How to Fix Safari Not Working on iPhone

Is Safari not working on your iPhone?

There can be a handful of reasons why Safari is not working on your device. Usually, a faulty version of iOS is the culprit. 

Factors such as unstable internet connection, screen time configurations, or third-party applications can also be the one of the reasons.

Today, we’ll show you what to do if you can’t use Safari on your iPhone. 

Let’s jump right in!

1. Restart Your iPhone. 

Whenever you encounter issues on your iPhone, the first thing to do is give it a restart. 

This should rule out temporary errors that prevent Safari from working. Restarting your iPhone should also clear corrupted data from the system memory. 

If you are using an iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, or later, here’s what you need to do: 

1. Hold down the Volume Down button and Side button until the ‘Slide to Power Off’ prompt appears. 
2. Now, drag the slider to the right and wait for 30 seconds. 
3. Press the Side button afterward to turn on your device. 

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For older models, follow the steps below: 

1. Locate the Power button on your device. 
2. Now, hold the button until the ‘Slide to Power Off’ prompt shows up.
3. Drag the slider to the right and wait 30 seconds before turning on your device. 

Once done, go back to Safari to check if the problem is solved. 

2. Try Other Browsers. 

Trying another web browser will help you know if the issue is isolated with Safari. Download any browser on your iPhone and see if it will work.

If other browsers are not working, the issue is with your network or system. Head to the next solution to continue. 

On the other hand, proceed to solution 6 if the problem is isolated to Safari to update your system. 

Related: How to Fix iPhone Won’t Connect to Wi-Fi

3. Check Your Network Connection. 

Slow or unstable internet connection can also cause Safari to malfunction. Try running a test using Fast.com to confirm if you are getting the correct speeds from your service provider. 

If not, try restarting your modem or router to refresh the connection with your ISP’s servers. 

1. Unplug your router’s power cable from the wall outlet. 
2. Wait for 5 to 10 seconds. 
3. Reconnect your router to the outlet. 

Perform another test afterward to check if the problem is solved. Contact your ISP if the issue persists and ask them to fix their service. 

4. Use Cellular Data. 

Try using cellular data if you’re experiencing problems with your network. This way, you can continue with whatever you are doing while waiting for your ISP to solve the issue.

Make sure that Safari is allowed to use cellular data by doing the following: 

1. Launch Settings on your iPhone. 
2. Now, tap on Cellular. 

3. Scroll down and look for Safari. 
4. Tap the toggle switch next to the app. 

5. Turn Off VPN. 

Virtual private networks could also cause issues with your connection. If you are using one, try disabling it before using Safari. 

Only some VPNs work the same way, and some need to be properly optimized. 

If you prefer using VPNs, you can switch to reputable providers such as PureVPN. It has been around since 2007 and has a good track record for providing quality servers. 

PureVPN offers high-speed servers, end-to-end file encryption, password manager, and more. 

Related: How to Fix iCloud Grayed Out on iPhone Setting

6. Update Your iPhone. 

Outdated versions of Safari or iOS could also be the reason you can’t browse the internet. 

In this case, check if there are available updates for your device and install them. These updates contain bug fixes and security patches. 

Here’s what you need to do: 

1. Open Settings on your iPhone. 
2. Navigate to General > Software Update. 
3. If there’s a new iOS version available, tap Download and Install. 
4. Once the new software is ready, follow the prompts to install the update. 

Use Safari again to check if the problem is solved. 

7. Clear Safari Data. 

You can also try clearing Safari’s data if it is still not working. This way will ensure that no corrupted resources on the app prevent it from working properly. 

See the guide below to clear Safari’s data: 

1. Launch Settings on your device. 
2. Scroll down and tap on Safari. 
3. Choose the Clear History and Website Data option. 

4. Follow the prompts to continue. 
5. Restart your iPhone to apply the changes. 

Relaunch Safari afterward to check if the problem is solved. 

8. Check for Screen Time Restrictions. 

If you had set restrictions for the Safari app, you wouldn’t be able to use it once you reach the set limit. 

You may have enabled restrictions when your kid borrowed your phone and forgot about it. 

Follow the steps below to check your configurations: 

1. Open the Settings app. 
2. Next, access the Screen Time tab. 
3. Tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions. 

4. Go to Allowed Apps. 
5. Make sure that Safari is enabled. 

6. You can also disable screen time altogether if you don’t plan on using it. 

Go back to Safari to check if the problem is solved. 

9. Disable Extensions. 

Safari for iPhone support extension. This allows you to install third-party software that adds functionality to the browser. 

However, not all extensions are optimized, and some can cause issues. If you can’t use Safari on your iPhone, see if browser extensions are causing the problem. 

1. Open Safari on your iPhone. 
2. Next, tap the aA icon in the lower left corner of the screen. 
3. Tap on Manage Extensions. 

4. Disable a browser extension from the list. 

5. Restart Safari and check if the problem is solved. 

Repeat this process until you pinpoint the browser extension that causes the issue. The last extension you disabled before the issue gets fixed is the culprit. 

10. Reset All Settings. 

If Safari is still not working on your iPhone, we recommend resetting your settings. 

This should ensure that everything is in order and there are no conflicts with your device’s configurations. 

Here’s what you need to do: 

1. On your iPhone, go to the main menu and open Settings. 
2. Now, tap on General. 
3. Look for Transfer or Reset iPhone and tap on it. 
4. Tap the Reset option and select Reset All Settings. 
5. Follow the prompts to continue. 

Once done, set up your device and see if the problem is solved. 

11. Contact Apple. 

If none of the solutions above worked, it’s time to seek help from the experts. 

Visit Apple’s support page and look up the issue you’re experiencing. Their site should suggest some fixes along with related articles. 

For faster actions, you can also get in touch with their team through chat or phone. 

That ends our guide on how to fix Safari if it’s not working on your iPhone. If you have questions, please drop a comment below, and we’ll do our best to answer them. 

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