Using bookmarks on your iPad helps you quickly revisit your favorite websites without searching each time.
In Safari, you can save pages by tapping the Share icon and selecting “Add Bookmark.” Bookmarks keep you organized by letting you create folders, rearrange links, and even add website icons to your Home Screen for fast access.
Whether for work, study, or leisure, managing bookmarks makes browsing easier and more efficient.
Read on to learn how to add, edit, and organize bookmarks, plus tips to customize Safari for a smoother online experience every time you use your iPad.
Understanding Bookmarks on iPad

On your iPad, bookmarks help you save and organize webpages so you can return to them later without searching again.
They work directly in Safari and keep your favorite sites only a few taps away, letting you browse more efficiently and stay organized.
What Are Bookmarks?
Bookmarks are shortcuts to webpages that you save in your browser. When you find a page you want to revisit, you can add it as a bookmark so it’s stored in Safari’s bookmarks list.
Instead of remembering web addresses, you simply tap the saved name to open the page. Each bookmark includes the page title, URL, and sometimes a small icon.
You can rename or group them into folders for quicker access. For example, you might keep school research pages in one folder and news sites in another.
Bookmarks differ from your browsing history because they stay until you delete them. History clears automatically over time, but bookmarks remain saved on your iPad and, if enabled, across your Apple devices through iCloud.
How Bookmarks Work in Safari
Safari on iPad makes managing bookmarks simple. You can open the Bookmarks sidebar by tapping the book icon, where you’ll see different lists such as Favorites, Bookmarks, and Reading List.
The newest saved bookmarks appear near the top. To organize them, you can create folders.
Tap New Folder, name it, and move bookmarks into it by dragging and dropping. You can also edit titles, change folder locations, or delete ones you no longer need.
Bookmarks sync automatically with your iPhone, Mac, or other devices linked to your Apple ID if you turn on iCloud Safari syncing. This keeps all your saved bookmarks identical across devices.
The small table below shows a few common Safari bookmark actions:
|
Action |
Steps (Simplified) |
|
Add a bookmark |
Tap Share → Add Bookmark → Save |
|
Edit a bookmark |
Touch and hold → Edit |
|
Create a folder |
Tap Bookmarks → New Folder → Save |
Benefits of Using Bookmarks
Using bookmarks saves time and helps you stay organized when browsing. You don’t need to remember exact site names or search terms each time.
Instead, you can open saved bookmarks with one tap from your iPad’s Safari browser. Bookmarks are especially helpful for research, online shopping, or reading.
You can keep frequently used sites in Favorites so they appear each time you open a new Safari tab. By storing key websites in folders, you reduce clutter in your search process.
Bookmarks can also serve as reliable reminders for pages you want to read later when offline access isn’t necessary.
How to Add a Bookmark in Safari

You can easily save websites you want to visit later by using bookmarks in the Safari app on your iPad.
The process lets you store pages, name them clearly, and organize them into folders for quick access when you browse again.
Steps to Add a Bookmark
- Open Safari on your iPad and navigate to the webpage you want to keep.
- Tap the Share icon (the square with an arrow pointing upward) at the top or bottom of the screen.
- From the menu that appears, choose Add Bookmark.
A small window opens showing the page name, address, and location where the bookmark will be saved.
You can select a folder such as Favorites or create a new one by tapping New Folder. Touch and hold any folder to reorder or move bookmarks later. When you finish, tap Save. Safari stores the link in your chosen folder.
You can find it anytime by tapping the Bookmark icon (open book symbol) on the Safari toolbar and selecting the folder that holds the page.
Naming and Saving Bookmarks
Before you save, take a moment to check the name. Safari fills in the webpage title by default, but you can rename it for clarity.
Tap inside the name field and enter something that helps you recognize the site later, like “Recipe Ideas” or “Bank Login.” You can also pick where to store it.
The Favorites folder makes it appear on your new tab page, while the Bookmarks section keeps it tucked away for later.
To keep things neat, you might use folders for topics such as News, Shopping, or Work. If you organize regularly, it becomes easier to find your saved pages.
Touch and hold a bookmark to edit, delete, or move it without opening extra menus. This helps you maintain a clean list even if you add many new bookmarks over time.
Using the Add Bookmark Option
The Add Bookmark option in Safari gives you control over how and where your bookmarks are stored. You access it through the Share icon, which also lets you add the page to your Reading List or Home Screen.
Selecting Add Bookmark focuses on saving the page for quick return later. When the menu appears, you’ll see fields for the title and location.
Editing these before tapping Save ensures the bookmark lands where you expect. You can even create a folder during this step by choosing New Folder and naming it before saving.
Using this option is especially helpful if you often browse different topics.
By saving each page under the right folder, you make sure Safari stays organized, and you can return to the sites you need with just a few taps.
By reading our guide, Best iPad Home Screen Layouts To Try, learn to organize your bookmarks and apps for faster access.
Managing and Organizing Bookmarks
Saving a website is only the first step. You can easily view your saved bookmarks, sort them into folders, edit their names, and reorder them to keep your Safari bookmarks neat and simple to find.
