How to Change Your Start Page on Safari

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Your Safari start page, or "homepage", is the page that loads whenever you start Safari. You can change this page to whatever you'd like, but if you have an adware infection it may keep getting reset. If this is the case, you can try manually removing the adware so that you can regain your control. If you use an iOS device, you can create custom shortcuts to simulate a traditional start page.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

OS X

PDF download Download Article

Changing Your Homepage

  1. You can change the Safari start, or "home" page from within the Safari browser.
  2. This will open the Safari Preferences menu.
    • If you're using Safari for Windows, click the "Edit" menu and select "Preferences". It is highly recommended that you switch to a more up-to-date browser, as Safari for Windows is no longer supported by Apple and is not receiving any security updates.
    Advertisement
  4. Make sure to enter the full address, starting with http:// .
    • You can also click Set to Current Page to set your new homepage to the page that is currently open.
    • If your homepage keeps resetting to something else, red on to the next section.
    5. Advertisement

Removing an Adware Infection

  1. If you changed your homepage in the Safari Preferences menu, but the homepage keeps redirecting to something you don't want, you may have an adware infection. Removing it may be a little tricky, but should give you control of Safari back.
  2. OS X updates include anti-adware tools, and updating your system software may be able to remove the infection for you. Click the Apple menu and select "App Store" or "Software Update" to check for any available system updates. After updating, test Safari again to see if the problem persists. If it does, read on.
  3. This will display all of the extensions that are currently installed for Safari. Select any extensions that you don't recognize or don't want and click the Uninstall button. Common adware extensions include:
    • Amazon Shopping Assistant by Spigot Inc.
    • Cinema-Plus Pro (Cinema + HD, Cinema + Plus, and Cinema Ploos)
    • Ebay Shopping Assistant by Spigot Inc.
    • FlashMall
    • GoPhoto.It
    • Omnibar
    • Searchme by Spigot, Inc
    • Slick Savings by Spigot Inc.
    • Shopy Mate
  4. Select "Go to Folder".
  5. Copy and paste each of the following entries into the "Go to Folder" box. If the item is found, it will appear in the finder windows already selected. Drag the selected item to the trash and then move on to the next item. If it can't be found, move on to the next item in the list.
    • /System/Library/Frameworks/v.framework
    • /System/Library/Frameworks/VSearch.framework
    • /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/Jack
    • /Library/InputManagers/CTLoader/
    • /Library/Application Support/Conduit/
    • ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/ConduitNPAPIPlugin.plugin
    • ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/TroviNPAPIPlugin.plugin
    • /Applications/SearchProtect.app
    • /Applications/WebTools.app
    • /Applications/cinemapro1-2.app
    • ~/Applications/cinemapro1-2.app
  6. After going through the list, reboot your computer and then empty the Trash.
  7. ⇧ Shift when you start up Safari. This will prevent any previous windows from re-opening.
  8. With the adware removed, you should be able to set your homepage using the steps in the first section of this article. [1]
    9. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

iPhone, iPad, iPod

PDF download Download Article
  1. There is no way to set a traditional start page in Safari, as it simply picks up where you last left off. If you'd prefer that Safari always load a specific page when you start it, you can create a shortcut to that page on your Home screen and launch Safari using it instead of the regular app.
  2. This can be any page that you'd like.
  3. You can then give the shortcut a custom title, or adjust the exact address. Tap "Add" when you're finished making changes.
  4. Every time you tap your shortcut, it will load that page instead of the last page you were using in Safari. This is a great way to get around teh lack of a traditional homepage. [2]
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      2 Simple Ways to Clear Safari Search History
      2 Easy Ways to Delete Cookies Using the Safari Web Browser
      How to
      Disable Private Browsing in Safari on iPhone or iPad: Quick Guide
      2 Easy Ways to Check Your Safari Search History
      How to
      Access Blocked Sites with Safari on Mac and iPhone
      Simple Steps to Change Your General Preferences on Safari
      2 Simple Ways to Bookmark a Website in Safari
      How to
      Enable Cookies on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac Browser
      Simple Ways to Open Safari in Full-Screen Every Time on Mac
      3 Easy Ways to Transfer and Import Bookmarks with Safari
      How to
      Block a Website in Safari
      How to
      Change Safari Settings on iPhone or iPad
      Website Tinting in Safari: What it Does & How to Turn it On or Off
      2 Simple Ways to Clear History in Safari
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203987
      2. ↑ http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/homepage-in-iphone-safari.398581/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 461,618 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement