How to have Safari on Mac always open with all windows from your last session

If you start your day the same way you end it in Safari, then you can make your mornings much simpler. Maybe you begin with the same web-based application, internal intranet, or internet email client that you close Safari with each evening.

You can certainly bookmark those sites or pin them, but there’s another way. Here’s how to have Safari on Mac open with all the windows from your last session.

Safari Settings on Macbook

Set Safari to open windows from the last session

  1. Open Safari, and from the menu bar, click Safari > Settings or Preferences.
  2. Make sure you’re in the General section.
  3. Click the drop-down box next to Safari opens with and pick All windows from last session.
Safari Open Windows From Last Session Setting

The right way to quit Safari for this to work

If you’re used to closing Safari with the red X on the top left corner of the window, then opening windows from your last session automatically will not work. You must quit Safari instead of closing it.

  1. With Safari open, click Safari from the menu bar.
  2. Select Quit Safari.
Quit Safari from Menu Bar

OR

If Safari is open in your Dock, you can quit the application from there.

  1. Hold the Control key and click on Safari or right-click on Safari with your mouse.
  2. Select Quit from the context menu.
Quit Safari from Context Menu

Troubleshooting

If you do not see Safari open with the option shown above, you likely have the Close windows when quitting an app setting disabled. Here’s how to fix it:

  • On macOS Ventura and later: Apple icon  > System Settings > Desktop & Dock > enable Close windows when quitting an app.
Close windows when quitting an application setting in macOS Ventura
  • On macOS Monterey and earlier: Apple icon  > System Preferences > General > check the box next to Close windows when quitting an app.
Close Windows When Quitting an App Setting

Do more with Safari: