to manage and edit them. You can remove, edit, or rearrange your favorites list to suit your (updated) preferences.

To manage and edit your favorites in Safari on a Mac, follow these steps.

1. Open Safari and press Bookmarks > Show Bookmarks. Alternatively, press Command + Option + B on your keyboard.

2. Next, go to the Favorites folder in the sidebar.
3. To delete a favorite, right-click the favorite and then press Delete.
4. To rename a favorite, right-click it and then click Rename.

5. To reorder a favorite, drag it up or down in the sidebar using your mouse.

6. You can also move a favorite into a folder by dragging it onto an existing folder in the side menu.

How to Manage and Edit Your Favorites in Safari on an iPhone

You can also delete, rename, reorder, or move your Safari favorites from your iPhone. If you’re syncing your browser favorites using iCloud, any changes you make here will also be reflected on other devices.

To manage and edit your favorites in Safari on an iPhone, follow these steps.

1. Open Safari and tap the Bookmarks icon at the bottom of the screen.

2. Go to the Favorites folder and tap Edit at the bottom.

3. To delete a favorite, tap the red minus icon next to it.

4. To rename a favorite, tap it, change its name, and tap Done to confirm.

5. To reorder a favorite, press and hold onto it, and then drag it up or down to its new position before letting go.
6. Tap Done to save your changes.

Using Safari to Browse the Web

Favorites are a great way to save time and access your favorite websites quickly in Safari on both your Mac and your iPhone. You can easily add, manage, and edit your favorites using the steps we’ve outlined above.

If you use Safari often, you should make sure that you check that your browser is up to date to receive the latest security updates and bug fixes. If you decide to switch from (or to) Safari, you can always transfer your favorites list to your new browser.

Is Safari running slow on your Mac? Don’t forget to try some easy troubleshooting fixes.

In this troubleshooting tutorial, we’ll share some of the most common reasons you can’t clear Safari’s browsing data and history and how to fix the problem.

How to Clear Browsing Data in Safari

If you’re new to your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or Mac and don’t know how to clear your Safari search history, the following instructions should help you familiarize yourself with the process. If not, skip ahead to the fixes below.

Clear Safari Browser History on iPhone & iPad

You can completely clear your Safari browsing history and data via the Settings app on your iOS device. To do that:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Safari.
3. Tap Clear History and Website Data, then select Clear History and Data on the confirmation pop-up.

Alternatively, you can only clear your browsing data from a specific period. Here’s how:

1. Open the Safari app and select the Bookmarks icon at the bottom of the screen.
2. Switch to the History tab.
3. Tap Clear and pick a time duration—The last hour, Today, Today and yesterday, or All time.

Clear Safari Browser History on Mac

On a Mac, you can clear the Safari history via its menu bar.

1. Open Safari, and then select Safari > Clear History on the menu bar.

2. Open the menu next to clear and pick a time duration—The last hour, Today, Today and yesterday, or All time.

3. Select Clear History.

Learn other ways to clear the Safari history and website data on the iPhone and Mac.

1. Turn Off Screen Time Restrictions

Screen Time is a feature on iOS and macOS that allows you to monitor and control your device usage habits. It also features content restrictions that can stop you from clearing the browser’s history.

If Safari’s history clearing options appear grayed out, it’s likely because of Screen Time. Hence, you must begin by making sure that Screen Time isn’t preventing you from clearing your Safari history and web page data.

Disable Screen Time Restrictions on iPhone & iPad

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap Screen Time.
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
3. Select Content Restrictions.

4. Enter your Screen Time passcode if your iPhone or iPad asks you for one.
5. Select Web Content.
6. Choose the Unrestricted option.

Disable Screen Time Restrictions on Mac

1. Open the Apple menu and select System Settings/System Preferences.

2. Select Screen Time and pick the Content & Privacy category.

3. Select Content Restrictions.

4. Enter the Screen Time passcode if your Mac asks you for one. Then, open the pull-down menu next to Access to Web Content and choose Unrestricted Access.

5. Select Done.

Can’t remember your Screen Time passcode? Learn how to reset the Screen Time passcode on iPhone and Mac.

2. Restart Your Device

If Screen Time is not the issue, try restarting your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. That helps clear any temporary problems or glitches with the system software interfering with Safari’s ability to empty its history.

Restart Your iPhone or iPad

1. Open the Settings app and select General.
2. Scroll down and tap the option labeled Shutdown.
3. Drag the Power icon to the right.
4. Wait 30 seconds after the screen darkens.
5. Hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

Restart Your Mac

1. Open the Apple menu and select Restart.

2. Uncheck the box next to Reopen windows when logging back in.

3. Select Restart to confirm.

3. Disable iCloud Syncing for Safari

By default, Safari syncs your browsing history and reading list between Apple devices with the same Apple ID. Although clearing the browser data causes your action to sync across devices, that may not sometimes happen, causing data from other devices to sync back.

