Apple Safari Tab Bar Colorization: How to Disable

Someone at Apple must have time on their hands, inventing new ways of continuously degrading good visual design. Apple Mail is a usability mess, and now the same mindset is moving to Apple Safari with the latest update.

I refer to the massive color smearing header being applied to some web sites by default.

Toggle to compare. Read on for how to disable the colorization.

Years ago, Apple had well-conceived and highly respected user interface guidelines that led the industry. These days, the operating principle is change for change’s sake with “shiny stuff” all the rage. A pox on elegance or usability. Perhaps there is some argument to be made for the heavy-handed colorization, but I consider it crapware that serves to confuse and surprise, to demand attention.

Apple Safari: colorized vs non-colorized browser header

Below, in Safaric Preferences => Tabs, uncheck Show color in tab bar.

Apple Safari: uncheck “Show color in tab bar” to clean up the tab bar colorization