Open links from Mail in new Safari tabs

> The OS will switch apps from either Mail app to Safari, but nothing else happens, NO NEW TAB OR WINDOW WILL OPEN

Thanks for the additional information. That wasn't in the original post and is kind of relevant.

The only time I've experienced this is when Safari already has a tab with that specific URL in it. Safari activates, realizes that URL is open, and seems to think that's sufficient, neglecting to bring that tab frontmost.

Is it possible that's the case here? Do you already have that URL open (even if not visible) in another window/tab?

Does the same thing happen if you close ALL windows (as a test) before clicking a URL?

Clearly the behavior you're experiencing isn't normal, so it's going to take some digging to determine what's going on.

OK, a reboot fixed it. Guess that shows go through the basic steps before complaining.

I understand when clicking a link, Safari opens, but it does not load the page in that link. If my understanding is correct, it's not normal behavior. Please determine if the same problems occur in "Safe Mode": Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support.

If that Mac is still running macOS 26.2, update it: Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support.

> It doesn't work

"It" meaning what, exactly?

From your post it isn't clear whether links in email ARE opening in new tabs, or if you WANT them to open in a new tab but they're not.

What is it you're trying to do? and what actually happens that differs from your goal?

@John Galt

I just updated to 26.6 and the problem described in this thread is now happening to me on my M4 mini.

First I'll say it works fine as it always has on iPadOS and my little Neo, which AFAIK is running MacOS, same as my Mini. This leads me to believe it is a setting *somewhere* that is causing this change in behavior. But which one and where is it? I have disabled the few extensions in Safari that I use to no effect.

With Safari open and Mail open, if I click on a url link in Mail it never switches to Safari, I continue to see the mail program. If I switch to Safari I don't see the page referenced by the link in Mail. HOWEVER, if I close Safari, then click on the URL in Mail, Safari opens and displays the correct info.

You mentioned "the browser selected in Settings". Which settings and where exactly do I find this so I can check it. Mail settings? can't find it. Safari Settings? Can't find it. System Settings? Maybe it's there but so far I have not found it. The default browser in Desktop widgets is Safari.app. The only thing left to try is a restart which I will do later and if that fixes it I'll reply to that effect. Meanwhile, I would like some other ideas.

If you have a question, it is not clear to me. Clicking or tapping a link opens the browser selected in Settings and loads that page.

👍

Thanks for the update.