How to open Safari links in the background on an iPhone
2 min read · 4 steps · Updated 4 October 2026
Open Settings, tap Apps, then Safari, tap Open Links and choose In Background. When you then touch and hold a link and open it in a new tab, you stay on the page you are reading and the new tab loads behind it.
- Device
- iPhone
- Shown on
- iOS 26.5 (iPhone 17)
- App
- Settings
- Path
- Settings › Apps › Safari › Open Links › In Background
- Real screenshots
- 4 of 4 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
When you open a link in a new tab, Safari jumps to that tab at once. If you are reading an article and want to collect several links for later, that pulls you away each time. Apple's user guide names the setting that keeps you on the current page.
The screenshots show iOS 26.5 on an iPhone 17. On older versions the rows have the same names, with a slightly different look.
Step by step
Open Settings and tap Apps
Apps is near the bottom of the main Settings list. On iOS 17 and earlier, Safari is in the main list itself.
Tap Safari
The apps are in alphabetical order, so Safari is under S.
Scroll to Tabs and tap Open Links
The row shows the current choice at the right, here In New Tab.
Tap In Background
The tick moves to your choice.
Good to know
To open a link in a new tab in Safari: touch and hold the link, then tap Open in New Tab.
In short: Settings, Apps, Safari, Open Links, In Background.
Links checked on 3 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.