Accessing Saved Bookmarks
You can open your saved bookmarks anytime through the Safari app on your iPad. Tap the Bookmarks icon that looks like an open book. This shows your list of bookmarks, favorites, and folders.
If you use iCloud, your bookmarks stay in sync across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. That means a site you save on one device will appear on the others automatically.
Your bookmarks sidebar displays the most recent items at the top. Swipe or scroll to view older bookmarks.
Tap any bookmark to open the saved page directly. You can also add the site to your Favorites for even quicker access from the Safari start page.
Creating Bookmark Folders
Folders help group related websites together. To create one, tap the Bookmarks icon, then tap Edit and select New Folder.
Enter a simple name for your folder, such as News Sites or Recipes, then tap Save. When adding a new bookmark, you can assign it to a folder by selecting the folder name from the “Add Bookmark” menu.
You can also move existing boo kmarks later if you change your mind.
Here’s how folders can help you stay organized:
|
Purpose |
Example Folder Name |
|
Work or school pages |
Projects |
|
Shopping or wish lists |
Stores |
|
Hobby or interests |
Photography |
|
Reference sites |
Resources |
Using folders keeps your saved bookmarks tidy and quick to browse.
Sorting and Reordering Bookmarks
If your bookmarks list grows long, you can sort or move items to keep it structured. In the Bookmarks sidebar, tap Edit, then drag the three-line handle next to a bookmark or folder up or down. Release it when it’s in the right spot.
You can rearrange folders the same way. This lets you place your most-used bookmarks where you’ll see them first.
Some people organize by topic, while others sort by frequency of use.To simplify your view, keep a few essential links under Favorites and store the rest in folders.
Safari saves changes automatically, so you don’t need to confirm or save manually.
Renaming and Editing Bookmarks
You can rename a bookmark if the title is too long or unclear. Touch and hold a bookmark, tap Edit, then type a new name.
Clear names make your list easier to scan. To change the bookmark’s location, use the folder menu to move it.
You can also update the web address if the site has changed. Tap Done when you finish editing.
If you want to delete a bookmark, go back to the list, touch and hold it, and tap Delete. Removing old or unused bookmarks keeps Safari uncluttered and your favorites easy to manage.
Accessing Bookmarks Quickly
You can reach your saved pages in Safari in just a few taps.
Whether you check your favorites often, scroll through your full list of bookmarks, or save several tabs at once, Safari gives you clear tools to find and organize everything neatly.
Finding Bookmarks in Safari
Open the Safari app on your iPad. Tap the bookmark icon that looks like an open book.
A sidebar appears showing your saved pages, reading list, and favorites. Your most recent bookmarks appear near the top.
If you have many, you can scroll or use folders to stay organized. Touch and hold any bookmark to edit, rename, or delete it. This quick gesture works anywhere in the sidebar.
If you often visit a few sites, place them in folders like News, Recipes, or Shopping. Creating folders helps you avoid long scrolling.
Tap the New Folder button to add one, then drag bookmarks into it. These small steps make it easy to find content later without searching or typing addresses again.
Using the Favorites Folder
Safari automatically shows items in your Favorites folder when you open a new tab or start typing in the address bar. You can think of this folder as your shortcut area for the sites you visit most.
To add a page, tap the Share button, choose Add Bookmark, and make sure it’s saved to Favorites. If you prefer, move existing bookmarks into the folder by holding them and selecting Move.
You can also edit or reorder favorites so your most-used pages appear first. Simply touch and hold an item, then drag it to a new spot.
Since Favorites sync with iCloud, any changes appear on your other Apple devices too.
Bookmarking Multiple Tabs
When you have several pages open, Safari lets you save all tabs at once instead of bookmarking each one. Tap and hold the bookmark icon, then choose Add Bookmarks for [number] Tabs.
A menu appears asking where to store them. Select an existing folder or create a new one.
Safari then saves each open page in that folder under clear tab names. You can reopen all the saved tabs at once later by tapping the folder and choosing Open in New Tabs.
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Creating Shortcuts to Websites
You can place a website shortcut on your iPad’s Home Screen for quick access. This saves time when you visit certain pages often and helps keep everything organized without constantly opening the Safari app.
Add to Home Screen Feature
The Add to Home Screen feature in Safari lets you create a shortcut that looks like an app icon.
When you tap it, the site opens directly in Safari.
- Open the Safari app on your iPad.
- Go to the page you want to save.
- Tap the Share button (the square with an arrow).
- Select Add to Home Screen from the menu.
- Edit the name if you want, then tap Add.
This adds a small icon to your Home Screen. You can move or group it into folders just like your other apps.
|
Step |
Action |
Result |
|
1 |
Open Safari and visit a site |
Prepare the page |
|
2 |
Tap Share |
Open sharing menu |
|
3 |
Choose Add to Home Screen |
Create shortcut icon |
Using this feature reduces the need to open Safari and search for the site each time. It’s a quick and simple way to keep your favorite web pages close by.
Difference Between Bookmarks and Shortcuts
A bookmark saves a webpage inside Safari. You view it by opening Safari, then tapping the Bookmarks icon.
