Customize the Safari homepage on iPhone and iPad

If desired, you can customize the Safari homepage on an iPhone or iPad to your own preferences. Like Safari for Mac, you can set a background image and add or remove items like favorites, Siri suggestions, iCloud tabs, and reports.

If you want a clear home page, it is wise to disable some sections and opt for a neutral background. Once customized, you can sync your own curated homepage with all your other Apple devices.

Customize Safari homepage on iPhone or iPad

The home page is the first screen you see when Safari starts or a new blank tab opens.

On this homepage, you’ll see sites with Favorites (bookmarks), frequently visited sites, privacy reports, reading list items, sites suggested by Siri, and open tabs on your other devices.

By default, all these sections are enabled, leading to a jittery and overcrowded homepage. If you want a more clear home page, you can disable some sections. The Privacy Report and Siri Suggestions section are not always helpful and can be removed from the homepage.

1. Open Safari.
2. When an existing web page opens, tap the tabs symbol and open a new tab with the ‘+’ button.
3. Now swipe all the way down and tap Edit.
4. Now customize the homepage by enabling or disabling the various options. You can also change the order by clicking the three stripes icon () up or down.
5. Close the window by tapping the cross at the top right, you will return to the customized home page and the changes will be immediately visible.

Customize the homepage background

It is also possible to customize the background of the homepage. You can use one of the default backgrounds or choose a custom photo from the Photos app.

1. Open Safari.
2. When an existing web page opens, tap the tabs symbol and open a new tab with the ‘+’ button.
3. Now swipe all the way down and tap Edit.
4. Enable the ‘Background image’ option.
5. Tap an existing wallpaper or the “+” symbol to choose an image from the iPhone camera roll.
6. Close the window by tapping the cross at the top right. You will see the selected image as the background image for the Safari homepage.

Changing the background to a solid color image instantly creates a calmer homepage. Or you can choose to disable the background image entirely.

Use homepage layout on all your devices

The new homepage is part of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, Safari 15 and macOS Monterey and newer. If you use multiple devices, you can synchronize the customized homepage via your iCloud account. By doing this, your homepage will have the same layout and background on all your devices. To enable this function:

1. Open Safari
2. When an existing web page opens, tap the tabs symbol and open a new tab with the ‘+’ button.
3. Now swipe all the way down and tap Edit.
4. Activate the option: ‘Use homepage on all devices’.
5. Close the window by tapping the cross at the top right.