Safari Start Page Customization in iOS 15

With the release of iOS 15, Apple introduced significant personalization options to Safari, bringing the mobile browser in line with its macOS counterpart. The update transformed the default new tab experience by allowing iPhone users to customize their start page with personal background images, manage and reorder functional sections, and synchronize their preferences across all Apple devices.

Custom Background Images

Users can now personalize the visual appearance of their start page using custom wallpapers. Safari provides a curated gallery of built-in Apple wallpapers, ranging from abstract patterns to colorful gradients. Additionally, users can tap an add button to choose any custom image from their personal Photos library, giving the start page a distinct and personalized backdrop.

Section Selection and Reordering

iOS 15 introduced an "Edit" button located at the bottom of the start page, opening a menu where users can toggle specific content modules on or off:

• Favorites: Quick access to bookmarked sites.
• Frequently Visited: Automatic shortcuts to commonly browsed pages.
• Shared with You: A new iOS 15 section displaying links sent by contacts through the Messages app.
• Privacy Report: A snapshot detailing how many trackers Safari blocked over the last 30 days.
• Siri Suggestions: Recommended links based on browsing habits and calendar events.
• Reading List: Direct access to saved offline reading material.
• iCloud Tabs: Open tabs from other synced Apple devices.

Beyond toggling these sections on and off, users can rearrange their order on the page using drag-and-drop handles, prioritizing the features they use most frequently.

Cross-Device Syncing

The update added a "Use Start Page on All Devices" toggle. When enabled, this feature uses iCloud to mirror start page customizations—including the selected layout, enabled sections, and background image—across all connected iPhones, iPads, and Macs running compatible software.