User level: Level 1 (4 points)How do I change the search bar in Safari to search the internet instead of Tabs?
Posted on Oct 24, 2026 2:23 PM
Oct 24, 2026 2:35 PM in response to NathanJacoby
On an iPhone, if the search bar says Search Tabs, you are in the tab switcher screen where all your open pages are shown as thumbnails. Tapping the plus icon in the bottom corner opens a fresh tab with a regular web search bar.
If you want to change the layout of the address bar on your phone, open Settings and tap Safari. Under the Tabs section, you can switch between Tab Bar and Single Tab to choose whether the search bar stays at the top or bottom of your screen. Turning off Safari Suggestions in those same settings will also stop open tabs from popping up when you try to search the web.
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256382288