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Disappearing Safari Tabs on iPhone or iPad? How to Find Them

Every so often, a seemingly small bug in Apple's operating systems survives the company's annual OS launches and continues to cause users huge frustration from one software update to the next.

apple macos bigsur safari improvedtabs 06222020

While there isn't an accepted solution to the problem of disappearing tabs, there are cases where it might seem that your tabs are gone, when in fact they are just hidden from view. Here are some ways that you may be able to get them back or stop them from disappearing in the first place.

Reveal Hidden Tabs

On iPadOS, for example, if you press and hold the Show Tab Overview button (four squares in a quadrant) in the top-right corner of the Safari window, this will reveal a dropdown menu that includes an option to Merge All Windows .

safari

Reveal the Shelf

Another action worth trying on iPadOS is pressing and holding the Safari icon in the Dock or on the Home Screen and selecting Show All Windows from the popup menu that appears.

shelf

Recently Closed Tabs

If you have an inkling that some of the tabs you're missing have been inadvertently closed, you can always use the Recently Closed Tabs option to re-open them. All you have to do is open up the tab view in Safari and long press on the "+" icon to get a look at all of the tabs that you've recently closed.

play Even if you're aware of the gesture, it's worth a reminder that this feature exists in case someone gets ahold of your phone and checks your browser. Even if you've closed out a tab, it's still going to be visible in Safari, unless you were using a private browser window or have cleared your browsing history.

Turn Off Auto-Close Tabs

If you still haven't been able to find some of your tabs, make sure that Safari isn't closing them after a certain duration on your behalf: Open Settings , tap through to Safari -> Close Tabs and ensure that Manually is selected.

safari tabs

Bookmark All Open Tabs

If the above suggestions haven't worked for you, there is a workaround: Consider bookmarking your open tabs after each browsing session. This might sound like more hassle than it's worth, but since iOS 13 Apple has included a one-tap option to just that.

safari tabs

A popup menu will appear at the on the screen from which you can select Add Bookmarks for X Tabs , the X being the number of tabs open.

Once you've tapped this option, you'll be asked to save the tabs in a new bookmarks folder (remember to give it a recognizable name). Alternately, you can choose a location from the existing folder list in which to save the tabs.

safari

To access your bookmarks in Safari at any time, simply tap the Bookmarks icon in the main browsing interface or the sidebar to reveal all of your saved favorites and folders. Press and hold on the folder of bookmarks and select Open in New Tabs , or alternatively, Open in Tab Group if you want them grouped.

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Safari Tabs Disappeared on iPhone? How to Get Them Back!

What to know.

  • You can re-open recently closed tabs in Safari by tapping and holding the plus icon.
  • Lastly, check if your missing tab is hidden in another tab group or within a separate Safari profile.
  • If your Safari tabs disappeared on iPad, you can try merging windows or revealing the iPad shelf.

safari tabs disappeared iphone reddit

Why do your tabs keep closing on iPhone or iPad? Maybe you wanted to retrieve a few interesting recipes you saw online, but now the tabs for those recipes are nowhere to be seen in Safari. But don't panic! We'll show you how to retrieve those lost tabs on your iPhone or iPad.

  • iPad-Specific Fixes
  • Re-Opening Closed Tabs
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Why Do My Tabs Disappear in Safari on iPad?

Safari closing tabs on its own seems to happen somewhat frequently to iPad users. We'll start with some iPad-specific fixes for how to get tabs back. Has your Safari app completely disappeared from your Home Screen? Find out how to get Safari back on your iPhone or iPad . For more iPhone and iPad troubleshooting pointers, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter.

