safari not opening links

Top 8 Ways to Fix Safari Not Loading Websites and Pages on Mac

Thanks to the groundbreaking Apple M1 chip , the popularity of the Mac lineup is rising to new heights. On macOS, most users stick with what comes out of the box and that includes the Safari browser. While it gets the job done with a nice look and a good set of extension lists, sometimes, you run into websites not loading issues on the Safari browser. Mac not loading websites and pages mostly happens on Safari browser, sometimes due to Webkit. Before you go ahead and download Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge for macOS, do check out the troubleshooting guide below to fix the issue. 

Fix Safari on Mac Not Loading Websites Issue

There are many factors behind the strange behavior. We will go through some of the basic steps and jump to extreme actions only if it doesn’t solve the issue. 

1. Check Internet Connection

This one is obvious. You should check if the Mac is properly connected to the internet. A sketchy internet connection might interfere with the website loading performance. It’s especially true when you try to load heavy web pages with lots of images and videos in Safari. 

Go to the macOS menu bar and click on the Wi-Fi icon. Make sure that it’s connected to the 5G network and not the 2.4G. I usually face this issue on my MacBook Air. Every now and then, my MacBook Air decides to connect to the 2.4G band and not the 5G band. The practice results in extremely long webpage loading times. 

2. Reset Router

Sometimes, the real culprit can be the router that you are using for the Wi-Fi connection. In such cases, you won’t be able to connect to the internet on any device, let alone loading websites on the Mac. 

In such cases, you need to reset the router or upgrade the firmware to the latest version available. Try connecting to the internet and browse the web comfortably.

3. Disable Extensions

Extensions play a major role in any browser’s ecosystem. The Safari browser is no exception here. Apple tightly controls the whole experience and only allows legitimate extensions from the App Store. 

However, some extensions might go out of date or become incompatible with the new macOS version resulting in Safari not loading websites on Mac. 

It can be hard to determine which extension is causing Safari to not load pages. In such cases, you need to disable all extensions and try your luck with the web browser again. Follow the steps below. 

1. Open the Safari browser. 

2. Click on the Safari option in the Menu bar. 

3. Go to Preferences . 

4. Move to the Extensions menu. 

5. On the right side, you will find all the installed extensions. 

6. Select an extension one by one and use the Uninstall button from the right side to remove them. 

4. Uninstall AdBlocker

No, I’m not talking about the Adblocker extension in a browser . Many users opt for a system-wide adblocker such as AdLock to remove any kind of ads from the OS. 

These programs might affect the webpage performance on the device. If you are using such software then you need to uninstall the program.

Open the Finder menu on Mac. Go to the Applications option. Identify the culprit app and move it to the Trash . 

5. Disable VPN

VPN apps allow you to establish a secure and private network connection . Some websites might not be accessible from the selected VPN location. You need to disable VPN and try the website loading again. 

Most VPN apps for Mac offer a shortcut through the menu bar. Click on the VPN icon in the menu bar and turn off the service. 

6. Clear Cache

A bad cache can ruin the day. It’s always advisable to clear cache and cookies from the browser at a regular interval. We are going to apply the same trick here to fix the website not loading issue on the Mac. Go through the steps below. 

3. Go to the Clear History menu. 

4. The following menu will offer to delete all the browsing history along with cookies and related website data. 

7. Update macOS

Safari not loading pages issue might be due to the recent macOS bug. Thankfully, Apple is quick to fix such annoyances. Go to the System Preferences > Software Update and install the latest macOS build. 

8. Switch to a Chromium Browser

Chromium is a universally accepted rendering engine. Some websites are specifically designed keeping Chromium in mind. The Safari browser uses a Webkit rendering engine to load web pages. You can switch to the Safari rival such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge and try accessing the website again. 

Wrap Up: Safari in Mac Not Loading Websites

Go through the troubleshooting tips above and one of them should easily fix the website not loading on Mac issue. For me, the cache and VPN tricks work all the time to fix the website loading issues on Safari.

Parth previously worked at EOTO.tech covering tech news. He is currently freelancing at TechWiser, Android Police, and GuidingTech writing about apps comparisons, tutorials, software tips and tricks, and diving deep into iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows platforms.

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Safari Can't Open the Page? Here's What to Do

When Safari can't open a page or fails to load it properly on your Mac, you can try these simple fixes to get it working.

Safari on macOS is pretty stable. So it might come as a surprise when Safari can't open a page. Such a struggle could tempt you to download or use Firefox, Chrome, or Edge to open the page instead, but you don't have to go down that road just yet.