Stop Safari from syncing its data over iCloud and check if that makes a difference.

Disable iCloud Syncing for Safari on iPhone & iPad

1. Open the Settings app and tap your Apple ID
2. Select iCloud.

3. Choose Show All and turn off the switch next to Safari.

Disable iCloud Syncing for Safari on Mac

1. Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings/System Preferences.

2. Select iCloud.

3. Turn off the switch next to Safari.

4. Update Your Device

Updating your iPhone or Mac can help resolve Safari history-clearing issues by fixing bugs or glitches that may have been causing the problem.

For example, early iterations of major iOS and macOS releases—like iOS 16.0 and macOS Ventura 13.0 —often have severe problems that affect how native apps function. Only installing newer updates can fix the problem.

Update Your iPhone & iPad

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to General > Software Update.
3. Select Download and Install next to pending updates.

Update Your Mac

1. Open the Apple menu and select System Settings.

2. Go to General > Software Update.

3. Select Update Now on the window’s top right if new updates are available.

5. Reset Your Network Settings (iOS Devices Only)

Safari’s history-clearing issues can stem from broken network settings and configurations. Reset them to their defaults and check if that fixes the problem. To do that:

1. Open the Settings app, select General > Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad.
2. Select Reset.

3. Choose Reset Network Settings.
4. Enter your device passcode.
5. Tap Reset Network Settings again to confirm.

If a network settings reset doesn’t help, try reverting all settings on your iOS device to factory defaults. To do that, repeat the steps above but pick the Reset All Settings option.

6. Delete via Finder(Mac Only)

If none of the fixes above work on your Mac, you can delete your Safari history manually through Finder. Here’s how:

1. Quit Safari.

2. Open Finder and select Go > Go to Folder on the menu bar.

3. Enter the following path and press Return: ~/Library/Safari

4. Hold down the Command key and select the following files:

• History.db
• History.db-lock
• History.db.shm
• History.db.wal

5. Control-click and select Move to Trash.

Your Privacy in Safari Matters

Clearing your Safari browsing history is simple, but it can be frustrating when it doesn’t work. With these fixes, you can quickly get the browser back on track and maintain your privacy. You might also want to use Private Browsing on Safari to stop it from recording your activity in the first place.

If the problem persists, use an alternative web browser like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox until Apple comes up with a permanent fix that addresses the issue.

If you’re not sure why you’re seeing this error, especially if a site has worked normally before, there are a few reasons you need to be concerned before pressing on.

Why Does This Error Occur?

Websites secure their communications with you by using encryption. This is why you’ll see “HTTPS” at the start of most website addresses. The “S” is for “Secure,” and in Safari, you’ll see a small padlock icon to the left of a site address to indicate that its SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate is either missing or invalid.

These security certificates are key to making the web safe to use. If a website is not secured using HTTPS, anyone can see the content of the data being passed between you and the website server.

Due to how the internet works, your data will pass through many network devices on the way to its destination. If your data packets aren’t encrypted, anyone can copy and read them en route, and you’d never even know.

If there is a mismatch between the website’s certificate and the authentication certificate the web browser compares it to on the computer, it can’t establish an SSL connection. This is when you’ll see this error, usually accompanied by an error code that includes “expired_certificate” or something similar.

Reload the Website

Often, the privacy error results from a temporary glitch. Just refresh the web page a few times, wait a few minutes, and load the site again. In most cases, the problem will resolve by itself. You may also want to check the site’s social media or use a website such as Down Detector to see if the problem is only affecting you or if it’s an issue with the website itself.

Clear the Browser Cache

Like every browser, Safari has a local cache of files for websites you visit often. It’s possible for this error to happen because the cached site is causing issues with the site’s certificate. It’s a good idea to clear the browser cache. This won’t clear history, settings, or personal data. It simply forces Safari to download a fresh copy of the website.

Have a look at How to Clear Every Browser Cache on iPhone and iPad and How to Clear Cache, History, and Cookies in Safari on Mac for exact instructions.

Restart Your Connection (Or Try a Different One)

Restarting your connection is a good basic troubleshooting step, even if you’re only getting this error with one specific website. Turn off your router, wait a minute or so and then turn it back on.

ISPs blacklist some websites, so it could be that you can’t reach a site because your broadband provider doesn’t allow it. You may have some luck accessing the site using a different service provider, such as your mobile phone provider.