How to Get Tabs Back on iPad

If you're browsing the web on an iPad and you have multiple Safari windows open, then you may not be able to see all your tabs. These steps will allow all your open tabs to appear in the current window. This potentially includes some tabs that weren’t visible in the Tab Overview screen. For a more in-depth tutorial, check out our article on re-opening closed tabs in Safari .

iPhone Life

Reveal the Shelf on iPad

This method will show any open windows directly above the Dock. As a result, you will be able to switch between windows and potentially reveal any Safari tabs that disappeared on your iPad.

safari tabs disappeared iphone reddit

How to Open a Closed Tab on iPhone & iPad

The purpose of this method is to find and reopen tabs you may have accidentally closed. This works on both iPhone and iPad (although the placement of the buttons in the below screenshots will look different depending on your device).

safari on iphone with tab button circled in red

Disable Auto-Close Tabs

Another cause of Safari tabs disappearing is a setting that automatically closes open Safari tabs after a set amount of time. This can prevent the problem of too many open tabs but can also lead to tabs you still want open getting closed. Here's how to solve this issue on your iPhone or iPad.

iphone settings with safari circled in red

Bookmark Open Tabs

Once a tab is bookmarked, you will always be able to find it, even if it's closed or your browser history is closed

safari tabs disappeared iphone reddit

Check Tab Groups & Safari Profiles

In Safari, you can create tab groups to separate all of your different tabs into specific groups. For example, if you have several recipe tabs open, you could place these tabs into a group called "Dinners." Additionally, iOS 17 and newer include a feature called Safari Profiles, allowing you to separate your browsing sessions into different profiles.

iphone safari tab view with red arrow pointing left indicating to swipe left on the tab bar

If you are still having trouble opening closed tabs or locating a missing tab, it may, unfortunately, be lost forever. Next, find out the best ways to manage your Safari tabs .

Why do my tabs keep closing on iPhone? You might have your Safari tabs set to automatically close. You can change this by going into Settings, tapping Safari, and then selecting Close Tabs. Check out the above section on how to set your Safari tabs to manually close  for more information.

How to close all tabs in Safari? You can close all your open tabs at once. If you've become too overwhelmed by all your open tabs, simply tap and hold the tabs button, then select Close All Tabs. Check out this tip on how to close all tabs at once  for a more detailed view.

Author Details

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Kenya Smith

Master iOS 17 with our latest in-depth guide!

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Safari Tabs Disappeared From iPhone? – Quick Fixes Prevention

  • Last Updated: May 31, 2024
  • by Oseka Media

Safari,Icon,App,Browser,On,The,Display,Iphone.,Safari,Is

Vanished Safari tabs have you scratching your head? Been there, and trust me, it’s incredibly frustrating.

Safari tabs mysteriously disappearing is a common issue, often due to accidental closure, low storage, software glitches, or settings mishaps. Luckily, there are several quick fixes like checking Recently Closed Tabs, restarting your iPhone, or adjusting tab settings. Preventing future disappearances involves mindful browsing habits and staying updated on iOS.

So, where did they go? Let’s troubleshoot this tech mystery together.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari tabs can disappear on iPhone due to iOS updates, accidental clicks, glitches, and settings that clear history and website data regularly.
  • There are 5 fixes for disappeared Safari tabs: Recently Closed Tabs feature, browsing history exploration, checking iCloud tabs, restoring from an iPhone backup, and turning off Auto Close Tabs.
  • Regularly managing Safari tabs, using bookmarks, and updating the iOS system can prevent tabs from getting lost in the future.
  • Open Safari tabs can drain iPhone battery power and slow down browsing speed, so closing unnecessary tabs can help preserve battery life.

Common Causes of Safari Tabs Disappearing on iPhone

safari tabs disappeared iphone reddit

Whether it’s an iOS update gone wrong, your Safari settings being tricky, or a glitch in your iPhone’s system, there are plenty of explanations for your Safari tabs suddenly disappearing.

It could be due to an accidental click on the ‘Private’ button in Safari that hides all existing tabs. Or you could have mistakenly selected ‘Close All Tabs’, wiping away all open pages.

Software updates can also be responsible for this issue, as glitches may occur during the installation process. If you’ve recently updated your operating system and noticed missing tabs, this could be the cause.

Also, check your iPhone settings – are they set to clear history and website data regularly? This setting will automatically close all of your open Safari tabs after a certain period of time.

5 Fixes For Disappeared Safari Tabs

When you notice that your Safari tabs have vanished, don’t panic! There are multiple solutions at hand to recover those lost tabs. You can leverage the ‘Recently Closed Tabs’ feature, dive into your browsing history, check out your iCloud tabs, or even restore from an iPhone backup.

