How to use the new Safari features in iOS 18

Safari just got smarter—here’s how to make the most of it

With iOS 18, Apple® gave Safari® some powerful upgrades to make browsing faster, easier, and more secure. Whether you want to customize your browsing experience or better protect your privacy, the new features are easy to use — and we’ll walk you through them.

At Asurion, we help people get the most out of their tech, from setting up new phones to exploring software updates. Here’s how to use the latest Safari tools on your iPhone.

What’s new in Safari with iOS 18?

Here are some of the biggest changes:

• Highlights: Safari now uses machine learning to surface helpful information, like directions or summaries, directly on a webpage.
• Reader mode upgrades: Safari’s Reader view can now summarize articles and provide quick links to jump to key sections.
• Web app improvements: You can now pin web apps to your Home screen and get smoother notifications, just like regular apps.
• Locked Private Browsing: Safari can now lock your private tabs behind Face ID®, Touch ID®, or your passcode for extra security.
• Enhanced profiles: You can create different Safari profiles (like Work and Personal) to keep your tabs, extensions, and history separate.

How to turn on Safari Highlights

1. Open Safari and go to a supported website.
2. Tap the Highlights button in the address bar when it appears.
3. You’ll see key facts, directions, or summaries based on the page content.

How to use the new Reader mode

1. While viewing an article in Safari, tap the aA button in the address bar.
2. Choose Show Reader.
3. To see the summary or jump links, tap Summary at the top (available on supported articles).

How to add a web app to your Home Screen

1. Go to the website you want to save.
2. Tap the Share button.
3. Scroll down and tap Add to Home Screen.
4. Tap Add to confirm.

Web apps now behave more like native apps—they can even send you notifications.

How to lock Safari’s private browsing

1. Go to Settings > Safari.
2. Turn on Require Face ID to unlock Private Browsing.
3. Next time you open a private tab, Safari will ask for Face ID or your passcode.

How to set up Safari profiles

1. Go to Settings > Safari > Profiles.
2. Tap Add Profile.
3. Choose a name, icon, and color for your new profile.
4. You can now switch profiles from the tab overview in Safari.

This is great for keeping your personal browsing separate from work.

FAQs

What iPhones can use Safari’s new features in iOS 18?

Most new Safari features require iOS 18, which is available on iPhone XS and later. However, some advanced tools, like Highlights, may require a newer model with Apple’s latest chips.

Why can’t I see Highlights on every website?

Highlights only work on certain websites that support this feature. If you don’t see the option, try visiting a different page—Apple is expected to expand support over time.

Can I use Safari profiles across my Apple devices?

Yes. If you’re signed in with the same Apple ID and have iCloud® syncing turned on for Safari, your profiles will carry over to your other devices running iOS 18, iPadOS® 18, or macOS® Sequoia.

Are web app notifications safe?

Yes. Apple screens all web apps before they can send notifications. You can also manage or turn off alerts anytime in your iPhone’s Settings under Notifications.

How do I turn off private browsing lock?

Go to Settings > Safari, then turn off Require Face ID to unlock Private Browsing. Your private tabs will remain, but they’ll open without a security check.