iOS 26 Beta 2 Fixes Frustrating Safari Design

[soundsgoodtome]

Is my vision really so poor that I'm the only one who's biggest 'pain point' is actually simply finding the active tab when the web page presented in the tab has a black background (i.e. the majority if you run in "Dark" mode)? I have to set the screen to maximum brightness to just barely make it out! Attaching screenshot.

I was hoping this beta made things better. It did a little bit - by adding some sort of thick line(??) under the non-active tabs - but those are also nearly impossible to make out in the above case.

I agree completely and have submitted feedback on this very issue. (Though, to be clear, that's a macOS issue, and this article is about iOS.)

 

[tim_apple]

They also added a forward button when there is a page to go forward to. The old way you had to hold down on the back button to go forward which I was fine with. With the forward button on there now there is very little room for the tab bar.

 

[twolf2919]

Is it just me or did they add TWO taps to get to one's "Favorites" bookmarks? In iOS 18, you could simply tap the book icon and it would show the Favorites by default. Now, it seems, I have to: (1) Tap '....', (2) Tap "Bookmarks", (3) Tap "Favorites"? Pretty annoying!

 

[Yigit]

I am still not able to enable a private browsing window if I have a screen time passcode enabled even though I don’t have safari restricted in any way. Anyone else? The option simply disappeared, the moment I use a screen time passcode

Same here, I have filed feedback in DB1. I imagine it was done kind of intentionally for parental controls, but not everyone uses Screen Time password for that. I think many people also use it just as a secondary security measure.

 

[stiligFox]

Thank goodness! It was such a weird design idea - on my 12 mini it made opening new tabs annoying. Can’t even imagine how it would be with my new 16 Pro! All basic functions should be within thumb reach. So glad they put it back down at the bottom!

 

[stiligFox]

Easiest (new) way is to swipe left on the address bar to open a new tab. No +-button needed!

Whaaaaat I had no idea this was a thing, just tested on iOS 18, it works! Wild. Only works if you’re at the furthest end of the tab “ribbon” so to speak though…

 

[GlassFingers]

Thank goodness they are listening to the voice of reason!

 

[nickdalzell1]

Great, they fix iOS's Safari but break macOS's Safari (little black bars under all the inactive tabs)

 

[GeorgeBell]

“Find on Page” - still hidden under the share menu, like 5 clicks deep…so much for a discoverable interface design…

 

[svish]

Will update soon and try it out. Prefer it to be like how it is in the new beta.

 

[JohnSmithJ]

I am still not able to enable a private browsing window if I have a screen time passcode enabled even though I don’t have safari restricted in any way. Anyone else?

This is so frustrating. I use a screen time passcode to prevent changes being made to my icloud account, my passcode, and location services in case my phone gets stolen. This was not an issue in iOS18. I now use Firefox for private browsing. Very inconvenient.

 

[cocky jeremy]

This has driven me crazy in beta 1.
Repositioning UI elements that have been there for at least a few iOS iterations seems like a solution in search of a problem.

Creating problems to create revolutionary updates. "The new 'new tab' placement is better, and easier than ever to use. We think you'll love it."

 

[MacFarmer]

the new design is all over the place. :E