Apple Offers Safari Design Choices in iOS 26, Learning from Past Criticism

[MacRumors]

Apple introduced a new, compact design for Safari in iOS 26 that serves as the default layout, but there are two other design options available if you don't like it.

In the Safari section of the Settings app, you can select Compact (the default), Bottom, or Top. The latter two are the options in iOS 18, so iOS 26 uses that same layout, but with a tweaked design to match the Liquid Glass aesthetic.

The three Safari Tab options in iOS 26, Light Mode​

Functionally, the Bottom and Top Tabs operate in the same way as the Safari Tab bars in iOS 18, so you don't need to change anything about how you use Safari. The Compact option hides the share, bookmark, and tab settings behind the three-dot button on the left of the URL bar.

Safari in iOS 18​

The Liquid Glass translucent design blends the URL bar and buttons into the background of the webpage you're looking at regardless of what layout you choose. The effect is similar in both Light and Dark mode, with the color of the bar determined by the webpage's content.

The three Safari Tab options in iOS 26, Dark Mode​

When you scroll down with any of the Tab settings, the URL bar and buttons collapse down into a single, small bar with just the webpage address listed. The collapsible bar allows you to see more of the webpage without distractions.

Collapsed Tab Bar in iOS 26​

Back when iOS 15 was in beta testing, Apple changed the design of Safari and did not initially provide different layout options for the URL bar. Apple received negative feedback throughout the beta testing process, and ultimately implemented options to revert to the original design. This time around, Apple has learned its lesson, and has provided users with more choice for the Safari layout.

The iOS 15 Safari Tab Bar​

Apple has actually offered design choices for several of the iOS 26 design updates that could be controversial. The Phone app offers a unified view, for example, but by default, it's not implemented. There are also glass-like icons that can be selected, but they're also not the default option.

Article Link: Apple Offers Safari Design Choices in iOS 26, Learning from Past Criticism

 

[risenphoenixkai]

I hated the tabs on bottom layout when it first came out and avoided using it for years.

I eventually decided to give it a try again on a trial basis — use it for a week, and if I still hated it, revert. I never went back to tabs on top after that.

 

[nuff_said]

I’m leaving this comment for all those who like the fact that we have an option. Score one for the good guys!

Now, I’ll sit back and wait for a thumbs down vote for those who don’t like the fact we have options.

 

[MrRom92]

Good. If they screwed this up I would’ve started a riot

 

[GrassShark]

Great to see them understand that one design doesn't fit everyone. Would love to see fundamental UI options like these available in other stock apps.

 

[kurtfoster]

I for one, prefer the address bar at the top. That’s how it’s always been for me, and it’s what I’m used to. Also, I’m too old to change. Hopefully that will continue to be a choice.

 

[klasma]

I dislike floating elements though. It's unfortunate that all three options have them.

 

[blairh]

I will always opt for the bookmarks button that doesn’t require an extra tap to access.

 

[skiguy45]

liquid glass looks horrible. Why does the whole page blur when near the edge, even if not covered by the floating tab?

 

[phenste]

this…is…a huge change? idc what anyone else here has to say. my web designer heart is warmed by this. (and you can set it to be the way you’re used to! VITAL option for stuff like this!)

 

[skiguy45]

wtf are the very top and bottom of the web pages blurry. You're losing like 5% of the real estate to pages .. and that's not even an area covered by a floating element. This feels like horrible UI design circa 2002

 

[tennisproha]

Compact is just so much better. I love the compact url bar already on macOS Safari. Looking forward to this

 

[TomaxXamot]

Great to see them understand that one design doesn't fit everyone. Would love to see fundamental UI options like these available in other stock apps.

Yeah I wish they’d add more options to the Photos app.

 

[turbineseaplane]

What I really want is "real Firefox" on iOS & iPadOS

 

[GrassShark]

Yeah I wish they’d add more options to the Photos app.

I haven't really seen the new Photos app from iOS 26, but the current one already offers quite a bit of layout customisation. I'm curious what layouts or options you'd like to see.

 

[victorvictoria]

Color me curious. Is this a quantifiable improvement?

 

[Populus]

liquid glass looks horrible. Why does the whole page blur when near the edge, even if not covered by the floating tab?


View attachment 2518637

Exactly my thoughts when I first saw that design on the keynote.

I think it would look cleaner without the blur, with the small URL bubble being transparent instead of white.

But I guess that option offers visual challenges…

 

[frogslapper]

I have a bad feeling about liquid glass.

 

[Reason077]

What about design choices in macOS Safari? I still miss the modern tab design they introduced a few years ago but then quickly reverted due to complaints 😔

To be fair, it had a few bugs and needed improvement but overall I thought it was fantastic. Never understood why they didn’t offer it as an option instead of reverting it completely!

 

[GrassShark]

What about design choices in macOS Safari? I still miss the modern tab design they introduced a few years ago but then quickly reverted due to complaints 😔

To be fair, it had a few bugs and needed improvement but overall I thought it was fantastic. Never understood why they didn’t offer it as an option instead of reverting it completely!

Was there another option other than these? I thought the Compact layout was the new version.

 

[rgwebb]

This design has terrible UX. The entire web is not going to reformat to use safe area insets. If this makes it to the broad public this Fall, people are going to flip their gourd.

 

[JohnC1959]

liquid glass looks horrible. Why does the whole page blur when near the edge, even if not covered by the floating tab?


View attachment 2518637

I'm suspecting the reason is to make the tab more noticeable. If there was clear web page text right alongside the tab then it may get lost in the noise. I'm suspecting they tried it both ways and found this to be true. At any rate, that blurred text would be totally gone using the old, non floating tabs.

 

[jarman92]

They’re all SO bad 😂 it’s so difficult to open a new tab now, for some reason they moved the + button to the top left corner.

 

[JohnC1959]

This design has terrible UX. The entire web is not going to reformat to use safe area insets. If this makes it to the broad public this Fall, people are going to flip their gourd.

What are "safe area insets"? I didn't see reference to that in the article.

 

[stiligFox]

Love this! I'll be using the URL on top option, I feel. That said, why the HECK is the new tab button now in the top left corner, the further possible distance from my thumb?