How to Enable Reader Mode on Safari

If you're someone who enjoys reading articles online, you're probably familiar with the annoyance of having to sift through ads, pop-ups, and other distractions. But did you know that Safari's Reader Mode can help you avoid all that hassle? In this article, we'll take you through the ins and outs of enabling and customizing Reader Mode in Safari, both for MacOS and iOS devices.

Understanding Reader Mode in Safari

What is Reader Mode?

Reader mode is a feature in Safari that lets you read an article on a webpage in a simplified, ad-free format. It strips away the page's layout, leaving just the article text in an easy-to-read format. Reader mode also lets you change the font size and style, background color, and more to make reading more comfortable for you.

One of the benefits of Reader Mode is that it can help reduce eye strain. When you're reading a webpage with a lot of ads and other visual distractions, your eyes have to work harder to focus on the text. By using Reader Mode, you can eliminate these distractions and make it easier for your eyes to focus on the words.

Another benefit of Reader Mode is that it can help improve website accessibility for those with visual impairments. By removing the clutter and focusing on the text, Reader Mode makes it easier for those with visual impairments to read and understand the content on a webpage.

Reader Mode is also great for those who might have trouble navigating a cluttered website. If you're someone who gets overwhelmed by a lot of visual clutter, Reader Mode can help simplify the page and make it easier for you to find the information you're looking for.

How to Use Reader Mode

Using Reader Mode in Safari is easy. When you're on a webpage with an article you want to read, look for the Reader Mode icon in the address bar. It looks like a series of lines stacked on top of each other. Click on this icon to activate Reader Mode.

Once you're in Reader Mode, you can customize the appearance of the article to your liking. You can change the font size and style, adjust the background color, and even change the font to a more readable typeface.

When you're finished reading the article, simply click the Reader Mode icon again to exit Reader Mode and return to the regular webpage.

Overall, Reader Mode is a great feature in Safari that can help make reading on the web more enjoyable and accessible. Whether you're looking to reduce eye strain, simplify a cluttered webpage, or just enjoy a distraction-free reading experience, Reader Mode is definitely worth checking out.

Enabling Reader Mode on Safari for iOS Devices

Step-by-Step Guide for iPhones

To enable Reader Mode on your iPhone, follow these simple steps:

1. Open Safari and navigate to the webpage you want to read.

2. Tap the Reader Mode icon on the left side of the address bar. (Note: The icon looks like a small box with horizontal stripes.)

3. Wait for Safari to format the text for easy reading.

Voila! You're now in Reader Mode.

Step-by-Step Guide for iPads

The process is similar for iPads, with just a few tweaks:

1. Open Safari and navigate to the webpage you want to read.

2. Tap the Reader Mode icon on the left side of the address bar. (Note: The icon looks like a small box with horizontal stripes.)

3. If you're in landscape mode, Reader Mode should automatically activate. If you're in portrait mode, you might need to tap the same icon again to activate Reader Mode.

Enabling Reader Mode on Safari for MacOS

Step-by-Step Guide for MacBooks

Here's how you can enable Reader Mode on MacBooks:

1. Open Safari and navigate to the page you want to read.

2. Click on the Reader Mode icon on the right side of the address bar. (Note: The icon looks like a small box with horizontal stripes.)

3. Wait for Safari to reformat the page for easy reading.

Step-by-Step Guide for iMacs

Here's how you can enable Reader Mode on iMacs:

1. Open Safari and navigate to the webpage you want to read.

2. Click on the Reader Mode icon on the left side of the address bar. (Note: The icon looks like a small box with horizontal stripes.)

3. Wait for Safari to reformat the text for easy reading.

Customizing Reader Mode Settings

Adjusting Font Size and Style

If you're someone who requires larger font sizes or has other visual impairments, Reader Mode lets you adjust the font size and style to your liking. When you're in Reader Mode, click on the "AA" button on the left-hand side to adjust the font size and style.

Changing Background Color

Another customization option is the background color of the Reader Mode. When you're in Reader Mode, click on the "AA" button and choose your preferred background color. This feature is particularly useful for those with sensitivity to bright screens.

Saving Custom Settings

If you find yourself constantly changing the settings to make Reader Mode more comfortable for you, you can save your custom settings so you don't have to adjust them every time. When you're in Reader Mode, click the "AA" button and select "Use While Browsing". This will save your settings for all future Reader Mode sessions.

Troubleshooting Common Reader Mode Issues

Reader Mode Icon Not Appearing

If you're not seeing the Reader Mode icon on your browser, it's possible that the website you're on doesn't support Reader Mode. In this case, you'll just have to read the article as is or look for similar content on a different website that does support Reader Mode.

Incompatible Websites

Even if a website does support Reader Mode, there may be times when Reader Mode doesn't work as expected. This can happen when a webpage doesn't use standard HTML formatting or if JavaScript is used to load content dynamically. In these cases, Reader Mode may not work properly.

Resetting Reader Mode Settings

If you've made changes to Reader Mode's settings and want to reset them to their defaults, click on the "AA" button and select "Reset to Defaults". This will reset the font size, style, and background color to their default values.

Conclusion

So, there you have it - everything you need to know about Reader Mode and how to enable it on your preferred device. Whether you're looking to avoid distractions while reading online or need to adjust text size for better accessibility, Safari's Reader Mode has got you covered. Give it a try today and enjoy a more streamlined reading experience!