‘Please don’t do that’ iPhone owners cry as big change...

APPLE has changed the Safari layout in an update coming to iPhones soon - and it could make for some embarrassing interactions. Safari, Apple's native web browser, will reportedly list your search history in the centre of the screen when you tap into the search bar.

Image Credit: The Sun [Photo illustration of the Safari web browser logo on a smartphone.]

The change was spotted by 9to5Mac in a beta version of the software. In the current iPhone software, titled iOS 18.3.1, there is no clear view of your previous searches. Instead, you get a clear look of the personalised Safari homepage with all your favourite sites, suggestions from friends, privacy report, reading list and your recently closed tabs.

But in iOS 18.4, Apple's upcoming update, that changes. Having your search history so visible could be awkward if you pass your phone to a friend or family member. iPhone owners have begged Apple to row back on the change. "Oh please don’t do that," one user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote.

Another added: "That’s stopping lots of people from updating…". While a third person tweeted: "From bad to worse w/ @Apple these days.". There doesn't appear to be a setting in iOS 18.4 that can disable the recent search view, according to MacRumors. In the software's current form, users would have to clear their search history via Settings to avoid any humiliating mishaps.

However, the software is still in beta mode - meaning Apple is still ironing out the creases. So, it's always possible the tech giant tweaks the feature before the software rolls out to the wider public. iOS 18.4 is Apple's next big update, which should include a raft of new features, including:.

Apple News+ Food: A new section in the Apple News subscription package that features recipes from outlets like Allrecipes, Bon Appétit, and Serious Eats. Priority notifications: Apple Intelligence - the clever AI that's now in a range of iPhones - will sort your notifications in order of urgency.

From emails to app updates. Here are the devices that support Apple Intelligence:. Image Playground: This will gain a new sketch art style, to work alongside the existing animation and illustration styles. Ambient music: Apple is putting an a new button in the control centre for when you need some chill tunes.