Like all apps, Safari has been using the new Liquid Glass design since iOS 26, which gives a transparent look to the address bar, tabs and buttons. This creates an elegant look where more of the background remains visible.
The interface has also become more compact and rounded, increasing the focus on the web content. While scrolling, the button and tab bar shrinks to a narrow bar with just the URL address, so your screen becomes less distracted.
Compact view in Safari
iOS now offers three layout options for Safari on iPhone: Compact (default), Bottom, and Top. As a user, you can decide for yourself which view you set for Safari.
- Open Settings on your iPhone
- Go to ‘Apps’
- Tap ‘Safari’
- Then make a selection under ‘Tabs’
Compact: All buttons are bundled behind a new menu button, so the screen is almost entirely dedicated to web pages. You only see extra buttons when you tap them, which makes Safari look even more minimalistic and leaves extra room for content. This will give you more space in Safari, but it will require more taps.
Down or Up: These are the familiar views, but with the new design. ‘Bottom’ places the address bar at the bottom of the screen and functions as a compact tab bar, while ‘Top’ offers the classic view with the address bar at the top and a button bar at the bottom.
Quickly open open tabs with trick
Want to quickly open the tab overview on your iPhone? Then you can use a handy trick instead of tapping the three dots.
- Open Safari on your iPhone
- Make sure the address bar is visible (possibly tap the top or bottom of the screen if it is hidden)
- Swipe up from the address bar (search field) with one fingerjust like you would for the app switcher.
- The tab overview appears immediately
Then you can easily view and manage your open tabs. This way you can close, switch or search the tabs. This gesture saves time when multitasking with many open tabs. It is a typical gesture that you should know because it is well hidden.
More useful Safari tips
This isn’t the only trick you can use in the new compact view in Safari. Place your finger on the three dots next to the address bar, hold it on the screen and wait a few moments. The menu opens; now swipe your finger up without lifting it to the desired option in the list.
And do you want to quickly share a website? Then place your finger on the address bar, wait a moment and choose ‘Share’. You can also do this with the hold-and-swipe gesture mentioned earlier.