scroll bar missing safari mac

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safari 14.1 scroll bars invisible or completely missing

My system preferences are set to Show scroll bars: Always

But scroll bars do not show correctly in Safari.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.3

Posted on May 3, 2021 7:29 PM

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May 4, 2021 1:41 PM in response to BIPLTechTutor

Hey there, and welcome to Apple Support Communities, BIPLTechTutor!

From our understanding, you don’t always see the scroll bar in Safari even though this feature is turned on. We can certainly understand your concern and can help provide some insight.

There are a few different reasons that the scroll bar will not show. Some sites are coded to not show the scroll bar. In those cases, Setting the scroll bar to “Always” will not make it show. Also, if all content on the page is already showing, there will be no bar because there is no additional content.

We hope that helps.

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Solving the Case of the Mac’s Disappearing Scroll Bars

By J. D. Biersdorfer

• Feb. 2, 2017

Q. I recently switched to a Mac laptop, and the Safari browser confuses me. Sometimes it has scroll bars on the side of the page, and sometimes it doesn’t. Why is this?

A. In an attempt to streamline the user interface, Apple’s Safari browser for the Mac has scroll bars that can disappear from view if you are not actively scrolling through a web page. The company has been tinkering with desktop scrolling behavior for several years , and Safari’s behavior on the Mac is similar to the way it behaves in Apple’s iOS mobile operating system.

Scroll bars that disappear until they are needed make more sense on a mobile device with limited screen space than they do on a bigger screen navigated by mouse or track pad. Fortunately, you can change the scroll bar behavior for your programs in the Mac’s system preferences.

Click the System Preferences icon in the Mac’s desktop dock , or go to the Apple Menu and choose System Preferences. When the System Preferences box opens, click the General icon in the top row.

In the General box , go to the “Show scroll bars” section and click the button next to Always. Additionally, you can change what happens when you click in a scroll bar too, either jumping to the next page or to the area of the page where you clicked. (Before you close the preferences box, you can make other interface adjustments like changing the highlight color and increasing the sidebar icon size, among other things.)

If you do not like Safari, you can download another Mac-friendly browser like Google Chrome , Mozilla Firefox , Opera or Vivaldi . In most newer browsers, you can even use a keyboard shortcut to roll through a page — tap the space bar to scroll down, or hold down the Shift key and tap the space bar to reverse direction.

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How to Make Scroll Bars Always Visible in macOS

In macOS Ventura, Apple has made hiding scroll bars when not in use a default behavior of the operating system, but you can prevent this from happening if you know where to look. Keep reading to learn how it's done.

Apple has made this the default setting because it is in keeping with the minimalist UI design of macOS, but if you don't see a scroll bar, you may not even know that a window can be scrolled, making navigation more difficult in general.

Fortunately, you can change this behavior pretty easily in macOS and make it so that scroll bars always remain visible. The following steps show you how.

• Click the Apple (  ) symbol in the top-left corner of your Mac's menu bar, then click System Settings... .
• Using the sidebar, scroll down and select Appearance .
• Under the "Show scroll bars" option, click the radio button next to Always .

Your preference will be implemented instantly, and you should now see scroll bars wherever scrolling is available.

Note that if you're using macOS Monterey or earlier, the same setting can be found in the General panel of System Preferences .

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Home » Tech Tips » Mac » How to Show or Hide Scroll Bars in Mac?

How to Show or Hide Scroll Bars in Mac?

Sometimes the new user interface design concepts make us sick. On the name of UI design companies remove the handy features used by people for many years. Scroll bars are shown vertically and horizontally if the visible content exceeds the width of the app’s display window. When you read long document or webpage, it helps to know the position where you are and estimate the remaining length of the content. For most of us, it works like looking at the remaining pages when you are reading a book. Long back Apple removed, the fixed scroll bars and shows them when you move the mouse or based on trackpad gestures. In this article let us discuss how to bring the scroll bars in Mac permanently back and few other customizing options for you to make it easy.

Related: How to show desktop in Mac?

Bring Missing Scroll Bars in Mac

If you are not seeing the scroll bar on Safari, Pages or any other app then simply move the mouse or cursor using trackpad. This will make the scroll bar visible. However, this is not convenient as it may disappear before you may catch to drag it to the required position. The solution is simple; you need to make it visible permanently.

