🔊
In Short.
To create a Profile in Safari on iPhone running iOS 17, go to Settings, tap Safari, then New Profile. Customize it with a name, icon, and color. Configure settings and enable extensions. Switching profiles is easy; just tap Tabs and select the desired profile.

On a Mac, open Safari, go to Settings, click Profiles, and create a new one. Configure settings and enable extensions. To switch profiles, right-click Safari and select the desired profile window. Enjoy browsing in style!

In the vast savannah of the Internet, Safari has long been considered the perfect lion, sleek and powerful, prowling the digital plains with ease and efficiency. But, for all its prowess, many users also felt it was like a king without its crown. And for a good reason, too; it was missing something crucial. What was the one thing it was missing, the one jewel that would complete its regalia? Yeah, you guessed it right – Profiles.

Well, the wait is finally over. The crown has been forged, the jewel has been set, and the lion now truly looks the part. Profiles have finally arrived in Safari, not just on Macs but also iPhones! With iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma, Safari is ready to conquer new territories. We all use our browsers for a mix of reasons. With Profiles, you can neatly separate your personal sleuthing from your professional wanderings on the World Wide Web. They separate your cookies, history, extensions, Tab Groups, and favorites. So, let's embark on a digital safari to explore this new territory!

How to Create a Profile in Safari on iPhone

To create a Profile for Safari on your iPhone running iOS 17, go to the Settings app.

Then, scroll down and tap the option for 'Safari'.

In Safari settings, scroll again and tap the 'New Profile' option under Profiles.

On the page for creating a new profile, enter a name and select an icon from the numerous available. Then, choose a color for it. The icons and colors are meant to help you distinguish between the profiles easily. You can also configure settings like the Favourites folder and which page New tabs will display.

Then, click 'Done' in the top-right corner. The profile will be created.

Once the profile is created, you'll be able to select which extensions you want to enable for it from the 'Extensions' section.

Switching Between Profiles on iPhone

It's a breeze to switch between profiles on iPhone.

Open the Safari app and tap the 'Tabs' icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

Then, tap the 'stacked menu icon' in the middle; this icon is new to iOS 17 but opens a familiar menu with some new options. The icon will also change depending on the profile you're using.

From the menu, tap the 'Profile' option. By default, you'll be browsing in 'No Profile' in Safari until you change it.

Then, select the Profile you want to switch to.

The start page will feature the color and icon of the Profile, so you'll always know which one you're using.

The profiles you create on your iPhone will be synced across your devices using the same Apple ID and updated to the latest software.

How to Create a Profile in Safari on Mac

macOS Sonoma users can also create and use Safari Profiles on their Macs.

Open the Safari browser on your Mac. Then, click the 'Safari' menu option from the menu bar on the top and go to 'Settings' from the menu. You can also use the Cmd + , shortcut to open Safari settings.

The Settings window for Safari will open. Go to the 'Profiles' tab.

If you have any existing profiles, they will appear here. In this case, click the '+' icon to create a new Safari profile.

Otherwise, click the 'New Profile' button.

Then, enter the name of your profile. Select an icon and color, and choose which folder you want to use for bookmarks, i.e. if you wish to create a new folder or use the existing folder. Click 'Create Profile' once all the details are entered.

Once the profile is created, you can configure other settings, like how the new windows and tabs will open for that profile.

You can also configure which installed extensions you want to enable for the Profile by switching to the 'Extensions' tab.

Switching Profiles on Mac

Switching between profiles on Mac is extremely easy, even more than on iPhone. When you open Safari directly, it will open without any profile.

But to open Safari with another profile, simply right-click the Safari icon. Then, click 'New [Profile] Window' from the context menu. For example, we clicked 'New Personal Window' to open the Personal profile here.

The new Personal window will open as configured. The Start Page will have the color and icons you assigned it to help you differentiate. It will also show the profile name on the title bar.

You can then switch between open profile windows by right-clicking Safari again and selecting the desired window from the context menu.

That's it, folks. It's time to dive in and give your browsing a makeover. Because, in the world of the Internet, why just surf when you can ride the waves in style? Go ahead, give it a go, and explore these shiny new profiles yourself.