We'll show you how to get Safari to open web pages normally with some simple troubleshooting tips.

1. Quit and Relaunch Safari

At times, an unknown glitch might prevent Safari from opening sites. You should quit and restart Safari if it fails to open the page to fix these glitches.

If you have any important work open in any of the tabs, save it first. Then press Cmd + Q to quit Safari.

Relaunch Safari as normal to see if it can open the page you wanted to visit now.

2. Check Your Internet Connection If Safari Can't Open a Page

If Safari can't open a page, then it might not be the browser's problem. Your internet connection might be slow or intermittent. You can check that by testing your internet connection speed to see if it's slowing everything down.

Related: How to Access Websites That Won't Load

Since Mac supports dual-band routers, you can switch your internet connection to a 5GHz band (if your router offers it). This can help if too many devices are using the same band (usually the 2.4GHz), slowing down browsing performance.

You can also bring your Mac closer to the router and change the Wi-Fi router's channel for better speeds and reliable connectivity.

3. Safari Can't Open a Page If It Doesn't Exist

By default, the latest Safari version doesn't show the full URL in the address bar, giving a minimalist look instead. If you're trying to open pages of old websites or outdated URLs from your bookmarks, it's a good idea to verify the URL to make sure you got it right.

Click on Safari's address bar to reveal the entire URL. You can then inspect whether it's the one you want to open or a misspelled mistake.

If the URL is incorrect, or the page no longer exists, you'll get the 404 error, which means Safari can't open the page no matter how much you try.

4. Check the DNS Settings for Your Mac

Most people use the default DNS of their Internet Service Provider (ISP). In such cases, an ISP's DNS servers might be choking up. So Safari can struggle to open a web page if it can't use a fast DNS.

Changing to different DNS addresses is often suggested as an easy way to improve your internet speeds. You can use Google's DNS servers to speed up things for your Mac.

Here's how to change DNS addresses on your Mac:

• Open System Preferences and select Network .
• Click on the Advanced button and go to the DNS tab.
• Click the Plus ( + ) button to add Google's Public DNS addresses: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 .
• Click OK on that window and then select Apply to confirm the changes.

Next, open the Terminal and run the following command to clear the DNS cache:

After that, you should try disconnecting and reconnecting to the Wi-Fi network to see whether Safari can open a page or not now.

5. Purge Safari's Cache and Temporary Files

Safari retains a cache from all the websites you visit, just like other browsers do. But if that website data is outdated on your Mac, Safari might say it cannot open a page. It's a good idea to dump Safari's cache every now and then to avoid this problem and make space for new data.

Here's how to purge Safari's Cache:

• Launch Safari, and click Safari > Preferences in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
• Head to the Advanced tab and select the checkbox for Show Develop menu in menu bar at the bottom.
• Close the Preferences window and click Develop > Empty caches to purge all the old Safari cache.

Once you make the Develop menu appear, you can hit Option + Cmd + E to delete the Safari cache at any time. You can also employ Safari browser tweaks to further boost its speed and performance.

6. Check Safari's Website Restrictions in Screen Time

If your Mac runs macOS Catalina or Big Sur, it's worth checking whether you have Screen Time enabled and applying Website Restrictions.

Go to System Preferences > Screen Time and select the Content & Privacy option from the sidebar. That'll reveal whether you've set any rules for blocking certain kinds of websites.

Click on the Turn Off button at the top, next to where it says Content & Privacy Restrictions to disable the website restrictions, if any.

7. Inspect and Edit the Hosts File on Your Mac

Some extensions or apps tend to edit the hosts file to connect your Mac to the webservers of an app or service directly. And the entries for that contain a domain or sub-domain.

Whether you're using your Mac for local server development or simply blocking the redirects, the hosts file might have some unknown IP address entries.

Cleaning up the unwanted entries from the hosts file can also help Safari and other apps.

To inspect and edit the hosts file, launch Terminal app and type this command:

Once the hosts file opens in Terminal, scroll down using the arrow keys and remove the unwanted entries. Then hit Ctrl + O to add those changes to the hosts file and Ctrl + E to exit the nano editor.

Updating the hosts file might make a few apps and sites run slow momentarily.

8. Install Outstanding Updates for Safari

Running the latest version of Safari on your Mac is a good way to eliminate all the niggles that hinder it from opening pages. An updated browser can often fix many problems, especially when Safari couldn't open a page that demands a specific browser version to work.

Head to App Store > Updates to check for any outstanding updates for Safari and install if there is one. Then go to System Preferences > Software Update to check for macOS updates as well.

You can also reset Safari to default settings to purge all old website data as well as cookies.

The Best Ways for Safari to Open Web Pages

While there's no single reason to point at, these solutions can remove any underlying issue that Safari faces when opening a page or a site. These improvements will make Safari faster after a few seconds once it gathers new cookies and site data.

Whenever Safari hits a roadblock while loading a site, you can use the solutions mentioned above to troubleshoot it. To improve your Safari browsing experience, there are lots of Safari tips and tricks you can use to tweak it to its maximum potential.

Links from Apps (Mail, Messages, Facebook, etc) Won’t Open in Safari, How to Fix

Several users have said that they are having issues opening web links in Safari from other apps such as Mail, Messages, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc. In order to explain this issue more clearly, I can give this example. When a user taps a link in Mail to open a particular website, the link opens the Safari but Safari does not open the webpage. Safari says “Loading” or “Nothing to see here” but still, the site does not load. Safari displays a blank page only. However, when the user goes back to the app and taps the same link again (the second time), this time the website loads successfully. Some users have further said that they even have this issue with the links inside Safari as well. From the users’ comments, I think that the issue may affect both iPhone and iPad users.

This problem can be very frustrating. You may have to tap links twice in order to open them in your browser. In this article, I explain how you can fix this Safari problem.

Update iPhone or iPad

Make sure that your iPhone or iPad is updated to the latest version of the iOS or iPadOS software. If you update iOS or iPadOS, this means that all of its built-in apps are up to date. And this includes Safari. On your device, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

Restart Safari and your device

If your links are still not opening in Safari, I recommend you restart everything. Follow these steps in this order:

• If your device has a Home button: Double-press the Home button, find the Safari icon and swipe up on it.
• If your device does not have a Home button: Swipe up from the bottom of your iPad’s or iPhone’s screen, find Safari and swipe up.
• Now restart your device. You can turn off your device by going to Settings > General > Shut Down. Then press and hold the power button until the Apple logo appears.
• Now open Safari. Test your links. Do they work?

Delete website data

If you are still having issues with the links, clearing website data will improve Safari performance and this may also fic this issue. On your device, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website. You will need to confirm again by tapping Clear History and Data.

Disable JavaScript

If you are still having this problem, try disabling JavaScript. If disabling JavaScript does not make a difference, you can again enable it. Of course, when you disable JavaScript, some websites may not work properly as most websites require javascript. On your device, go to Settings > Safari > Advanced and then turn off JavaScript. Then open Safari and try again.

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• YouTube Website Not Opening in Safari on Mac, Fix

Dr. Serhat Kurt worked as a Senior Technology Director specializing in Apple solutions for small and medium-sized educational institutions. He holds a doctoral degree (or doctorate) from the University of Illinois at Urbana / Champaign and a master’s degree from Purdue University. He is a former faculty member. Here is his LinkedIn profile and Google Scholar profile . Email Serhat Kurt .

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Thank you so much! Your advice worked for me and links in emails on iPad now working. Thank you so much as the problem, which just started after an update, was driving me crazy! You are brilliant!

If I don’t keep Safari open at all times on my iPhone, then external-app links won’t properly open the webpage.

I can’t get any hyperlinks to open at all when clicking on them. This started right after the last Apple update iOS 15.6.1

for me it is opening a specific email inbox that only opens when messages are marked as read. it is frustrating and the only way Apple knows to get users to buy their products is to update them whilst platforms like Android beats t safari to pieces nearly everything,it shows the iOS weaknesses bigly.

for me it was webex extension, after uninstalling links started opening.

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Safari Version 17.4.1 - Clicking Website Links Issue

Am running a MacBook Air M3 with the latest macOS Sonoma 14.41 and Safari Version 17.4.1

Have noticed a fairy consistent issue, which involves website items such as buttons, menus etc not being clickable, ie the cursor doesn't change to the hand icon when hovering over the link.

It's not all sites, and doesn't seem to be consistent. Reboots and history clear doesn't appear to resolve this sporadic issue.

Im an OOH WFH user and spend a lot of time in the safari browser (ticket systems, RMM, 365 Admin etc) and this is frustrating to say the least.

Again, there doesn't seem to be any consistency when this happens, it's very sporadic with both secure and non secure sites etc.

Anyone else experienced this?

