Safari's Compact Tab Bar Is Back on Mac and iPad

When ‌macOS Tahoe‌ and iPadOS 26 launched last September, Apple quietly removed Safari's Compact tab layout – the option that merged the address bar and the tab bar into a single, space-saving row. If you were a fan of it, you will have been out of luck for months. The good news is that Apple has brought it back. In macOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, the Compact tab bar is once again available as an alternative to the default Separate layout. Here's how to enable it on both platforms. On Mac Open Safari. In the menu bar, click Safari ➝ Settings.... Click the Tabs pane. Next to "Tabs Layout," select Compact. The address bar and tab bar will immediately merge into a single row, freeing up vertical screen space. On iPad Open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap through to Apps ➝ Safari. Under "Tabs," tap Compact Tab Bar. That's all there is to it. If you decide you prefer the standard layout, simply retrace your steps and select Separate (on Mac) or Separate Tab Bar (on ‌iPad‌). The Compact lay