Scroll Bar Options in macOS 12 or Earlier

Since the settings are different in macOS 13 (Ventura) or later, first we explain with older macOS versions (12 or earlier).

Click on “Apple menu” and go to “System Preferences…” section.

Click on “General” preferences option.

You will have three options under “Show scroll bars”.

Automatically based on mouse or trackpad

This is a tricky option to understand. It can be better understand with and without an external mouse connected to your Mac. First enable this and open any default app like Preview or Safari or Pages showing a lengthy document. You will NOT see any scrollbar unless you move the cursor up or down using trackpad movement.

Now plugin your mouse using a cable or USB and check the document. You will permanently see the scroll bars. You can move the bars either using mouse or using trackpad, arrow keys or spacebar.

So enabling automatic option will basically show the scroll bars when you have a mouse plugged. And toggle the scroll bar based on trackpad movement when you have no external mouse.

When scrolling

This option does the same function as previous option without external mouse. That means, you will see the scroll bars only when you move the cursor up or down using double finger swipe.

This is a good option, in our opinion, to bring the scroll bar permanently back regardless of you have external mouse or not. Choose this option to work smoothly with your documents.

Related: How to manage desktop in Mac?

Scroll Bar Movement

Simply enabling scroll bar is not sufficient in most cases. Generally you may expect the content to move to the scroll bar position where you have clicked on the sidebar. Unfortunately, Mac will move page by page regardless of where you click the sidebar. You can simply drag and drop the scroll bar to the required position. However, you can also customize the scroll bar click in “General preferences” under “Click in the scroll bar to” section.

• Jump to the next page – this is a default option which will move to next page on the document regardless of where you click on the scroll bar.
• Jump to the spot that’s clicked – probably this is what you will expect to happen when you click on the middle of the scroll bar and you are at the middle immediately.

Using Arrows and Spacebar

Instead of scroll bars, you can also use arrow keys to navigate through the documents. This is especially useful for vertical scrolling.

• Use up or down arrow to move click by click which will move few lines up or down on the document.
• Press spacebar to quickly go to next page.

Scrolling Direction of Scroll Bars in Mac

Another factor when using vertical scroll bar using trackpad is the scrolling direction. For most of us, the scrolling needs to be on the opposite direction of the double finger swiping direction. This means when you swipe double fingers down the content will move up and vice versa. This is called unnatural scrolling.

However, natural scrolling is when you swipe the fingers down the content also will move down and vice versa. This means the content will track the direction of your finger movement.

• Go to “Apple Menu > System Preferences…” and click on “Trackpad” option.
• Click on “Scroll & Zoom” tab.
• Enable or disable “Scroll direction: Natural” option to setup the scrolling direction.

Scroll Bars Option in macOS 13 (Ventura or Later)

If you are using macOS Ventura, Sonoma or later versions then the interface may look bit different with similar set of options.

• Click the Apple logo and go to “System Settings…” menu.

• Go to “Appearance” section and then scroll down to the bottom on the settings page.
• Select your preference under “Show scroll bars” section.

Similarly, you can setup the scrolling direction from “Trackpad” settings page.

Scroll Bars in Mac Third Party Apps

All the scroll bar settings, except the direction, apply only to the default Apple apps like Pages, Safari , Finder, Preview, etc. This will NOT work for the third party apps like Google Chrome.

• Scroll bars are always visible on most of third party apps regardless of your settings in general preferences.
• You can move the scroll bar and the content to the clicked position though you have set “Jump to the next page” in preferences.

In our opinion, these are the ideal settings for apps in order to have easy navigation.

About Editorial Staff

Editorial Staff at WebNots are team of experts who love to build websites, find tech hacks and share the learning with community.

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Leave your reply.

I found that with OS 16.0.1 that that menu was in the Appearance menu and not the General. Thanks for the information. I think it is going to work. //… Joe

Thank you so much for this article. It’s very helpful! I’m new to MacBook and I’m impressed with the trackpad gestures that I missed out and it’s so important for navigation. You should’ve included a link to Apple’s article about its multi-touch gestures! ?

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How to Always Show Scroll Bars on a Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you tired of having to hover over the edge of a window on your Mac to make the scroll bar appear? Fear not, there’s a way to ensure that those scroll bars are always visible, and it’s easier than you might think. In just a few simple steps, you can tweak your Mac’s settings so that scroll bars are always there when you need them.