Posted on Apr 17, 2024 5:18 PM

Posted on Apr 25, 2024 7:03 AM

For me, the issue finally stopped after I updated the LastPass extension, and I've been issue-free for several days.

Similar questions

• Safari stops loading webpages Issue: Type web address into address bar select enter progress bar appears, but stops part way (estimate about 10%, judging how far the blue line moves) after a period, the progress bar disappears and a white page is displayed For pages that are already open, content stops refreshing The issue is only temporarily resolved by restarting the machine. I have a 14'' MacBook Pro with M1Pro chip I'm running MacOS version 12.3 and Safari version 15.4 1835 4
• Red and blue horizontal lines appearing when opening a safari link Whenever I open a link through safari on my MacBook Air it always shows up with this striped red and blue screen for a couple of seconds before my link appears on the screen. Any solutions? Thanks 2059 3
• Safari no longer works with Amazon and a few other websites I am using Safari 15.3. I am not sure exactly when Safari last upgraded, but about a month ago or so, Safari stopped working on Amazon. It will load the Amazon page, but none of the links on the page work. I have ad a similar issue on at least one other website where my login information will pre-fill, but when I click the "login" button, nothing happens. As a result I am using Google Chrome more often, but I prefer Safari. If there is a quick solution to this problem, I would love to hear how to fix it. OS - Catalina 10.15.7 Thanks, James 2321 6

Loading page content

Page content loaded

Apr 25, 2024 7:03 AM in response to hamacardo

Apr 20, 2024 6:49 PM in response to hamacardo

Same. I'm wondering if it's a Safari "content blocker" causing the behavior. I tried turning the content blocker off for the website where I was noticing the issue, and ... problem-free for the past few hours.

When the affected website is open, go to: Safari -> Settings -> Websites -> Content Blockers, then toggle the affected website to "Off".

Apr 21, 2024 11:00 AM in response to hamacardo

Unfortunately, that wasn't it. Apparently I just got lucky for a little while.

Apr 20, 2024 7:06 PM in response to SoundsSalty

Good tip will give it a whirl thank you 🙏

Apr 25, 2024 7:49 AM in response to SoundsSalty

Hmm interesting. The only extension I use is wipr (ad blocking)

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How to Fix It When Safari Is Not Working on an iPad

Restarts, updates, and checking your network are common fixes

• Swansea University, Staffordshire University

• Wichita Technical Institute

Fixing Safari issues on iPad can take seconds to fix due to an unknown minor issue, or it can take a lot longer. Here's how to fix it when Safari won't work on an iPad.

Causes of Safari Not Working On iPad 

There are many reasons why Safari may not be working on iPad. Try these troubleshooting tips to figure out what's happened.

• Your iPad is out of date. If your iPad is not up to date, you may find yourself running into trouble loading standard apps including Safari.
• You're offline. If your iPad doesn't have a data connection, Safari won't be able to load any websites, making it look as if Safari is the issue.
• Your iPad has a major problem. If your iPad won't load any apps including Safari, the problem may be deeper than just the one app.

How to Fix Safari Not Working On iPad 

If your iPad won't open Safari or it won't load correctly, it severely limits your ability to browse the internet. Here's how to fix Safari not working on iPad. 

Restart your iPad . Many common issues are solved by restarting or rebooting the device in question. Restart your iPad to hopefully fix Safari.

Check your data connection . If your iPad is a Wi-Fi model, check you're connected to a Wi-Fi network with internet access. If your iPad has a cellular connection, check it has a signal and is working correctly. Tap Settings > Cellular and check the toggle next to Safari is On.

Check Airplane mode . Check if Airplane mode is enabled on your iPad. If it is, you won't be able to browse online.

Check content restrictions . If you have parental controls set up on your iPad, these may stop you from browsing using Safari. Check the settings to confirm this isn't the issue.

Clear your browsing history . If Safari opens but is unresponsive, clear your browsing history to see if that makes it work more effectively. 

Disable Safari suggestions. Safari suggestions can sometimes cause Safari to crash. Try disabling them by tapping Settings > Safari > then toggle off the Safari Suggestions switch.

Update your iPad . If you haven't updated your iPad in a while, you may need the latest version of iPadOS to correct any issues. It's simple to do but set aside a while for the update process to complete.

Reset your iPad . Resetting your iPad to factory settings removes all your personal information but can sometimes solve an underlying issue previous steps haven't solved.

Contact Apple . If none of the above fixes work, you may have a hardware issue with your iPad. If you have remaining warranty or AppleCare+ , the appointment and fix may be free.

