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iOS 17 brings exciting new features to the popular Safari browser. With data protection features, improved search options and practical Siri integrations, surfing on the iPhone or iPad is even more convenient and secure. Find out everything about the nine new features that Safari has to offer in iOS 17 in this article.
Safari, Apple's web browser, is one of the most used apps on iPhones and iPads. With each new iOS version, Safari continues to evolve to provide users with the best browsing experience. iOS 17 introduced nine new features that make browsing on Apple devices even better. These features include profile tabs, locked private browsing windows, a private search engine, URL tracking prevention, hiding your IP address, and more. Below, we'll describe all of the new Safari features in detail.
All nine new features at a glance
tabs with profile function
In iOS 17, you can now create tab groups that contain different profiles for different use cases. This allows you to separate your work and personal browsing and offers separate cookies, browsing history, extensions, and more. You can set up profiles as follows:
- Open the “Settings” application.
- Scroll down to Safari.
- Tap New Profile.
- Choose an icon, name and background color for your profile.
- Choose your settings for favorites and tabs.
- Tap Done.
From here, you can edit profiles by tapping them in the Settings app. In Safari, tap the tab icon with two overlapping squares, then tap the middle icon and select the "Profile" option to change the active profile.
Locked Private Browsing Windows
Private browsing windows are now protected and require additional authentication through Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode to open. This keeps your private browsing protected even if someone else has access to your device.
Private search engine
With iOS 17, you can select different search engines for default browsing and private browsing. You can choose between Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo and Ecosia to better control your searches.
Prevent URL tracking
iOS 17 offers the option to clean URLs of tracking information to protect your browsing from nosy trackers. This feature is enabled by default in private browsing, but can also be turned on for all browsing.
Hide your IP address
You now have the option to hide your IP address from trackers and websites. You can choose whether to hide your IP address only from trackers or also from websites using iCloud Private Relay.
Search improvements
With iOS 17, search in Safari is more responsive and offers more search suggestions to choose from. Favicons have also been added to the top web page search suggestions, and search results from bookmarks, tabs, and search history are clearly labeled.
Listen to / have the page read aloud
Siri now helps you have web pages read aloud. This is especially useful if you want to listen to longer articles or content while you do other tasks. Siri will read the content of the page to you as long as Reading View is available.
Shared passwords and passcodes
iOS 17 offers the ability to securely share passwords and passcodes with friends and family members. This is set up in the "Passwords" section of Settings, under "Family Passcodes."
privacy settings
Note that privacy-related settings such as “Block all cookies,” “Preserve privacy,” and “Verify Apple Pay” have been moved to the advanced section of Safari’s preferences in iOS 17.
Safari on iOS 17: The Conclusion
With iOS 17, Safari has received an impressive range of new features that make browsing on iPhone and iPad even more convenient and secure. The ability to create tabs with profiles and use locked private browsing windows protects your privacy and allows you to better organize your browsing. The expanded privacy features and improved search make browsing even more enjoyable. Try these new features and enjoy an even better Safari experience on your Apple devices with iOS 17. Are you looking for new accessories? Then take a look in our Amazon Storefront - there you will find numerous products from leading suppliers, including for HomeKit and Co.! Are you interested in the iPad Air? The tablet with M-chip is currently priced from 649.90 euros available. (Photo by Unsplash / Mariia Shalabaieva)
