View HTML source code in safari on ipados

Apparently, in iPadOS 13.2.3, with a web site open in iOS Safari, you must tether the iPad to your Mac, and then use the Safari Develop menu on macOS to activate the web inspector on the iPad. This is noted in iPadOS Settings : Safari : Advanced panel.

I just confirmed this after the update to iPadOS 13.2.3, though I did not bother to test the process. The iOS Safari product team was fishing for bass-ackwards in that decision.

Hey there B90,

Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities. I understand you want to be able to view HTML source code on a web page from Safari on your iPad. I’ll be happy to help with this.

It doesn't look like this is an option from your iPad. If you want to view this from Safari on a Mac, go to Safari > Preferences > Advanced from the menu bar. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar:

Use the developer tools in the Develop menu in Safari on Mac

Let me know if this helps.

You didn't mention it as a step taken, but in Settings : Safari, have you enabled the Developer option? I do not have iPadOS 13 here right now.

I still suggest that you install and assess the iOS Firefox's ability to do what you need. They integrated the old Firebug Add-on functionality into the Desktop Firefox browser, and it may also be in the iOS version. Of course, if you are attempting to test and view web source changes in iOS Safari, Firefox won't be the ideal tool for that.

It is best that I do not describe what I am thinking about the iOS Safari development team, and their conflict with reason.

These are fellow user supported, open community sites, so Apple Product teams do not participate here; nor can I speculate about the absence of a Safari Developer feature that would allow you to view HTML.

Must it be Safari, or provided the feature is available in FireFox for iPadOS, might that be a suitable browser alternative?

I will have access to iPadOS 13 tomorrow, and will investigate this further then.

I too, prefer a minimalist installation of applications. I will post back here tomorrow afternoon after I have renewed my access to iPadOS 13.