How to use Safari Highlights in iOS 18
Safari browsing made smarter

Apple's latest iOS update isn't just about flashy features like sending messages via satellite. It's the subtle tweaks that often make the biggest difference and impact our daily lives the most. Enter Safari Highlights, the unsung hero of iOS 18 features you can take advantage of right away.
Think of Highlights as your personal web-surfing assistant, that extracts and presents you with key information, saving you time and effort. And while we're all buzzing about Apple Intelligence — set to roll out later this year and promising to turn your iPhone into an even smarter sidekick — Safari Highlights is here now, ready to revolutionize your browsing game.
Whether you're looking up a restaurant, researching a historical figure, or checking out a new movie, Safari's clever feature provides the essentials you need. Curious how it works? Let's explore how make the most of your browsing experience.
1. Update to iOS 18
Make sure your iPhone is running the latest iOS update to access the Safari Highlights feature. You can check this by going to Settings, General and Software Update.
2. Enable Highlights
Safari Highlights isn't enabled by default so you'll need to activate it manually to star using it. Simply go to Settings, Apps, Safari, and toggle on Highlights under Privacy & Security.
3. Open your web page
Launch Safari and open a web page of your choosing. Highlights goes beyond just summaries. For TV show articles, you might see links to watch on Apple TV or explore cast details on Wikipedia.
It can also offer location maps, event suggestions, and other relevant quick-access features depending on the page content.
4. Look for the sparkle
Look for a small purple sparkle on the page menu icon in the address bar. Tap it to see your highlights at the top of the menu. Select a summary to open it in Reader view, where you'll find a collapsible summary box for easy reference.
5. Tap to reveal Highlights
In the Highlights window, you'll see key details extracted from the webpage. Tap on relevant information and enjoy a better browsing experience!
iOS 18 brings a wealth of new features and customization options to enhance your iPhone experience. Looking to customize your Photos app? Here's how you can do it. For those looking to boost their output, check out the 10 best iOS features for productivity And for those who love to explore, Apple Maps iOS 18 lets you create custom routes — here's how to do it.
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Kaycee is Tom's Guide's How-To Editor, known for tutorials that skip the fluff and get straight to what works. She writes across AI, homes, phones, and everything in between — because life doesn't stick to categories and neither should good advice. With years of experience in tech and content creation, she's built her reputation on turning complicated subjects into straightforward solutions. Kaycee is also an award-winning poet and co-editor at Fox and Star Books. Her debut collection is published by Bloodaxe, with a second book in the works.