If you want to prevent this from happening in the future, consider turning off the Auto Close Tabs function.

Now let’s break down these fixes step-by-step so you can get back to browsing without a hitch.

1. Utilizing ‘Recently Closed Tabs’ feature

Imagine you’re frantically searching for your lost Safari tabs; don’t panic, just tap on the ‘Recently Closed Tabs’ feature to retrieve them in a jiffy. If you’ve accidentally closed a tab or all your safari tabs have disappeared, this handy tool can be a lifesaver.

Open up Safari and click on the overlapping squares icon at the bottom right of your screen. This will bring up your tab view. Look for the ‘+’ symbol located at the bottom middle of your screen and tap it. Keep pressing down until a list of ‘Recently Closed Tabs’ appears. Scroll through this list until you find what you were looking for and simply click on it to reopen it.

Remember: Prevention is better than cure! Make sure to check and manage your Safari tabs regularly to avoid losing them in the future.

2. Browsing History exploration

safari tabs disappeared iphone reddit

You might be astonished to find out how much your browsing history can uncover about your online activities and interests. And if you’ve lost Safari tabs, it’s a lifesaver. Follow these easy steps to explore your browsing history and retrieve lost tabs:

Open Safari on your iPhone.

Tap the book-like icon at the bottom of the screen.

This opens up your ‘Bookmarks’ menu; tap on the clock icon for ‘History’.

Here, you’ll see a list of all websites you’ve visited.

Remember, this only works if you haven’t cleared your browsing history recently. If you find what you’re searching for, just tap on it to open it again! Keep in mind that doing regular backups can stop such issues from happening in the future.

3. Checking iCloud tabs

In your digital travels, don’t overlook those iCloud tabs that often go unseen; it’s like having a hidden stash of webpages you can access anytime, anywhere. If your Safari tabs have vanished from your iPhone, they might just be hiding in iCloud.

Here’s a guide:

Remember: Regularly syncing your devices with iCloud helps keep important tabs or data from getting lost.

4. Restoring from an iPhone backup

Restoring from an iPhone backup might seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite easy when it comes to retrieving lost data on your device. If you’ve been regularly backing up your iPhone to iTunes or iCloud, then you’re good to go!

To begin, go to ‘Settings’ and tap on your name at the top. Then click on ‘iCloud’, followed by ‘Manage Storage’. Next, select ‘Backups’ and pick the one with your Safari tabs.

Before restoring, remember this will replace all data on your phone with that of the backup. So make sure nothing important is left unsaved.

Once you’re sure, tap ‘Restore Backup’, and wait for the process to finish.

And there you have it! Your missing Safari tabs should be back in action!

5. Turn Off Auto Close Tabs

safari tabs disappeared iphone reddit

Let’s look at how we can keep our browsing pages from vanishing by turning off auto close tabs. This feature in Safari may be convenient, but it can make your tabs go away without your knowledge. Here’s a simple three-step guide on how to turn this off:

  • Open the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone and scroll down until you see ‘Safari’.nn2. Tap on ‘Safari’ and look for the ‘Tabs’ section. Within this section, there should be an option called ‘Close Tabs’.nn3. Click on it and select “Manual” instead of “After one day”, “After one week”, or “After one month”.

By doing this, you’ll have control over when your tabs close, lowering the chance of them disappearing unexpectedly.

How can I prevent losing Safari tabs in the future?

Believe it or not, around 68% of smartphone users confess to regularly losing their browser tabs; however, you don’t have to join them. To stop losing Safari tabs on your iPhone in the future, here are some simple steps.

Avoid closing all tabs if they’re essential for you. Instead, leave those important pages open and use the ‘New Tab’ feature for browsing other sites.

Make full use of bookmarks. If a webpage is important to you, bookmark it! This way, even if you somehow lose your tab, you can quickly find it in your bookmark list.

Most importantly, update your iOS system regularly since each update often includes fixes for bugs that could cause disappearing tabs. So stay updated and keep your tabs safe!

Do Safari Tabs Drain Battery?

safari tabs disappeared iphone reddit

So, you’ve learned how to prevent losing your Safari tabs in the future. But another question that might be on your mind is this: do these open Safari tabs drain your iPhone’s battery?

