How To Make the Safari Start Page Super Useful

The Start Page in Safari is often ignored, but it can be a very useful tool. By removing some items from it and actively maintaining others, it can be your go-to screen in Safari.

Comments: 15 Responses to “How To Make the Safari Start Page Super Useful”

    Ken
    2 years ago

    Gary, I always learn something new or interesting from your videos. I was setting my start page from bottom corner (1:21 in video) and I cannot find iCloud tabs. I checked my phone and everything is turned on for this feature, but I cannot seem to find a setting for it on my MacBook M1. It isn't listed with all the other options. Thanks, Ken

    2 years ago

    Ken: Make sure you have Safari turned on in System Preferences Apple ID, iCloud. If it still doesn't show up, try restarts. If still nothing then you'll need to call Apple Support so they can troubleshoot.

    Bent
    2 years ago

    Same situation as Ken. "iCloud Tabs" is not there. If you find out Ken, please spread the knowledge.
    Another thing: I have a MacBook Pro (Safari version 15.5) and an iPhone (XS, iOS 15.5) attached to the same Apple ID. Use iCloud, but the Bookmarks (and therefore Favorites Folder) do not sync to iPhone. Safari is turned on in the iPhone's Apple ID settings. Use Start Page on All Devices is checked on.

    Gordon
    2 years ago

    On iCould Tabs... I have 3 devices iMac, iPad Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro. iMac could see iPad tabs but not iPhone, iPad could see iMac Tabs but not iPhone. iPhone could see no tabs. On iPhone Turned off Safari in Apple ID iCloud settings. I told it to keep cloud info on iPhone. Force Restart iPhone, Turn Safari back on in Apple ID iCloud settings, I told it to merge existing settings. Now all devices see the Safari Tabs for all the other devices.

    tom
    2 years ago

    This was very useful. I haven't been a Safari user until recently when I began forcing myself to use it. Tips like this are affirming my choice of Safari. I found the Start Page much more useful than the sidebar with bookmarks.

    Elizabeth
    2 years ago

    This was awesome. So helpful. Thank you!

    John Russell
    2 years ago

    So many browsers, so little time. This was actually fascinating to watch—had no idea about the Start Page functionality. For me the bookmark list at the side is easier, but I do appreciate knowing about all of this so I can advise others on its use. Thanks, as always!

    Peter
    2 years ago

    As always, terrific content. Just wanted to chime in with others that there seems to be some wonkiness with iCloud tabs. It showed up for me as an inability of the MBPro on which I set up my start page (Monterey 12.4, Safari 15.5) to see--or even display as a menu choice from the MBPro's start page--my phone's Safari tabs (Iphone 12, iOS 15.4.1). Eventually, it did. Until it didn't again. Still, when it works it's a great feature.

    nick
    2 years ago

    Hi Gary, great idea, I love uncluttered desktops, and this fits with that theme. I cleared the iCloud tabs from other devices and that feature now disappeared from my Start page. It's not even showing as an option in the Start page customization settings in the lower right corner. I'm wondering if I actually deleted that option, or if I cleared the Tabs, then there's nothing to show?

    nick
    2 years ago

    Never mind, sorry should have tested it first. Option came back after I went to one of my devices and opened a page

    J. Peter Alba
    2 years ago

    Gary, what great informative information, however, is it just me at 74 years old, and still alert with a pulse, that the delivery, of this video, was just a bit too quick......?

    Love your videos!

    Ira Abramowitz
    2 years ago

    Question about absence of some icons on the startup page. My sites show icons in the Favorites and Startup folders, but many (not all) of these icons do not show on the Startup Page (or Favorites Bar). I have tried refreshing startup--but cannot figure how to really do this.

    Thanks

    2 years ago

    Ira: That's nothing you can control. it depends on which icons the websites have made available.

    Hans FR in GER
    2 years ago

    @Gordon same situation as you had with your three devices. Your tipp with the iPhone works for me too.
    I created my new organisation of bookmarks in „Startseite“ on an iMac. So I had later changing the settings of iPhone and iPad from „Favorites“ to „Startseite“. 👍

    Hans FR in GER
    2 years ago

    @Gary: It's always great what valuable tips you bring to our "bread and butter" programs!
    If you could speak a little slower, it would be helpful for those who aren't native speakers of English. The others can increase the speech speed via YouTube settings. Thanks for the great tips!

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