Most web sites are designed to provide an optimal viewing experience on all devices (Mac, iPad, and iPhone). Web sites may use different content/design on mobile vs. desktop access. Usually, mobile websites load faster, but sometimes, they may offer limited functionality. Thus, you may want to view the desktop version (full version) when browsing on an iPhone or iPad. Safari in iOS 8 had a new feature which made it much easier to request the desktop version of a mobile site. iOS 9 users can now access a new feature which makes it easier than ever to access the desktop version of a site.
Here is how it works:
There are two ways to do this:
Method # 1 (easier):
1- Launch a web site, e.g. appletoolbox.com, on your iPad or iPhone.
2-Press and hold the refresh button:
3-Tap Request Desktop Site:
Thats it. Super easy. Now you can see the desktop (full) version of the site.
Method # 2
1- Open a web site (e.g., appletoolbox.com) on your iPad or iPhone.
2- Tap on the Actions (Share) icon:
3-Then tap Request Desktop Site:
Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.
Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.
In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.
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Having to constantly ‘request desktop site’ on my ipad is extremely annoying, especially since apple/google could fix it so easily by allowing the user to change the default view. The mobile version of google search in Safari, chrome, etc, is much different, and far inferior to the ‘desktop site’ when using an ipad. Apple, google, android, and microsoft, keep forcing “update” changes, that are uglier, less convenient, less intuitive, less efficient, and most importantly remove important customization options. Are they trying to make us HATE them? If so, it’s working!
I keep trying to access YouTube Desktop on my iPad. I requested the desktop site and it took me to the YouTube app. I deleted the app and did the same, it went YouTube.com and automatically redirected to m.youtube.com! ):
Cmon Google, help us
Why is it necessary to still open the mobile website then switch to full. Apple is wasting my time by not creating a setting to automatically open all websites to full web site.
Yes, exactly. Now Google searches are starting to only open in “friendly” mobile form (small type in small boxes) will need to continually ask for the desktop.