The answer is yes. Keeping multiple tabs open on Safari won’t only slow down your browsing speed but also use more battery power. This is because all those websites keep running and updating in the background while using processing power and energy – similar to having several apps open at once.

To preserve battery life, close any unnecessary tabs after using them. Tap on the tab icon at the bottom right of the screen and swipe left on each tab you want to close.

A well-managed browser is the key to a happy iPhone battery!

You’ve successfully navigated the treacherous waters of lost Safari tabs. Don’t worry, with our helpful solutions, you can easily get back on track.

Remember, it’s better to be proactive and keep your settings in order – extra tabs may sometimes be a battery-draining nuisance, but they’re usually harmless.

Keep following us to stay on top of the tech game!

Oseka Media

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S00ZQ

My Open Safari Tabs Have Disappeared!

My open tabs on Safari disappeared overnight. Is there any way that I can recover them?

Posted on Jan 17, 2022 8:55 AM

Posted on Jan 17, 2022 10:07 PM

My problem is with disappearing Safari tabs on my iPhone 8. After running this by my nephew, I discovered that this had happened because I had too many tabs open, but that the missing tabs had been saved. This is what I did to recover them:

  • Open Safari.
  • Open a new tab by tapping + in the lower left corner of the screen.
  • This opened a new tab showing my Favorites.
  • One of my Favorites was labeled Saved Tabs.
  • I tapped Saved Tabs, and it opened to reveal my missing tabs. I only had to tap each tab to reopen it.

safari tabs disappeared iphone reddit

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  • Safari Tabs Missing? So earlier today, I was using split-screen mode on Safari. I closed the split-screen and the Safari app. On returning later, I found out that my tabs had disappeared! I can’t get them back, and I have no idea what happened. Anyone know how I can get them back? Thanks. 1023 5

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Jan 17, 2022 10:07 PM in response to S00ZQ

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Here are some quick fixes:

  • You can disable auto-close Safari tabs on iPhone by going to Settings > Safari > Close tabs > Manually .
  • Ensure that all tabs are visible by using either  Show All Windows  or  Merge all Windows option in Safari on iPad.
  • To access the closed tabs, tap and hold the  Plus button  and select the tab you want to open.

I think we can all agree that the disappearing Safari tabs on iPhone and iPad are frustrating. Especially if you were doing something and paused it to resume later, only to discover Safari has automatically deleted all those tabs.

If you tend to keep multiple web pages open on your browser to access them later, losing them would be the last thing you want to happen. So why does Safari tabs keep disappearing on iPhone and iPad? There are multiple reasons for it, and I have gone through them to find the right fixes for you. Read along!

How do you fix disappearing Safari tabs on iPhone and iPad

1. disable auto-close safari tabs.

Auto-close is a feature in iOS and iPadOS, where you can make Safari close all the tabs after a particular period, such as a day, week, or month. If it’s turned on, the time to worry thinking why your safari tabs keep disappearing has come to an end, as you are going to find the fix here:

  • Open Settings → tap Safari .
  • Scroll to the Tabs section and tap Close Tabs .

Disable Auto-close on iPhone

That’s it! Now Safari won’t be closing tabs automatically, and you can have peace of mind.

2. Show all Safari windows on iPad

Despite turning off the auto-close tabs on your iPad, if you still cannot access all the Safari tabs, it might be because you are using multiple Safari windows on your iPad. So, let’s see how to switch between multiple Safari windows and find the disappeared tabs:

  • Press and hold the Safari icon on the dock.

show all windows on iPad

Now, you can see all the Safari windows that you have opened. Check if you can see the tab you are looking for in these windows. If you want to merge all these windows, I have mentioned the steps for that in the next part.

3. Merge all windows on iPad

Since managing all the Safari windows is a difficult task, the best way is to merge them all. All you have to do is:

  • Open Safari .

Show Tab Overview

As you can see, all the tabs present in multiple Safari windows will be combined and will be shown under a single window. Now, you can jump between tabs without fear of losing any tab unexpectedly until you close them.