Check That Your Time Zone and Time Are Correct.

If your Macbook or iOS device has the incorrect date, you can’t properly authenticate the certificate when visiting websites. Head to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Date & Time and make sure everything is correct.

The Website’s SSL Certificate Is Invalid or Expired

Sometimes, you’re getting this error because the website owner has done something to invalidate their security certificate or they’ve forgotten to renew it. In this case, you can either contact them, wait until they fix the issue, or you can choose to bypass the warning and proceed anyway. You can find out how to do that further below.

Unsupported Older Versions of macOS

If you are using macOS El Capitan or older on your Mac, then you’re bound to run into this problem because those versions of macOS are not receiving updates, and after September 30, 2021, the certificates used for authentication of IdentTrust DST Root CA X3 certificates in the OS itself expired.

This means that those macOS versions cannot determine whether the website certificates issued by IdentTrust are valid or not and will generate this error. You can attempt to update those certificated with third-party replacements, but this represents a serious security risk. Instead, we recommend updating to a newer version of macOS. If your Mac is too old to run anything newer than El Capitan, it’s likely due for replacement.

The Website Is Fake or Hacked

Phishing is a type of cyberattack where users are led to a fake website made to look like a real banking website or another site where you’re likely to enter sensitive information. These fake websites often don’t have HTTPS encryption, and so the browser will warn you.

Double-check that you have entered the web address correctly. Don’t get to the site by using a link sent to you in an email or message. Never enter any personal information into a site that is hot secured by HTTPS, even if you’re sure it’s the correct website.

View a Cached Version of the Page

If all you want to do is see the contents of a website, then one safe way to do it is by looking at a cached version of the page. You can go to sites such as the Internet Way Back Machine, which takes snapshots of websites at intervals and lets you browse the content.

If you want a recent site version, you can use Google. Search for the web page in Google or paste its URL into the search bar.

Next to the search result, select the three dots and then choose Cached from the options that pop up.

Just remember that you can’t interact with the site, only read it!

Use Private Mode

Like Google Chrome’s Incognito Mode and the New Incognito Window command, the Safari browser offers a private browsing mode. On the Safari menu bar, Go to File > New Private Window and a private window will open.

This Window does not record website data such as cookies. From the website’s point of view, you’re a blank slate. Sometimes, this seems to resolve the connection error, and you won’t see the warning message anymore.

Check Your Antivirus or Firewall Software

If you use Mac antivirus software or you have third-party firewall software or hardware, check that the specific site you’re trying to access isn’t blacklisted somewhere. This security system can interfere with website access sometimes. You can temporarily disable them to quickly confirm whether they are at fault.

Before you disable your antivirus, perform a system scan while you’re at it. Malware, such as browser hijackers, can redirect you to fake websites set up by hackers.

Don’t Use a Public Wi-Fi Network

If you’re using a Wi-Fi connection with a public password, such as at a hotel or coffee shop; you’re vulnerable to having your network traffic intercepted, routed to fake websites, or simply spied upon.

If you get the SSL privacy error in Safari while on Public Wi-Fi, you absolutely must not proceed to that website. Never use sites where you have to enter details such as credit card information unless they offer a secure connection.

Disable Your VPN or Change Servers

If you use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) you may be accessing a server hosting the site that’s been compromised or has certificate issues. Websites are usually hosted on multiple servers around the world and you’ll be served by the site server closest to the VPN location you’ve selected.

So by turning off your VPN, or by choosing a different VPN server location, you may access a server hosting the site you want to visit that doesn’t have any problems.

Bypass the Warning

If nothing you do gets rid of the This connection is not a private error, and you must have access to the site, you can bypass the error and view the site anyway.

In Safari, select the Show Details option.

This will explain the error and give you the option to “visit this website.”

If you’re sure, then you can use that option to access the insecure version of the site.

Better Safe Than Sorry!

With everything so dependent on the internet these days, you can’t afford to take any chances with your privacy or your information. If Safari (or any other browser) is warning you that your connection isn’t secure, it’s probably a good idea to listen!

Do you see a “Cannot Open Page” error instead of the actual web page in Safari on your Apple iPhone? If so, your browser may have issues or your iPhone is experiencing technical problems. We’ll show you a few ways to get around this error.

The most common causes of the above error include a faulty internet connection, Safari’s cache problems, iPhone’s software issues, and more. We’ll take a look at each possible way to fix the problem.

Refresh Your Web Page to Fix the Safari Cannot Open Page Error

When your page fails to load, the first thing to do is try to refresh the page. Doing so forces Safari to reload your page’s contents. This can fix any minor issues causing the site not to open.

You can refresh your web page by tapping the refresh icon next to Safari’s address bar.

