iPhone Safari Hides 1-Tap Setting to Open Links in Background Tabs

3 articles · Updated · Tom's Guide · May 21

A buried Safari option on iPhone lets users stop new links from taking over the current page by opening them in background tabs instead.
In Settings > Safari > Tabs > Open Links, switching from “In New Tab” to “In Background” changes how long-pressed links load, keeping the original page in view.
That setup is aimed at research-heavy browsing—such as comparing products, checking citations or reading multiple sources—so users can queue pages and review them later from tab view.
Safari also supports a faster shortcut once the setting is enabled: tapping a link with 2 fingers opens it in a background tab.

Does Safari’s background tab feature secretly drain your battery while promising a smoother browsing experience?

How does this simple Safari setting disrupt website analytics and ad revenue models that rely on them?

Is this browser trick a true productivity hack or just a gateway to overwhelming digital clutter?