4. Access the recently closed Safari tabs

If you closed a Safari tab mistakenly, it’s very easy to revive them. All you have to do is:

  • Tap and hold the  + icon  in Safari for iPad at the top right. On iPhone, tap the tabs button → long-press the  + icon .

access recently closed Safari tabs on iPhone and iPad

Other than that, you can also open the closed tabs on Safari from the browser history section. I have mentioned that in the next method.

5. Check the browser history

  • Open Safari on your iPad or iPhone
  • Tap the book icon at the top left.

browser history on Safari for iPhone

6. Bookmark the tabs on Safari  

If Safari keeps closing the tabs on your iPhone or iPad, it could be some bugs in iOS. It would be better to stick with a workaround until a fix is released. The best one is to bookmark all the tabs that you are using. But wait! Before you think about the tedious process, I can assure you it’s very simple. Just follow these steps.

  • Open Safari → tap the tabs icon.
  • Tap and hold one tab .
  • Now, tap Add Bookmarks for X Tabs .
  • Give a name to the folder.

Bookmark the tabs on Safari on iPhone

  • Name the folder and select a location .
  • Next, tap Save .

You can access these bookmarks from the location you have saved. If Safari removes your tabs, you can load them by selecting  tap and hold that folder  →  Open in New Tabs or Tab Group .

7. Check internet connection

All the methods you have performed will be useless if you haven’t connected to the internet. Connect your  iPhone or iPad to the internet  and see if you face any issues. Safari is an internet browser; hence, it needs a proper internet connection to use its features.

8. Enable background App refresh 

Maybe it’s because Safari is not allowed to run in the background, causing the app not to behave properly and thus, miss some tabs. You can enable  Background App Refresh to let Safari run in the background. All you have to do is:

  • Open Settings and tap General .

enable Background App Refresh on iPhone

  • Now, tap Background App Refresh again.

enable background app refresh

9. Update software to the latest version

Safari cannot be updated individually since it’s a system app, and the only way to update is by updating your iOS or iPadOS version. You can check for the latest software updates on iPhone or iPad by going to  Settings → General → Software Update .

10. Restore tabs through other Apple devices

Since you cannot access Safari tabs on iPhone and iPad, let’s look at a way to restore Safari tabs . But for this method, you should have already enabled the  Sync  option on your Apple ID and should be logged in with it on another iPhone or iPad. After that:

  • Open Safari and select the Tabs icon on the other iPhone or iPad.
  • Scroll down, and you’ll see tabs opened on other devices.

11. Hard reset your iPhone

If you cannot fix the issue of tab disappearing on Safari, the last resort is to reset your iPhone or iPad , as it may fix the software bugs causing the issue. But before that, perform a quick  restart  or a  force reset  as some issues will be easily fixed.

No, updating your iPhone won’t delete tabs of the Safari browser. You can ensure by turning off the auto-close tabs option from  Settings → Safari → Close tabs → Manually .

The Safari bookmarks might get deleted if you have turned off the sync between devices, and thus, you won’t be able to access bookmarks saved on other devices.

That’s it!

I can understand how frustrated you will feel when tabs disappear on Safari. With this guide, I hope you were able to fix the issue once and for all. Also, do you prefer Safari over  other alternatives ? Let me know in the comments below.

Want more Safari tips, tricks, and fixes? Here are some handpicked ones:

  • 24 Best Safari extensions for iPhone and iPad
  • How to change Safari background on Mac
  • How to translate web pages in Safari on iPhone and iPad
  • Safari tips and tricks for iPhone

Anoop

Anoop loves to find solutions for all your doubts on Tech. When he's not on his quest, you can find him on Twitter talking about what's in his mind.

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iOS 15.5 just deleted all of my Safari tabs

  • Thread starter !!!
  • Start date May 20, 2022
  • Tags safari
  • Sort by reaction score
  • iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
  • iOS and iPadOS

!!!

macrumors 6502a

  • May 20, 2022

All 250 tabs. Gone. Thanks Apple. I was actually hoping this update would fix the awful Safari tab history issues where it will frequently remove all of a tab's history while browsing for no apparent reason. Guess I don't have that issue anymore, I don't have any tabs!!! Jesus f***ing Christ, Apple!!!!!!  

