How to Use Reader Mode in Safari on Mac

Edited 1 month ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Reader Mode is a very useful feature that Apple has included in its Safari browser. It is designed to improve your reading experience by removing unnecessary distractions such as ads, banners, and other unrelated content on a web page. Whether you are reading articles, blogs, or documents, Reader Mode ensures that you have a clean and clutter-free interface. In this detailed guide, we are going to explore how to use Reader Mode in Safari on Mac, ensuring that all users can take full advantage of this remarkable feature.

Enabling reader mode

To start using Reader Mode, you need to know how to enable it. Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can turn on Reader Mode:

1. Open Safari. Launch Safari by clicking the Safari icon in your Mac's Dock or by pressing Cmd + Space and typing "Safari" into Spotlight Search.
2. Visit a webpage: Visit the webpage where you want to enable Reader Mode. Not all pages support Reader Mode. Pages that contain a lot of text, such as articles or blogs, are usually supported.
3. See Reader button: If a page supports Reader mode, you'll see an icon in the address bar that looks like a set of lines (or lines with circles). This icon represents Reader mode.
4. Enable Reader Mode: Simply click on the Reader button in the address bar, and the page will instantly switch to Reader Mode. This will display a clean view focused on the main content.

Automatic reader mode

You can set Safari to automatically open supported pages in Reader mode. Here's how:

1. Open Safari Preferences: Click Safari in the top menu and select "Preferences."
2. Switch to the Websites tab: In the Preferences window, click the "Websites" tab.
3. Select Reader from the sidebar: On the left panel, select "Reader."
4. Choose when to use Reader mode: You'll see the websites where Reader mode was recently used. You can select from the dropdown for each website to use Reader by default for that site or all the sites you visit.

Customizing reader mode

Reader mode can be customized according to your reading preferences. Let's discuss how you can adjust the appearance in Reader mode:

1. Enter Reader Mode: First, make sure you're in Reader Mode on the webpage.
2. Click the Appearance button. While in Reader Mode, click the "aA" button in the address bar.
3. Customize your theme: Choose from different background colors and text sizes. You can change the page to a light background, dark background, or even sepia, depending on what's comfortable for your eyes.
4. Increase or decrease text size: Adjust the text size to make it bigger or smaller as per your choice by clicking the "aA" button option for size.

Benefits of using reader mode

Reader Mode offers a number of benefits that make reading more enjoyable and effective:

• Focus on the content: By removing unwanted parts of a webpage, Reader Mode lets you focus entirely on the text. This makes reading long articles and blogs more comfortable, as you don't have to deal with potential distractions.
• Easy on the eyes: Reader Mode's customizable look allows users to reduce eye strain thanks to dark backgrounds and adjustable text size options, which is especially beneficial during night-time browsing.
• Reading flow is better: Without interruptions from ads or irrelevant content, the reading flow is smoother. This can be a huge benefit for retaining information, especially when studying or researching.
• Increased speed: Since extra content is removed, pages load more quickly in Reader mode. This can improve your overall browsing experience, especially if you have a slow internet connection.

Reader mode keyboard shortcuts

For those who prefer to use the keyboard, Safari offers a convenient shortcut to quickly enter Reader Mode without clicking the icon. Here's how you can do it:

Keyboard shortcut: When you're on a page that supports Reader Mode, you can press Shift + Cmd + R on your keyboard to turn on Reader Mode. This can be especially useful for people who regularly read articles online.

Troubleshooting reader mode

Although Safari's Reader Mode is generally straightforward, there may be instances where users encounter problems. Let's discuss some common troubleshooting tips:

1. Reader icon missing: If you don't see the Reader icon, the page may not support Reader mode due to lack of sufficient text content. Confirm if you see the icon on other text-based pages.
2. Not working consistently: If Reader Mode isn’t working properly on all websites, restart Safari or disable any extensions and check if there are any conflicts.
3. Safari update required: Make sure your Safari browser is updated to the latest version, as some updates contain bug fixes that may resolve Reader Mode issues.

Alternatives to reader mode

While Reader Mode is a powerful tool within Safari, users interested in a similar experience can explore alternative options:

• Third-party extensions: The App Store offers extensions that can mimic or extend the Reader Mode experience, providing additional features and customizations.
• Reading List feature: Use Safari's Reading List to save pages for offline viewing in Reader mode. This feature syncs across Apple devices for reading later.

Conclusion

Reader Mode in Safari for Mac provides a seamless reading experience by focusing only on the important content. With its easy activation process, customizable settings, and obvious benefits, it is an invaluable tool for those who love reading on their web browser. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you will be able to fully utilize the power of Reader Mode and enjoy reading on Mac without any interruptions.

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