One of the more recent changes to the iOS internet browser, Safari, is the addition of a website tinting feature. For some, the addition of website tinting has made browsing the internet a more pleasant aesthetic experience. However, the change may be an annoyance and an eyesore for others. In this article, we will examine what is website tinting and go step-by-step through the process of how to enable or disable the new feature.
What is website tinting? What are some advantages and disadvantages of website tinting? How do you disable website tinting on iOS? Is website tinting available on any other internet browsers besides Safari?
Here is a complete guide to website tinting and how to disable it.
What is Website Tinting?
As mentioned in the introduction, website tinting is a new iOS feature added to the internet browser, Safari. But what is website tinting?
You may have noticed that when opening Safari, the address bar is now at the bottom of the screen rather than at the top. This is to enable website tinting. In the past, the Safari browser was transparent toward the top portion of the screen. In this section, users could typically see device info like internet connection and battery life. Although it had some advantages, Apple felt that this left some users lacking immersion in the website. Thus they introduced website tinting.
With this, the top portion of the screen featuring the device info will automatically adjust to the color of the website. So if the website is on a black page then the top area will also be black. Similarly, when browsing a white webpage the top area will automatically match itself with a white color. The goal of these changes is to provide Safari users with a more immersive online experience.
What are Some Advantages and Disadvantages?
Benefits
As aforementioned, the primary advantage of utilizing website tinting is an enhanced immersive experience. Many users find that the matching color in the top portion of the screen helps them to engage more thoroughly in the website content. From our experience, this can be especially helpful when browsing darker-colored websites where the top portion of the screen would previously look out of place.
Website tinting offers several benefits that contribute to a pleasant and immersive browsing encounter. Replicating the color scheme of the website in the top portion of the Safari app creates a cohesive and unified visual experience. This feature allows web designers to create a polished and harmonious look for their websites, as the color palette is derived from the same base.
Furthermore, website tinting improves readability by providing a solid background color that contrasts with the content of the webpage. This makes it easier for users to read and digest information, ultimately improving the overall user experience.
Disadvantages
For some, the new website tinting feature can be a major headache. The clearest way that it can be a disadvantage is in the case of those who suffer from color blindness. When browsing a site that matches their particular color blindness, some users can find the tint to be a major inconvenience.
There may also be instances in which the website’s coloring is just downright ugly. In this case, many users would prefer not to be forced to have more of it obstructing their screen. The disadvantages may seem trivial to some, but others would prefer to just disable window tinting altogether.
How to Enable It
Enabling website tinting in Safari is a simple process. Once activated, the feature adjusts the color of Safari’s navigation buttons, bookmarks, and tabs to match the color scheme of the website being viewed. However, it’s important to note that website tinting is exclusive to Safari and is only available on devices running iOS 15 or iPadOS.
To illustrate how website tinting works, let’s consider an example. Suppose you’re browsing a website with a dark color scheme, such as black. With website tinting enabled, the top part of your iPhone screen, including the status bar that displays the time and battery level, will adopt the same black color as the website. This creates a seamless and unified look, enhancing the overall visual appeal.
To enable website tinting in Safari, follow these simple steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Scroll down and tap on Safari.
- Locate the “Allow Website Tinting” option and enable the toggle.
Once enabled, you can start enjoying the benefits of website tinting as you browse the web with Safari.
On the other hand, if you decide that website tinting is not for you, disabling it is just as straightforward:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Navigate to Safari.
- Find the “Allow Website Tinting” option and disable the toggle.
By following these steps, you can easily customize your browsing experience and tailor it to your preferences.
How to Disable It
Although some enjoy the new feature, that doesn’t mean that it is ideal for everyone. With that in mind, it is important to understand how to disable it. Here is a step-by-step guide on disabling window tinting on iOS.
First, open your device and find the Settings application. Open it. Once you are inside the Settings app you need to scroll down and select the Safari application tab. Once in the Safari tab, scroll down and there should be a toggle feature labeled ‘Allow Website Tinting’. To disable it simply make sure this toggle is turned off. After doing so you should notice that your device information has been turned back to translucent when you go into Safari. Want to turn the feature back on? Go back into Settings and turn the toggle feature back on.
Is It Available on Any Other Internet Browsers Besides Safari?
In short, no. It continues in Safari iterations via Apple. Safari users anticipate it in the next iPhone generation as well. There are no other browsers that currently offer a website tinting feature besides Safari.
Summary
In summary, website tinting is a feature added to Safari in the iOS 15 update. Designed to give users a more immersive and engaging experience when browsing the internet, it matches the top screen segment to the actual color of the website. Some users may not enjoy the tinting which is why it is important to know the aforementioned steps on how to disable the new setting. Currently, Safari is the only internet browser to offer a website tinting feature although that could change soon. Hopefully, this guide provided you with some insight and we wish you happy browsing.
Interested in Other Features Apple Announced for the iOS 15 in 2021?
FaceTime Enhancements
iOS 15 was expected to bring improvements to FaceTime, including spatial audio, voice isolation, wide spectrum audio, and FaceTime links for scheduling calls that could be shared across devices and with people on non-Apple devices.
SharePlay
This feature would allow users to watch videos, listen to music, and share their screens with others during FaceTime calls. It was intended to enhance the social experience during video calls.
Focus Mode
iOS 15 was set to introduce Focus mode, allowing users to customize their notification preferences based on their current activity or location. For example, you could have different notification settings for work, personal time, or during workouts.
Notification Summary
This feature aimed to declutter notifications by grouping less urgent ones into a summary that could be delivered at a specified time.
Live Text
Live Text would enable users to interact with text in photos and images. You could copy, look up, translate, or even call phone numbers from photos.
Improved Wallet
The Wallet app was expected to support home keys and hotel keys, allowing users to unlock doors and access their rooms using their iPhones. Additionally, it would support ID cards.
Enhanced Privacy Features
iOS 15 was set to offer even more privacy controls, including Mail Privacy Protection, which would prevent senders from knowing when an email was opened.
Weather App Redesign
The Weather app was rumored to receive a redesign, offering more detailed and interactive weather information.
Apple Maps Updates
Apple Maps was expected to get more detailed maps, improved transit information, and a 3D view of cities known as “City Experience.”
New Siri Features
Siri was anticipated to work better offline and offer on-device speech recognition, improving speed and privacy.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is website tinting? A: Website tinting is a feature in Safari that adds a shade of color to the top portion of the app, matching the color scheme of the website being viewed.
Q2: Does website tinting work on all browsers? A: No, website tinting is exclusive to Safari and is available only on devices running iOS 15 or iPadOS.
Q3: How do I enable or disable website tinting in Safari? A: To enable it, go to the Settings app, find Safari, and enable the “Allow Website Tinting” option. To disable it, follow the same steps and disable the toggle.
Q4: Can website tinting improve readability? A: Yes, website tinting creates a solid background color that enhances readability and makes it easier to consume website content.
Q5: Can I customize the colors used for website tinting? A: No, the colors used for it are automatically derived from the color scheme of the website being viewed.
