Apple Provides Safari Design Decisions in iOS 26, Studying from Previous Criticism

Apple launched a brand new, compact design for Safari in iOS 26 that serves because the default format, however there are two different design choices obtainable for those who do not prefer it.

Within the Safari part of the Settings app, you’ll be able to choose Compact (the default), Backside, or High. The latter two are the choices in iOS 18, so ‌iOS 26‌ makes use of that very same format, however with a tweaked design to match the Liquid Glass aesthetic.

The three Safari Tab choices in ‌iOS 26‌, Mild Mode

Functionally, the Backside and High Tabs function in the identical means because the Safari Tab bars in ‌iOS 18‌, so that you needn’t change something about how you utilize Safari. The Compact choice hides the share, bookmark, and tab settings behind the three-dot button on the left of the URL bar.

Safari in ‌iOS 18‌

The Liquid Glass translucent design blends the URL bar and buttons into the background of the webpage you are no matter what format you select. The impact is analogous in each Mild and Darkish mode, with the colour of the bar decided by the webpage’s content material.

The three Safari Tab choices in ‌iOS 26‌, Darkish Mode

Whenever you scroll down with any of the Tab settings, the URL bar and buttons collapse down right into a single, small bar with simply the webpage tackle listed. The collapsible bar means that you can see extra of the webpage with out distractions.

Collapsed Tab Bar in ‌iOS 26‌

Again when iOS 15 was in beta testing, Apple modified the design of Safari and didn’t initially present completely different format choices for the URL bar. Apple acquired adverse suggestions all through the beta testing course of, and in the end applied choices to revert to the unique design. This time round, Apple has discovered its lesson, and has offered customers with extra alternative for the Safari format.

The iOS 15 Safari Tab Bar

Apple has really provided design decisions for a number of of the ‌iOS 26‌ design updates that might be controversial. The Telephone app affords a unified view, for instance, however by default, it isn’t applied. There are additionally glass-like icons that may be chosen, however they’re additionally not the default choice.