Apple’s Latest iOS 18 Beta Enhances Safari with Distraction Control
On August 20, Apple rolled out the fifth public beta of iOS 18, building on the initial release announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June. This beta introduces several new features, including enhanced home screen customization and RCS messaging, but one notable addition is Safari’s Distraction Control. This feature aims to streamline your browsing experience by enabling users to hide unwanted banners and elements on websites.
Because this is a beta version, it’s recommended to install it on a secondary device. Beta releases often come with issues such as bugs and shortened battery life. Using an older device, like an iPhone XR, for beta testing can help prevent potential problems on your main device, such as the iPhone 14 Pro.
Steps to Use Safari’s Distraction Control:
- Launch Safari.
- Visit a webpage.
- Tap the Reader icon in the address bar (represented by a rectangle with dashes).
- Tap the three dots (…) icon.
- Select “Hide Distracting Items.”
You can then choose specific items to hide, with a visual perimeter and “Hide” label indicating your selections. Once hidden, these elements will no longer appear on that webpage.
Functionality and Limitations:
Distraction Control can remove various distractions like banners and pop-ups but must be enabled on each webpage. It does not permanently eliminate ads or other dynamic elements that change frequently. A blue indicator will appear in the address bar to show when Distraction Control is active, and you can click it to view hidden items.
As Distraction Control is still in beta, it may have some bugs and imperfections. Apple is expected to release further updates before the feature becomes available to the general public.