Check Your Internet Connection

When you face network connection problems on your iPhone, check to make sure your internet connection is working. A faulty connection won’t allow browsers like Safari to load your web pages.

You can check if your internet is working by launching another site in the Safari browser or another browser (like Chrome). You may also use another device on the same Wi-Fi network to check the internet status.

If your internet connection has problems, you can try resolving those issues yourself or seek a technician’s help.

Make Sure the URL (Web Link) Is Correct

If you’re trying to open an invalid link in Safari, your browser may display the “Cannot Open Page” error. This is because the browser can’t locate your specific web page on the world wide web.

In this case, check and make sure the link you’re trying to open is invalid. If you’ve received the link from your friends or someone, let them reconfirm the link and ensure it’s the working one.

Close and Reopen Safari on Your iPhone

A quick way to fix most minor issues with Safari is to close and reopen the browser. Doing so turns off all of the browser’s functionalities and reloads those features. This can fix the minor glitch that may be preventing you from accessing your web page.

Quit and Reopen Safari on an iPhone X or Later

1. Swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone’s screen and pause in the middle.
2. Swipe up on Safari’s preview to close the browser.
3. Tap Safari in your app list to open the app.

Quit and Reopen Safari on Older iPhones

1. Double-press the Home button to bring up your open apps.
2. Swipe up on Safari to close the app.

3. Tap Safari on your app list to launch the browser.

Clear Safari Cache on Your iPhone

Safari stores temporary files (called cache) on your iPhone to enhance your browsing experience. Sometimes, these files become corrupt, causing various problems with the browser.

Your “Cannot Open Page” error may be the result of a faulty Safari cache. In this case, you can remove the cache to resolve your issue.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and select Safari.

3. Tap Clear History and Website Data.

4. Choose Clear History and Data in the prompt.
5. Launch Safari and open your web page.

Update the iOS Version on Your iPhone

Your iPhone receives regular software updates so you have the latest bug fixes and new features. Your Safari error may be the result of an iOS bug, which you can fix by updating your phone.

It’s quick, easy, and free to install the latest iOS version on your iPhone.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Select General > Software Update in Settings.

3. Let your iPhone check for updates.
4. Download and install the available updates.
5. Restart your iPhone.
6. Launch Safari and access your web page.

Use a VPN on Your iPhone

One reason you can’t access your web page is that your internet service provider (ISP) has blocked your site. If this is the case, you’ll need to use a VPN app to get around the restriction and open your web page.

You can choose from one of the many VPN apps to use on your iPhone. Each VPN has its own set of features and plans. Once you get such an app, launch the app, enable the VPN service, and access your web page in Safari.

Use Alternative DNS on Your iPhone

Your iPhone’s DNS servers allow your web browsers to translate domain names to IP addresses. This is how your browser can locate a specific web page on the world wide web.

If your configured DNS servers are experiencing issues, you may have trouble opening websites on your iPhone. In this case, you can use alternate DNS servers to fix your issue.

1. Launch Settings on your iPhone.
2. Select Wi-Fi and choose the i icon next to your Wi-Fi network.

3. Select Configure DNS to access your DNS settings.
4. Choose Manual followed by Add Server.

5. Enter 208.67.222.222 as the first DNS server. Then, use 208.67.220.220 as the second DNS server.
6. Select Save in the top-right corner.
7. Open Safari and access your web page.

Reset Your iPhone

If you still have trouble accessing your web pages in Safari, your iPhone’s configuration may have issues. In this case, you can reset your iPhone to the factory settings to delete all the custom configurations and your personal data.

You can then set up your iPhone from scratch. Make sure to back up your important files before you do this, as you’ll lose all your saved data on your iPhone.

1. Access Settings on your iPhone.
2. Select General > Reset in Settings.

3. Choose Erase All Content and Settings.

4. Select Erase All Content and Settings in the prompt.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your phone.
6. When you’ve reset your iPhone, launch Safari and try to open your web page.

Several Ways to Get Around Safari’s “Cannot Open Page” Error on iPhone

It’s frustrating when Safari displays an error message instead of the web page you expect it to show. There are a variety of reasons that happens. Using our troubleshooting fixes above, you should be able to get rid of the error and access any and all of your favorite web pages.

Apple devices use the WebKit engine to render webpages in Safari. However, various reasons, such as a corrupt Safari cache, conflicting experimental features, and a broken browser configuration, can stop the rendering engine from working, resulting in the “WebKit encountered an internal error.” Run through the fixes below to get Safari working as usual again.