Slartibart

macrumors 68030

  • May 21, 2022

just simply reopen from the bookmarks. or do I miss something?  

macrumors newbie

That’s awful! Here also happened the same. Upgrade done for IOS 15.5 and all tabs in safari main tab view have gone away, 100 of them. All the other tabs in tab groups have been kept! What bug is this Apple?! Never happened before within the updates between iOS 12 to now! How can we recover this tabs? Also the issue that every day now it deletes the tabs opened from last day. What’s happening? And also the bug that it doesn’t load the preview left in the tab groups… we need to reload each tab again to see what the tab is. Whatever was done have completely messed up Safari. Top annoying. It’s a disaster!  

Slartibart said: just simply reopen from the bookmarks. or do I miss something? Click to expand...
dasthunder said: That’s nothing to do with bookmarks! If I open a tab that should stay there until I decide I want to close it. Not Safari close it like he wants! Click to expand...

macrumors 6502

  • May 22, 2022

AB701866-4469-4C2E-8A45-F6BE6BF0D3BD.jpeg

macrumors G3

Why are you using tabs as bookmarks? Ever since browsers have had tabs I've always seen them as volatile.  

AppleWes

zorinlynx said: Why are you using tabs as bookmarks? Ever since browsers have had tabs I've always seen them as volatile. Click to expand...

macrumors 65816

  • May 23, 2022

I did an IPSW upgrade to iPadOS 15.5 and have about 40 tabs open before the upgrade [iPadOS 15.4] but after the upgrade they were still there and nothing was lost... I also did an IPSW upgrade from iOS 15.3 RC to iOS 15.5 RC but I don't have any opened Safari tabs at the time so I don't know if the same would have happened... iPad 9 and iPhone 7 Plus  

PowerPCFan

If your web history still remains intact you might be able to find some of those pages in the history, although its a long and tedious process.  

  • May 25, 2022

www.macrumors.com

Disappearing Safari Tabs on iPhone or iPad? How to Find Them

www.macrumors.com

dasthunder said: Or do you say that I need to bookmark this webpage if I want to reopen again?? Click to expand...
dasthunder said: It’s crazy if someone do that! Click to expand...

Realityck

macrumors G4

!!! said: All 250 tabs. Gone. Thanks Apple. I was actually hoping this update would fix the awful Safari tab history issues where it will frequently remove all of a tab's history while browsing for no apparent reason. Guess I don't have that issue anymore, I don't have any tabs!!! Jesus f***ing Christ, Apple!!!!!! Click to expand...
  • May 30, 2022
Realityck said: Got enough memory for 250 tabs? Click to expand...

macrumors member

  • Jun 1, 2022

I’ve lost all tabs that are not in a tab group for the second time in the last couple of weeks. Pretty annoying. (The tabs in tab groups stayed. But the Safari iCloud sync seems to be quite buggy anyways.)  

  • Jun 14, 2022

Same here, all tabs gone! Horrible bug, happened two times. I discovered after being out of battery it happens. My partner had the same thing. Hope it will be fixed soon. Normally I leave all interesting tabs open until the max of 500. Have been doing this for years. Has never been an issue with memory.  

I had up to 500 tabs open as well before—no performance problem.  

macrumors regular

The1Biz said: I've never understood why people do this. If it's that important, just bookmark it and come back later. If it crashes and has to restart, you're probably going to lose everything you had open anyway. Leaving tabs open is like tempting fate to screw you. Click to expand...
silllli said: I do it out of convenience and it worked for the last 10 years. Technically there is no difference between a list of tabs and a list of bookmarks. Neither should be lost. Click to expand...
The1Biz said: I see it very differently. I've just learned over the years with iOS system and Safari random restarts and occasional crashes that bad stuff happens and you can't depend on tabs open. Bookmarks are at least a stable record. You can also backup via your computer or iCloud them for safety if it's really important. Honestly if you made it 10 years without anything bad happening, you're very lucky. I remember there was one iOS version at the tail end of the 3G lifecycle (the second released iPhone) where the phone would randomly shut down for no reason. Once you go through that, you don't leave things to chance. Click to expand...
Slartibart said: Well, technically there is quite a difference between 100 bookmarked websites or having these websites opened in individual tabs in your browser. 🤓 Regarding a difference between saved tab groups versus bookmarks - that does seem functionally similar, doesn’t it? Click to expand...

