Safari is the default browser on all iOS devices, including the iPhone and iPad. It is an excellent browser with many features that make it a popular choice among iOS users. One of these features is the ability to launch apps directly from Safari. For example, if you click on a link to a YouTube video in Safari, the YouTube app will automatically launch to play the video. However, some users may find this feature bothersome and want to disable it. In this article, we will show you how to stop Safari from launching apps on iPhone and iPad.

Step 1: Open the Settings app

The first step in disabling the automatic app launch feature in Safari is to open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. This app can be easily found on the home screen of your device.

Step 2: Tap on Safari

After opening the Settings app, scroll down until you see the section labeled “Safari.” Tap on this section to access the Safari settings.

Step 3: Tap on “Open Links”

In the Safari settings, look for the “Open Links” option. This option controls how links are handled in Safari. Tap on this option to access the link handling settings.

Step 4: Choose “In Background” or “Ask”

In the “Open Links” settings, you will find three options: “In Background,” “New Tab,” and “Ask.” By default, Safari is set to “In Background,” which means that links will open in the background without launching the associated app. If you choose the “New Tab” option, links will open in a new tab in Safari. If you choose the “Ask” option, Safari will prompt you before launching the associated app.

Step 5: Test the new settings

After choosing your preferred link handling option, open Safari and test it out by clicking on a link that would normally launch an app. If you have chosen “In Background,” the app should not launch and the link should open in the background. If you have chosen “Ask,” Safari will prompt you to confirm whether you want to launch the associated app or not.

In conclusion, Safari is a great browser with many useful features, including the ability to launch apps from within the browser. However, if you find this feature bothersome, you can easily disable it by following the steps outlined in this article. Once you have disabled automatic app launching in Safari, you should notice fewer interruptions when browsing the web on your iPhone or iPad.