How to Fix the Annoying White Space Issue in iOS Safari: A Beginner’s Guide with Simple Solutions

Have you ever been designing a website and working on a flawless page when all of a sudden the iOS Safari keyboard pops up? It’s a big blank area that’s not welcome on your page.

But you’re not alone if you’re wondering why.

Let’s look at this particular problem and find a solution.

What is going on?

Picture this: Your user taps on a form field and the virtual keyboard magically appears. As they view the content, a small, awkward white space appears at the bottom of the page. It’s like your designer suddenly decided they needed a little more breathing room.

This is because Safari on iOS handles the viewport size change itself when the keyboard appears, but it sometimes gets a little confused. The browser tries to resize the content area, but then leaves this awkward gap.

Why does this happen?

Safari’s viewport management on iOS is a bit like trying to squeeze into a pair of jeans that are a little too tight. The browser tries to accommodate, but sometimes it doesn’t quite manage it. That results in that annoying white space at the bottom of your page.

How to solve the white space problem

Fortunately, there are a few very simple and fairly easy-to-use solutions for beginners that will help you solve this problem. Let’s solve these layout problems:

1. Add CSS for viewport height

One of the more primitive solutions is to simply adjust your CSS to handle the dynamic height of the viewport. You set a minimum height on your content, so even when the keyboard opens, things don’t look too awkward.

html, body {  
height: 100%;  
margin: 0;  
overflow: hidden;  
}  
.content {  
min-height: 100vh; /* Ensures the content area is at least as tall as the viewport */  
display: flex;  
flex-direction: column;  
}  

It’s like giving your content a “height boost.” Everyone needs a little extra height sometimes, right?

2. Use JavaScript to adjust page height

Well, if you’re a little more adventurous and want to really get down to business, you can dynamically adjust the page height using JavaScript. It’s like having your own personal assistant on your website, making sure it’s always at the perfect height.

function adjustHeight() {  
document.body.style.height = `${window.innerHeight}px`;  
}  
window.addEventListener('resize', adjustHeight);  
adjustHeight(); // Call it on page load  

Think of it as a way to make sure your webpage never gets left behind.

3. Check fixed position items

Fixed-position elements can sometimes be part of a layout that doesn’t work properly when the keyboard is up. Make sure they aren’t the problem. Change their position or fix them using media queries for different screen sizes and orientations.

.header, .footer {  
position: fixed;  
width: 100%;  
}  

Think of these elements as VIP guests at a party: give them their own space, but not at the expense of dominating the entire room!

4. Test on multiple devices

You should also test your fixes on multiple iOS devices. What works on one iPhone may not work on another. Just like shoes, you want to make sure everything fits perfectly.

Testing issues will be better detected with real devices and not just emulators. You wouldn’t buy a pair of shoes without trying them on, right?

Conclusion

The whitespace issue in Safari iOS when the keyboard is open is kind of a tiny design conundrum. Yet these fixes will make it go away and keep your page looking sharp. Consider it a chance to flex your web development muscles and maybe have a little fun along the way.