Apple has released the iOS 18 beta 5 update and one of its new features has made the Safari browser almost unbeatable.
At the time of writing, the launch of the iPhone 16 series is still a little more than a month away. In the meantime, some enthusiasts and developers are having a gala time trying out the upcoming features of iOS 18 through various beta builds.
iOS 18 Beta 5 release date
Apple released the iOS 18 Beta 5 update for registered developers on August 5, 2024, that includes the new ‘Distraction Control’ feature for Safari browser.
How to access the Distraction Control feature
You can access the Distraction Control through iOS 18 beta 5, iPadOS 18 beta 5, and macOS Sequoia beta 5.
How does the Distraction Control feature for Safari work?
The ‘Distraction Control’ feature basically blocks elements you don’t want while browsing a webpage, and it even includes ads.
The removal process is followed by an animation that resembles the Disappearing Effect from Avengers Infinity War! Check Brandon Butch’s X post we’ve attached below to get a better idea of how the animation works.
According to 9to5Mac, you will get the “Hide Distracting Items” option to enable the Distraction Control feature. You can then manually choose the distracting elements you wish to hide from the webpage.
Safari will also remember the elements you’ve chosen to keep hidden. So, in case you refresh a webpage, the changes will stay intact and you won’t have to hide those elements again.
However, upon refreshing, ads will continue to appear as they are dynamic in nature. This new feature is not a ad blocker replacement, Apple has confirmed.
How to enable the Distraction Control feature on Safari
To enable the Distraction Control feature, simply:
- Head over to the Page Menu interface on Safari.
- Look for the new Hide Distracting Items option.
- When prompted, select the elements you want to hide.
And you’re done!
How to disable the feature
To disable the feature, you need to:
- Head back to the Page Menu interface in Safari.
- Select Show Hidden Items.
Doing that will reveal all the elements you’ve hidden using the feature.
Now that you know about the new iOS 18 feature, check out why it will be better to skip iPhone 16 and wait for iPhone 17.
