Question from Kyle: Hi, Rick. I’m hoping you can help me solve a problem I’m having.
After using Windows computers for years I decided to try a Mac after my last Acer laptop stopped working on me.
I ended up buying a MacBook Pro and I think I’m really going to like it, but there’s one thing that’s driving me nuts.
When I’m using Safari it only shows the website’s domain name and not the entire URL in the address bar.
I hate that because I like knowing exactly which page of a website I’m on at any given time.
How can I force Safari to display the entire URL of the current page?
Rick’s answer: I know exactly what you mean Kyle. I prefer seeing the entire URL as well. Luckily, a simple settings change is all that’s required to make that happen.
Follow these steps to force Safari to show the current web page’s entire URL in the address bar:
1 – Select Safari from the top menu bar.
2 – Click Preferences.
3 – Select the Advanced tab.
4 – Check the box beside Show full website address.
That’s all there is to it. From now on Safari will show the entire URL of the current web page in the address bar.
If you also plan to use Safari on an Apple mobile device, you’ll find that the URL is shortened there as well.
Unfortunately, there is no setting in the iOS version of Safari that will force the display of the full web address, but all you have to do is tap the address bar to expand the domain name to the current page’s full URL.
I hope this helps, Kyle. Good luck!