Apple Reverts Safari Changes in iOS 15 Beta 6

Apple Reverts Safari Redesign in iOS 15 Beta 6

Apple is gradually retracting its initially controversial decision to overhaul the mobile Safari browser in iOS 15, specifically concerning the placement of the address bar at the bottom of the screen, positioned above the page’s content. The redesign, intended primarily to enhance one-handed accessibility of Safari’s controls, encountered criticism as other design elements ultimately diminished the usability of the new interface.

Addressing User Feedback

With the release of iOS 15 beta 6, Apple is responding to feedback and concerns from users by introducing a revised design. This new iteration positions the bottom tab bar beneath the page content, providing a more conventional experience for users who preferred the original layout. Crucially, Apple is no longer mandating the bottom tab bar for all users.

The latest release now includes an option to display the address bar at the top of the page, as it was previously. This allows users who disliked the update to revert to a familiar configuration.

Resolving Usability Issues

A major point of contention with the floating tab bar was its interference with certain website elements, obstructing clickable areas. Navigating to these obscured sections required swiping the bar downwards, which proved to be an inconvenient solution.

These and related problems have been addressed in iOS 15 beta 6. The tab bar now closely resembles its prior appearance – featuring a recognizable arrangement of buttons, similar to its previous top-of-screen placement. It will no longer obstruct website content.

Improvements to Feature Accessibility

Beta testers also noted that concealing frequently used features, such as the reload button and Reader Mode, within the three-dot “more” menu made Safari less intuitive than before. Apple attempted to rectify this in iOS 15 beta 4 by restoring the reload and share buttons, and displaying Reader Mode when applicable. However, these buttons remained small and more difficult to activate.

Acknowledging User Concerns

The revised tab bar and the option to return to the standard layout – regardless of whether it’s positioned at the top or bottom of the screen – signifies Apple’s acknowledgement of the validity of user complaints. This demonstrates the purpose of beta testing: experimenting with new concepts and refining those that prove ineffective.

Customization Options

Beta 6 users can now restore the tab bar to the top of the page, if desired. An option is available under Settings –> Safari to select between the Tab Bar default and the Single Tab option – the latter relocating the address bar to the top of the screen. Selecting the Single Tab option disables the ability to swipe through open tabs, a feature available with the Tab Bar.

The Importance of User Choice

It is common for Apple to provide alternatives to its default settings, such as configurable gestures and clicks on Mac trackpads, or the option to disable the previously debated “natural” scroll direction. However, offering the choice to revert the tab bar to the top is an admission that a significant portion of Safari users were unwilling to relearn the operation of a frequently used application. Forced adaptation could have led users to alternative browsers.

Final Changes Before Public Release

Given Apple’s typical release schedule for iOS software updates in the fall, this update likely represents one of the last modifications to Safari before the public launch.