Safari Highlights and Table of Contents in iOS 18

In iOS 18, Apple updated Safari with machine learning capabilities that automatically process long-form web content to generate summaries and structured navigation. This article explains how Safari handles table of contents structures on lengthy web pages, how the feature is integrated between Safari Highlights and Reader mode, and the steps required to use it.

Safari Table of Contents Support in iOS 18

Safari in iOS 18 does generate a structured table of contents for lengthy web pages, paired alongside an automated summary.

While general "Highlights" surface contextual items like location maps, phone numbers, and media links directly from the address bar, the structured table of contents is specifically embedded within Safari's redesigned Reader interface. When Safari detects long-form editorial content, documentation, or multi-section articles, it organizes the text into distinct headings that allow users to jump directly to specific parts of the page.

How the Feature Functions

  1. Section Parsing: Safari evaluates the document structure and semantic HTML headings on the page using on-device machine learning.
  2. Summary Generation: At the top of the article, Safari generates a concise summary outlining key takeaways.
  3. Interactive Navigation: Immediately following or alongside the summary, Safari displays an interactive table of contents. Tapping any listed section navigates instantly to that part of the article.

How to Access the Table of Contents on iOS 18

To view the generated table of contents on a compatible page:

  1. Open Safari and navigate to a long article or guide.
  2. Tap the Page Menu icon (the icon with lines and sliders) located on the left side of the address bar.
  3. Select Show Reader (or tap the summary card if highlighted automatically).
  4. View the AI-generated overview at the top of the reading view to see the clickable table of contents.

Requirements and Limitations

  • Page Length: The table of contents only appears on pages with sufficient length and distinct sections. Short posts or pages without clear topical shifts will not trigger a table of contents.
  • Semantic Structure: Websites that rely heavily on non-standard formatting, heavy dynamic scripts, or unformatted text blocks may fail to parse correctly into distinct sections.
  • Availability: While the core Reader view is available across all devices running iOS 18, advanced natural-language summarization features depend on regional and language availability, as well as device support for Apple Intelligence.