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Always Show Scroll Bars on a Mac

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why you might want to do this. For some people, always-visible scroll bars make navigating through long documents and web pages easier. Plus, it can be a real time-saver not having to wait for them to pop up.

Step 1: Open System Preferences

First things first, you’ll need to open up System Preferences on your Mac. This is like the control center for your computer, where you can change all kinds of settings to make your Mac work just the way you want it.

Once you’re in System Preferences, look for the “General” icon. It’s usually one of the first ones at the top, and it has a little light switch on it.

Step 2: Click on General

After you’ve found the General icon, go ahead and click on it. This will open up a new window with a bunch of different options that you can customize.

Step 3: Find the ‘Show Scroll Bars’ option

Now, look for the section that says “Show Scroll Bars”. There should be three options to choose from: “Automatically based on mouse or trackpad,” “When scrolling,” and “Always.”

Step 4: Select “Always”

Go ahead and click on the “Always” option. This will make sure that your scroll bars are always visible, no matter what you’re doing on your Mac.

Once you’ve selected “Always,” you’re all set! Your Mac will now show scroll bars all the time, making it easier for you to navigate through your computer.

After completing these steps, you’ll notice that scroll bars will be present on the side of every window you open. This can be especially helpful if you’re working on a document or browsing a website that has a lot of content to scroll through.

Tips for Always Showing Scroll Bars on a Mac

• If you use a mouse with your Mac, you might find that having always-visible scroll bars is really helpful.
• If you ever want to go back to the default setting, just follow the steps again and select “Automatically based on mouse or trackpad.”
• Keep in mind that this setting will apply to all applications on your Mac, not just your web browser.
• If you’re using a trackpad, you can still scroll by using two fingers to swipe up and down.
• Play around with the other options in the General settings to customize your Mac even further.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this setting affect how my trackpad or mouse works.

No, changing this setting will only affect the visibility of the scroll bars. Your trackpad and mouse will work just as they did before.

Can I make the scroll bars wider?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to change the width of the scroll bars in the System Preferences. However, some third-party applications might allow you to customize this.

Will this setting apply to all users on my Mac?

Yes, this setting will apply to all user accounts on your Mac. If you have multiple people using the computer, they’ll all see the always-visible scroll bars.

Can I still scroll using my keyboard?

Absolutely! This setting won’t affect any of your keyboard shortcuts. You can still use the arrow keys, Page Up/Down, and Spacebar to navigate through pages.

What if I don’t see the “General” option in System Preferences?

If you can’t find the General option, make sure you’re running the latest version of macOS. If you’re still having trouble, try searching for “General” in the search bar at the top of System Preferences.

• Open System Preferences
• Click on General
• Find the ‘Show Scroll Bars’ option
• Select “Always”

So there you have it—no more disappearing act for your scroll bars on a Mac. By following the simple steps outlined above, you can ensure that scroll bars are always on display, ready to assist you in your digital endeavors. It’s a small tweak, but one that can significantly enhance your workflow and navigation experience.

Remember, the key to a more efficient and enjoyable Mac experience often lies in the little adjustments you can make to fit your personal preferences. So don’t be afraid to dive into your System Preferences and tailor your Mac to your needs.

For further reading, consider looking into other Mac customization options like changing your desktop background, setting up hot corners, or even exploring accessibility features that can make your computer more user-friendly. And as always, stay curious and keep exploring all the possibilities that your Mac has to offer. After all, it’s your trusty sidekick in this digital age.

Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.

His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.

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Home > News Tips

How to Show Missing Scroll Bar on Mac

Updated on Thursday, May 16, 2024

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It is always necessary to  scroll on your Mac  when the content doesn't fit the size of the current window such as browsing the web pages on Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc., reading a PDF or document, editing a file, and so forth, to scroll up and down the page. However, some Mac users encounter the problem that the scroll bar is missing on Mac . 

The fact is that you may haven't chosen to always show the scroll bar on your Mac. Therefore, the system automatically hides and shows the scroll bar on the Mac screen based on your settings in System Preferences. This post tells how to make Mac always show the scroll bar . Keep reading to configure your Mac scroll bar.

