Introduction
With the rollout of iOS 15 for iPhone and iPad, Apple made some big changes to the Safari web browser. The change that’s easiest to see that’s only on the iPhone is that Apple moved the address bar, which also doubles as a search bar, from the top of the screen to the bottom of the screen. Thankfully, if you’re not a fan of this change, you can move the Safari address bar back to the top of the screen.
Some of the images associated with the steps are included inline below. All images associated with these steps can be seen in the embedded YouTube video. Also, please note that you’re not able to leave a comment directly on this article. If you have a question or feedback, please leave it on the YouTube video.
Steps to Move Safari Address Bar from Bottom to Top on iPhone
- Open Safari on your iPhone. If you’ve installed iOS 15, you’ll see the address bar has been moved to the bottom of the screen.
- Tap the icon featuring two A’s next to each other on the left side of the Safari address bar to open a menu.
- Tap “Show Top Address Bar” in that menu. The menu will close, and the Safari address bar will be moved back to the top of the screen.
Steps to Move Safari Address Bar from Top to Bottom on iPhone
- Open Safari on your iPhone.
- Tap the icon featuring two A’s next to each other on the left side of the Safari address bar at the top of the screen to open a menu.
- Tap “Show Bottom Tab Bar.” The Safari address bar will be moved back down to the bottom of the screen.
Five Reasons to Move the Safari Address Bar Back to the Top on iPhone
1. Familiarity
The first reason why someone may want to move the Safari address bar from the bottom to the top of their screen is familiarity. Many users are used to having the address bar at the top of the screen, as it is the standard location for browsers on most desktop and mobile devices. This familiarity can help users feel more comfortable and confident in their browsing experience.
Having the address bar at the top of the screen can also help users navigate more quickly and efficiently, as they can easily locate and access it without having to scan the bottom of the screen. This can be especially important for users who browse the web frequently or need to switch between different tabs or windows.
2. Consistency
Another reason why someone may want to move the Safari address bar from the bottom to the top of their screen is consistency. By having the address bar in the same location as other browsers on different devices and platforms, users can maintain a consistent browsing experience that feels familiar and predictable.
This consistency can be especially important for users who regularly switch between devices or platforms, such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. By having the address bar in the same location, users can quickly adapt to their new device without having to relearn how to navigate or access basic features.
3. Accessibility
A third reason why someone may want to move the Safari address bar from the bottom to the top of their screen is accessibility. For some users, it may be easier to reach the top of the screen than the bottom, especially if they have mobility or vision impairments.
By having the address bar at the top of the screen, users with mobility impairments can avoid having to reach or stretch to access it. Similarly, users with vision impairments can more easily locate and focus on the address bar if it is in a more prominent location.
4. Compatibility
A fourth reason why someone may want to move the Safari address bar from the bottom to the top of their screen is compatibility. Some websites and web applications may not be optimized for a bottom-aligned address bar, which can cause issues with usability and functionality.
By having the address bar at the top of the screen, users can avoid these compatibility issues and ensure that they can access all of the features and content on a given website or application. This can be especially important for users who rely on certain websites or applications for work, school, or other important tasks.
5. Screen Real Estate
The final reason why someone may want to move the Safari address bar from the bottom to the top of their screen is screen real estate. Depending on the size and layout of the device screen, moving the address bar to the top can free up space for other content, such as tabs or toolbars.
By having the address bar at the top of the screen, users can maximize the amount of space available for content and reduce the amount of scrolling or panning required to view it. This can be especially important for users who need to view or work with multiple tabs or windows at once.
