This article shows how to request a desktop version of a website in Safari and other browsers on an iPhone, including how to automatically open desktop sites for every site you go to. Instructions apply to devices running iOS 13 and later.

What to Know

  • For a single website, open the page, and then go to Options (aA) > Request Desktop Website.To always use the desktop version: Options (aA) > Website Settings and turn Request Desktop Website on.To use desktop version for every site: Settings app > Safari > Request Desktop Website > turn All Websites on.

How Do I Request a Desktop Site on My iPhone?

The mobile versions of websites are generally streamlined to make them easier to use on the smaller screen, but you may lose some functionality. Here’s how to open the full version in Safari for iPhone.

  • With the site open, select the Options menu in the address bar. It looks like two capital letter A’s.
  • You may need to scroll up or down to reveal the address bar.
  • Tap Request Desktop Website.
  • The page will reload with the desktop version.

How Do I Always Open the Desktop Version of a Website?

You can use the same menu to automatically open a desktop version every time you go to a certain site.

With the site open, select the Options menu in the address bar. It looks like two capital letter A’s.

You may need to scroll up or down to reveal the address bar.

Tap Request Desktop Website.

The page will reload with the desktop version.

  • With the site open, tap the Options menu next to the address bar.
  • Choose Website Options.
  • Tap the switch next to Request Desktop Website to on/green.
  • Now, even if you navigate away, your iPhone will automatically open the desktop version every time you open a page in this domain.

How Do I Always Open a Desktop Version of Every Website?

You can use the Settings app to tell Safari to always request a desktop version for every site you visit. Here’s what to do.

With the site open, tap the Options menu next to the address bar.

Choose Website Options.

Tap the switch next to Request Desktop Website to on/green.

Now, even if you navigate away, your iPhone will automatically open the desktop version every time you open a page in this domain.

  • Open Settings.
  • Select Safari.
  • Scroll down and tap Request Desktop Website.
  • Set the switch next to All Websites to on/green.

How to Request Desktop Websites in Other Browsers

If you don’t use Safari, you can still request desktop websites in other browsers, although you may have to do it for each site you visit.

Open Settings.

Select Safari.

Scroll down and tap Request Desktop Website.

Set the switch next to All Websites to on/green.

In Chrome, navigate to the site, and then go to More (three horizontal dots) > Request Desktop Site.

In Firefox, open a page and then go to More (three horizontal lines) > Request Desktop Site.

In Microsoft Edge, tap More (three horizontal dots), and then select View desktop site.

In Opera, go to More (three horizontal lines), and then turn the switch next to Desktop Site on.

  • Can I switch my iPad to desktop mode?
  • Yes. The steps for iPadOS are the same as using desktop mode on an iPhone.
  • How do I turn off desktop mode on my iPhone?
  • To switch back to the mobile version of a website in Safari, tap Options (aA) > Request Mobile Website.

Yes. The steps for iPadOS are the same as using desktop mode on an iPhone.

To switch back to the mobile version of a website in Safari, tap Options (aA) > Request Mobile Website.

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