Safari doesn't have a built-in background image feature like some other browsers

Safari on Mac and iPhone does not let you change the browser background — the area behind web pages stays white or matches your system appearance settings. What you can change is the start page, which is the screen you see when you open a new tab. On both Mac and iPhone, you can add a background image, color, or blur effect to this start page.

If you want to change how Safari looks when you are actively browsing websites, that is not possible without using a different browser. But if you want to customize the new tab page itself, the steps differ between Mac and iPhone.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari lets you customize the new tab page with a background image, color, or blur, but not the browser window behind web pages.
  • On Mac, you edit the start page by clicking the edit button in the bottom right corner of a new tab.
  • On iPhone, you long-press the Safari icon in the app switcher, then choose "Edit Start Page" from the menu.
  • You can upload your own image, choose from Apple's built-in collections, or use a solid color or blur effect instead.
  • Changes sync across your devices if you use the same iCloud account on both Mac and iPhone.

How to change the start page background on Mac

Open Safari and create a new tab. In the bottom right corner of the start page, you will see a small icon that looks like a gear or pencil — click it to enter edit mode. A panel will appear on the right side of the screen with options for customizing the page.

Look for the background section, usually labeled "Background" or showing a preview of the current background. Click on it to see your options: you can choose from Apple's built-in image collections (like nature scenes or abstract designs), upload a photo from your Mac, or select a solid color or blur effect instead. Once you pick an option, the change appears immediately on the start page. Click outside the edit panel or press Done to save.

How to change the start page background on iPhone

On iPhone, the process is different because Safari does not have an edit button visible on the start page itself. Instead, open the app switcher by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (or swiping down from the top right on newer models). Find Safari in the list of open apps and long-press on it. A menu will appear with several options — tap "Edit Start Page."

This opens the start page in edit mode. Scroll down to find the background section and tap it. You will see the same options as on Mac: built-in collections, your photo library, solid colors, or blur effects. Select what you want and tap outside the menu to save. The change takes effect the next time you open a new tab in Safari.

Using your own photos as a background

Both Mac and iPhone let you upload or select a photo from your device to use as the start page background. On Mac, click the background option in edit mode, then look for an "Upload Photo" or "Choose Photo" button — this opens your file browser or photo library. On iPhone, tap the background option and select "Photos" to browse your photo library.

Keep in mind that the image will be cropped to fit the start page, so very tall or very wide photos may not display exactly as you expect. If your photo is too dark, the text on the start page may become hard to read — in that case, try adding a blur effect on top of the image, or choose a lighter photo instead.

Built-in image collections and color options

Safari comes with several pre-made image collections you can choose from without uploading anything. These include nature scenes, abstract designs, and seasonal images. On Mac, these appear as thumbnails in the background edit panel. On iPhone, they are organized by category — tap one to see the full set and choose which image you prefer.

If you do not want an image at all, both Mac and iPhone offer solid color backgrounds and blur effects. A solid color keeps the start page clean and minimal. A blur effect applies a frosted-glass look to whatever is behind Safari — this is useful if you want some visual interest without a full image.

Syncing your start page across devices

If you use the same iCloud account on both your Mac and iPhone, your start page customization will sync automatically. This means if you change the background on your Mac, the same background will appear on your iPhone the next time you open Safari. The sync usually happens within a few minutes, but it can take longer if you are not connected to the internet.

If your devices are not syncing, check that you are signed into iCloud on both of them. Go to System Settings on Mac (or Settings on iPhone) and confirm your iCloud account is active. If you want to customize the start page differently on each device, you can — just make sure you are not signed into the same iCloud account, or the changes will overwrite each other.

Troubleshooting common issues

If the edit button does not appear on your Mac start page, make sure you are running a recent version of Safari. Open the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then Software Update to check for updates. On iPhone, if you cannot find the "Edit Start Page" option, try force-closing Safari and opening it again.

If your custom background disappears after you close Safari, the change may not have saved properly. Go back into edit mode and make sure you see a checkmark or confirmation that your choice was saved. If the background image looks blurry or pixelated, try using a higher-resolution photo — Safari works best with images that are at least 1000 pixels wide on Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the background of web pages I am browsing, not just the new tab page?

No. Safari does not let you change the background of individual websites or the browser window behind them. You can only customize the start page that appears when you open a new tab. If you want to change how websites look, you would need to use a different browser or install a browser extension that modifies page appearance.

Will my start page background change if I update Safari?

No. Your customization will stay in place after a Safari update. Apple preserves your start page settings when you update the browser or your device's operating system.

Can I use a video or animated image as a background?

No. Safari only supports static images for the start page background. You can choose from still photos, built-in collections, solid colors, or blur effects, but not videos or animated GIFs.

What happens to my start page if I sign out of iCloud?

Your customization will remain on that device, but it will no longer sync to your other devices. If you sign back into iCloud later, your settings will sync again from whichever device was most recently updated.

Can I set different backgrounds for different profiles in Safari?

Safari does not have a profiles feature like some other browsers. You have one start page per device, and it is the same for all users on that device. If multiple people use the same Mac or iPhone, they will all see the same start page background.