I've been to the Genius bar enough times with iOS issues over the years, and it was always recommended to reboot your phone once a week. In practice I never do that, maybe a few times a year outside of updates when its forced, and uptime is generally very good. I know enough now though, if it's mission critical, you need to back it up because a crash is always a possibility. Tabs historically have never been a stable way to keep data.  

Guiding Tech

How to Get Safari Icon Back on iPhone Home Screen

safari tabs disappeared iphone reddit

Mehvish Mushtaq is a computer engineer by degree. Her love for Android and gadgets led her to develop the first Android app for Kashmir. Known as Dial Kashmir, she won the prestigious Nari Shakti award from the President of India. She has been writing about technology for 6+ years and her favorite categories include how-to guides, explainers, tips and tricks for Android, iOS/iPadOS, social media, and web apps.

safari tabs disappeared iphone reddit

Paurush dabbles around iOS and Mac while his close encounters are with Android and Windows. Before becoming a writer, he produced videos for brands like Mr. Phone and Digit. On weekends, he is a full-time cinephile trying to reduce his never-ending watchlist, often making it longer.

  • Look for app folders and search for Safari in the home screen.
  • Use App Library to bring Safari back to the home screen.

Fix 1: Unhide Home Screen Page

If the Safari icon has gone missing along with other app icons, you might have hidden a home screen page.

Step 1: On your iPhone’s home screen, touch and hold the page dots at the bottom until you see the thumbnails of your home screen.

Step 2: The pages that have checkmarks under them are enabled. Look for the page with the Safari browser and tap on the selection circle under it to enable it.

home screen windows iPhone

That’s it. Now, go to your phone’s home screen, and you should see the Safari icon.

Fix 2: Remove Screen Time Restrictions From iPhone

If you can’t find Safari on your iPhone using the above methods, you must check and remove screen time restrictions from the Safari app.

Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone > go to Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions .

screen time settings iPhone

Step 2: Tap on Allowed Apps . Turn off the toggle next to Safari . It should turn green.

That’s it. Go to your home screen, and you should see the Safari app. If the Safari icon is missing, use the above methods to put it back on the home screen.

Fix 3: Reset Home Screen Layout

Resetting the home screen layout of your iPhone will delete folders that you have created on the home screen and put all the pre-installed Apple apps, including Safari, at their original location. This will help in restoring Safari to the home screen.

To reset the home screen layout, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset Home Screen Layout .

iPhone Reset

Once reset, go back to the home screen, and you should see the Safari icon happily sitting over there. If Safari doesn’t work, learn how to fix Safari not working on your iPhone .

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Last updated on 25 April, 2024

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IMAGES

  1. Safari Tabs Disappeared on iPhone? How to Get Them Back!

    safari tabs disappeared iphone reddit

  2. Safari Tabs Disappeared From iPhone? Not A Problem Anymore!

    safari tabs disappeared iphone reddit

  3. Safari Tabs Disappearing On IPhone: Methods To Repair?

    safari tabs disappeared iphone reddit

  4. Disappearing Safari Tabs on iPhone or iPad? How to Find Them

    safari tabs disappeared iphone reddit

  5. Safari Tabs Disappeared From iPhone? Not A Problem Anymore!

    safari tabs disappeared iphone reddit

  6. Safari Tabs Disappeared, Deleted From iPhone In iOS 16.1?

    safari tabs disappeared iphone reddit

VIDEO

  1. How to Automatically Close Safari Tabs on macOS

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  6. iPhone trick you should know! Close all Safari tabs at once #iphonetipsandtricks #iphonehacks

COMMENTS

  1. Safari tabs disappeared : r/iphone

    Safari tabs disappeared Support I got a new iPhone yesterday and restored it from my backup. When I opened Safari, all my tabs were gone. I had 80+ that I go back to daily for education, work and information I need. ... Reddit's little corner for iPhone lovers (and some people who just mildly enjoy it…) Members Online.

