Since the introduction of Liquid Glass, Safari has received a new and simple design, making the browsing experience on iPhone minimalistic. Apple has combined the tabs and address bar into one compact view. As you scroll, the button and tab bar shrinks to a narrow bar with just the URL address, so your screen becomes less distracting. You can now easily view the tab overview with a neat trick.
For example, in Safari on the iPhone you can immediately open the overview of all your open tabs with a handy gesture, without tapping the three dots. You will then immediately see all open tabs in a compact overview.
Compact view in Safari
Apple offers three layout options for Safari on iPhone and iPad: Compact (default), Bottom, and Top. As a user, you can decide for yourself which view you set for Safari. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad, go to Apps and tap Safari. Then make a choice 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.
- Bottom or Top: 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.