Safari Not Working On iPhone? Try These 8 Easy Fixes

“Safari on my iPhone keeps freezing and won’t load certain sites. It’s really frustrating. Does anyone know how to fix it?”

You’re not alone. If your iPhone battery also drains quickly, check our guide on fast battery drain. Safari can freeze due to network glitches or heavy cached data, and these tips can help.

Safari is Apple’s built-in browser on the iPhone. While it usually works smoothly, it can occasionally fail to load pages or get stuck, especially if there’s too much cached data or a network issue. These tips can help you fix it.

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Safari Not Working On iPhone? 8 Ways To Fix It

1. Clear Safari History and Website Data

Large amounts of cached data can cause Safari to crash or refuse to load.

• Open Settings.
• Choose Safari.
• Tap Clear History and Website Data.
• Confirm by tapping Clear History and Data again.

2. Force Quit the Safari App / Close and Reopen

Sometimes a quick reset of the app is all you need.

• On iPhones with a Home button, press it twice and swipe up on the Safari preview.
• On newer iPhones without a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause, then swipe up on the Safari preview.
• Open Safari again from the Home screen.

3. Turn Off Safari Suggestions

Some users report Safari works better without this feature.

• Go to Settings > Safari.
• Toggle off Safari Suggestions.

4. Reset Network Settings

If the problem is related to your internet connection, a reset might help.

• Open Settings.
• Tap General.
• Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
• Tap Reset, then Reset Network Settings.
• Enter your passcode if prompted, then confirm.

5. Turn On Cellular Data (Or Switch Networks)

If you’re on Wi-Fi, try mobile data to see if it helps, or move to another network.

• Open Settings.
• Tap Cellular.
• Toggle Cellular Data on.

6. Update Your iOS

Software bugs can cause Safari to misbehave. Updating often fixes these.

• Ensure your iPhone is charged or plugged in.
• Connect to Wi-Fi.
• Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
• Tap Download and Install (or Install Now).

7. Reset All Settings

This option restores everything—like Wi-Fi networks, layouts, and app preferences—to their original defaults without erasing your personal data. It can help fix deeper Safari or network conflicts that regular resets don’t resolve. Make sure to note down your Wi-Fi passwords, because you’ll need to re-enter them.

• Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
• Tap Reset, then Reset All Settings.
• Enter your passcode if prompted.
• Confirm Reset All Settings.

8. Restore Your iPhone to Factory Settings

As a final option, restore your iPhone using Finder on a Mac (or iTunes on Windows). This erases everything, so back up first.

• Connect your iPhone to a computer.
• Tap “Trust this device” on your iPhone.
• Open Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows).
• Under Locations, select your iPhone.
• Click “Trust” if prompted.
• In the General tab, click Restore iPhone.
• Let the process finish.

FAQs

Why does Safari crash on specific websites?

Certain sites use heavy scripts or ads that can overload Safari, especially if your cache is full. Clearing history and data often fixes the crash.

Will resetting network settings erase personal data?

No. It only resets Wi-Fi, cellular, and VPN settings. Your apps, photos, and other personal data stay intact.

Does disabling Safari Suggestions really help?

Some users report that turning off Safari Suggestions reduces crashes or freezes. It’s worth trying if Safari acts up.

How can I force quit Safari on newer iPhones?

Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold. Then swipe the Safari preview up to close the app.

Is restoring my iPhone to factory settings necessary?

Most problems are fixed by simpler methods. A full restore is a last resort if everything else fails to fix Safari.