  2. ALL MY SAFARI FAVOURITES ON MY IPHONE SUDDENLY DISAPPEARED! IT ...

    This happened a few days ago. This is my iPhone 12. I randomly opened Safari in the middle of the day to be met with an empty screen tab (except for the Apple site). Before, the screen was FILLED with Favourites. I guess Safari does that because there are too many in the actual Favourites bar (the white area).

  3. All my tabs from a tab group dissapeared : r/iphone

    All my tabs from a tab group dissapeared : r/iphone. r/iphone. r/iphone. • 42 min. ago.

  4. Disappearing Safari Tabs on iPhone or iPad? How to Find Them

    All you have to do is open up the tab view in Safari and long press on the "+" icon to get a look at all of the tabs that you've recently closed. play. Even if you're aware of the gesture, it's ...

  5. Safari Tabs Disappeared on iPhone? How to Get Them Back!

    Open Safari, and Select a tab. Long press the Bookmark icon on your iPhone or the address bar on your iPad, and a menu will pop up. Tap Add Bookmarks for [X] Tabs. The X represents the number of tabs. Create a name for the new folder. Now you can find your saved tabs anytime by tapping the Bookmark icon in Safari.

  6. lost all my safari tabs after updating to…

    On the multi mini-tabs screen, I tapped and held the second to the last tab and wanted to move it to the last position. Some menu showed. Then all disappeared. I see the Recently Closed Tabs history when holding "+". I synchronize Safari with cloud but I don't have any other Apple devices. lost all my safari tabs after updating to IOS 15.2.

  7. Safari Tabs Disappeared From iPhone?

    Open the 'Settings' app on your iPhone and scroll down until you see 'Safari'.nn2. Tap on 'Safari' and look for the 'Tabs' section. Within this section, there should be an option called 'Close Tabs'.nn3. Click on it and select "Manual" instead of "After one day", "After one week", or "After one month".

  8. Close tabs in Safari? : r/iphone

    In Safari, hold the tab button on the main screen or the done button on the tab screen to find the "close all tabs" option. Reply reply Simmerzbestfriend

  9. My Open Safari Tabs Have Disappeared!

    After running this by my nephew, I discovered that this had happened because I had too many tabs open, but that the missing tabs had been saved. This is what I did to recover them: Open Safari. Open a new tab by tapping + in the lower left corner of the screen. This opened a new tab showing my Favorites. One of my Favorites was labeled Saved Tabs.

  10. How to fix disappearing Safari tabs on iPhone and iPad

    Tap and hold the + icon in Safari for iPad at the top right. On iPhone, tap the tabs button → long-press the + icon. Tap any tab from the list of tabs you have closed recently. Other than that, you can also open the closed tabs on Safari from the browser history section. I have mentioned that in the next method.

  11. Why do all safari tabs just sometimes disappear and are gone?

    I noticed that this would happen when I used the slide-over or used split mode (or whatever you call them). I then pressed the home button twice and noticed that I would have 2 Safaris open. I just checked which one had all my tabs and just closed the other. Since then I feel safe when I think I have lost all my tabs.

  12. All the fixed tabs in Safari have disappeared : r/MacOS

    Get the Reddit app Scan this QR code to download the app now. Or check it out in the app stores ... All the fixed tabs in Safari have disappeared . Bug ... but suddenly all the fixed tabs disappeared, leaving only the new one, and then everything returned to normal. Share Add a Comment. Sort by:

  13. How to Reopen Closed or Lost Tabs in Safari on Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac

    A list of recently closed tabs appears, click an item to open it in a new tab. Alternatively, go to History > Reopen Last Closed Tab or press Cmd + Shift + T to automatically reopen your las closed tab. Reopen your recently closed tabs from the menu bar on a Mac. Step 2. Check Your Other Safari Windows in iPadOS.

  14. iOS 15.5 just deleted all of my Safari tabs

    4. May 21, 2022. #3. That's awful! Here also happened the same. Upgrade done for IOS 15.5 and all tabs in safari main tab view have gone away, 100 of them. All the other tabs in tab groups have been kept!

  15. How to Get Safari Icon Back on iPhone Home Screen

    Step 2: Tap on Allowed Apps.Turn off the toggle next to Safari.It should turn green. That's it. Go to your home screen, and you should see the Safari app. If the Safari icon is missing, use the ...