Safari Website Settings Sync in iOS 16

In iOS 16, Safari introduced the ability to synchronize custom website settings across your Apple devices via iCloud, ensuring a consistent browsing experience whether you are on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. This feature automatically propagates user-defined preferences—such as Reader view defaults, page zoom levels, and content blocker toggles—to any device running modern Apple operating systems signed into the same Apple ID.

How the Synchronization Works

When you customize how a specific website behaves in Safari on iOS 16, those preferences are saved locally and immediately synced to iCloud. iCloud then distributes these rules to your other connected devices running iOS 16, iPadOS 16, or macOS Ventura (and later).

The synchronization relies on the standard iCloud Safari data pipeline. The data transferred is lightweight metadata consisting of the domain name and the specific parameters configured for that domain.

Settings That Are Synchronized

The feature applies to per-website configurations accessible via the "aA" (Page Settings) menu in the Safari address bar. Synchronized settings include:

  • Page Zoom: Default zoom levels chosen for individual domains.
  • Request Desktop Website: Rules forcing specific domains to render either mobile or desktop interfaces.
  • Automatic Reader View: Preferences that force certain domains to always open articles in Reader mode.
  • Content Blockers: Rules specifying whether ad blockers or content filters should be active on a particular site.
  • Media & Hardware Permissions: Custom permissions granted or denied for camera, microphone, and location access on a per-site basis.

Requirements for Syncing

To ensure Safari website settings sync correctly, the following conditions must be met:

  1. Compatible Operating Systems: Devices must run iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, or newer.
  2. Identical Apple ID: All devices must be logged into the same Apple ID.
  3. iCloud Safari Enabled: Safari syncing must be toggled on under your Apple ID settings (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Show All > Safari).

How to Enable or Disable Website Settings Sync

Apple allows users to toggle this behavior on or off if they prefer distinct configurations on different screens:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iOS 16 device.
  2. Scroll down and tap Safari.
  3. Under the General section, locate the Share Across Devices toggle.
  4. Turn the switch On to keep website settings unified across your hardware, or turn it Off to manage settings independently on each device.