How to Customize the Safari Start Page on iPhone or iPad

The updated Safari start page was first introduced in Mac OS Big Sur and later rolled out to iOS 15 and iPad OS 15. So Apple has given its aging Safari browser a fresh start (a much-needed reset, to be honest).

One of the features included in this mix is ​​customizing the start or home page of Safari to your liking. And with the advent of iOS 16, we can have different start page settings for different tab groups. How? Follow the step by step guide to customize the Safari start page on iPhone and iPad.

How to Edit the Safari Start Page

In Safari, the start page is usually filled with bookmarked sites, frequently visited sites, privacy reports, reading list items, and more! However, you can customize the Safari start page to show only the sections you want to see.

1. Open Safari and stay on the start page or open a new tab.
2. Scroll down and click Edit.
3. Disable unnecessary options on the initial setup page.
4. You can also change the order by tapping the three lines icon and dragging it up or down.

Every time you change your mind, follow the same steps to remove or add more sections.

How to Add a Background Image to the Safari Start Page on iPhone

Traditionally, browsers have used a plain white background, but with this editing option, Apple has tried to add a pinch of glamor to it. What’s more, seeing elements you like keeps you fresh, motivated, and focused on the task at hand.

You can use one of Apple’s wallpapers or choose your own image from the Photos app. Here’s how.

1. Open Safari.
2. Scroll down and click Edit.
3. Turn on the background image.
4. Tap the wallpaper or plus icon to select an image from your iPhone camera roll.
5. Press X to close this screen. You will see the selected image as the background of the Safari start page.

How to Change Background for Safari Tab Group in iOS 16

Starting with iOS 16, the start page customization option will not apply to all tab groups. So, if you have multiple tab groups, you will have to change them individually.

1. Go to the start page of the desired tab group.
2. Click the edit button.
3. Customize the page with the steps mentioned above.

That’s all.

Conclusion

The start page is our door to everything we do in the browser. When you launch your browser, this is the first page you are introduced to.

Luckily, we can easily edit or customize the home page of the iPhone Safari browser. I hope you enjoy customizing your comment in Safari; if you liked it, please share if you found it useful.