Safari can do much more than you think
Safari is the default browser on your Apple device. It's understandable that you use it. But most people only use about 10% of what Safari can do. They open a website, scroll around, and that's it. Yet, this browser packs a wealth of smart features that can transform your daily browsing habits.
The funny thing is: Apple doesn't make things easy. The best features are tucked away in submenus, vague settings, and obscure shortcuts. Yet, with a few simple adjustments, you can suddenly use your refurbished Apple device twice as effectively. From clever privacy tools to time-saving navigation tricks—Safari is capable of much more than you think. And with the right accessories , like an external keyboard, it truly becomes a productivity machine. Time to finally discover those hidden possibilities.
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Safaris discover hidden treasures
Most Safari users only know the basics: typing a web address, scrolling, and clicking through. But beneath that simple interface lies a complete toolkit that can fundamentally change your browsing experience. The problem? Apple hides its best features behind obscure menus and vague settings.
Take Reader View, for example. This feature filters out all the distracting elements on a webpage. No ads, no sidebars, just the text that matters. Activate it with Shift + Command + R or click the small text icon in the address bar. You can even customize the font, background color, and text size to your preference.
Getting Tabs Under Control
Tabs quickly become a mess. Before you know it, you have thirty tabs open and can't remember what you were looking for. Safari offers clever solutions for this.
Create tab groups
Hold down the Command key and select multiple tabs at once. Right-click and choose "Move to New Tab Group." Now you can neatly separate work projects, research, and entertainment. Switch between groups using the sidebar or the menu at the top.
Automatically close tabs
Go to Safari > Preferences > General. Set tabs to automatically close after a day, week, or month. This prevents old tabs from cluttering your browser and hogging memory.
Use tab overview
Press Shift + Command + \ for a bird's-eye view of all open tabs. You'll see thumbnails of each page, making it much easier to find specific content.
Taking privacy seriously
Safari has impressive privacy tools, but you do need to turn them on. The Privacy Report shows exactly which trackers are blocked. Find it via the shield icon in the address bar.
Intelligent tracking prevention
This feature is enabled by default, but check it in Preferences > Privacy. It blocks cookies that track you across websites. Facebook can then no longer see which other sites you visit.
Hide your IP address
Enable "Hide IP Address" for Safari under Privacy settings. Trackers will then only see a general location, not your exact address. For iCloud+ subscribers, this even works for all known trackers.
Activate private relay
iCloud+ users can enable Private Relay. This encrypts all your Safari traffic and routes it through two separate servers. Even Apple won't know which websites you're visiting.
Boost productivity with shortcuts
Constantly using your trackpad or mouse slows down your workflow. These shortcuts will make your life easier:
- Command + L : Jump directly to the address bar
- Command + [ or ] : Navigate forward or backward
- Command + D : Add current page to bookmarks
- Command + Shift + D : Add all open tabs as a bookmark folder
- Space bar : Scroll down one page
- Shift + Spacebar : Scroll up one page
- Command + F : Find the current page
- Command + number : Jump to specific tab (1-9)
Customize web pages to your needs
Zoom in without hassle
Double-tap with two fingers on your trackpad to intelligently zoom in on columns of text. Safari zooms precisely to the width of the text. Double-tap again to zoom out.
Set website preferences
Right-click on a website in the address bar and select "Settings for this website." Here you can control whether the camera, microphone, or location are allowed on a per-site basis. You can also block autoplay videos for annoying news sites.
Add your own stylesheet
For advanced users: Create a CSS file with custom stylesheets. Go to Preferences > Advanced > Stylesheet and select your file. Now you can customize the fonts, colors, and layout of any website.
Using developer tools without being a programmer
Enable the Develop menu in Preferences > Advanced. This opens up some surprisingly useful features:
- Responsive design mode : See how websites look on different devices
- Disable JavaScript : Fixes issues with slow or crashing sites
- Web Inspector : Remove disruptive elements from a page with one click
Perfecting synchronization
Syncing your Safari data between devices usually works automatically, but sometimes it goes wrong. Check these points:
Check iCloud sync
On each device, go to System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud. Make sure Safari is checked. Force a sync by unchecking Safari and then checking it again.
Activate Handoff
With Handoff, you can open a page on your iPhone and continue reading it immediately on your Mac. Enable it in System Preferences > General > "Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices."
Use extensions smartly
The Mac App Store has hundreds of Safari extensions. Here are some worth installing:
- 1Password or Bitwarden : Securely manage passwords
- Amplosion : Replaces AMP links with original URLs
- Noir : Gives any website a dark mode
- StopTheMadness : Restore right-click and copy access on sites that block it
Install extensions through the App Store and manage them in Safari > Preferences > Extensions. Grant only necessary permissions and disable extensions for sensitive sites like online banking.
Finally make Safari your productivity tool
It turns out Safari can do much more than most users realize. From smart tab groups to advanced privacy tools—the features are already there, you just need to find and configure them. The great thing is that all these tips work on any Apple device, whether you're using a refurbished MacBook or iPad .
Start with two or three features that immediately appeal to you, like reader view or a few handy shortcuts. Once you've mastered those, try the next one. Within a few weeks, you'll be browsing the web more efficiently, more privacy-consciously, and with far less frustration .
