Safari settings do not take effect after I change them

[adham7897]

My iPhone is on iOS 26.1.

Changing Safari settings in the Settings app does nothing at all, and the changes do not take effect.

For example: Changing the Safari layout to Compact/Bottom/Top has no effect, and Safari keeps using the same layout.

Same thing for "Open Links": Even if I set it to "In Background," links still open in a new tab (and it shows "Open in New Tap" when holding on a link.)

I've attached screenshots and a screen recording showing even though I selected "Top" layout and for links to open in background, the actual behavior in Safari has not changed and these settings did not take effect. I tried restarting my iPhone, etc…

Is anyone else having this problem?

 

[TumbleDryer]

Unfortunately there's a great many things wrong with Safari in iOS26. I and a few others have the same graphical bug that creates a random semi transparent square over everything when you try to type in a text field and the keyboard pops up covering said text field so you can't see what you're typing nor can you correct it when you 'think' you made a mistake. The whole extra tick arrow button to confirm text is completely useless as you can just click 'go/send' like before and I think it's related to that useless feature.

I did have a look on my phone for you but I can't really help you on your specific problem. I got round my issue by changing the tab layout to compact but then I get another issue that comes with that. Maybe try another browser until it gets fixed.

EDIT: Or.... uninstall it and redownload?

 

[HouseLannister]

Try turning off Safari sync under iCloud. Then force close the app, relaunch, and set the settings again.

 

[adham7897]

Unfortunately there's a great many things wrong with Safari in iOS26. I and a few others have the same graphical bug that creates a random semi transparent square over everything when you try to type in a text field and the keyboard pops up covering said text field so you can't see what you're typing nor can you correct it when you 'think' you made a mistake. The whole extra tick arrow button to confirm text is completely useless as you can just click 'go/send' like before and I think it's related to that useless feature.

I did have a look on my phone for you but I can't really help you on your specific problem. I got round my issue by changing the tab layout to compact but then I get another issue that comes with that. Maybe try another browser until it gets fixed.

EDIT: Or.... uninstall it and redownload?

Tried, didn't work.

 

[adham7897]

Try turning off Safari sync under iCloud. Then force close the app, relaunch, and set the settings again.

Didn't work.