When this happens, it usually means there’s a setting or software issue. There are even cases where you might not be able to access the internet at all on your iPhone. Luckily, there are a variety of things you can try to get Safari working again.
1. Turn Off Safari Suggestions
One of the simplest and most common fixes for Safari not loading, or crashing, on an iPhone is turning off Safari Suggestions. While we aren’t sure why this works, many users have reported that turning this off fixes the problem.
To turn off suggestions, head to Settings > Safari > Safari Suggestions and turn this off. You can also turn off Search Engine Suggestions while you’re there too, as some users reported this also fixes the issue.
If this fixed your issue, then you’re all set. If not, try the following steps.
2. Turn On Cellular Data for Safari
If you’re frequently connected to Wi-Fi, you may have cellular data off for Safari to save on data. While helpful, if your Wi-Fi isn’t functioning right, connecting to cellular data could fix your issue.
To do this, head to Settings > Cellular > Safari and turn this on. If it was off, this was most likely the cause of the issue you were facing. Alternatively, you can turn off Wi-Fi if you’re connected and just connect with cellular data. If you’re able to connect this way, that means it’s a network issue with your Wi-Fi network.
3. Edit Your Screen Time Settings
If you’ve ever changed your Screen Time settings or blocked certain websites through Screen Time, try turning these settings off. To block websites, you need to enable Content Restrictions which can inadvertently block websites you still wanted to use. If you can’t load a link from an email or text message, this could also be a sign that content restrictions are on.
To fix this issue head to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn this option off. If it was on, then this was most likely your issue. If it was off already, proceed to the next fix.
4. Clear All Safari’s Data
If you frequently use Safari, you might have a lot of data stored within the app which makes it fail to load correctly. This is especially true if you’re using an iPhone with a lower storage capacity. If you get low storage notifications, this fix could resolve your issue.
To clear Safari’s data, head to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. This will erase all extra data in the Safari app. Some users report this works, but you’ll need to do it every so often if you can’t eliminate storage space elsewhere on your iPhone.
5. Update iOS to the Latest Version
Some users have reported that updating iOS resolves issues with Safari. Whether Safari isn’t loading, is crashing, or just is not connecting to websites, try updating iOS on your iPhone. Apple does a great job of fixing widespread issues with iOS updates. So if there is an issue that Apple is aware of, it could get fixed by an update.
6. Reset Your Network Settings
If you’ve had issues with your network before, like not getting service or pages timing out, resetting your Network Settings could help. To reset your Network Settings, head to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will reset only your Network Settings and won’t erase any other data on your iPhone.
After you finish this, try opening Safari to see if it’s working again. If not, proceed to the next fix.
7. Reset to Factory Default Settings
If all else fails, you can try resetting your iPhone to the default settings. This will erase all the data on your iPhone and you’ll have to set it up from scratch. However, this is also a very effective way to resolve all manner of software problems. To do this, head to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
After resetting to the default settings, test out the Safari app before you install your usual apps. If Safari is working then but stops working when a certain app is installed, that means the app installed is interfering with Safari.
If Safari isn’t working when you have a fresh install, make sure you didn’t restore a backup of your iPhone. If you restored a backup, there could be something interfering with Safari that transferred over. If you reset your device without a backup and Safari still didn’t work, it means there is only one more option to start using the internet again.
8. Use an Alternative Browser
If the above fixes didn’t work, then unfortunately there might be an iOS bug with Safari and you’ll need to wait for the next update and hope it’s patched. Until then, you can try using an alternative browser to access the internet on your device. There are many great browsers available in the app store that can cater to your needs.
Be sure to check back for iOS updates to see if your issue will be fixed with an update. You can also start a new discussion in the Apple Discussions Community to see if anyone else is experiencing the same issue.
Safari Not Working on Your iPhone? It’s Most Likely a Software Issue
Cracked screens and broken buttons are easy to diagnose as we can instantly see what’s wrong. But when Safari or other apps on your iPhone stop working, that usually means a software issue is at play.
By updating iOS, changing your settings, or resetting your device, you can usually fix these issues. However, if the issue still isn’t fixed after trying everything above, you might need to post in the Apple forum about your issue for more help.
