Discover how to enable or disable Safari on iPhone. In this mobile world, you don’t really need a browser to check the internet. Apps are a convenient and easy way to get the up-to-date information you need.
However, you need a browser to visit websites that don’t offer apps. Safari is the default browser on iOS. Generally, the Safari icon is available in the dock to quickly launch it on all screens.
Why do you want to disable Safari
The danger with the browser is a distraction. When you can’t control your browsing behavior, it’s time to remove Safari on iPhone.
You may also want to remove the browser when you share the iPhone with your children. This will help keep your browsing history private.
How to disable Safari on iPhone
Apple introduced the Screen Time setting in iOS 12 to enforce many content restrictions. It allows you to monitor the phone and control the use of applications. Follow the instructions to remove, enable or disable the Safari browser on your iPhone.
You can see the “Safari” app is available on the dock in the screenshot below. Tap on the “Settings” icon and go to the “Screen Time” option.
Tap Settings
If you’ve never used Screen Time before, tap “Turn on Screen Time” to enable it.
Turn on screen time
Follow the wizard to set the options. You can set Screen Time for your own phone or your child’s phone.
Set screen time
After turning on Screen Time, tap on “Content & Privacy Restrictions.” If you’ve already set restrictions, enter your Screen Time password.
If you haven’t enabled restrictions before, first enable restrictions by tapping the “Content and Privacy Restrictions” switch.
Tap on the “Allowed Apps” option.
Enable content restrictions
You will see all the default Apple apps with an option to enable or disable each app.
Find “Safari” and turn off the switch.
turn off safari
Now go back and check the phone base. You will no longer find Safari.
Safari app disabled
Enable Safari
The advantage of Screen Time is that you can simply re-enable the browser. Follow the instructions above and enable Safari to show the app again. This essentially means that Safari will be available on the iPhone. It will only show or hide based on your Screen Time settings.
Also, hiding the browser will not delete your browsing history. You can enable the browser and quickly access previously opened websites.
Disable other Apple apps
Just like in Safari, you can enable or disable any of the default iOS apps listed in the “Allowed Apps” section.
Currently, you can enable or disable the Mail, Safari, FaceTime, Camera, Siri & Dictation, Wallet, AirDrop, CarPlay, iTunes Store, Books, Podcasts, and News apps.
Enabling Screen Time Passcode
If you share iPhone with your child or others, then it is an easy task for them to change Screen Time settings. They can easily bring up Safari or other apps and continue to sign in. You can prevent this by setting a passcode for the Screen Time settings.
When you are in the “Settings > Screen Time” section, tap on the “Use Screen Time Passcode” option.
Use screen time password
Type in your four-digit password and confirm it by repeating it again.
Enter an access code
Now no one can change Screen Time settings without your password.
What happens when you touch the links
Many apps, especially your mail app, will have hyperlinks to websites. Usually, when you tap the link, the iPhone will open it in Safari. What will happen when I have disabled Safari?
- Nothing will happen. Yes, nothing will happen when you touch the hyperlinks. You cannot open any web pages when Safari is disabled.
- Even if you have other browser applications like Chrome or Firefox, you cannot open the links. The only way is to copy the link and paste it into the Chrome or Firefox app to open the page.
- You cannot change the default browser on iOS like Mac or Windows.
- However, you can long-press links to see additional options like open, copy, share, and add to reading list.
- You’ll be able to add the links to your reading list even when Safari is turned off. After adding it to the reading list, you can enable Safari later and find the links in the reading list.
Disable Safari app on Mac
Unfortunately, Apple does not provide any option to remove Safari browser on Mac. Safari is a built-in component of the operating system and you cannot remove it easily.
This is a tricky way to force you to use the Safari browser. Even if you install other browsers like Chrome or Firefox, you still need to keep Safari.
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