The first thing you should check is that you're entering the correct URL. If you're typing it manually, try finding a link. If you're following a link, try typing it by hand. The website may also be down, and you should try again later.

The best way is to delete your Safari data. Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data .

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Can't open certain Web pages or links in Safari? Reset items

Various Safari weirdness can be tamed with a reset.

[Friday, January 25th]

If you're experiencing an inability to load specific Web pages in Safari either by clicking links or accessing URLs directly -- particularly if they're all from the same site -- resetting certain elements of the browser can prove effective.

Take the recent case of MacFixIt reader Hayden Coon, who couldn't access any pages on the New York Times Web site. Initially he wrote:

"I am running Mac OS X 10.5.1 and have not been able to get Safari to open the links to stories in New York Times e-mailed materials, especially New York Times daily e-mail 'Headlines.'  This problem has appeared in the past 3 weeks or so and, I believe, started with intermittent failures to open but has quickly progressed to not opening any New York Times links.  I can't even "unsubscribe" because the link fails.  This is true for  my Mac Pro (10.5.1) but not my QuickSilver (10.4.11)."

We recommended that Hayden try a reset of Safari, which worked. He replied:

"After thinking about the problem (see last communication) - I concluded that since my problem pertained uniquely to New York Times - that it might well be a cookie failure.  So, I swallowed my fear and reset 'all cookies as well as other things.  Mirabile dictu, the problem was solved.  Thank you for the clue that led me (haltingly) to the Fix."

If, like Hayden, you're experiencing an inability load pages endemic to a certain site, try deleting cookies and the cache. If you're experiencing general Safari slowness, try deleting website icons. If you can't narrow the issue down, a general reset may work.

Feedback? [email protected] .

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iPhone is Not Opening Links in Safari? 5 Fixes

By benny kounlavouth ,.

When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Safari is the most popular web browser for any Apple device, including the iPhone. Apple creates this application, so it works great on Apple devices.

If your iPhone isn’t opening links in Safari, it could be due to an impending software update, Safari app issues, a bad Wi-Fi connection, or you just need a basic phone restart to smooth things over.

Please continue reading to learn everything you need about why your iPhone is not opening links in Safari. Our fixes will help you explore the web as comfortably as possible.

Restart Your iPhone

Whenever you encounter any device issue, you should first restart your device, and Apple products are no exception to this rule.

Every device needs a break occasionally, and your phone especially needs a break because you spend a lot of time on it. Follow these steps to restart your iPhone .

• Simultaneously hold your power and side buttons.
• Wait until the power off screen appears.
• Use your finger to drag the slider and turn off your iPhone.
• Hold the side button to turn your iPhone back on.
• Try opening a link with the Safari app to see if it works.

Unfortunately, restarting your iPhone can’t fix all your device issues.

If you still can’t open links on Safari after restarting your iPhone, continue reading below.

Manage Your Safari App

You’ll need to open your Safari app settings and change a few things.

For example, you may need to enable JavaScript or clear your website data.

We’ll teach you how to complete both tasks so that you can open links on Safari using your iPhone. Our steps will make things easier for you.

Enable The JavaScript Feature

If you have JavaScript disabled on your Safari app, you won’t be able to open links while you use that device. JavaScript is how you use interactive features on your Safari browser.

• Go to the settings menu on your iPhone
• Find the Safari app and hold it down with your finger
• Enter the advanced settings
• Scroll to the bottom of your screen to find your JavaScript switch
• Tap the switch to turn JavaScript on

After you enable the JavaScript feature, you should be able to open any links you want with Safari.

However, there’s one more fix to do in your Safari app.

Clear Safari Website Data

To clear the website data and cookies from your Safari app on an iPhone, you need to go into the same settings menu discussed in the section above.

However, instead of scrolling to the bottom of the Safari advanced settings screen, you look a few sections up and find the remove all website data option.

Click that option, and you’re clear.

Restart Your Wi-Fi Router

Sometimes the Safari application isn’t why you can’t open links using Safari.

If you have a poor Wi-Fi connection , this can be a huge factor as well.

Managing your Safari data, restarting your Wi-Fi routers, and checking for software updates are excellent ways to open links in Safari again. Most Wi-Fi issues are resolved with a router restart.

You can restart your Wi-Fi routerby using your Wi-Fi companies’ app and restarting it remotely or by unplugging it from the wall and waiting a few minutes.

It takes up to 10 minutes to restart.