How to show the scroll bar on Mac

With the scroll bar shown on the side of the page, you can quickly scroll up and down the page by dragging the scroll bar up and down. When you can't see the scroll bar on your Mac screen when you surf in Safari, edit an excel sheet, etc., you may get annoyed. 

In this case, sliding the mouse or scrolling on the Trackpad may activate the hidden scroll bar to appear on the screen. Or, you can move the cursor to the side of the page and hover there, the scroll bar may also show up. If you prefer to make the scroll bar always show on Mac, here's how to change the settings of the scroll bar on Mac.

• Click on the Apple logo ( Apple Menu ) in the upper left corner. 
• Choose System Preferences on the pop-up menu.

• Find the Show scroll bar feature on the new window. 

Once you have set the scroll bar to be always shown on Mac, it will automatically appear when the content can't be fully displayed with the window's current size. Then you can always utilize the scroll bar to view the content on the screen. 

Besides, you can further set up the scroll bar on your Mac to meet your personal preferences. Under the Show scroll bar sector, there is a feature called Click in the scroll bar to , including two options: 

• Jump to the next page: It enables you to Click on the scroll bar to move the content page by page.
• Jump to the spot that's clicked: It moves to the spot where you're clicking.

You can also press and hold the Option key while clicking the scroll bar to momentarily switch the scrolling method.

How to adjust the scrolling speed on Mac

Whether you use the Trackpad or the mouse on your Mac, you can easily control the scrolling speed of your Trackpad or mouse by changing the settings in Accessibility. Let's dive into the details.

• Navigate to the Apple Menu, and choose System Preferences.

• Scroll down on the left sidebar to find the Pointer Control feature. 
• On the right column, choose the Trackpad options or the Mouse options to open the window.

• Click the OK button to confirm the changes.

It is easy to personalize the appearance of the scroll bar on your Mac. If you find the scroll bar is missing, you can change the system preferences of the scroll bar to always show it on the side of the pages. In addition, you can control the scrolling speed of the Trackpad or mouse to meet your needs.

Share this post to help others configure their scroll bar on Macs!

Amanda is one of the main columnists at iBoysoft. She loves exploring new technologies, focusing on macOS, Windows OS, data recovery, data security, disk management, and other tech-related issues. She takes delight in providing technical and informative articles to help people out of problems and get the utmost out of their devices.

Jessica Shee is a senior tech editor at iBoysoft. Throughout her 4 years of experience, Jessica has written many informative and instructional articles in data recovery, data security, and disk management to help a lot of readers secure their important documents and take the best advantage of their devices.

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Mac tip: Miss the Mac’s scroll bars? Here’s how to get them back

by ben patterson | Mar 10, 2015 | desktops , how-tos , laptops

Once upon a time, every window on a Mac desktop had big, easy-to-click and impossible-to-miss scroll bars that never, ever disappeared.

Since 2011’s “Lion” update to Mac OS X, however, Apple has adopted an “barely there” policy when it comes to scroll bars.

Indeed, scroll bars on the Mac are now just as wafer-thin as they are on the iPhone and iPad—and in some cases, they may disappear completely when you’re not actively scrolling.

Luckily, it’s easy to get those scroll bars back—not the old, larger versions, mind you, but at least you can keep the Mac’s new, skinny-mini scroll bars visible at all times.

Here’s how:

• Click the Apple menu at the top-left of the screen, then select System Preferences.
• Next, select the General preferences pane; it’s the very first one, up at the top.
• Under the “Show scroll bars” heading, you’ll find three options: “Automatically based on input device,” “When scrolling,” and “Always.”
• Go ahead and select that last “Always” option. You’re done!

Wish you could get the missing scroll bar buttons back, too? You can’t, unfortunately, but you can always use your arrow keys for precision scrolling.

Click here for more Mac tips!

Related posts:

• Does scrolling on your Mac feel backwards? Here’s how to fix it
• Mac tip: Miss the scroll bar arrows? Try the arrow keys instead (reader mail)
• Mac tip: Use the function keys without pressing “Fn”
• Mac tip: How to make those razor-thin scroll bars a tad thicker

Thanks you have saved me a lot of frustration.

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Vertical Scroll Bar Missing From Toolbars on a Mac

Make the scrollbar always visible along a webpage or in a drop-down menu when using a mac computer.

