How to fix Apple iPhone XR Safari Forbidden error 403, browsing problem [Troubleshooting Guide]

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Each type of error occurring on an application is defined by an error code. And each of these codes come with a brief note depicting what went wrong. Some error codes indicate a suggested solution while others simply let you know that something went wrong thus expected outputs not met.

Tackled in this post is one of the common error codes encountered by iPhone users when browsing websites and pages using Safari. It’s about the Forbidden Error 403 on the iPhone XR Safari app. Read further to learn what this error code denotes and what measures can be applied to get rid of it.

But before anything else, if you have another issue with your phone, drop by our troubleshooting page as we have already addressed hundreds of issues reported by the owners. Odds are that there are already existing solutions on our website or at least, there are similar problems we already fixed. So, try to find ones that are similar or related to your problem. If you need further assistance, however, feel free to contact us by filling up our iPhone issues questionnaire.

What does Forbidden Error 403 mean?

A Forbidden error code 403 usually occurs when attempting to browse or access an unsupported URL, webpage, or file. It means that you cannot view the resource, page or file because you don’t have the permission to do so. This usually happens if the requested content is invalid or may be strictly forbidden for all clients regardless of authorization. That being said, check and confirm that the URL you are trying to access is correct or valid.

The following are applicable workarounds you can try whenever you will have trouble browsing sites or URLs and and get an error code 403 on Safari.

First solution: Quit the app then open it again.

If this is the first time you’re seeing this error, it could be just triggered by some random glitches on the Safari browser. In that case, closing and restarting the application will likely get rid of it. That said, try this as your first possible solution:

  1. From the Home screen, swipe your finger up and then pause.
  2. Swipe right or left to navigate through apps preview.
  3. Then swipe up on the Safari preview to force close the application. Do the same to clear all the rest of the app previews you see.

After clearing all background apps, launch the Safari browser app on your iPhone again then try browsing the URL or page. If the error doesn’t occur, then it means that the problem is solved. Otherwise, continue to troubleshoot and try the next possible solutions.

Second solution: Restart/soft reset your iPhone.

Random software errors including those affecting the preinstalled browser can also be remedied by restarting the phone or performing a soft reset. Thus if you haven’t already, follow these steps to restart or soft reset your iPhone XR:

  1. Press and hold the Side/Power button and either Volume buttons simultaneously for a few seconds.
  2. Release the buttons when the Slide to Power Off command appears and then drag the power off slider to the right.
  3. After 30 seconds, press and hold the Power/Side button again until the phone reboots.

A soft reset does not affect any saved information on the internal memory, so creating backups won’t be necessary. It’s the simplest yet very effective solution to minor software problems on an app or phone system in general.

Third solution: Clear Safari app cache and browsing data.

While cached files play a key role in loading and reloading of similar information, piling caches for a long can also cause some troubles. There is a tendency that any of these cached files become corrupted and if this happens, the app where the corrupted cache is stored will likely become unstable. To make sure this isn’t what triggers the Forbidden error 403, clear cache and browsing data on your Safari app with these steps:

  1. Tap Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Select Safari.
  3. Navigate to the Privacy and Security section and then tap the option to Clear History and Website Data.

This will clear your history and cookies, and browsing data from Safari without changing your autofill information.

If you opt to clear cookies and keep your browsing history on the Safari app, do this instead:

  1. Tap Settings.
  2. Select Safari.
  3. Navigate to the Advanced section.
  4. Tap on Website Data.
  5. Then select the option to Remove All Website Data.

Quit the Safari app once the caches and website cookies are completely cleared. Then load the app again and retry browsing URLs and pages. Continue to the next applicable solution if the error recurs.

Fourth solution: Update Safari app.

Apple usually embeds fix patches into a new update released. And that could be one of the main reasons why it is highly recommended to keep your iPhone software updated. Built-in apps like Safari usually receive updates from every new iOS version rolled out by Apple. Thus, installing the new iOS update will likewise fix existing errors with Safari, including the Forbidden error 403. To check for new software update on your iPhone XR, follow these steps:

  1. Tap Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Select General.
  3. Tap Software Update.
  4. If a new update is available, select the option to Download and Install.
  5. Then follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to install the update on your phone.

When the update is completely installed, restart your iPhone to apply the new system changes and to prevent apps from acting up. Apps usually go rogue after a new system transition and restarting the phone after an update will prevent this from happening.

Fifth solution: Reset network settings.

If the previous methods failed to fix the problem and Safari continues to prompt a Forbidden error 403, you may consider resorting to system resets. To rule out network-related problems from the possible triggers, try to reset network settings on your iPhone XR with these steps:

  1. Tap Settings from your Home screen.
  2. Select General.
  3. Scroll down to and tap on Reset.
  4. Select Reset network settings from the given options. Doing so will delete all your current network settings and then restores the default network options. Your Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth connections will also be deleted.
  5. If prompted, enter your device passcode to continue.
  6. Then tap the option to confirm network settings reset.

After the reset, your iPhone restarts by itself and then loads the default network options. To reconnect to the Internet, you need to set up Wi-Fi and then select your Wi-Fi network to use. Once you’re iPhone is connected, try to launch Safari and see if you can now browse URLs, files, and pages without encountering the Forbidden error 403.

Seek more help

If none of that helps, contact Apple Support to escalate the problem and ask more advanced solutions to fix Safari and get rid of the error. If the Forbidden error 403 only occurs when trying to view a specific website or page, then that could also be an isolated problem to that website or resource. In this case, you may attempt to contact the website owner or administrator to report the error and ask for an ultimate solution.

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Connect with us

If you need more help with the use of certain functions and features of the Apple iPhone XR smartphone, feel free to visit our Tutorial Page. There you can find a list of how-to contents, step-by-step tutorials, as well as answers to FAQs regarding iPhone XR. If you have other concerns or encountered some troubles while using the phone, you can reach us through this form. Just be sure to tell us more details of the problem or device issue(s) you may have and we will be more than happy to assist you further.