iOS 18.4: Apple stops privacy problem in safari interface

Users who already have the beta version of iOS 18.4 on their iPhone were not surprised when they opened Apple's standard browser Safari: When activating a new tab, the latest search terms and a scrollable list were automatically displayed. Apple apparently thought that this was useful, but many users found it uncomfortable because it could potentially contain sensitive data. In the meantime, Apple has considered it differently again – at least apparently.

What did you look for?

Apparently, Apple thought it makes sense to quickly lead users to an overview of their previously intended searches. These can currently only be found through the history integrated in the browser, which means that you have to click through quite lengthy. Otherwise there is a freely configurable start page for new tabs, which contains favorites, data protection report, reading list and closed tabs. The pro argument for the new search overview: it makes it easy to find important inquiries. You can also search for particularly sensitive Privacy mode (Use “private surfing”), where nothing is saved. After all, an iPhone is blocked by default so that strangers cannot simply look into safari.

However, it speaks against this that users hand over their device to other people in the open state who then use safari, for example – embarrassing searches are immediately noticeable. In addition, Apple initially had no possibility to switch off the search overview: it simply appeared.

Apple learns and changes, but it remains with the default

After all the criticism, Apple has now reacted: The “nice feature” with the “light” privacy problem was defused in iOS 18.4 Beta 4, which was published this week. Since then there has been a switch in the Safari settings that can be used to determine whether the previous searches are displayed or not.

However, the default setting is still switched on. Users who do not like the feature should therefore take a trip to Safari's settings after the update to iOS 18.4, whose final version is due in April.