Level 1

28 points

Safari won't open any links and then freezes/crashes

HELP! The Safari on my fairly new iphone 6s has gone haywire. Safari opens fine, and if you type in a direct URL, it will go to the website just fine. However, if i attempt to search any subject it will pull up the pages of websites, but will not allow me to connect to any of the links and when I select a link it then freezes and crashes safari. Additionally, if i try to open any weblink imbedded in an email, it again freezes and crashes both mail AND Safari. SO FUN!

And just to test general connectivity and function, i downloaded Google Chrome to see if I can search and connect there, and I can. The search works fine, pulls up the pages, and strangely, I can't access the pages direct, but it will allow me to open the page in another tab. I feel like this should be a clue for someone smarter than I. 😝

I have been tinkering for about an hour with it and I am at a loss.

Things I have tried:

1. Resetting the phone - both just by powering off and a hard reset (Power + Home)

2. Turning off Safari Suggestions (and browser suggestions) - this was a fix that I found for a bug that seemed similar from earlier this year.

3. Changing the search engine from Google to Yahoo and back, nothing.

4. Private Browsing (again a "fix" I found on the interwebs...)

5. Downloading and upgrading my iOS to 9.3. Still nothing.

6. Banging my head on my computer and cursing very loudly at the phone.

PLEASE, if you have any suggestions, i am all ears... I am going bananas and can't let it go.

THANK YOU!!!

iPhone 6s, iOS 9.3, Prob started while on 9.2.1

Posted on Mar 22, 2016 3:35 PM

325 replies

Tif

Level 2

263 points

Mar 30, 2016 11:40 AM in response to nello922

Thank you! This is a very helpful summary. I must add, though, that I am still on 9.2.1 and I have the same issue!

vitvita

Level 1

4 points

Mar 30, 2016 2:35 PM in response to mizmantha

I also have the same problem with safari, after I tried chrome for iPhone but same there. hope Apple will fix this problem as soon as possible. Java script helps, but I don't like what safari shrift looks like after turning of Java script.

Mar 30, 2016 2:51 PM in response to mizmantha

Good to see this is a community wide issue. it is not linked specifically to ios9.3 as it started with me after I saw the original notification that 9.3 was available but had not downloaded it let alone installed.

So it was present in 9.2.1. Switching off java makes no difference, hard restart makes no difference, so just living with it till Apple sort it.

Hope it gets sorted soon

Mar 30, 2016 5:11 PM in response to lotuseve110

None of the fixes here have worked except using the Google app on my iphone. It's about time Apple did something to fix the problem they've caused! I don't want to do a factory reset to my phone and I don't see why I should have to waste so much time on the problem. Apple should get moving and fix it!

mizmantha Author

Level 1

28 points

Mar 30, 2016 6:16 PM in response to able_ape

Okay, Ableape, now you're just writing to amuse me aren't you?? That was FUNNY.

And still no official word from our friends at Apple, but oh so many assurances that they are working on it. What i find VERY disconcerting is the number of news articles that are still linking this to a 9.3 problem despite the fact that it happened to MANY people (myself included) well before 9.3... And poor Booking.com... the ultimate scapegoat. Tsk, tsk, tsk...

So, i have had to function for over a week while on a road trip across the US without a fully functioning phone. I wonder if Apple will compensate me for my lost time and frustration? LOL... Oh, and for the data on 272 replies to my initial question... SO POPULAR! Dare to dream...

La ** da... Shall we start an over/under pool on how much longer until they release a fix??

Until then, i travel with no safari, a partially working Chrome app, no booking.com or google maps (or any of the other apps people have suggested deleting, i've tried them all), a mailbox overflowing with replies to this chain... and an ever-waning affection for apple products. Maybe I should join the people complaining in the twitterverse, maybe they'll respond there.

skillen1

Level 1

9 points

Mar 30, 2016 6:26 PM in response to mizmantha

I had the same problem with my iPhone 6 Plus, since updating software to iOS 9.3. I contacted Apple and they said there is a new update due in the next couple of days, if we can just be patient to wait, this will fix the problems which have occurred, since the last update of iOS 9.3. So I gave up trying to fix the problems, I have my iwatch and iPad Pro to keep me going for now, not long to wait for the new update.

skillen1

Level 1

9 points

Mar 30, 2016 6:40 PM in response to mannymanito2001

Mar 30, 2016 8:23 PM in response to mizmantha

besides all the time spending for reading all the things related to the issue im thinking that the second good think i can do is that i will returning my iphone to apple and get an new one back. for me is more annoying as i travel now for few months in SE asia and i need my phone being functionally on the net.

the internet/safari prob. comes out of the blue few days before. i had 9.2.1 instaled at that point, i've upgraded to 9.3( re released one) but still safari suckst. no back up to access untill june so resetting to factory mode is not an option for me. did u guy's ( with the device still covered by the warranty ) tried returning the phone ? in fact safary is native app and it's ios software problem.

thsimon

Level 1

9 points

Mar 30, 2016 9:53 PM in response to mizmantha

In setting / safari / change search engine “ to bing”. (in safari do not use Google to search). This will help until Apple finds a solution. But I still can't open hyperlinks in mail without it crashing my mail.

thsimon

Level 1

9 points

Mar 30, 2016 9:54 PM in response to vitvita

Mar 30, 2016 9:56 PM in response to corruptdream

Apple will not swap the phone for a software issue. It doesnt just affect those with 9.3.

You will have to wait for an update or factory restore and setup as new (Dont use your backup)

Changing the phone will not fix this.

The moment you restore from your backup, the issue will be back.

Mar 30, 2016 9:57 PM in response to mizmantha

You could try a real solution, restore your phone and setup as new.

Mar 30, 2016 9:58 PM in response to nello922

There are other apps that had issues with the Universal link system. Booking.com was by far the most popular.

Mar 30, 2016 11:00 PM in response to mizmantha

I have the exact same problem, but I have an IPhone 5S and have not yet upgraded my iOS to 9.3. Im running on iOS 9.2 and the phone has got rather useless without been able to click on any links in Safari and mail. It works to press-and-hold in Chrome but then I need to open in a new tab.

The most annoying with the whole issue is Apples totally silence. So, Apple, fix this ASAP or you would soon be out of business!!! You have a whole community of Apple users that probably soon will go to another platform if you keep on hiding with your head in the sand.

ammoun

Level 1

32 points

Mar 31, 2016 12:03 AM in response to mizmantha

I do not have this problem on my two iPhones and my iPad but I am here searching for a solution to a friend's iPhone!

My thought is since all this has started late March, could it have to do with Time Zone settings? I really do not know what to do, just a thought! Maybe someone can take this further.

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Safari won't open any links and then freezes/crashes