macOS Tahoe 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 add compact tab bar in Safari

9to5Mac • February 16, 2026 • technology

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Apple has restored the compact tab bar feature in Safari with the release of macOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 beta 1 after its removal in the initial macOS Tahoe and iPadOS 26 versions.
The compact tab bar condenses the Safari tab bar into a single row that includes the address bar and current tabs, providing a more streamlined browsing interface.
The feature was initially removed possibly due to the Liquid Glass redesign and prioritization of other features but was reinstated following user feedback.
Users can enable the compact tab bar option through the System Settings on Mac and Settings on iPad, allowing customization of the Safari interface.
Some users, including the article's author, may