Trouble deselecting text in Safari search/URL bar

Just to add to my last post and clarify for anyone else experiencing the same issue:

1) when I say I use the keyboard’s space bar to deselect the text, I’m referring to the ability to long-press the space bar, which turns the keyboard area into a virtual trackpad. As soon as I do that the text is deselected and I can position the cursor via the trackpad

2) I have been experimenting a bit more - usually no amount of tapping (including 2 and 3 finger taps, 3D taps, double taps etc) deselects the url. However on the odd occasion, after numerous double-taps it will reduce the selection to a single word - which I believe is still not the intended functionality, but it may be helpful info.

I’ve been encountering the same issue ever since upgrading to iOS13 and had been hoping it was an early bug but it still exists in 13.2.2 on my iPhone X - the only workaround I’ve found is to use the keyboard’s space bar, which deselects the text.

The problems I’m experiencing have been extensively detailed by others so I won’t repeat, other than to say clicking in the address bar selects the entire url and I can’t find any way to deselect it other than the about workaround - once the text is deselected everything works as expected.

I had the same dilemma (and happened upon this thread in a quest for a solution) but just discovered a slightly less inconvenient workaround than dragging the selection handle. On my 6s, I can use 3D Touch to simultaneously clear the selection and move the cursor over from the left. Voila.

On a separate note, this is just the latest example of the increasingly annoying “discover it as you go” approach Apple seems to be taking with their UI design. I miss the days when complex products would come with a detailed manual so you could actually make full use of the gadget.

Hi dumonde,

Thank you for posting. If I understand correctly, when you tap/press in the Safari search bar, it highlights all of the text.

Does this happen only with longer URLs that fill the entire bar? Are you able to tap to the right of the selected text?

Also, you mentioned trying to make an insertion point. If you press and hold on your space bar and then swipe to the left and right, are you able to move the insertion point? As a test, are you able to make an insertion point using those steps in any other apps?

If you haven't already, you might Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and test again.

Updating to iOS 13.1 may also be helpful: How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

I hope this helps get you started. Take care.

Having the exact same problem, thought I'd provide more info and answer your questions.

When I first click on the URL, it highlights everything. The second time I click it, those blue "brackets" on either end of the selected text used to adjust how much of the text is highlighted appear, along with "Cut/Copy" options. The third time I click, the brackets and "Cut/Copy" options disappear and all the text remains highlighted. And back and forth no matter how many times I click. As opposed to prior iOS, where clicking highlighted text would deselect it and drop an insertion point where I clicked.

Every once in a blue moon I apparently tap on what must be a magic pixel because it unselects the URL and creates an insertion point where I clicked on the URL. I'm unable to reliably replicate this.

It's the biggest problem with URLs that fill the whole bar, yes. If the URL is short I can tap all the way to the right to put an insertion point at the end and then relocate it where needed. If it's long I can tap all the way to the left.

I've tested it in other apps (Chrome browser URL and a note in Notes)—no, I can't create an insertion point in any other highlighted text, either. I have to click outside the highlighted text or at the beginning/end to force it to unhighlight first before it will let me add an insertion point in the middle.

If I press and hold the keyboard (on the space bar or otherwise), it deselects the text and moves the insertion point to the beginning of the previously-selected text, at which point it can be moved around via swiping the keyboard as per prior iOS.

That gets around the worst of the problem—the complete inability to alter the URL without deleting it completely—but it would be very convenient to be able to use one tap to the URL to deselect with the insertion point dropped where it needs to be, as used to be the case.

Upvote. This is either a bug or designed to slowly make us go blind with rage to tackle overpopulation with murder-sprees. All the auto-BS is terrible. Simplicity without automation apple! Don’t assume to know what I’m trying to do! You don’t know me! I’m all for simplicity but not when it’s paid for with automation. “Whoever trades simplicity for automation deserves neither” ~BFranklin (he really said some of those words)

I also found this problem extends to the Notes app

When you paste a URL into Notes it instantly makes it a clickable link - what I’m finding in this iOS is that when I try to select some normal text that is directly above or below the link, it seems to think I’ve clicked on the link and opens it.

Is this happening for anyone else with the Safari URL section issue?

Awesome!! It worked and I shared it on Instagram and Facebook.