If you are using a Mac computer while working with Constant Contact, and your scroll bar has been disappearing in certain windows or drop-down menus, you're most likely running into a Mac setting that hides the scroll bar when you're not actively scrolling.

Clicking in the area you want to scroll in and dragging your finger up and down on the mouse or using the directional arrows on your keyboard lets you see the scroll bar, but it's not always apparent where to click. A more permanent option is to change the settings on your Mac to always make the scroll bar visible:

This ensures that no matter what window or drop down menu you're viewing, even outside of Constant Contact, you always have access to the scroll bar.  

For more help setting up your preferences on a Mac, please see Apple's Support .

Any links we provide from non-Constant Contact sites or information about non-Constant Contact products or services are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as an endorsement by Constant Contact.

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Enable Persistent Scroll Bars on the Mac [macOS Tutorial]

Here's how you can enable persistent scroll bars that don't automatically disappear on the Mac in apps like Safari, Notes and more.

See Scroll Bars All the Time on Your Mac and See Exactly Where You are on Any Page

In order to put more focus on the content and less on the UI, Apple simply fades the scroll bars away in macOS whenever you're done scrolling. They show up whenever you are scrolling so you know exactly where you are on the page, obviously.

Related Story How To Watch Apple’s ‘Let Loose’ Event Live On Any Device, Including iPhone, Mac, Android, Windows, More

But, if you want to see the scroll bars all the time and want to instantly scroll by clicking on the scroll bars directly instead of using your mouse or trackpad, then you be pleased to learn that the option to make that happen is actually available to you. It's simply hidden inside System Preferences, and it takes a couple of clicks to enable it. Read more for details.

Step 1. Launch System Preferences . You can do so by clicking on the icon in the Dock, via Spotlight search or by simply clicking on the Apple logo in the Mac menu bar.

Step 2. Now click on General .

Step 3. Now find the option called 'Show scroll bars' and select 'Always.' That's all.

From now on, whenever you scroll on your Mac, whether it's Safari, Notes or just a PDF, the scroll bars will always be there on the right for you to play around with. If you don't want to use the mouse or trackpad to scroll, you can click and drag on the scroll bars to move around in any page.

If you love nothing more than a clean look, then you have the option to fully revert the changes you made. Simply select 'Automatically based on mouse or trackpad' from General in System Preferences .

For more helpful guides and tutorials, head over to  this section .

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How to Configure Scroll Bars in macOS and OS X

Personalize the appearance of your scroll bars

Tom Nelson is an engineer, programmer, network manager, and computer network and systems designer who has written for Other World Computing,and others. Tom is also president of Coyote Moon, Inc., a Macintosh and Windows consulting firm.

What to Know

• Go to the Apple menu and select System Preferences > General > Show Scroll Bars . Check Always , When Scrolling , or Automatically .
• In the Click in the scroll bar to area, select Jump to the next page or Jump to the spot that's clicked .
• Adjust the scrolling speed: Go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Pointer Control > Trackpad / Mouse Options . Move the slider.

This article explains how to configure the scroll bars on a Mac with OS X Lion or later OS X and macOS versions. Set preferences to make scroll bars appear at all times and control the scrolling speed of your mouse or trackpad.

How to Configure Scroll Bars in OS X and macOS

Set up your scroll bars to meet your own personal preferences.

From the Apple menu, select System Preferences .

In the System Preferences window, choose the General icon near the upper left corner.

Locate the Show Scroll Bars area. You have three options:

• Automatically based on mouse or trackpad : Scroll bars appear only when the cursor is in the scroll bar area or when you start scrolling.
• When Scrolling : Scroll bars show up only when you start scrolling on your mouse or trackpad.
• Always : Scroll bars are always visible.

The second section, Click in the scroll bar to , has two options:

• Jump to the next page : Clicking in the scroll bar moves to the next or previous page of the document or page you're on, depending on whether you click below or above the scroll box.
• Jump to the spot that's clicked : The scroll box will move to wherever your cursor is.

Exit System Preferences . Your new scroll bar configurations are set.

These settings will apply across all your Mac applications.

Control Your Scrolling Speed

Apple also makes it easy to adjust the scrolling speed of your mouse or trackpad.

In macOS Catalina

The interface is a little different with Catalina than earlier macOS and OS X versions.

