How to Disable Tab Bar Coloring in Safari 15 on macOS

Safari 15 for macOS Big Sur and macOS Catalina introduces support for several features that will be native to the upcoming macOS Monterey update, including some interface design changes that haven't been universally welcomed. Fortunately, Apple has made some of these changes optional, such as the ability to disable tab bar coloring.

Tab bar coloring on (left) versus coloring off (right) in dark mode

Tab bar coloring, or website tinting, happens when the color of Safari's interface changes around the tabs, bookmark, and navigation button areas to match the color of the website you're viewing.

The idea behind tinting is that it allows the browser interface to fade into the background and create a more immersive experience. However, the effect doesn't always look great, especially if you have several windows arranged on your desktop. Happily, Apple chose to include an option to turn it off.

1. Launch Safari, then select Safari -> Preferences... from the menu bar.
   
   
2. Select the Tabs panel.
   
3. Uncheck the box next to Show color in tab bar.
   

If you're using Safari in iOS 15, you can find the same option in Settings -> Safari. Under the "Tabs" section, turn off the switch next to Allow Website Tinting. On iPadOS 15, this option is called Show Color in Tab Bar, just like in Safari 15 for macOS.


In previous versions of iOS, Apple included a "Show Color in Tab Bar" accessibility setting, which basically had the same effect as the new "Allow Website Tinting" toggle. The fact that Apple made the option more prominent suggests user aversion to tinting is more common than previously thought.

Related Roundups: macOS Big Sur, macOS Monterey

Tag: Safari

Related Forums: macOS Catalina, macOS Big Sur, macOS Monterey

This article, "How to Disable Tab Bar Coloring in Safari 15 on macOS" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums