How to Get Safari Back on iPhone Home Screen

How to Get Safari Back on iPhone Home Screen

Safari is the default browser on all iOS devices, including iPhones. Unlike other apps, Safari cannot be deleted.

If you can’t find it on your home screen, you might have accidentally removed it, moved it to a hidden page, or blocked it from appearing on the home screen.

If you’re having trouble finding Safari, this guide will show you how to get it back on your home screen. There are several methods you can use.

Using the Search Feature

  1. When you’re on the home screen, swipe down from anywhere on the screen (except the top as that will open the notification center) to find the search bar. Type “Safari.”

    Spotlight Search Where Users Can Search for Apps on the iPhone
    Search for Safari using the search feature.

  2. Tap and hold the Safari browser and drop it anywhere on the home screen.

    Dragging and Dropping Safari Browser on the iPhone Home Screen
    Drag and drop Safari anywhere on the home screen.

  3. Tap Done.

    Editing Home Screen on the iPhone
    Tap Done after you’ve placed Safari on the home screen.

Using the App Library

This method will only work on iOS 14 and above since iOS versions below it don’t have the App Library.

  1. Swipe to the right to go to the App Library.

    App Library on the iPhone Where All of the Apps Can be Accessed
    Swipe right to open the App Library.

  2. You’ll find Safari in the “Utilities” folder. Tap any icon in the folder to open it.

    Utilities Folder Where Safari Browser is Located
    Tap any app in the Utilities folder to open it.

  3. Tap and hold the Safari browser and then drag and drop it anywhere on the home screen.

    Dragging and Dropping Safari Browser on the iPhone Home Screen
    Drag and drop Safari anywhere on the home screen.

  4. Tap Done.

    Editing Home Screen on the iPhone
    Tap Done.

Enabling Safari Using Parental Controls

Disabling an app through Parental Controls temporarily removes it from the home screen. To get it back, you have to re-enable it. Here’s how you can do that:

  1. Tap Settings.

    Settings App on the iPhone
    Tap Settings.

  2. Scroll down a little and tap Screen Time.

    Screen Time Where Apps Can be Blocked from Appearing on Home Screen
    Tap Screen Time.

  3. Tap Content and Privacy Restrictions.

    Content & Privacy Restrictions Settings for Apps
    Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions Settings.

  4. Tap Allowed Apps.

    Allowed Apps Settings Where Apps Can be Restricted
    Tap Allowed Apps.

  5. Tap Safari to turn on the toggle. This will unhide the app, and you’ll be able to see it on your home screen.

    Enabling Safari Browser to Make it Appear on the Home Screen
    Tap Safari to enable it.

Unhiding Hidden Pages on the Home Screen

  1. Tap and hold the dots at the bottom of the screen until all of the pages appear.

    Dots That Show All the Pages
    Tap the dots at the bottom.

  2. If you moved Safari to a hidden page, you’d see it in a greyed-out page with an empty bubble beneath it. Tap the bubble, and a checkmark will appear in its place.

    Hidden Page on the Home Screen
    Tap the empty bubble beneath the hidden page.

  3. Tap Done.

    Unhiding the Page to Make the Apps in It Accessbile
    Tap Done.

  4. You can now access the page on the home screen where you moved the Safari browser.

    Hidden Page Containing Safari on the Home Screen After Unhiding It
    Safari will now appear on your home screen.

Resetting Home Screen Layout

This method will reset your home screen to what it was when you first got your iPhone.

Note: This method should be a last resort as it will rearrange apps on the home screen and remove widgets.

  1. Tap Settings.

    Settings App on the iPhone
    Tap Settings.

  2. Go to General.

    General Settings in the Settings App
    Tap General.

  3. Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone

    Option to Transfer or Reset iPhone in the Settings App
    Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.

  4. Tap Reset.

    Option to Reset Settings on the iPhone
    Tap Reset.

  5. Tap Reset Home Screen Layout.

    Reset Home Screen Layout to Restore it to Factory Defaults
    Tap Reset Home Screen Layout.

  6. A confirmation menu will notify you that this option will reset your home screen layout to factory defaults. Tap Reset Home Screen.
    Confirmation Box for Resetting Home Screen Layout
    Tap Reset Home Screen.

    You’ll now be able to see Safari on your home screen.

Phoebe is an HR assistant in her day job, but is also a web blogger that loves writing guides and sharing her experiences. When she is not out with her friends, she enjoys traveling or binge-watching Netflix. She graduated with a BA in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Utah, and is a chief editor at TechObservatory.

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