Removing Safari from your iPhone might sound like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple. In just a few steps, you can free up some space and customize your iPhone to better suit your needs. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Remove Safari from iPhone
Before we begin, it’s important to understand that removing Safari from your iPhone won’t delete your browsing history or bookmarks. Those will still be available if you decide to reinstall the app later on.
Step 1: Tap and hold the Safari icon
Tap and hold the Safari icon on your home screen until it starts to jiggle. This indicates that you’re in the editing mode where you can remove apps.
When you tap and hold the Safari app, all the apps on the screen will start to jiggle. This is the signal that you can move them around or delete them. You’ll also notice an “X” on the top left corner of the app icons that can be deleted.
Step 2: Tap the ‘X’ on the Safari icon
Once the apps are jiggling, tap the ‘X’ on the Safari icon to initiate the removal process.
After you tap the ‘X’, a confirmation pop-up will appear, asking if you’re sure you want to delete Safari. This is to prevent you from accidentally removing important apps.
Step 3: Confirm the removal
Confirm that you want to remove Safari by tapping ‘Delete’ in the pop-up window.
After you confirm the removal, Safari will be deleted from your iPhone. Don’t worry, you can always reinstall it from the App Store if you change your mind later.
After completing these steps, Safari will no longer be available on your iPhone. Keep in mind that you can always reinstall it from the App Store if needed.
Tips: Making the Most Out of Removing Safari from iPhone
- Removing Safari can help you limit web browsing and increase productivity.
- You can set another web browser as your default after removing Safari.
- Remember that deleting Safari doesn’t clear your web data; you need to do that manually in Settings.
- If you have Screen Time set up, you can restrict access to Safari instead of removing it entirely.
- Reinstalling Safari is as simple as searching for it in the App Store and tapping ‘Install’.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I permanently delete Safari from my iPhone?
No, Safari is a built-in app and cannot be permanently removed. However, you can delete it from your home screen and reinstall it later if needed.
Safari is a core part of iOS, and like other core apps, it can’t be fully deleted from your device. What you’re doing by following the above steps is essentially hiding it from your home screen and disabling it.
Will removing Safari delete my bookmarks and history?
No, your bookmarks and browsing history are not deleted when you remove Safari from your home screen.
Your bookmarks and history are tied to your iCloud account if you have iCloud Safari syncing turned on. This means they’ll be waiting for you if you ever choose to reinstall Safari.
What if I change my mind after deleting Safari?
You can easily reinstall Safari by finding it in the App Store and tapping ‘Install’.
Reinstalling Safari is just like downloading any other app. Once it’s back on your home screen, all your data will still be there if you had iCloud syncing on.
Can I set another browser as my default on iPhone?
Yes, with iOS 14 and later, you can set another browser as the default on your iPhone.
To do this, download the browser you want to use from the App Store, go to the Settings app, find the browser’s settings, and select ‘Default Browser App’ to make the switch.
Is it possible to restrict access to Safari without deleting it?
Yes, you can use the Screen Time feature to restrict access to Safari.
If you’re looking to limit your or someone else’s Safari usage, Screen Time allows you to set time limits and other restrictions without having to remove the app.
Summary
- Tap and hold the Safari icon until it jiggles.
- Tap the ‘X’ on the Safari icon.
- Confirm the removal by tapping ‘Delete’.
Conclusion
Removing Safari from your iPhone is a straightforward process that can be done in just a few taps. Whether you’re looking to declutter your home screen, limit your web browsing, or simply try out a different browser, deleting Safari can be a useful step. Just remember, your browsing data stays safe and sound, waiting for you if you ever decide to bring Safari back into the fold. Plus, with the ability to set a different browser as your default, you have the flexibility to customize your iPhone experience to your liking. And if you ever feel the need to restrict Safari access without removing it, Screen Time has got you covered. So go ahead, give your iPhone a little makeover, and enjoy the extra space and freedom that comes with removing Safari.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.