From the System Preferences window, select  Accessibility .

In the left sidebar, select Pointer Control .

Select Trackpad Options or Mouse Options .

Use the slider to adjust scrolling speed .

Close System Preferences.

In OS X Lion Through Mojave

In the left sidebar, select Mouse & Trackpad .

To adjust your mouse or trackpad's double-click speed, adjust the slider.

To adjust your mouse or trackpad's scrolling speed, select the Trackpad Options or Mouse Options button.

In the screen that appears, use the slider to adjust the scrolling speed of your device and then select OK .

Enable or disable scrolling for your mouse or trackpad via the checkbox.

Close out of the Accessibility window. You've set your new preferences.

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macOS User Guide

• What’s in the menu bar?
• Work on the desktop
• Search with Spotlight
• Quickly change settings
• Get notifications
• Open apps from the Dock
• Organize your files in the Finder
• Connect to the internet
• Browse the web
• Preview a file
• Take a screenshot
• Change your display’s brightness
• Adjust the volume
• Use trackpad and mouse gestures
• Use Touch ID
• Print documents
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Apps on your Mac
• Work with app windows
• Use apps in full screen
• Use apps in Split View
• Use Stage Manager
• Get apps from the App Store
• Install and reinstall apps from the App Store
• Install and uninstall other apps
• Create and work with documents
• Open documents
• Mark up files
• Combine files into a PDF
• Organize files on your desktop
• Organize files with folders
• Tag files and folders
• Back up files
• Restore files
• Change System Settings
• Choose your desktop wallpaper
• Add and customize widgets
• Use a screen saver
• Add a user or group
• Add your email and other accounts
• Automate tasks with Shortcuts
• Create Memoji
• Change your login picture
• Change the system language
• Make text and other items on the screen bigger
• Set up a Focus to stay on task
• Set up Screen Time for yourself
• Use Dictation
• Send emails
• Send text messages
• Make a FaceTime video call
• Edit photos and videos
• Use Live Text to interact with text in a photo
• Start a Quick Note
• Get directions
• Work across devices using Continuity
• Use iPhone as a webcam
• Use iPhone with Desk View
• Stream audio and video with AirPlay
• Use one keyboard and mouse to control Mac and iPad
• Hand off between devices
• Unlock your Mac with Apple Watch
• Make and receive phone calls on your Mac
• Sync music, books, and more between devices
• Manage Apple ID settings
• Set your Apple ID picture
• What is iCloud?
• What is iCloud+?
• Store files in iCloud Drive
• Share and collaborate on files and folders
• Manage iCloud storage
• Use iCloud Photos
• What is Family Sharing?
• Set up Family Sharing
• Set up Screen Time for a child
• Share purchases with your family
• Watch and listen together with SharePlay
• Share a Photo Library
• Collaborate on projects
• Find content shared with you
• Find your family and friends
• Play games with your friends
• Listen to podcasts
• Watch TV shows and movies
• Read and listen to books
• Read the news
• Track stocks and the market
• Apple Music
• Apple Arcade
• Apple News+
• Podcast shows and channels
• Manage subscriptions in the App Store
• View Apple family subscriptions
• Guard your privacy
• Use Mail Privacy Protection
• Control access to your camera
• Use Sign in with Apple for apps and websites
• Set up your Mac to be secure
• Keep your data safe
• Create a passkey
• Understand passwords
• Keep your Apple ID secure
• Find a missing device
• Get started with accessibility features
• Connect an external display
• Use the built-in camera
• Connect a Bluetooth device
• Use AirPods with your Mac
• Optimize your Mac battery life
• Optimize storage space
• Burn CDs and DVDs
• Control accessories in your home
• Use Windows on your Mac
• Resources for your Mac
• Resources for your Apple devices

Allow apps to detect the location of your Mac

Location Services allows apps and websites to gather and use information based on the current location of your Mac. Your approximate location is determined using information from local Wi-Fi networks, and is collected by Location Services in a manner that doesn’t personally identify you.

Turn Location Services off

Open Privacy & Security settings for me

Turn off Location Services.

If you turn off Location Services on your Mac, your precise location is not sent to Apple. To deliver relevant search suggestions, Apple may use the IP address of your internet connection to approximate your location by matching it to a geographic region.