Quit and Re-open Safari

The quickest way to fix Safari’s “WebKit encountered an internal error” is to force-quit and re-open the web browser. That almost always eliminates unexpected glitches and other problems with WebKit.

iPhone and iPad

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or press the Home button twice) to open the App Switcher.
2. Swipe away the Safari card from the screen.
3. Exit to the Home Screen and re-open Safari.

Mac

1. Press Command + Option + Escape to open the Force-Quit dialog.
2. Choose Safari and select the Force-Quit button.
3. Wait a few seconds and re-open the web browser via Launchpad or Dock.

Restart Your Devices

If force-quitting Safari didn’t fix the “WebKit Encountered an Internal Error,” you must continue by restarting your iPhone or Mac device. That should resolve random issues on the system side preventing the browser from working.

While restarting a Mac, make sure to stop macOS from saving a buggy Safari application state by unchecking the Reopen windows when logging back in option.

Update the Operating System

The following fix involves updating Safari. Since it’s a native app, the only way to do that is to update the system software on your Apple device to its latest version.

iPhone and iPad

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap General > Software Update.
3. Tap Download & Install.

Mac

1. Open the Apple menu and select System Settings.

2. Select General on the sidebar. Then, select Software Update on the right of the window.

3. Select Update Now (or Restart Now if you only need to finalize the update).

Note: If your Mac runs macOS 12 Monterey or older, open the System Preferences app and select Software Update > Update Now to update its system software.

Clear the Safari Web Cache

If the “WebKit encountered an internal error” persists, it’s time to clear the Safari cache.

iPhone & iPad

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Safari.
3. Tap Clear History and Website Data.

Mac

1. Open Safari and select Safari > Clear History on the menu bar.

2. Set Clear to all history.
3. Select Clear History.

Disable All Safari Extensions

Another reason why Safari displays the “WebKit encountered an internal error” is because of unoptimized or conflicting browser extensions. Try disabling them.

iPhone and iPad

1. Open the Settings app and tap Safari.
2. Tap Extensions.
3. Disable all content blockers and extensions.

Mac

1. Open Safari and select Safari > Settings/Preferences on the menu bar.

2. Switch to the Extensions tab.
3. Uncheck the boxes next to all add-ons and exit the Preferences pane.

If the “WebKit encountered an internal error” message no longer appears in Safari, open the App Store and install any pending updates to your extensions. Then, re-activate each browser add-on one by one. If a particular extension causes the error message to re-appear, disable or uninstall it and look for an alternative extension.

Enter and Exit Safe Mode (Mac Only)

If the “WebKit encountered an internal error” continues to show up in the Mac version of Safari, try booting your Mac into and out of Safe Mode. That clears various forms of redundant data preventing apps like Safari from working.

Apple Silicon Mac

1. Turn off your MacBook, iMac, or Mac mini.
2. Turn your Mac on again but do not release the Power button; you’ll see the Startup Options screen soon.
3. Hold the Shift key and select Macintosh HD > Safe Mode.

Intel Mac

1. Turn off your Mac.
2. Boot your Mac while holding down the Shift key.
3. Release the Shift key once you see the Apple logo.

In Safe Mode, briefly open Safari and check if the WebKit error occurs. If it does, continue clearing additional forms of cached data on your Mac. If not, boot your Mac normally.

Disable the Private Relay Feature

If you subscribe to iCloud+, your iPhone, iPad, or Mac may have a feature called Private Relay active to improve privacy by protecting unencrypted site traffic. However, it’s still in beta and creates problems in Safari. So disable Private Relay and check if that makes a difference.

iPhone and iPad

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to Apple ID > iCloud > Privacy Relay.
3. Turn off the switch next to Private Relay.

Mac

1. Open the System Settings app.
2. Select your Apple ID on the sidebar. Then, select iCloud.

3. Disable the switch next to Private Relay.

Note: To disable Private Relay in macOS Monterey or older, go to System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud.

Disable Private Wi-Fi Addresses (iPhone & iPad Only)

On the iPhone and iPad, another reason for the “WebKit encountered an internal error” in Safari is the use of private Mac (Wi-Fi) addresses. To stop that:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and select the Wi-Fi option.
2. Tap the Info button next to the active Wi-Fi connection.
3. Disable the switch next to Private Wi-Fi Address.

Disable the HTTP/3 Experimental Feature

HTTP/3 is a protocol that improves latency and load times. However, it’s only available as an experimental Safari feature and is prone to breaking things. Check if it’s active and disable it.

iPhone and iPad

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Safari > Advanced > Experimental Features.
3. Turn off the switch next to HTTP/3.

Mac

1. Open the Safari Settings/Preferences pane.
2. Switch to the Develop tab and check the box next to Show Develop menu in the menu bar.

