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The address bar in Safari for macOS shows a padlock icon just left of the current website address. Is it possible to move or remove it altogether?

It's shown almost in the middle of the address bar, and I keep hitting it when I just want to enter new text in the address bar.

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    I do the same thing. Constantly clicking the padlock icon, which spawns an alert, when I just mean to click the address bar and enter a new address. Very annoying.
    – pkamb
    Commented Jun 17, 2020 at 17:16
  • You can submit an enhancement request for Safari here (as I just did): apple.com/feedback/safari.html
    – Nicolas Payart
    Commented May 28, 2021 at 16:10
  • I thought it was just me. This is a mistake in UX design from Apple. So frustrating.
    – Robo Robok
    Commented Jul 2, 2023 at 12:54

1 Answer 1

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The padlock (lock) icon shown in the Safari address bar cannot be moved or remove. But if it's getting in the way, you can try one of the following approaches.

  1. Instead of clicking using Mouse/Trackpad, you can use the keyboard shortcut Command + L to move focus to the address bar. Doing so also selects the current website address, so you can immediately start typing to enter new website address or search query.

  2. You may consider enabling Show full website address setting under Advanced tab of Safari preferences. This would show the full address of the current webpage and may also move the padlock towards left in the Smart Search Field/Safari Address Bar thereby reducing the possibility of accidental click.

P.S.: The lock icon is shown in the address bar (officially named the Smart Search Field) for a good reason. You should be cautious when the padlock icon is missing. To learn more, refer to this official document from Safari guide from Apple:

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    I realise this sounds trite and still, it's true. Telling yourself to "avoid the padlock…" will not work. Telling yourself to "click in the clear space at left or right of the address bar…" will work, even it takes a few days to kick in.
    – Robbie Goodwin
    Commented Jun 17, 2020 at 23:38

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