How to Change the Default iPhone Browser Search Engine
Searching for content in Safari is simple; tap the menu bar at the top of the browser and enter your search terms. By default, all iOS devices use Google for web searches, but you can select a different search engine by following these steps:
How to Use Safari AutoFill to Fill Out Forms Faster
Similar to a desktop browser, Safari automatically fills in forms by grabbing information from your address book. This saves time because you don’t need to fill out the same forms over and over again. To use this feature, follow these steps:
How to View Saved Passwords in Safari
Saving usernames and passwords in Safari means you’re not forced to memorize login credentials to access a website. As this data is sensitive, iOS takes measures to protect it. If you need to look up a username or password, you can do so by following these steps:
Control How Links Open in iPhone Safari
You can choose where new links open by default—in a new window that appears either in front of or behind the page you are currently viewing. Follow these steps to adjust this setting:
How to Cover Your Online Tracks Using Private Browsing
Browsing the web leaves digital footprints. Between browsing history, cookies, and other usage data, you may prefer to cover some of those tracks. The Safari Private Browsing feature prevents Safari from saving information about your behavior—including browsing history, cookies, and other files—while it is turned on.
How to Clear Your iPhone Browser History and Cookies
When you want to delete your browsing history or cookies manually, follow these steps:
Prevent Advertisers From Tracking You on Your iPhone
Cookies allow advertisers to track you across the web. This lets them build a profile of your behavior and interests to target you with ads better. Here’s how to opt-out of some of that tracking data:
How to Get Warnings About Potentially Malicious Websites
Setting up fake websites that look like ones you normally use is a common method of stealing data from users. Safari has a feature to help avoid these sites. Here’s how to enable it:
How to Block Websites, Ads, Cookies, and Pop-Ups Using Safari
You can speed up your browsing, maintain privacy, and avoid certain ads and websites by blocking cookies. Here’s how:
How to Use Apple Pay for Online Purchases
If you set up Apple Pay, you can use it at any participating retailer to complete purchases. To make sure you can use it at those stores, enable Apple Pay for the web. Here’s how:
Take Control of Your iPhone Security and Privacy Settings
While this article focuses on privacy and security settings for the Safari web browser, the iPhone has other security and privacy settings. These settings can be used with other apps and features to protect private info stored on your iPhone.