Question: Currently Safari shows the url of the open page without mentioning the protocol:

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> apple.stackexchange.com/questions/ask
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Is there a way to have Safari show the protocol in the address bar:

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> <https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/ask>
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Answer: 
You can temporarily display the protocol by activating the address bar with `⌘ Cmd`-`L` and copy-pasting the current URL back to the address bar with `⌘ Cmd`-`C`, `⌘ Cmd`-`V`.

The protocol will, however, disappear again as soon as you load a new page by following a link on the page or pressing `Enter` in the address bar.
Normally settings like these that aren't in the UI are sometimes available to change with the defaults command in the Terminal app. (this won't work on iOS AFAIK).

Unfortunately though, it doesn't appear there is any setting for this:

```
teak:~ mhp$ defaults read com.apple.Safari | grep -i protocol 
teak:~ mhp$ defaults read com.apple.Safari | grep -i url
    DidMigrateToMoreRestrictiveFileURLPolicy = 1; 
teak:~ mhp$ defaults read com.apple.Safari | grep -i address 
teak:~ mhp$ defaults read com.apple.Safari | grep -i http

```

I also looked through all the [settings that other people have posted](http://secrets.blacktree.com/?showapp=com.apple.Safari) on the net and found no options.