Check For Software Updates

If you don’t update your app and device software often, you can experience plenty of bugs, including but not limited to your iPhone not opening links in Safari.

Unfortunately, you may need to check for software updates on your iPhone and your Safari app to resolve this issue.

You can also automatically update both this software by changing your settings.

iPhone Updates

You can check for iPhone updates by looking in your device settings menu.

Your iPhone will alert you if you’re overdue for an app update. As long as you have the App Updates feature turned on.

Your iPhone will prompt you to update your device immediately or set a more appropriate time.

This way, you don’t have to worry about the update interrupting your day.

Most people install iPhone updates overnight so that they wake up and don’t have to worry about it.

These updates will fix common bugs and glitches in your iPhone.

Safari Updates

Fortunately, while you update Safari, you can use an alternative application to look up things on your iPhone.

So, this software update is less intrusive than your iPhone update.

Look up the app in your App Store to check for Safari updates.

Once you find the app, you can install any pending updates and set up automatic software updates.

Final Thoughts

If someone sends you an important link, you’ll want to open it immediately, especially if it’s time-sensitive.

So, it’s frustrating when Safari won’t open links on your iPhone.

Fortunately, this is typically an easy fix, and our guide will help you quickly resolve this issue.

Most people won’t contact support to open links in Safari because everything can be done on your end.

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How-To Geek

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad.

Want to stop Safari from automatically opening apps on your iPhone or iPad? We've got some tricks for that.

Quick Links

Option 1: uninstall the app, option 2: long-press on a link, option 3: use safari in private browsing mode, option 4: lock safari with guided access.

Safari for iPhone and iPad will automatically open many web links in apps. For example, if you tap a LinkedIn, Reddit, or YouTube link on a web page, you'll be taken to the associated app. Here's how to stay in Safari.

Here's why Safari does this: App developers can choose to register their apps with URLs. For example, if you install the LinkedIn app, it will register itself with linkedin.com addresses. Whenever you tap a linkedin.com link in Safari with LinkedIn installed, Safari will take you to the LinkedIn app. Apple doesn't offer a way to disable this for individual apps.

If you really don't like using a service's app and prefer its website, you can uninstall the app from your iPhone or iPad. Safari won't open the app if it's not installed.

To avoid opening an app when opening an individual link, you can long-press it in Safari. A preview of the web page will appear. Tap "Open" to open the link in Safari in the current tab or "Open in New Tab" to open the link in Safari in a background tab.

This will bypass opening the link in the associated app, but you'll have to use the context menu each time. If you find yourself doing this all the time, uninstalling the service's app may save you some time.

In Private Browsing mode, Safari's behavior changes to protect your privacy. Safari will never open a private browsing link in its associated app before asking you first. This helps protect your privacy---after all, you may be signed into the app and it may reveal personal information.

When in Private Browsing mode , you'll receive an "Open in [App]?" prompt after tapping a link if that link would normally open in an app. Tap "Cancel" and Safari will open the link in a normal Private Browsing tab.

However, there is still that extra step after enabling Private Browsing mode---you have to tap "Cancel" rather than just instantly opening the link.

Related: How to Use Safari Private Browsing on an iPhone or iPad

Guided Access mode is a feature on your iPhone or iPad that lets you "lock" your iPhone to a specific app. For example, you might enable this if you want a child to use a specific app on your device (like a game or video player) without accessing anything else (like your email or online banking.)

This feature can stop Safari from opening apps, too: With Guided Access enabled, you can't leave Safari until you disable Guided Access mode. Safari won't even try to open links in other apps.

To set up Guided Access mode, head to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access. (You can use the search box to search for the Guided Access page in settings, too.) Activate "Guided Access" here.

Next, switch to Safari and triple-click the side button, as explained on the Guided Access settings screen. Tap "Start" to enable Guided Access mode. You'll be prompted to enter a PIN the first time you do this. You'll need this PIN to leave Guided Access mode.

You can now browse and Safari won't offer to open any apps. To leave Safari, you'll have to exit Guided Access mode by triple-clicking the side button once again and entering your PIN. You can tap "Passcode Settings" on the Settings screen where you enabled Guided Access to enable other authentication methods like Touch ID and Face ID.

None of these methods are perfect. You'll either have to uninstall the associated app or do some extra tapping around to avoid opening its links in Safari.

Ideally, Apple would offer a Settings screen that lets you control which apps can take over links just as you can control other app features like location access and notification permissions.

