You cannot fully delete Safari from an iPhone, but you can hide it and switch to another browser
Apple does not allow you to remove Safari from iPhone or iPad — it is built into the operating system and cannot be uninstalled like third-party apps. However, you can hide the Safari icon from your home screen and set a different browser as your default, so Safari will not appear or open unless you specifically search for it.
If you want Safari completely out of sight, the most practical approach is to move it to the App Library (where it stays but stays hidden) and then change your default browser to Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another option. This way, links you tap will open in your chosen browser instead of Safari.
Key Takeaways
- Safari cannot be deleted from iPhone because it is part of the iOS system, but you can hide its icon by moving it to the App Library.
- You can set a different browser as your default so that links and web searches open in that browser instead of Safari.
- To change your default browser, go to Settings, scroll to the browser app you want, and select it as your default.
- If you change your mind, you can restore Safari to your home screen by searching for it in the App Library and dragging it back.
How to hide Safari from your home screen
The fastest way to get Safari out of sight is to move it to the App Library. Open your home screen, press and hold the Safari icon, then tap Remove App. A menu will appear with three options: tap Remove from Home Screen. Safari will disappear from your home screen but remain installed on your phone.
To access Safari later if you need it, swipe to your App Library (the last screen on your home screen) and search for Safari in the search bar at the top. You can also ask Siri to open Safari by saying "Open Safari" — this works even when the app is hidden.
Setting a different browser as your default
Once you hide Safari, you should set a different browser as your default so that links automatically open in that browser instead. Open Settings, then scroll down and tap the name of the browser you want to use — for example, Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge.
Inside that browser's settings, look for an option called Default Browser App or Set as Default Browser and tap it. You will see a confirmation that the browser is now your default. From that point on, when you tap a link in Mail, Messages, or any other app, it will open in your chosen browser, not Safari.
This setting applies system-wide, so you do not have to change it for each app individually. If you later want to switch back to Safari or try a different browser, you can repeat this process at any time.
Why Apple does not allow Safari to be deleted
Safari is deeply integrated into iOS and handles web requests for the entire system, not just for browsing. Features like web links in Mail, search results in Spotlight, and web previews in other apps all rely on Safari's underlying technology. Removing it would break these system functions.
Other browsers on iPhone — Chrome, Firefox, Edge — are required to use Apple's WebKit engine under the hood, even though they show their own interface. This means Safari cannot truly be replaced at the system level, only hidden and deprioritized.
Restoring Safari to your home screen if you change your mind
If you hide Safari and later want it back on your home screen, open the App Library by swiping to the last home screen. Tap the search bar at the top and type Safari. When Safari appears in the results, press and hold it and tap Add to Home Screen. It will reappear on your home screen in the position you choose.
You can also restore Safari by going to Settings > Siri & Search, scrolling to Safari, and toggling Show in Search back on if you had turned it off. This makes Safari visible in Spotlight search results again.
Choosing a browser that works better for you
Chrome syncs bookmarks and history across your devices if you sign in with a Google account, and it integrates well if you use Gmail or Google services. Firefox offers stronger privacy controls and does not sync your data to a company server by default. Microsoft Edge works well if you use OneDrive or Microsoft 365, and it has built-in tools for saving and organizing web content.
All of these browsers work on iPhone and can be set as your default. The choice depends on which services you already use and what features matter most to you — privacy, syncing, or integration with other tools. You can install multiple browsers and switch between them, or set one as your default and use others occasionally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will hiding Safari slow down my iPhone?
No. Safari runs in the background regardless of whether its icon is visible, because the system uses it for web requests. Hiding it does not free up storage or memory. The only difference is that you will not see the icon on your home screen.
Can I delete Safari if I jailbreak my iPhone?
Jailbreaking allows you to remove system apps, including Safari, but it voids your warranty, exposes your phone to security risks, and can cause system instability. Apple does not support jailbroken devices. Hiding Safari and setting a different default browser is the safe and supported way to stop using it.
If I set Chrome as my default, will Safari still work?
Yes. Setting Chrome as your default only changes which browser opens when you tap links. You can still open Safari manually by searching for it in the App Library or asking Siri. The default setting does not disable Safari — it just routes automatic link-opening to your chosen browser.
Do I need to delete Safari to use a different browser?
No. You can use any browser on iPhone without removing Safari. Just set your preferred browser as the default, and it will handle most of your browsing. Safari will sit in the background unused, but it does not interfere with other browsers.