A shortcut, on the other hand, adds a direct link to your iPad’s Home Screen. It acts more like an app icon than a saved link inside Safari.
|
Feature |
Bookmark |
Shortcut |
|
Location |
Inside Safari |
On Home Screen |
|
Access |
Tap Safari → Bookmarks |
Tap icon on Home Screen |
|
Best for |
Organizing many pages |
Quickly opening frequent sites |
If you often visit the same site, a shortcut is faster. If you want to organize and store many links, bookmarks are a better fit.
Deleting and Cleaning Up Bookmarks
You can manage your Safari bookmarks directly on your iPad without using extra apps. Removing old or unused bookmarks helps keep your browser organized and easier to use.
How to Delete Individual Bookmarks
Open the Safari app, then tap the Bookmarks icon (the open book symbol) at the bottom or top of the screen. In the list that appears, choose Bookmarks or Favorites, depending on what you want to edit.
Tap Edit in the corner to turn on editing mode. Next, tap the red minus (–) icon next to a bookmark.
Then tap Delete to confirm. If you prefer, swipe left on a bookmark title and tap Delete from the right side of the screen.
To delete multiple bookmarks faster, continue tapping the red icons followed by Delete for each one. When you finish, tap Done to save your changes. This process removes the bookmark from your iPad and from any connected iCloud devices that share your Safari data.
Tip: Double-check before deleting if your bookmarks are synced through iCloud.
Deleted items disappear from your iPhone, Mac, and any other linked device as well.
Removing Bookmark Folders
To clean up larger groups of saved pages, start in Safari and tap the Bookmarks icon. Tap Edit to display all your bookmark folders.
Folders appear at the top of the list with small arrow icons. Tap the red minus next to a folder, then choose Delete. This erases the folder and every bookmark stored inside it.
If you only want to remove a few links, open the folder first and delete specific bookmarks instead. You can also swipe left on a folder name and tap Delete without entering edit mode. Use this for quick cleanup while browsing.
Tips and Best Practices for Bookmarking on iPad
You can make your web browsing faster and easier by keeping your bookmarks in order and syncing them between your Apple devices.
Doing so saves time and helps you find what you need without searching again.
Keeping Bookmarks Organized
A neat bookmark list helps you find saved pages quickly. Group bookmarks by topic, such as News, Shopping, or Work.
You can make new folders in Safari by tapping the Bookmarks icon, selecting Edit, then New Folder. Give each folder a short, clear name that tells you exactly what it contains.
Rearrange bookmarks by dragging them into a logical order, such as most-used sites at the top. If you no longer need a page, delete it instead of letting it clutter your list.
Try reviewing your folders once a month to remove old or broken links. Another helpful trick is naming bookmarks clearly. Avoid vague titles like “Article” or “Page.” Instead, use names that describe what the page is about.
For example:
|
Vague Name |
Better Name |
|
Blog |
Tech Tips Blog |
|
Store |
Apple Accessories Store |
|
Recipe |
Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe |
Syncing Bookmarks Across Devices
You can access your bookmarks anywhere by turning on iCloud Sync for Safari. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud, then switch on Safari.
Your bookmarks will now appear on your iPad, iPhone, and Mac using the same Apple ID. This setup keeps everything updated automatically.
When you add, rename, or delete a bookmark on one device, the change appears on all others.
If syncing stops working, check that all devices use the same Apple ID and have a stable internet connection. You can also toggle Safari sync off and back on to refresh the link.
Protect your iPad with the iPad Pro 11-inch Case 4th Generation while browsing and bookmarking.
Wrap Up
Bookmarking on an iPad is a simple way to save your favorite websites for quick access later. In Safari, tap the Share icon and select “Add Bookmark” to save a page.
You can organize bookmarks into folders for easy browsing. This feature helps you keep important sites handy without typing URLs repeatedly, making your browsing faster and more efficient.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What steps should I take to add a bookmark in Safari on my iPad?
Open Safari and navigate to the page you want to save. Tap the Share icon, then choose Add Bookmark. You can change the name or location before tapping Save to store it.
How can I organize my bookmarks in folders on the iPad?
Open the Bookmarks sidebar in Safari. Tap New Folder, enter a name, and choose where to place it. You can also drag and drop existing bookmarks into the folder to keep them sorted.
Is there a quick way to bookmark a page I'm currently viewing on my iPad?
Yes. While viewing the page, tap the Share button and select Add Bookmark. You can also add it directly to Favorites for quicker access later.
Can I edit or delete a bookmark on my iPad once it's been set?
Open Bookmarks in Safari, then touch and hold the one you want to change. Tap Edit to rename or move it, or tap Delete to remove it.
What should I do to sync bookmarks across my Apple devices?
Use iCloud to keep your bookmarks updated on all your devices. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud, then turn on Safari. This ensures any new or changed bookmarks appear everywhere you’re signed in.
Are there any shortcuts for managing bookmarks on iPad versions of Chrome or Firefox?
In Chrome, tap the three dots menu, then the star icon to save a bookmark. For Firefox, tap the menu button, then Bookmark This Page. Both browsers let you edit or remove bookmarks through their bookmark menus.