If Safari isn't loading websites or quits on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

If you can't load a website or webpage, or Safari quits unexpectedly, follow these steps.

Connect to a different network

Try to load a website, like www.apple.com , using cellular data. If you don't have cellular data, connect to a different Wi-Fi network , then load the website.

If you're using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), check your VPN settings . If you have a VPN turned on, some apps or websites might block content from loading.

Restart your device

Turn off your device and turn it on again.

Restart your iPhone

Restart your iPad

Restart your iPod touch

Clear website data

You can clear website data occasionally to improve Safari performance.

Go to Settings > Safari.

Tap Clear History and Website Data.

Tap Clear History to confirm.

Turn on JavaScript

Turn on JavaScript if it's not already on.

Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced.

Turn on JavaScript.

Get more help

If the issue continues and only affects a certain website or webpage, check if you have Private Relay turned on. You can temporarily turn off Private Relay in iCloud Settings . If Safari still doesn't load websites and you tried all of these steps, contact the website developer for more help.

Contact Apple Support

Need more help? Save time by starting your support request online and we'll connect you to an expert.

We explain and teach technology, solve tech problems and help you make gadget buying decisions.

3 Ways to Stop Mac From Opening Links in Safari

With early exposure to Nokia Symbian phones, Subham got hooked on smartphones and consumer tech. He brings 1.5 years of writing experience with great investigative research skills. Subham is drawn to tech with aesthetic appeal and excellent UI; also, he primarily focuses on the Apple ecosystem. In his free time, Subham can be found diving into research and enjoying a good read.

Safari is an excellent browser on Mac. But some things work great on Safari and some on others like Chrome. Hence alternative browsers like Chrome and Firefox have become a must for Mac. But macOS only allows you to choose one browser as a default at a time. And most of the time, it is set to Safari. So, what to do if you want to stop your Mac from opening links in Safari?

If you’ve also been looking for a solution, worry no more. We have three ways to fix this problem for good, whether you wish to sacrifice Safari as your primary browser. Let’s get started.

Method 1: Change the Default Browser on Your Mac

Your Mac comes with Safari as the default browser. However, if you don’t wish to continue this and want to open links in Chrome or any other browser instead of Safari, try changing the default browser on your Mac . Here are the simple steps to do so:

Step 1 : Open the System Settings on your Mac and go to Desktop & Dock.

Step 2 : Click on the drop-down next to Default web browser.

Step 3 : Select a browser of your choice in which you want to open links going forward.

Method 2: Change Default Browser per File Type

If you are struggling with links opening in Safari even after changing the default browser, you must know that macOS allows you to set the default browser (and also app) per file type.

So, if you have added website shortcuts to your Mac home screen or dock, you can also change their default browsers without changing your system-wide default browser. Here’s how:

Step 1 : Open Finder on your Mac and navigate to the file you wish to set the default browser.

Step 2 : Right-click on the file and go to Open With > Other.

Step 3 : Click on Recommended Applications.

Step 4 : Select All Applications from the drop-down.

Step 5 : Now, select Google Chrome (or the browser of your choice).

Step 6 : Check the box for Always Open With and click Open to permanently open the selected type of file in your preferred browser.

Also Read : Safari vs. Google Chrome: which browser is better on Mac

Method 3: Use a Browser Picker (Third-Party App)

To stop your Mac from opening links in Safari, try taking the help of a browser picker on your Mac. A browser picker opens all the links in your preferred browser or pops up a prompt every time you click on a link. Hence allowing you to prevent links from opening in Safari, meanwhile enabling you to open other links like Google Meet on your preferred browser.

For illustration, we will be proceeding with one of the free browser pickers, Velja. It is one of the best browser pickers for Mac and is entirely free to use. Besides, it offers an elegant UI with loads of customization.

So, download and install the browser picker using the link below and follow the steps.

Download Velja for Mac

Step 1 : After installing the browser picker, open System Settings on your Mac.

Step 2 : Go to Desktop & Dock and set your default browser to Velja (or any other browser picker).

Step 3 : Click on the Velja (browser picker) logo from the menu bar and select Settings.

Step 4 : Now, go to the Browsers tab.

Step 5 : Click on Safari next to Browser to change the primary browser on your Mac.

Step 6 : Select your preferred browser here.

For demonstration, we’re proceeding with Prompt.

Step 7 : You can also set your alternative browser from here.

Tip : Hold the fn key on your Mac’s keyboard while clicking on a link to launch the website in the alternative browser.

