[Fixed] Safari Not Working After iOS Update on iPhone/iPad

Why Safari Is Not Working/Crashing on My iPhone?

Upon encountering the issue of Safari not working after iOS update, you might be curious about the underlying causes behind its frequent crashes. Four key factors can be attributed to this:

Excessive Open Tabs: Overloading Safari with numerous open tabs, without periodic clearance, can inevitably lead to crashes. Each tab requires processing and cache accumulation, taxing the browser’s resources.
Incompatible Browser Extensions: Safari’s stability may be compromised by incompatible or faulty browser extensions. Using the wrong extensions can result in crashes and erratic behavior.
iOS Bugs: The latest Safari version is typically bundled with the newest iOS system updates, so certain iOS bugs might disrupt Safari’s proper operation.

How to Fix Safari Not Working After iOS Update on iPhone/iPad

Now that you’re acquainted with the reasons behind Safari not working properly after update issue, the first thing that you should do is to revert iOS 17 back to 16 to see if this issue is fixed. If not, let’s explore the methods available to rectify this problem.

Method 1: Turn Off Tabs and Wipe Safari History

To fix the Safari not working after update issue, you can start by turning off persistent webpages and eliminating the cached data stored on your iPhone. Here’s how you can proceed:

To turn off tabs:

Step 1: Manually close tabs by visiting Safari and deleting them individually, or opt for automated tab closure. Here's how to enable automatic tab closure.

Step 2: Navigate to Settings, and scroll down to locate Safari > Select Close Tabs under the Tabs section.

To clear Safari history:

This method is suitable for those who no longer require stored search data on Safari.

Step 1: Head to Settings, scroll down to find Safari, and select Clear History and Website Data.

Step 2: Double-check your choice before tapping Clear History and Data to prevent the removal of all browsing data.

★Tips:

1. If you wish to keep your browsing history but remove cookies, you can access Settings and then Safari > Scroll down to find Advanced > Tap Website Data and then select Remove All Website Data.

2. If you have already deleted your Safari history, don’t worry! You can use a free and safe iOS data recovery such as MyRecover for iOS to recover deleted safari history on iPhone.

Method 2: Eliminate Problematic Extensions

Why Safari is not working on my iPhone? The excessive use of browser extensions can contribute to Safari’s occasional crashes. It’s advisable to investigate and disable any suspicious extensions to check if they are responsible for Safari’s performance issues. Here’s how to fix Safari not working on iPhone after update:

Step 1: Access your device’s Settings and navigate to the Safari section > Look for the Extensions option.

Step 2: Disable extensions one by one and exit the settings to observe whether your browser functions without issues.

Method 3: Toggle Off Safari Suggestions

If your iPhone’s Safari is frequently crashing, especially in conjunction with search bar issues, a potential solution is to disable Safari Suggestions. Some users have found this helpful when dealing with unusual behavior such as unintended scrolling. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Navigate to Settings on your device > Locate and activate the Safari menu.

Step 2: Toggle off the Safari Suggestions option > Return to Safari and observe if the crashes persist.

Method 4: Reset Network Settings

A notable number of users have cited network-related issues as the root cause of Safari crashes. To address this concern, it’s advisable to reset your network settings. Follow these steps to potentially resolve the Safari crashing problem on your iPhone:

Step 1: Open the Settings app > Navigate to the General section > Select Transfer or Reset iPhone > Choose Reset.

Step 2: Then, choose the Reset Network Settings option > Enter your passcode on your screen and tap Reset Network Settings again to confirm this action.

Method 5: Perform a Force Restart

In cases where your device experiences issues, a force restart can often be an effective solution. While it may be a common suggestion, it’s proven to be quite useful in addressing minor iPhone bugs. When you meet the Safari not working on iPhone after update issue, it’s worth giving this method a try.

For iPhone 6 series and earlier:

• Simultaneously press and hold the Sleep button and the Home button.
• Maintain this hold until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 7/7 Plus:

• Hold both the Volume Down/Up button and the Sleep button simultaneously.
• Release them when the Apple logo becomes visible.

For iPhone 8 series and later:

• Quickly press and release the Volume Up button > Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
• Press and hold the Side button > Release it upon seeing the Apple logo to prevent your iPhone from entering recovery mode.

Bonus: Transfer Your iPhone/iPad Data to a PC Before iOS Update

After the release of iOS 17, there are many users trying to update their iPhones to the newest iOS version. However, some of them encounter some issues like contact poster not working iOS 17, Safari not working after iOS update, and more. To prevent these issues (that may cause data loss) happen, it’s highly recommended to back up or transfer your data on your device to your PC.

Here FoneTool is a good option for you, which cannot only help you transfer data between iOS devices and PCs/external hard drive but also allow you make a selective or full backup of your device. For a step-by-step guide, you can follow these posts:

• [3 Ways] How to Selectively Backup iPhone Data
• How to Create a Full iPhone Backup on Windows
• Transfer Data from iPhone to Computer with or without Cable
• How to Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone without Backup

The Bottom Line

After reading this post, you may know how to fix Safari not working after iOS update on your iPhone or iPad. Hopefully, these methods will be successful in restoring Safari’s functionality and enjoying a seamless browsing experience once again. However, it’s worth noting that back up your data on your device before you try to update to iOS 17 or fix Safari not working after update.