3. Select Develop on the menu bar, print to Experimental Features, and uncheck the HTTP/3 option.

Reset Experimental Preferences to Defaults

If none of the fixes above help, try resetting all experimental Safari features to their default settings.

iPhone and iPad

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Safari > Advanced > Experimental Features.
3. Scroll down and tap Reset All to Defaults.

Mac

Open the Develop menu in Safari (unhide it if you have to), point to Experimental Features, and scroll down to the bottom. Then, select Reset all to Defaults.

Safari Is Working As Usual Again

The troubleshooting tips above should help you resolve the “WebKit encountered an internal error” issue in Safari. Be sure to run through the quick fixes above if you run into the problem again.

Suppose the WebKit error doesn’t go away. If so, switch to a different browser like Google Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge and wait until a future iOS or macOS update permanently resolves the issue. On the Mac, you can also factory reset Safari to its default settings.

Safari displays a “Can’t find server” error when it fails to locate the servers to a website. That can happen for any number of reasons.

For example, you might have mistyped the URL, the site’s servers could be down, or the DNS cache may be corrupt. Work your way through the fixes below to resolve the error on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Double-Check the Domain Name

Accidentally mistyping the domain name is a common reason for Safari’s “Can’t find server” error. Double-check the address bar. If you spot a typo, correct it and press or tap Enter. Adding or removing the www prefix might also help you avoid the error.

If unsure, search for the website in Google or another search engine and tap on the relevant search result. That will load the correct URL.

Rule Out Server Issues

Next, check if there are any server problems with the site. Use a real-time status monitoring tool such as IsItDownRightNow? or Down for Everyone or Just Me for that.

If the site appears reachable, you’ve isolated the issue to your device or network. If it’s down for everyone, wait until the servers come back online. Or, notify the site’s webmaster via email or social media.

Restart Your Router

Restarting the router is a great way to fix random issues with your internet connection. Press the Power button on your router to turn it off, wait for about a minute, and turn it back on. If that doesn’t help, it’s a good idea to reset your router.

Alternatively, connect to a different wireless network if possible and check if that makes the error go away. On the iPhone, switching from Wi-Fi to cellular or vice-versa might also help resolve the issue.

Flush the DNS Cache

An obsolete DNS (Domain Name System) cache on your iPhone or Mac is another reason that could prevent the Safari browser from locating a site’s server. Flushing it will force the browser to resolve the web address from scratch.

iPhone

There’s no straightforward way to flush the DNS cache in iOS. Instead, try the following:

Toggle Airplane Mode: Swipe down from the top left of the iPhone’s screen and toggle Airplane Mode on, then off.

Restart your iPhone: Open the Settings app on your iPhone, tap General > Shutdown, and drag the Power icon to the right to turn off the device. Wait for at least 30 seconds and hold down the Side button to reboot it.

Reset your iPhone’s network settings: Open the Settings app and tap General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Mac

You can flush the DNS cache in macOS by running a command through Terminal. To do that:

1. Open the Launchpad and select Other > Terminal.

2. Run the following command:

sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

3. Type in your Mac’s administrator password and press Enter.

Modify DNS Settings

A popular DNS service such as Google DNS can improve Safari’s odds of locating the servers for a website. Here’s how to set Google DNS as your network’s DNS resolver on iPhone and Mac.

iPhone

1. Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi.

2. Tap the Info icon next to the Wi-Fi name or SSID.

3. Scroll down and select Configure DNS.

4. Tap Manual and replace the existing entries with the following Google DNS server addresses:

8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

5. Tap Save.

If you want to change the DNS settings for your iPhone’s cellular network, you must use a third-party app such as DNS Override.

Mac

1. Select the Apple icon on the menu bar and select System Preferences.

2. Select the Network category.

3. Select Wi-Fi. If your Mac is on a wired network, choose Ethernet.

4. Select the Advanced button.

5. Switch to the DNS tab. Then, replace the current DNS servers for the Wi-Fi network or Ethernet connection with the entries below:

8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

6. Select OK > Apply to save your changes.

Disable Content Blockers

Ad blocking extensions can cause various issues in Safari while loading websites. If the problem persists, try loading the site without any interference from your content blocker.

iPhone

On the iPhone, tap the AA button next to the URL bar, and select Turn off Content Blockers.

If that helps, add the site to Safari’s content blocking exclusions list. Select the AA button again, tap Website Settings, and deactivate the switch next to Use Content Blockers. Then, tap Done.

Mac

On the Mac, hover your cursor over the address bar. Then, Control-click the Reload icon and select Reload Without Content Blockers.

