Safari Not Working on iPhone? Here’s How to Fix It

It can be incredibly frustrating when Safari is not working on iPhone. Whether web pages are not loading or you’re getting a “Safari cannot open page” error message, we’re going to go over a few different fixes that should help resolve any issues you are having with your web browser.

Jump To:

• Why Is Safari Not Working?
• How to Check Screen Time Settings
• How to Clear Safari Browsing Data
• FAQ

Why Is Safari Not Working?

There are a few different reasons why Safari is not working on your iPhone, so we'll recommend multiple solutions to help resolve the problem. Let’s get started with how to fix Safari on iPhone.

How to Check Cellular & Wi-Fi Connection

Like any web browser, Safari needs an internet connection to work. For more Safari troubleshooting fixes, like how to fix the Safari cannot open page error, be sure to sign up for our Tip of the Day newsletter. Now, to fix any problems with Safari not working on your iPhone, let’s first check your cellular and Wi-Fi connection:

1. Swipe down from the top right edge of your screen to open the Control Center.
   
   
2. In the top left corner, you’ll see your cell carrier and your connection status. If you’re connected to Wi-Fi, you’ll see a radiating icon, and if you’re connected to your cellular network, you’ll see a 5G, LTE, or a similar symbol.
   
   
3. The cellular data icon should be green. If it is gray, that means it’s turned off, so tap it to turn it on.
   
   
4. The Wi-Fi icon should be blue. If it is gray, that means it’s turned off, so tap it to turn it on.
   
   

If these settings are already enabled, but your web browser is still giving you trouble or Safari can't find server, there are other solutions to try.

How to Enable Cellular Data for Safari

One of the iPhone’s many useful features is that you can restrict certain apps from using your cellular data. This is great for those who do not have unlimited data plans. However, that also means that if you disable data for Safari, then the web browser will be unable to load any web pages if you're not connected to Wi-Fi. If Safari is not working on your iPhone, here’s how to check your cellular data settings:

1. Open the Settings app, and tap Cellular.
   
   
2. Scroll down and find Safari.
   
   
3. If the toggle is gray, that means cellular data is disabled for Safari. Tap it so that it turns green to turn it on.
   
   

Once you've confirmed that cellular data is enabled for Safari, try opening a web page to see if the issue has been resolved.

Safari Won’t Open on iPhone? Check Screen Time Settings

Screen Time is a handy feature that is designed to help you reduce the amount of time you spend on your phone, including restricting access to a particular app. If you played around with Screen Time settings in the past, you might have accidentally set an App Limit for Safari by accident. If Safari won't open this is one of the first things you should check. Here’s how to check your Screen Time settings when Safari is not working on iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app, and tap Screen Time.
   
   
2. Tap App Limits.
   
   
3. If you see Safari in this list, swipe left on it.
   
   
4. Tap Delete.
   
   
5. Tap Delete Limit to confirm.
   
   

If you do not see Safari in this list, then you have not set any Screen Time limits for your web browser. If Safari is still not opening on your iPhone, the issue could be elsewhere.

How to Clear Safari Browsing Data

Sometimes clearing out old website history and data can help with issues related to Safari not working. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Settings app, scroll down, and tap Safari.
   
   
2. Scroll down and tap Clear History and Website Data.
   
   
3. Tap Clear History and Data to confirm.
   
   

If Safari is not working on your iPhone after clearing your browsing data, try closing the app completely.

Close & Re-open Safari

If Safari is still not working on iPhone, try closing and re-opening the app. Sometimes apps stop functioning correctly so completely closing it can help resolve things. When you close the app and re-open it, this effectively restarts the app.

If Safari cannot open a page, the above fixes should help resolve any underlying issues. However, if you are still having trouble with Safari not working on iPhone, you may need to seek further assistance from Apple Support. Next, find out how to block or allow pop-ups in Safari.