Safari will sometimes skip elements on some websites. I noticed this when trying to get information from my medical insurance website. I was looking for my coverage limits and, when I opened the section, Voiceover read the paragraph before the limits, and when I pressed either VO right arrow, or just pressed the down arrow, I would be place immediately after the information. However, when I opened the page using Google Chrome, I could read all the elements on the page. I am concerned because I am not sure if I am missing important information on other websites. I started noticing this behaviour when I updated to Mac OS 26, and was hopeful that the update to 26.1 would fix it.
I called Apple Accessibility, and shared my screen with the agent. She saw the behaviour, and had me open Safari in Safe mode. In safe mode, the problem still persisted. She noted that this was a bug and she reported to their engineering team. Let's hope it is fixed in the next update.
By Wayne A, 5 November, 2025
Forum
macOS and Mac Apps
Comments
Amazing!
I have experienced the same on some other sites too.
Thanks so much for reporting!
If you can provide us here with the apple feedback number (this one ideally on applevis new bug reporting section) or even just the case id if it was through email or apple care, it would be great for archive purposes. But of course it's up to you.
I am so busy now with college which is also too much on windows that I just don't have the time, and frankly, interest / patience, to do this as I was doing for the past year or so, though it's definitely high priority on my to do list as soon as I can.
Thanks again.
This also happens on iOS.
I haven't tried other browsers but it does happen not only in Safari but in other apps like phone where you have tons of headings and long lists.
This is a real concern
This is the bug that most worries me with the upgrade to Tahoe, although I believe it may also be present in the latest Sequoia which I am also avoiding like the plague.
It's great that they have seen the problem in action, although we probably could do with finding a public web page that they can use, otherwise I'm not sure they would be able to reproduce it.
Use any large text
Like apple own mailing list.
If it happens on ios it's normal it happens on every browser as outside EU it's webkit everywhere apple own browser engine used in safari and other web views and browsers which are merely ui paint and account sync placeholders.
chat.openai.com (ChatGPT)
I experience this on iOS but you also likely have the same problem on MacOS. Exchange a certain number of messages with the model and then try to jump to the next or previous heading and navigation will be broken.
Real Concern
While I don't think this behaviour is common, I can't be sure. Unfortunately, I can't find a public site where this bug is evident. If anyone comes across such a site, please share with Apple.
In answer to TheBlindGuy07, I called the Apple Accessibility Number for Canada, which is 1-877-204-3930. The agent referred the issue but I did not receive a case number.
Thanks for all your comments.
Definitely an issue on iOS
I can't speak to Mac, but on iOS this has been the standard for years, unfortunately. Maybe now that it's gotten so out of hand that it's impacting Mac they might do something to fix it. I hope so.
Email to Apple Accessibility
Hi everyone
I want to share with you the email that I sent to Apple Accessibility on the issue of Safari skipping elements on some websites. I hope this is given priority to be fixed in the next update.
Text of Email
I wanted to reinforce a problem with Safari that I brought to your attention on Nov. 5 in a conversation with one of your agents. Since updating to Mac OS 26, Safari is no longer reliable especially when navigating secure websites. For example, when I tried to retrieve certain information from my medical insurance website, Voiceover focus skipped over somne elements on the page as if they were not there. When I spoke to the agent, she connected to my Mac and could see the problem. She had me try starting Safari in safe mode but the problem persisted. She referred the issue to Apple’s engineering department. I have since noticed this problem on other websites. Interestingly, when I use Google Chrome on my Mac, I can successfully navigate the sites in question.
Also, in general, Safari is not as user friendly in that Voiceover does not automatically focus on the webpage whenI try to navigate there. For example, when I put an address in the URL address bar, sometimes I will have to find the area where it says web content and interact with it to be placed on the website. Other times, I will be immediately placed in the website, which is the preferable behaviour.
Please give priority to fixing how Voiceover interacts with Safari for the next release. The first problem is particularly serious in that I now use Google Chrome to navigate in sensitive secure sites to ensure that I don’t miss any elements. This is somewhat problematic because Chrome does not work as smoothly with iCloud passwords as Safari.
Thanks for your attention to this important accessibility issue.