Here’s how you can request desktop website in iOS 18 Safari running on an iPhone.
The Request Desktop Website Feature in iOS 18 Safari is a Little Harder to Reach, Let me Show You Where it is on iPhone
Safari has seen a bunch of changes over the years, and some of the most obvious features are now hidden away from sight. In iOS 18, for example, the commonly used ‘Request Desktop Website’ feature is now two taps deep into where it should be.
Previously, it was just one tap away from the address bar. Now, you have to make an extra effort to reach it.
Apple is clearly prioritizing the Reader view more and wants the user to put in extra effort if they want to view the desktop version of the website they’re on.
I somewhat stand with Apple’s decision because it’s very rare you’d want to see a desktop version of a website on a device as small as an iPhone.
But, if there is a website you visit frequently that works better in desktop view, let me show you how you can reach the ‘Request Desktop Website’ feature in iOS 18.
Step 1. Launch ‘Safari.’
Step 2. Open any website at all.
Step 3. Tap on the ‘Reader’ button in the address bar on the far left.
Step 4. Tap the button with ‘three dots’ on it on the right.
Step 5. Now tap on ‘Request Desktop Website’ at the very top.
If there’s one feature in Safari I can’t live without, it’s this one. The amount of times I find myself tapping on this button because I bumped into a poorly optimized mobile site is too high.
There are a ton of websites that do not show advanced controls or settings only because you have the mobile version open. If you come across such a website, then make sure you make use of the Request Desktop Website button in iOS 18 Safari.
On a device as big as the iPhone Pro Max, the desktop version of any website looks fantastic. However, when you start to use the feature on a smaller iPhone, then things start to fall apart, especially if you have to deal with a lot of checkboxes and drop-down options.
But hey, at least you’re getting the full website on a phone, something which otherwise requires a desktop platform, right?