Step 8 : Now, navigate to any link on your Mac and click on it. It will provide you with the list of browsers on your Mac; click on any one to open the link in the preferred browser.

Step 9 : You can also try pressing the option key on your keyboard when the prompt is on the screen to show additional options like copy or share.

Step 10 : If you quickly want to change your primary browser back to Safari or Chrome, click on the Velja (or another browser picker) logo from the menu bar and select the browser of your choice.

Now, the link will open directly in your preferred browser.

2 Browser Picker Recommendations for Mac

If you want to explore other browser pickers, below are some of our recommendations for your Mac to choose from:

1. Browserosaurus

Browserosaurus is also one of the free browser pickers for macOS. Although the app doesn’t offer much customization, it does the job. The app is available on GitHub for free; plus, if you are a backend developer, you can install the app using the Terminal on your Mac .

Price : Free

Download Browserosaurus for Mac

2. Switchbar

Switchbar is a freemium browser picker for Mac. The free version of Switchbar allows you to set up two browsers, whereas the paid version will enable you to add an unlimited number of browsers. The paid version also lets you choose a default email client on your Mac.

Switchbar might be your app if you constantly struggle with default browsers and email clients.

Price : Free ⏐ Premium : $20 one-time fee

Download Switchbar for Mac

FAQs Related to Browsers on Mac

Sometimes browsers don’t appear in the list of browsers in System Settings. In such cases, try re-installing the browser on your Mac and then restart your Mac.

For a browser picker to work seamlessly on your Mac, you need to select it as the default browser on your Mac by following the above-mentioned ‘Method 1’.

No. macOS on its own doesn’t allow its users to pick a browser while clicking on a link.

Yes. Some browser pickers allow you to further customize the browsing experience by making a particular set of rules to open certain websites in a specific browser on your Mac. For example, in Velja, go to ‘Settings > Rules’ to do so.

Regain Your Browsing Freedom

Clicking on a link by mistake and waiting for Safari to open just to quit it can be cumbersome. Simply changing the default browser on your Mac or switching to a browser picker can help you get rid of those annoying moments for good. With these techniques at your disposal, you can stop your Mac from opening links in Safari and enjoy a seamless browsing experience on your Mac.

Go ahead and take charge of your browser choices and enjoy browsing on your terms!

Was this helpful?

Last updated on 19 July, 2023

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

re: “Step 1: Open the System Settings on your Mac and go to Desktop & Dock.” — This may or may not be correct, depending on which version of the Mac OS you are running. For example, in Mojave, it’s under General settings (which makes more sense, actually, since the default browser setting has nothing to do with the dock or the desktop). You could have specified that this is how it is done in the OS you were demonstrating. But a more universal suggestion would be to type “browser” into the Settings/Preferences search field, and it will show you where the setting is in your OS.

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The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.

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Meet wild animals face-to-face in the Drive-Thru Safari adventure

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - This segment on The Three was paid for and sponsored by Aggieland Wild Animal Safari.

You can meet hundreds of animals from the comfort of your own vehicle when you participate in the Drive-Thru Safari!

The Drive-Thru Safari adventure is a 2.5-mile ride that allows you to come face-to-face with more than 75 species of animals, including American Bison, Watusi, Emus, Ostrich, Zebras, and hundreds of others.

Take your time! The Drive-Thru Safari lets you tour the park at your own pace.

You have a few options when it comes to the Drive-Thru.

You are more than welcome to remain in your own vehicle. Most people do! But know that the animals will get extremely close, especially if you feed them! Wild Animal Safari™ is not responsible for any damage to vehicles.

Animal diets are specific and important. You may feed animals, but only from park purchased feed.

If you don’t want to drive your own car, drive one of the Safari Vehicles through the Drive-Thru Safari park for one hour. The Safari SUV holds up 5 passengers. Anyone who wishes to drive one of our Safari Rental Vehicles must be at least 21 years of age and be a licensed driver. They must also have a valid insurance card at the time of rental.

For more fun, you can hop aboard one of the guided tours and learn about the animals who make their homes in our park. If you have a party of at least 20 people, book a private tour bus in advance.

Tour buses have an experienced Safari Tour Guide giving all riders a fun-filled behind the scenes experience.

The bus tour is first-come-first-serve and lasts for about an hour.

The bus tours do not operate year-round, so check the calendar and plan your trip in advance.

Aggieland Wild Animal Safari opens 9am and closes at 5pm. The last car for the Drive Thru will be admitted at at 4pm.

Copyright 2024 KBTX. All rights reserved.

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