iOS 27.3 Adds Vertical Tabs and Adaptive Dark Mode to Safari
With iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, and macOS Golden Gate 27.3, Apple is making major updates to Safari. The browser is getting a Vertical Tabs layout, which can be used instead of the standard horizontal tab bar. It's a change that pairs well with the iPhone Duo 's larger display, but it is available across iPhone, iPad , and Mac. Vertical Tabs are located on the left side of the display and use icons…
Apple is rolling out significant updates to Safari with the release of iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, and macOS Golden Gate 27.3. One of the key enhancements is the introduction of Vertical Tabs, which offer an alternative layout to the traditional horizontal tab bar. This feature is especially beneficial on devices with larger displays, such as the iPhone Duo, but is accessible across all supported platforms.
The vertical tabs appear on the left side of the screen, utilizing icons to conserve space, though users can opt for a wider bar to display website titles as well. These tabs seamlessly integrate with Topics and Tab Groups, aiding in organization and ease of use. They can be pinned, quickly switched between Tab Groups, and other standard functionalities remain functional. Users can enable Vertical Tabs through Safari settings or the View menu on Mac and iPad.
In addition to Vertical Tabs, Apple is rolling out Adaptive Dark Mode for websites lacking native dark mode support. When browsing a bright website, Safari will suggest trying Adaptive Dark Mode, which dynamically adjusts the page's background, text contrast, logos, graphics, and other visual elements to improve readability. This feature can be activated globally or individually per site.
Sites with existing dark mode designs or those already using dark themes will not be affected. Developers have the option to prevent Adaptive Dark Mode from altering a site's appearance. Apple is also enhancing Siri's AI capabilities, allowing it to manage tabs and windows, including sorting, moving, closing, and arranging them within Tab Groups.
Siri can control web history, enabling users to request deletion of history for specific sites over certain time periods. Siri's ability to interpret webpage content, including non-active tabs and off-screen content, is set to expand, enabling users to ask questions about information across multiple websites. This Siri awareness feature is slated for a future update but is not included in the current beta.
The Safari enhancements are available for developers to incorporate immediately in the latest beta versions. iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, and macOS Golden Gate 27.3 are scheduled for release in December following extensive beta testing to perfect the new functionalities.
Written by urgent.news from MacRumors's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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