If that helps, you can add the site to the content blockers’ exclusions list. To do that:

1. Open Safari’s Preferences pane.

2. Switch to the Websites tab and select Content Blockers on the sidebar.

3. Open the drop-down menu next to the website and select Off.

Clear Safari Cache

Another way to address Safari’s “Can’t find server” error involves clearing Safari’s web page cache.

iPhone

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Scroll down and tap Safari.

3. Tap Clear History and Website Data.

Mac

1. Open the Safari menu and select Clear History.

2. Set Clear to all history.

3. Select Clear History.

Disable Private Relay

If you use iCloud+, your iPhone or Mac will enhance your privacy by encrypting your internet traffic. However, that can also prevent Safari from connecting to a site’s servers. Consider disabling the feature.

iPhone

1. Open the Settings app and tap your profile photo.

2. Select iCloud > Private Relay (Beta).

3. Turn off the switch next to Private Relay (Beta).

Mac

1. Open the Apple menu and select System Preferences.

2. Select the category labeled Apple ID.

3. Clear the box next to Private Relay (Beta).

Server Is Available in Safari

The pointers in this troubleshooting guide hopefully helped you fix Safari’s “Can’t find server” issue. Commit some of the more straightforward fixes above to memory—clearing the DNS cache and loading a site without a content blocker—so you know what to do if you run into the issue again.

If none of the fixes above help, use an alternative browser such as Google Chrome or Firefox. If the site remains unreachable, it could be that its IP address is blocked in your country or region. Use a proxy server or VPN service to bypass the restriction.

Along with viewing your saved passwords, you can search for one, edit your login credentials, and even see passwords that may have been compromised.

View Safari Saved Passwords

You might be trying to sign into a website believing you have saved your password, but nothing is popping up. On the other hand, you may simply want to take a look at your stored passwords to do some updating and cleanup.

Accessing your saved passwords in Safari depends on your device.

View Saved Safari Passwords on iPhone and iPad

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad and select Passwords.
2. Verify your identity using your passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID.
3. You’ll then see a list of your passwords. You can use the Search field at the top to find a specific website.

Select a website to view your login credentials. To see the masked password, simply tap it. You also have the option to copy the password when you tap it.

Note: In the images below, iOS does not display passwords, masked or otherwise, when taking screenshots.

View Saved Safari Passwords on macOS

1. Open Safari on your Mac.
2. Go to Safari > Preferences in the menu bar.
3. Select the Passwords tab.
4. Enter your macOS password or use your Apple Watch to unlock the tab.
5. You’ll see a list of your passwords on the left side. If you want to find one in particular, use the Search box at the top.

Choose a website in the list, and you’ll see the login credentials on the right. Hover your cursor over the masked password to view it. To copy it, select the password and pick Copy Password.

Edit Saved Passwords

You can change a username and password in Safari in two different ways on your Apple devices. First, you can edit the current credentials if you’ve changed them outside Safari. Second, you can use the password manager in Safari to visit a website and change your password there.

Edit a Saved Safari Password on iPhone and iPad

Select a website with the saved password from your list. If you changed your credentials somewhere other than Safari, tap Edit to change them here.

Enter the new username or password in the corresponding fields and tap Done to save them.

To change your credentials, tap Change Password on Website. You’ll be taken to the website in a pop-up window. Log in as usual and then navigate to your profile to change your username or password, depending on the site.

Safari to update the saved username and password, select Save Password.

Edit a Saved Safari Password on macOS

Select the website on the left and click Edit on the right. If you’ve changed your username or password elsewhere, enter the new one(s) in the corresponding fields and select Save.

If you want to change your credentials from this spot, select the Change Password on Website button. This opens Safari to that website, where you can log in and change your username or password, depending on the site.

When you select the second option above and make your changes, a Safari prompt asks if you’d like to update the existing username or password. Select Update Password to do so.

See Compromised Passwords in Safari

A good Safari feature to take advantage of is the Detect Compromised Passwords feature. This is available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac and can help make you aware of places where your password may be at risk.

Once you enable the feature on your Apple device, you’ll see any passwords that need attention. From there, you can opt to change a password as described above.

Enable Detect Compromised Passwords on iPhone and iPad

You enable this feature in the same location where you view Safari passwords.

1. Head back to Settings >Passwords and verify your identity.
2. Select Security Recommendations.
3. Turn on the toggle for Detect Compromised Passwords.

Directly below the toggle, you’ll see those passwords at risk. You may see messages like the password appeared in a data leak, you are reusing the password on other websites, or many people use that password, making it easy to guess.

You can then select a website and edit the password as described earlier or change it directly on the website using the link.

