How to Customize the Safari Start Page in iOS 15

iOS 15 introduced extensive customization options for the Safari start page on iPhone, bringing it in line with the desktop macOS experience. Users can personalize their browsing hub by reorganizing content modules, selecting custom background images, toggling specific data sections on or off, and syncing these preferences seamlessly across Apple devices via iCloud.

Accessing the Customization Menu

To begin customizing the start page:

  1. Open Safari on your iPhone running iOS 15.
  2. Open a new tab to navigate to the start page (tap the tabs icon and then the plus + icon).
  3. Scroll down to the very bottom of the start page.
  4. Tap the Edit button.

Managing and Reordering Sections

The customization menu displays a list of content sections that can be individually enabled or disabled using the toggle switches:

  • Favorites: Displays your saved bookmarks and pinned sites.
  • Frequently Visited: Shows websites you navigate to regularly.
  • Shared with You: Surfaces links sent to you through the Messages app.
  • Privacy Report: Summarizes how Safari protects your browsing and blocks trackers.
  • Siri Suggestions: Offers links based on your calendar events, messages, and browsing habits.
  • Reading List: Provides quick access to articles saved for offline reading.
  • iCloud Tabs: Shows open tabs from your other Apple devices signed into the same Apple ID.

To change the order in which these sections appear, tap and hold the three horizontal lines (drag handle) next to any section name, then drag it up or down to your preferred position.

Setting a Background Image

iOS 15 allows you to add a visual backdrop to the start page:

  1. In the Edit menu, turn on the Background Image toggle switch.
  2. Select one of the pre-installed Apple wallpapers from the provided gallery.
  3. To use a personal photo, tap the large plus (+) tile to open your Photos library and select any image.

Syncing Across Devices

At the top of the Edit menu, there is a toggle labeled Use Start Page on All Devices. Enabling this setting syncs your chosen layout, active sections, and background image across any iPad or Mac signed into the same iCloud account running compatible software versions. If you prefer a unique layout specifically for your iPhone, keep this toggle switched off.

Once your adjustments are complete, tap the X button in the top-right corner to close the menu and apply your new start page layout.