Safari on Mac can open a specific homepage, a blank page, or another startup view when you create a new window. If Safari keeps returning to a page you did not choose, an extension or unwanted software may be overriding the setting.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Safari on Mac when you want Safari to open to a chosen website or blank page. Safari on iPhone and iPad does not have the same homepage field; it uses a customizable Start Page instead.
Set your homepage in Safari Settings
This sets the page Safari opens when homepage behavior is selected.
- Open Safari.
- Click Safari in the menu bar and choose Settings.
- Open the General tab.
- Enter the website address next to Homepage, or clear the box if you want a blank page.
- Set Safari opens with to A new window if you want the homepage to appear at launch.
- Close Settings. Safari saves the change automatically.
Fix a homepage that keeps resetting
Extensions are the most common cause when Safari will not keep your homepage.
- Open Safari > Settings > Extensions.
- Turn off extensions you do not recognize.
- Return to the General tab and set the homepage again.
- If the problem continues, open Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data and remove website data.
- If Safari still resets, scan the Mac with a reputable tool such as Malwarebytes for Mac.
More control
New tabs have a separate setting
The homepage setting controls new windows and the Home button. New tabs are controlled by the New tabs open with dropdown on the same General tab.
Use Favorites instead of one homepage
If you prefer a grid of common sites, set new tabs to Favorites and add the sites you want to Safari Favorites.
iPhone and iPad use Start Page
Safari on iOS does not use a Mac-style homepage box. Open a new tab, scroll to the bottom, tap Edit, and choose which Start Page sections appear.
Sources
- Apple Support – Change the Safari homepage on Mac (2025)
- Apple Support – Change your General settings in Safari on Mac (2025)
- Apple Support – Manage website data in Safari on Mac (2025)