When macOS Tahoe and iPadOS 26 debuted last September, Apple quietly eliminated Safari’s Compact tab layout—the feature that combined the address bar and tab bar into a single, space-saving strip. For users who preferred the streamlined look, it’s been noticeably absent ever since.
The good news? Apple has brought it back. With macOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, the Compact tab bar has returned as an option alongside the default Separate layout. If you’ve missed the streamlined look, you can easily switch it back on.
On Mac
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Open Safari.
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From the menu bar, click Safari ➝ Settings…
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Select the Tabs pane.
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Next to “Tabs Layout,” choose Compact.
Once enabled, the address bar and tab bar instantly merge into a single row, giving you more vertical screen space for browsing.
On iPad
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Open the Settings app.
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Scroll down and go to Apps ➝ Safari.
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Under “Tabs,” select Compact Tab Bar.
That’s all there is to it. If you ever want to switch back, just follow the same steps and choose Separate (on Mac) or Separate Tab Bar (on iPad).
The Compact layout is especially useful on smaller screens—like the MacBook Air or iPad mini—where every bit of vertical space matters. It’s definitely worth trying if you haven’t used it before. Just keep in mind that tab titles are more tightly truncated in this mode, so when you have many tabs open, you’ll rely more on favicons than full page names.
With this option restored, Apple is once again giving users a bit more flexibility in how they browse.