Searching with Safari is of course extremely convenient and easy to perform. Apple has built several smart options into their web browser so that you can find the best search results even faster. For example, search results are automatically completed and Siri can give you suggestions for certain websites.
In addition, you have the option to pre-load the best result before you visit the website. The smart suggestions and options are useful, but do use data. That’s why we explain how to disable it in Safari for iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Disable Siri Suggestions in Safari
In combination with Siri, it is possible to receive suggestions while searching, which you will find directly at the top of the suggestions. This is part of the smart search and gives you the opportunity to immediately open the linked website. This way you can get suggestions for Wikipedia, YouTube, but also from websites themselves. If you are not interested in this, you can disable the suggestions.
- Open Safari on your Mac
- Navigate to the menu bar
- Click on ‘Safari’ and then on ‘Settings’
- Open the ‘Search’ tab
- Disable the ‘Include Safari Suggestions’ option
On an iPhone or iPad you can disable this via Settings â–¸ Apps â–¸ Safari â–¸ turn off ‘Safari Suggestions’.
Preload search result in background
When searching using Safari, the best result is automatically loaded in the background. This way you can immediately visit the website after clicking. Don’t want Safari to do this? Then you can disable this function.
- Open Safari on your Mac
- Navigate to the menu bar
- Click on ‘Safari’ and then on ‘Settings’
- Open the ‘Search’ tab
- Disable the ‘Preload best result in background’ option
On an iPhone or iPad you can do this via Settings â–¸ Apps â–¸ Safari â–¸ turn off ‘Preload best result’.
Search websites
A feature that is less known in Safari is quickly searching a website. Some web pages offer the option to search their website directly from the web browser. This feature is activated by default and works based on previous visits.
Safari stores information about your searches within a website, so that your future searches on that website are performed faster. You can then search for information on that website by typing the name of the website and the search term into the smart search field.
Disable quick website search
Go to Safari on a Mac â–¸ menu bar â–¸ Safari â–¸ Settings â–¸ search â–¸ uncheck the ‘Turn on quick website search’ option or customize the websites via the admin button.
On an iPhone or iPad, you can do this via Settings â–¸ Apps â–¸ Safari â–¸ Quick Website Search â–¸ turn off Quick Website Search.
Disable suggestions on homepage
Finally, you can encounter and use suggestions on Safari’s homepage. The suggestions can be found under your favorites (bookmarks) and show recently shared URLs, previously visited web pages, etc. Do you not want to use this option? Then you can disable this.
- Open Safari on your iPhone or iPad
- Tap the two overlapping squares
- Open a new page with the plus button
- Scroll down to ‘Edit’
- Disable the suggestions
On a Mac you can do this by opening a new window or tab. Click on the three horizontal stripes in the bottom right corner or secondary click (right mouse button) on an empty field on the home page. Disable the suggestions.