How To Use Guided Reading Mode In Safari On Iphone

Reading long articles or web content can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when distractions like ads, pop-ups, and unnecessary elements clutter the page. Safari's Guided Reading Mode, also known as Reader View, is a powerful feature that helps iPhone users enjoy a clean and focused reading experience. With Guided Reading Mode, you can strip away distractions, customize the text appearance, and concentrate solely on the content that matters.

In this guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about using Guided Reading Mode in Safari on your iPhone.

Table of Contents

1. What Is Guided Reading Mode in Safari?

2. Benefits of Using Guided Reading Mode

3. How to Enable Guided Reading Mode

• Automatic Reader View for Specific Websites

4. Customizing Guided Reading Mode

• Text Size and Font Style
• Background Color

5. Navigating and Exiting Guided Reading Mode

6. Best Practices for Using Guided Reading Mode

7. Troubleshooting Guided Reading Mode Issues

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

9. Conclusion

What Is Guided Reading Mode in Safari?

Guided Reading Mode in Safari simplifies web pages by removing unnecessary elements such as:

1. Advertisements

2. Navigation menus

3. Pop-ups

4. Sidebars and widgets

The feature presents only the core content of the page text and essential images in an organized and easy-to-read layout.

Benefits of Using Guided Reading Mode

Guided Reading Mode enhances the reading experience in several ways:

Improved Focus

By eliminating distractions, Guided Reading Mode ensures you can focus solely on the text.

Better Accessibility

Customizable font sizes, styles, and background colors improve readability, making it ideal for users with vision impairments.

Streamlined Printing

If you need to print an article, Guided Reading Mode provides a cleaner format, saving ink and paper.

Offline Reading

Combine Guided Reading Mode with Safari’s Add to Reading List feature for offline, distraction-free reading.

How to Enable Guided Reading Mode

Enabling Guided Reading Mode in Safari is simple.

Follow these steps:

Steps to Enable Guided Reading Mode

1. Open the Safari app on your iPhone.

2. Navigate to the webpage or article you want to read.

3. Tap the AA icon in the address bar.

4. Select Show Reader from the drop-down menu.

Once enabled, the page will transform into a clean, distraction-free layout, focusing only on the text and essential images.

Automatic Reader View for Specific Websites

If you frequently visit a website where you prefer to read in Guided Reading Mode, you can set it to activate automatically:

1. Tap the AA icon in the address bar.

2. Select Website Settings.

3. Toggle on Use Reader Automatically for that site.

This ensures Safari always opens pages from that website in Guided Reading Mode.

Customizing Guided Reading Mode

One of the key advantages of Guided Reading Mode is the ability to personalize the reading experience.

Customizing Text Size and Font Style

1. Open a webpage in Guided Reading Mode.

2. Tap the AA icon in the address bar.

3. Adjust the text size by tapping the A+ or A− icons.

4. Choose your preferred font style from the list of available options.

Safari offers a variety of fonts, including:

1. Serif and Sans-serif styles for readability

2. Specialty fonts like Georgia and Palatino

Changing the Background Color

1. While in Guided Reading Mode, tap the AA icon.

2. Select one of the background color options:

• White (default)
• Sepia (light brown for a softer look)
• Gray (neutral and calming)
• Black (dark mode for reading in low light)

These options ensure you can read comfortably in various lighting conditions.

Navigating and Exiting Guided Reading Mode

Once you're in Guided Reading Mode, navigating the page is intuitive:

1. Scrolling Through the Page

2. Use your finger to swipe up or down to move through the article.

Accessing Hyperlinks

Hyperlinks remain functional. Tap them to open linked content, either within Guided Reading Mode or in the standard browser view.

Exiting Guided Reading Mode

1. Tap the AA icon in the address bar.

2. Select Hide Reader to return to the standard webpage view.

Alternatively, refreshing the page will exit Guided Reading Mode.

Best Practices for Using Guided Reading Mode

To maximize the benefits of Guided Reading Mode, consider these tips:

1. Combine with Focus Mode

2. Enable Focus Mode on your iPhone to minimize notifications and interruptions while reading.

3. Save Articles for Later

4. Use Safari’s Reading List feature to save articles. Once saved, open them in Guided Reading Mode for a distraction-free offline experience.

Use with AirPlay

If you prefer reading on a larger screen, use AirPlay to mirror your iPhone's screen to an Apple TV or other compatible display.

Troubleshooting Guided Reading Mode Issues

Although Guided Reading Mode is user-friendly, you may occasionally encounter issues.

Here are some common problems and their solutions:

Problem 1: Guided Reading Mode Is Not Available

Solution: Not all webpages are compatible with Guided Reading Mode. Ensure the page contains enough readable content, such as an article or blog post.

Problem 2: The Page Does Not Enter Reader View Automatically

Solution: Double-check that Use Reader Automatically is enabled for the website under Website Settings.

Problem 3: Customizations Are Not Saving

Solution: Ensure your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS version. Restart Safari if the issue persists.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I use Guided Reading Mode for all websites?

No, Guided Reading Mode is only available for pages with structured text content, like articles and blogs. It won’t work on multimedia-heavy sites or pages with minimal text.

Q2: Does Guided Reading Mode work offline?

Yes, if you save the webpage to your Reading List, you can access it offline and use Guided Reading Mode.

Q3: Is Guided Reading Mode available on older iOS versions

Guided Reading Mode has been available for several iOS versions, but its functionality and customization options are best in iOS 15 and later.

Q4: Can I print directly from Guided Reading Mode?

Yes, printing from Guided Reading Mode provides a cleaner and more readable layout.

Conclusion

Guided Reading Mode in Safari on iPhone is a valuable tool for enhancing your reading experience. By eliminating distractions and offering customization options like font styles, text size, and background colors, it ensures a comfortable and focused way to consume online content. Whether you're catching up on news, reading blogs, or studying detailed articles, Guided Reading Mode makes it easier than ever.

With this comprehensive guide, you’re now equipped to use and customize Guided Reading Mode effectively. Embrace this feature to elevate your Safari browsing and enjoy a clutter-free, personalized reading experience on your iPhone.