iOS 15: How to Turn Off Website Tinting in Safari - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iOS 15: How to Turn Off Website Tinting in Safari

by

In iOS 15, Apple introduced a range of changes to its native iPhone web browser, Safari. Some of them were controversial, such as the decision to move the URL address bar to the bottom of the screen, but others were less so, and Apple eventually provided options so that users could customize the browser to suit their own preferences.

safari

Website tinting off (left) versus tinting on

One of those options is the ability to disable website tinting. Tinting happens when the color of the Safari interface changes around the tabs, bookmark, and navigation button areas to match the color of the website you're viewing.

The idea behind tinting is that it allows the browser interface to fade into the background and create a more immersive experience. However, the effect doesn't sit well with everyone, and some users are positively put off by it. Fortunately, Apple chose to include an option to turn it off.

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap Safari.
  3. Under the "Tabs" section, turn off the switch next to Allow Website Tinting On iPadOS 15, this option is called Show Color in Tab Bar.
    settings

In previous versions of iOS, Apple included a "Show Color in Tab Bar" accessibility setting, which basically had the same effect as the new "Allow Website Tinting" toggle. This suggests Apple wanted to make the option more widely known to users, presumably because the aversion to tinting is more common than previously thought.

Tag: Safari
Related Forum: iOS 15

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Just Released a New Accessory

Monday May 4, 2026 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today released a new Pride Edition Sport Loop for the Apple Watch. The band features a rainbow design with 11 colors of woven nylon yarns. The new Pride Edition Sport Loop is available to order now on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, and it will be available at Apple Store locations starting later this week. In the U.S., the band costs $49. There...
iOS 26

Apple Says iOS 26.5 Adds Three New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday May 5, 2026 7:36 am PDT by
iOS 26.5 includes three new features for iPhones, according to Apple's release notes for the update, which is expected to be released next week. As discovered during beta testing, iOS 26.5 enables end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging between iOS and Android devices. Apple says this security upgrade is limited to supported carriers around the world and will continue to roll out....
Instagram Feature 2

PSA: Instagram Encrypted Messaging Ends on Friday, May 8

Tuesday May 5, 2026 8:24 am PDT by
Instagram will remove end-to-end encryption for direct messages between users from May 8, 2026. When the date comes around, Meta will potentially be able to see the contents of all messages between users on the social media platform. Encrypting messages has been an optional feature in Instagram since 2023, but in March of this year the social media platform quietly updated a help page to say ...