How to Add Safari App Back to Home Screen on iPhone

Just like Mail and Messages, Safari is part of the app package that comes pre-installed on iOS and macOS. It is also the default browser on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Therefore, you cannot offload or delete Safari, unlike some other preloaded apps on iOS, such as GarageBand, iMovie, Pages, and Keynote.

If Safari is missing from your iPhone, you might be trying to reinstall it. However, you can’t reinstall Safari on an iPhone because the app is already built into the system. Additionally, Safari cannot be updated through the App Store, as it updates automatically when there is an iOS update.

That said, if you can’t find Safari on your device, there’s no need to worry. The app is still on your iPhone, along with all your settings, browsing data, and saved logins. Most likely, Safari isn’t appearing because you accidentally removed it from your home screen, moved it to an app folder, or disabled the app at some point.

Fortunately, you can easily add Safari back to the Home Screen and access it as before. Let’s see how to restore the Safari icon on an iPhone running iOS 14 or later.

How to Get Safari Back on Your iPhone

Here are a few ways to get the Safari icon back on your iPhone or iPad.

From App Library on iOS 14

1. Go to the App Library and open the Utilities folder. [Refer: How to find iOS 14’s App Library]
2. Look for the Safari app.
3. Press and hold an empty area on the screen until you see the jiggle mode.
4. Tap the Safari app icon and drag it to one of your home screens.
5. Tap ‘Done’ at the top-right corner after moving the app.

That’s it. Similarly, you can add other apps to the home screen in iOS 14.

Using Search

Search for Safari using Spotlight Search

If Safari is missing from your iPhone Home Screen, use Spotlight Search to check whether the app is located in an app folder. This method also works with iOS 13.

To do this, swipe down anywhere on the Home Screen to bring up Spotlight Search. Type Safari in the search bar at the top. If Safari is located in a folder, you’ll see the name of that folder next to the app in the search results. You can then move Safari from that folder back to the Home Screen or a desired location.

Look for Safari in the App Library

If Safari doesn’t appear in the Utilities app group, try searching for it in the App Library.

To do so, swipe left until you reach the App Library page. Then, swipe down and search for Safari using the search bar at the top. Once you locate the app, press and hold the Safari icon until it enters jiggle mode. Then drag Safari back to the Home Screen or place it on the dock.

 

Alternatively, long-press the Safari icon in the App Library and select “Add to Home Screen.”

Note: The “Add to Home Screen” option won’t appear if Safari is already present on the Home Screen, inside an app folder, or on a hidden Home Screen page (introduced in iOS 14).

Find Missing Safari on Hidden Home Screen Pages

Safari may not show if you have hidden its app page for a cleaner look in iOS 14.

To check and unhide Safari from hidden Home Screen pages, follow these steps:

1. Long-press an empty area on the Home Screen or any app page until the icons start to jiggle.
2. In Edit mode, tap the page dot button at the bottom center of the screen.
3. Look for the hidden app page that contains the Safari app.
4. If the page is hidden, tap the checkbox below it to unhide it.
5. Tap Done in the top-right corner to exit Edit mode.

ALSO READ: How to delete an app you removed from the iPhone Home Screen

Reset Home Screen Layout

This is one of the easiest ways to restore the default Home Screen layout and appearance on your iPhone or iPad.

Note: We don’t recommend using this method unless necessary, as it will rearrange all your apps on the Home Screen and remove Home Screen widgets as well.

To reset the Home Screen layout in iOS 15 or later:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
3. Tap Reset, then select Reset Home Screen Layout.
4. Tap Reset Home Screen to confirm.

ALSO READ: How to Download Voice Messages from WhatsApp to iPhone

Unrestrict and Re-enable Safari on iPhone

iOS Screen Time settings allow users to restrict access to built-in apps through Parental Controls. When you disable an app, such as Safari, it’s simply hidden from your Home Screen and not deleted.

If you have disabled Safari, you won’t be able to find it anywhere on your iPhone using the above-mentioned methods. To access Safari again, you’ll need to re-enable it in Screen Time settings. To do so,

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.
2. Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions“.
3. Enter your Screen Time passcode if prompted.
4. Make sure the Content & Privacy Restrictions toggle is turned on.
5. Tap Allowed Apps.
6. Turn on the toggle button next to Safari.

Safari will now reappear on your Home Screen, and you’ll also be able to find it via Search.

Hope you found this guide helpful.

RELATED:

• How to Change Safari Settings on Your iPhone
• How to add Messages back to the Home Screen on iPhone
• Here’s how to add the Phone app to your iPhone Home Screen
• How to add all apps to the Home Screen at once on iPhone