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Safari jumps to the top of the previous page

I have seen a couple of other discussions on here about this, but nothing seems to fix it.


When I am using Safari (iPhone iOS 15.4) any time I hit the back button, it brings me to the top of the previous page instead of where I left off. This is particularly annoying when using google search. I don’t remember this always being the case, and I feel that this is only been recent (within the last few months).


I have tried the private/non private tabs, deleting Safari data/history, force closing Safari, and nothing.


Is there a setting I am missing?

Posted on Mar 29, 2022 11:00 PM

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Posted on Aug 19, 2022 8:20 AM

It’s not a search engine problem. I open, say, the New York Times, with Safari. I scroll down to the story I want to see. I open the story and read it. When I hit the back button – once – Safari brings you back to the top of the NYT homepage. This is clearly a bug.

142 replies

Oct 14, 2022 11:07 AM in response to Joleo13

Yeah, that worked for a minute. What also worked for a minute was the IOS 16 update, and after that the 16.0.3 update. All these fixes have worked temporarily only. No issues on the macBookAir, just my phone (13pm). Apple Care (once you can get them to admit this is a known issue), recommends a factory reset. I’m reluctant to do that. Has anyone permanently researched over this issue with a factory reset?

Oct 21, 2022 7:28 PM in response to ashleycleve

I have the same problem but I have come up with a solution that works for me.


I spent an hour doing a chat with apple support. They did not come up with a solution and are kicking me up to a phone chat tomorrow.


Someone mentioned that Safari uses Google for searching. I went to Settings>Safari>Browser and you can change the browser that safari uses. Mine was set to Google. I tried a different browser for Safari and still had the same problem.


Now I also have the Google app on my phone. When I use it I don't have this problem. So I removed Safari from the bottom bar on the phone (Didn't get rid of it, just slid it up onto the page until I've spoken with tech support) and replaced it with the Google app. Using the app the searches seem exactly the same as they did thru Safari (as far as I can tell) but are working fine and not jumping to the very beginning of the search page any more when I hit the back arrow. I hope this might work for you.


Yay :)

Oct 22, 2022 12:12 PM in response to nicholaspaulsmith

Yes being that there are 10 pages of features and they all have code names it's impossible to tell which is the problem. On the phone with Apple "kicked-up" tech support right now. Will let you know if they can find it but I'm not really feeling encouraged. So far they wanted to have me move the search bar to the bottom of the page and we know that's only a haphazard fix AND I hate the search bar at the bottom. They need to contact the people who code these experimental features to find out what's causing it.

Oct 22, 2022 2:16 PM in response to whoopieg

Yes - and Apple Care is very reluctant to share this information, you were lucky to get it. I switched to GoogleChrome and all is working flawlessly.


research the history between Google and Apple. I did today. When they were friends Safari didn’t jump to the top of the page. They are now rivals more than friends and we have a faulty Safari as a result. Go figure.

Oct 22, 2022 4:21 PM in response to nicholaspaulsmith

Sometime in iOS 15.x Apple introduced the “Tab Bar” setting. I had my Safari setting at “Single Tab” and I had the problem where the back button would send me to the top of the previous page. In Settings-Safari, once I changed to “Tab Bar,” the back button worked as expected, I would return to where I left off on the previous page. Among other things, the “Tab Bar “ setting moves the address bar to the bottom of the screen, which took some getting used to. But it works.

Oct 23, 2022 10:23 AM in response to maxene272

I just don't get the complaint about Google in this circumstance:


Safari isn't a self standing browser


Like it or not, Safari uses Google for searches unless you change the search browser setting to one of four other browsers it offers. And I don't like any of them as an alternative.


Go to Settings>Safari>Search Engines.


There are only five options and Google is the first one. SAFARI SUBCONTRACTS GOOGLE for its searches!

Oct 23, 2022 11:44 AM in response to nicholaspaulsmith

I have to agree, bottom line, I would like Safari to work the way it did which is why I'm going to go thru with another callback from tech support on Tuesday and then who knows? Maybe eventually we'll be able to get to someone who can actually change things back the way they were. Can only keep at it.

Maybe it needs an ios update.

Will let you know if I ever get anywhere.

In the meantime the only two workarounds that work seem to be moving the search bar to the bottom (which is my least favourite) or using Google.

Oct 26, 2022 12:36 PM in response to nicholaspaulsmith

It’s an issue between Google and Apple who are no longer fast friends, they have each pulled back the benefits they once brought to the table. Apple brought the reader view to Google, and Google brought the jumpless search. Together they made their respective browsers the best of the best. Sadly they have had a falling out and taken their toys and gone home. Patiently waiting for them to make peace.

Safari jumps to the top of the previous page

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