Safari on Mac: Tips and Tricks You Should Know

 

Safari, Apple's built-in web browser for macOS, is known for its speed, efficiency, and seamless integration with other Apple services. Whether you're a seasoned Mac user or new to the ecosystem, there are numerous features and tricks in Safari that can enhance your browsing experience. By leveraging these capabilities, you can navigate the internet more effectively and enjoy a more personalized web experience.

1. Customizing Your Safari Toolbar

One of the easiest ways to improve your Safari experience is by customizing the toolbar. The toolbar is where you can access your most-used features quickly. To customize it, right-click on the toolbar and select “Customize Toolbar.” Here, you can add, remove, and rearrange icons based on your preferences.

For example, you might want to add the “iCloud Tabs” button to keep track of all the tabs open across your Apple devices. Similarly, adding a “Share” button can make it easier to share content directly from Safari to other applications.

Additionally, you can use keyboard shortcuts to enhance navigation efficiency. For instance:

• Command + L: Highlight the address bar.
• Command + T: Open a new tab.
• Command + W: Close the current tab.

2. Taking Advantage of Safari Extensions

Safari supports various extensions that can add functionality and improve your productivity. You can find these extensions in the Mac App Store under the "Safari Extensions" category. Some popular extensions include:

• Grammarly: Enhance your writing by checking for grammar and spelling errors.
• 1Password: Manage your passwords securely across different websites.
• Pocket: Save articles and videos to view later offline.

To install an extension, simply click on it in the Mac App Store and follow the prompts to add it to Safari. Once installed, you can manage your extensions by going to Safari Preferences > Extensions.

3. Privacy Features in Safari

Privacy is a significant concern for many users, and Safari offers several features designed to protect your data. One of these features is Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP), which limits how advertisers track you across different websites. ITP works in the background without requiring any user intervention.

Another useful feature is Private Browsing Mode. When activated, this mode prevents Safari from saving your browsing history, search history, and autofill information. To open a private browsing window, go to File > New Private Window or use the shortcut Shift + Command + N.

Safari also includes a feature called "Hide IP Address," which blocks trackers from profiling you based on your IP address. You can enable this by going to Safari Preferences > Privacy and selecting "Hide IP Address from Trackers."

4. Utilizing Reading List and Reader View

If you come across articles or web pages that you want to read later, you can use Safari’s Reading List feature. This allows you to save content for offline reading without cluttering your bookmarks. To add a page to your Reading List, click on the Share button and select “Add to Reading List,” or use the shortcut Shift + Command + D.

The Reader View feature simplifies web pages by removing ads and other distractions, making it easier to focus on the content. To activate Reader View, click on the Reader button in the address bar or press Shift + Command + R. You can customize Reader View’s appearance by changing text size, background color, and font type through Safari Preferences > Websites > Reader.

5. Advanced Tab Management

Safari offers several tools for managing tabs efficiently. One such tool is Tab Groups, which lets you organize tabs into groups that can be easily accessed later. This is particularly useful if you tend to have multiple tabs open for different projects or interests.

To create a Tab Group, click on the sidebar button in the toolbar (or use Control + Command + 1) and select "New Empty Tab Group" or "New Tab Group with [X] Tabs." You can switch between groups by clicking on their names in the sidebar.

An additional tip for managing tabs is using gestures on a trackpad or Magic Mouse:

• Swipe left or right with two fingers: Switch between open tabs.
• Pinch with three fingers: Zoom out to see all tabs in a grid view.

Simplifying Web Searches with Shortcuts

Safari includes several built-in shortcuts that make searching faster and more efficient. For example:

• Quick Website Search: If you've previously searched within a site using its search box (e.g., Wikipedia), typing that site's name followed by your query in Safari's address bar will perform a search directly within that site.
• Siri Suggestions: When typing in the address bar, Siri Suggestions will offer website recommendations based on your browsing history, bookmarks, and recent searches.
• Add Search Engine Shortcuts: You can create custom search shortcuts for websites you frequently visit by going to Safari Preferences > Search > Manage Websites.

Shortcut	Function	Details
Command + L	Highlight Address Bar	Selects the URL bar for quick typing or editing.
Command + T	Open New Tab	Creates a new tab in the current window.
Shift + Command + N	New Private Window	Opens a private browsing session without saving history.
Shift + Command + R	Reader View Toggle	Toggles Reader View for distraction-free reading.
Shift + Command + D	Add Reading List	Adds current page into Reading List

Leveraging these tips and tricks can significantly enhance how you use Safari on your Mac. Whether it's customizing your toolbar for quicker access or making use of advanced privacy features, there's something here for every user. Remember, the key lies in exploring these options and tailoring them according to personal preferences. Happy browsing!