Are you tired of the Reading List sidebar constantly taking up valuable screen real estate on your iPad? Do you find yourself accidentally opening unwanted articles or websites because of its pesky presence? You’re not alone! Many iPad users have been searching for a way to get rid of this feature, and today, we’re going to show you how to do just that.
What is the Reading List Sidebar, and Why is it There?
Before we dive into the solution, let’s take a step back and understand what the Reading List sidebar is and its purpose. The Reading List is a feature introduced by Apple in iOS 7, allowing users to save articles or web pages for later reading. It’s a convenient way to stash away interesting content you come across while browsing the web, and access it whenever you want.
The Reading List sidebar appears as a narrow column on the left side of the Safari browser, displaying a list of all the articles or pages you’ve saved. While it’s a useful feature for some, many users find it unnecessary and obtrusive, especially on smaller iPad screens.
The Purpose of the Reading List Sidebar
The Reading List sidebar serves a few purposes:
Convenience
The primary function of the Reading List sidebar is to provide a convenient way to access your saved articles. With a single tap, you can open any article in your list, making it easy to pick up where you left off.
Organization
The Reading List sidebar helps keep your saved articles organized. You can scroll through your list, and Safari will display a preview of each article, making it easy to find what you’re looking for.
Offline Access
One of the most significant advantages of the Reading List sidebar is that it allows you to access your saved articles even when you’re offline. This feature is particularly useful for commuters, travelers, or anyone who frequently finds themselves without internet connectivity.
Why Do You Want to Remove the Reading List Sidebar?
Despite its usefulness, many users want to remove the Reading List sidebar for several reasons:
Screen Real Estate
The most common complaint about the Reading List sidebar is that it takes up valuable screen space, making it difficult to focus on the content you’re trying to read.
Distracting
For some users, the Reading List sidebar can be distracting, especially if you have a long list of saved articles. The constant presence of these articles can be tempting, making it challenging to stay focused on the task at hand.
Personal Preference
Let’s face it – everyone has their own preferences when it comes to their digital workspace. Some users simply prefer a cleaner, more minimalist interface, and the Reading List sidebar gets in the way of that.
How to Remove the Reading List Sidebar on Your iPad
Now that we’ve covered the reasons why you might want to remove the Reading List sidebar, let’s get to the solution! There are a few methods to remove or hide the Reading List sidebar on your iPad:
Method 1: Hide the Reading List Sidebar Temporarily
If you want to temporarily hide the Reading List sidebar, you can do so by tapping on the Hide Sidebar button in the top-left corner of the Safari browser. This will collapse the sidebar, giving you more screen real estate. To restore the sidebar, simply tap on the Show Sidebar button.
Method 2: Disable the Reading List Sidebar Permanently
If you want to disable the Reading List sidebar permanently, you can do so by following these steps:
- Open the **Settings** app on your iPad.
- Scroll down and tap on **Safari**.
- Toggle off the **Show Favorites and Reading List** switch.
By toggling off this switch, you’ll remove the Reading List sidebar from your Safari browser. Note that this will also remove the Favorites bar, so if you rely on that feature, you might want to consider an alternative solution.
Method 3: Use a Third-Party Browser
If you’re not tied to using Safari, you can consider switching to a third-party browser that doesn’t have a built-in Reading List sidebar. Some popular alternatives include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.
Conclusion
The Reading List sidebar is a feature that’s either loved or hated by iPad users. While it provides a convenient way to access saved articles, it can also be distracting and take up valuable screen space. By following the methods outlined above, you can remove or hide the Reading List sidebar on your iPad, giving you a cleaner and more focused browsing experience. Whether you choose to hide it temporarily or disable it permanently, the solution is just a few taps away.
What is the Reading List sidebar on my iPad?
The Reading List sidebar is a feature on your iPad that allows you to save articles and websites to read later. It appears as a sidebar on the Safari browser, providing easy access to your saved content. While it’s intended to be a helpful tool, it can sometimes become cluttered and distracting.
By default, the Reading List sidebar is enabled on your iPad, which means you may not have intentionally turned it on. If you find that you’re not using this feature and want to declutter your browser, removing the sidebar is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps.
Why would I want to remove the Reading List sidebar?
Removing the Reading List sidebar can be beneficial for several reasons. For one, it can help declutter your Safari browser and reduce distractions while browsing. If you’re not using the Reading List feature, the sidebar can take up valuable screen real estate and make it harder to focus on the content you’re trying to read.
Additionally, removing the sidebar can also help improve your browsing experience by providing a cleaner and more streamlined interface. This can be especially important if you use your iPad for work or productivity, where distractions can be detrimental to your workflow.
How do I remove the Reading List sidebar on my iPad?
To remove the Reading List sidebar on your iPad, start by opening the Safari browser. Next, tap on the “Bookmarks” icon in the top-left corner of the screen, which looks like an open book. This will bring up the Bookmarks menu. From here, tap on “Edit” in the top-right corner, and then toggle off the “Sidebar” switch.
Once you’ve toggled off the sidebar switch, the Reading List sidebar will disappear from your Safari browser. You can repeat these steps at any time to turn the sidebar back on if you need to access your Reading List.
Will removing the Reading List sidebar delete my saved articles?
No, removing the Reading List sidebar will not delete your saved articles. Your Reading List will still be accessible through the Bookmarks menu, even if the sidebar is disabled. You can view and manage your saved articles by going to the Bookmarks menu and tapping on “Reading List”.
If you’re concerned about losing your saved articles, you can also consider exporting them to a notes app or bookmarking service. This will provide an extra layer of backup and ensure that your articles are safe, even if you remove the sidebar.
Can I customize the Reading List sidebar instead of removing it?
Yes, you can customize the Reading List sidebar to better suit your needs. For example, you can edit the list by tapping on the “Edit” button in the top-right corner of the sidebar. From here, you can rearrange the order of your saved articles, delete items you no longer need, or add new articles to the list.
You can also use the “Sort” option to organize your Reading List by title, date added, or site. By customizing the sidebar, you can make it more useful and relevant to your browsing habits.
Will removing the Reading List sidebar affect other iPad features?
Removing the Reading List sidebar will not affect other iPad features or apps. The sidebar is a part of the Safari browser, and disabling it will only affect the Safari app. You can continue to use other apps and features on your iPad as normal, without any impact or changes.
It’s worth noting that the Reading List feature is also available on other Apple devices, such as Mac computers and iPhones. If you use these devices, you may need to remove the sidebar on each device separately.
Can I remove the Reading List sidebar on older iPad models?
Yes, the steps to remove the Reading List sidebar are the same on older iPad models, as long as they are running a compatible version of iOS. The Reading List feature was introduced in iOS 11, so if your iPad is running an older version of iOS, you may not have this feature available.
If you’re using an older iPad model, you can check your iOS version by going to the Settings app, then tapping on “General”, and finally tapping on “About”. This will display your current iOS version. If you’re running an older version of iOS, you may not be able to remove the Reading List sidebar.