Even if you turn off Location Services, third-party applications and websites may still use other ways to determine your location. For safety purposes, however, your Mac’s location information may be used for emergency calls to aid response efforts regardless of whether Location Services is turned on.

Specify which apps and system services can use Location Services

Turn Location Services on or off for each app in the list on the right.

If you turn off Location Services for an app, you’re asked to turn it on again the next time that app tries to use your location data.

Scroll to the bottom of the list of apps to reveal System Services, then click the Details button to see specific system services that use your location.

To allow the location of your Mac to be used by Siri Suggestions and Safari Suggestions , turn on Suggestions & Search.

If you allow third-party apps or websites to use your current location, any information they collect is governed by their terms and privacy policies. It’s recommended that you learn about the privacy practices of those parties.

When you use Siri Suggestions or Safari Suggestions , the location of your Mac at the time you submit a search query to Safari or Spotlight is sent to Apple to make suggestions more relevant and to improve other Apple products and services.

4 Ways to Fix Gmail Not Working in Safari for Mac and iPad

Parth Shah is an evergreen freelance writer covering how-tos, app guides, comparisons, listicles, and troubleshooting guides on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and smart TV platforms. He has over five years of experience and has covered 1,500+ articles on GuidingTech and Android Police. In his free time, you will see him binge-watching Netflix shows, reading books, and traveling.

Paurush dabbles around iOS and Mac while his close encounters are with Android and Windows. Before becoming a writer, he produced videos for brands like Mr. Phone and Digit. On weekends, he is a full-time cinephile trying to reduce his never-ending watchlist, often making it longer.

• Clear Gmail cache in Safari. Go to Safari Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data > search Gmail > click on Remove.
• Disable iCloud Private Relay by going to Settings > Apple Account name > iCloud > Private Relay > disable.
• The last solution that we recommend is booting your Mac in Safe Mode.

Basic Fixes

• Check date and time: There can be a delay in receiving emails in Gmail if the data and time are not accurate on your Mac or iPad. Go to Settings > General > Date and Time.
• Check internet connection: Ensure that you have good internet connection for instantly receiving and sending emails.
• Use Google DNS: You can try switching to a Google DNS connection on your Mac or iPad.
• Disable VPN: Sometimes VPNs do more harm than good. So we suggest disconnect yours and try connecting to Gmail.
• Update software version : Installing the latest software version always helps in avoiding such issues.

Fix 1: Clear Gmail Cache on Safari

A corrupt Safari cache can be the main culprit here. You should clear cache using the steps below.

Step 1: Launch Safari on Mac. Select Safari and then open Settings .

Step 2: Move to the Privacy menu and then select Manage Website Data .

Step 3: Search for Gmail , select it, and then click Remove .

Step 1: Launch the Settings app and then scroll to Safari . Select Clear History and Website Data .

Step 2: Tap Clear History from the following menu.

Fix 2: Uninstall Safari Extensions

One of the corrupt Safari extensions may interfere with Gmail. You may need to uninstall irrelevant Safari extensions.

Step 1: Launch Safari on Mac. Click on Safari menu in the top-right corner on the menu bar and then choose Settings from the context menu.

Step 2: Head to the Extensions tab. Choose the relevant extension from the left sidebar and then select Uninstall beside unnecessary extensions in the right pane.  

Fix 3: Disable iCloud Private Relay

Private Relay is a neat security add-on for iCloud+ subscribers. It works in Safari and Mail and hides your IP address from prying eyes. You can disable Private Relay and load Gmail on Safari.

Step 1: Open System Settings > Apple Account > iCloud .

Step 2: Select Private Relay and then disable the option.

Open Settings > Apple Account name > iCloud > Private Relay > disable the feature .

Fix 4: Use Safe Mode

The last solution that we recommend is booting your Mac in Safe Mode. This built-in troubleshooting method for Macs prevents third-party app interference and loads only system apps on startup. You can try this if none of the solutions have worked for you so far.

Step 1: Click the Apple logo at the top-left corner and then select Shut Down .

Step 2 : After your Mac shuts down, press and hold the Power Button till you see the two startup options – Macintosh HD and Options .

Step 3: Select Macintosh HD while holding the Shift key and then select Continue in Safe Mode .

Was this helpful?

Last updated on 07 June, 2024

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.

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