Customize Safari Start Page Background in iOS 15

Apple introduced comprehensive Start Page customization to Safari on iPhone and iPad with the release of iOS 15, bringing mobile devices to parity with macOS. This update allows users to transform the default blank background with custom wallpapers, reorganize or hide specific content sections, and synchronize their personalized layout across all Apple devices using iCloud.

Custom Wallpaper Options

Prior to iOS 15, the mobile Safari start page featured a fixed, plain background. With iOS 15, users gained two primary methods for setting a background image:

  • Curated Preset Wallpapers: Apple added a built-in gallery of pre-installed background graphics, ranging from abstract patterns and minimalist designs to colorful landscapes tailored for both light and dark modes.
  • Custom Photos: Users can select any personal image directly from their device's Photos library by tapping the plus (+) button in the selection carousel.
  • Dynamic Scaling: Wallpapers automatically scale and blur appropriately behind active browser elements to maintain legibility.

Start Page Section Customization

Alongside custom backgrounds, iOS 15 introduced granular controls over which content modules appear on the Start Page and in what order they are displayed. Through toggles and drag-and-drop handles, users can customize:

  • Favorites: Quick access to bookmarked sites.
  • Frequently Visited: Dynamic list of commonly visited destinations.
  • Shared with You: A dedicated section introduced in iOS 15 displaying links sent via the Messages app.
  • Privacy Report: A summary showing how many trackers Safari blocked.
  • Siri Suggestions: Recommended websites based on user browsing habits.
  • Reading List: Saved offline or deferred reading items.
  • iCloud Tabs: Tabs currently open on other signed-in Apple devices.

Each of these sections can be individually enabled, disabled, or rearranged into any preferred vertical sequence to prioritize the most relevant information.

Cross-Device Layout Syncing

iOS 15 introduced a "Use Start Page on All Devices" toggle. When activated, this feature uses iCloud to synchronize wallpaper choices, enabled sections, and layout arrangements across all iPhones, iPads, and Macs associated with the user's Apple ID. Disabling this toggle allows each device to maintain its own unique background and layout configuration.

How to Access the Layout and Wallpaper Settings

  1. Open Safari and launch a blank tab to navigate to the Start Page.
  2. Scroll to the very bottom of the page.
  3. Tap the Edit button.
  4. Toggle Background Image to enable wallpaper selection.
  5. Choose an Apple preset or tap the + icon to select a photo from your library.
  6. Toggle and rearrange sections as desired, then close the menu using the X button.