Enable Detect Compromised Passwords on macOS

On macOS, you’ll turn on this feature in the same spot where you view your Safari passwords.

1. Return to Safari > Preferences.
2. Open the Passwords tab and enter your macOS password.
3. Check the box at the bottom of the window for Detect compromised passwords.

You’ll see a triangle with an exclamation mark to the right of any non-secure passwords in the list. Select one to view more details on the right. You may see “compromised,” “reused,” or both. You may also see additional information, such as other websites where you’re using that password.

Keeping up with your passwords becomes more important all the time. You can search, update, or simply view your Safari saved passwords anytime on your Apple devices.

For more, take a look at ways to come up with strong passwords.

Safari’s Reading List is the best way to save interesting articles you come across for later. However, add too many items into the list and it can quickly overwhelm you. That’s why you must take the time to clear it regularly.

Read on to learn how to clear the Reading List in Safari on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, including ways to delete locally cached Reading List data.

Note: If you sync your Safari activity via iCloud, any changes you make will also sync across your Apple devices.

Clear Reading List in Safari for iOS and iPadOS

If you use Safari on your iPhone or iPad, you can delete individual or multiple items from the Reading List directly while viewing it.

To get to your Reading List, launch Safari and tap the Bookmarks icon at the bottom of the screen. Then, tap the Glasses icon.

On the iPadOS version of the Safari browser, tap the Show sidebar icon at the top left of the screen. Then, tap Reading List on the sidebar.

Delete Individual Items From Reading List

Swipe an item you want to delete to the left and tap Delete on the right side of the screen. Alternatively, long-press the item and select Delete on the context menu.

If you want to search for a specific web page, perform a swipe down gesture to reveal the Search Reading List bar. Then, type the website name or post title.

Tip: If you want to be sure that you’ve already read the item you’re about to delete, just swipe it to the right and look for the Mark Unread option.

Delete Multiple Items From Reading List

If you want to remove multiple items from the Reading List, tap the Edit option at the bottom-right corner of the screen. Then, select the web pages you want to delete and tap Delete.

Clear Safari Reading List in Safari on Mac

Safari lets you delete individual or all items from the Reading List while viewing it on your MacBook Pro/Air, iMac, or Mac mini.

Start by selecting the Show sidebar button at the top left corner of any Safari window.

Then, select Reading List.

Alternatively, select View > Show Reading List Sidebar on the Mac’s menu bar to get to access the Reading List feature faster.

Delete Individual Items From Reading List

To delete a web page from the Reading List, just Control-click or right-click it and select Remove Item.

Use the Search Reading List bar at the top of the Reading List pane to filter items by site or title. Scroll upward if you can’t see it.

Delete All Items From Reading List

If you want to remove all Reading List items, Control-click or right-click anywhere within the Reading List pane and select Clear All Items.

Then, select Clear on the confirmation pop-up.

Clear Offline Reading List Data in Safari

The Reading List in Safari allows you to save web pages locally so you can access them even when you don’t have an internet connection. If you access multiple pages offline, that could add up and create storage concerns.

In that case, you can choose to delete locally cached Reading List data by item on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. On Apple’s mobile devices, you also have the option of deleting the entire Reading List cache.

Clear Reading List Cache on iPhone and iPad

On the iPhone and iPad, open Safari, get to your Reading List, and swipe an item to the left. Then, instead of selecting Delete, tap Don’t Save.

If you’ve set up Safari to download Reading List items by default, you won’t see the Don’t Save option as per the above screenshot.

To restore the ability to save and delete Reading List data manually, open the Settings app for your iOS or iPadOS device, tap Safari, and turn off the toggle next to Offline Reading List.

Additionally, Safari allows you to delete all cached Reading List data. To do that, open the Settings app and go to General > iPhone Storage > Safari.

Then, swipe the Offline Reading List listing to the left and tap Delete.

Clear Reading List Cache on Mac

On the Mac, Control-click or right-click an item within the Reading List and select Don’t Save.

If you don’t see the Don’t Save option and want to be able to save and delete Reading List data manually, begin by selecting Preferences on the Safari drop-down menu.

Once you do that, switch to the Advanced tab and clear the box next to Save articles for offline reading automatically.

Unlike on iOS devices, the macOS version of Safari does not offer an option to purge the entire Reading List data.

Safari Reading List Clear

Periodically clearing unwanted items from the Safari Reading List helps reduce the clutter and makes it easier to dig into when it’s time to start reading. If storage space starts running low on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, don’t forget that you also have the option to clear any locally cached Reading List data.

Next up, learn how you can clear other forms of browsing data such as the cache, history, and cookies in Safari. That should come in handy while troubleshooting the browser or when you want to preserve your privacy.