Safari is the default Apple web browser optimized to work seamlessly with iPhone, Mac, and iPad hardware. In addition, the browser consumes fewer system resources compared to Chrome and Firefox. Therefore, the overall system performance is not hampered.
As Apple releases yearly updates, you can expect new features and bug fixes for Safari too. However, you must regularly update the browser to use the new features.
- On your iPhone/iPad, you can upgrade the Safari app by going to Settings > General > Software Updates. This is because Apple does not post separate updates for its in-built core applications. Instead, the updates for these apps are handled via iOS updates.
- Mac users must also know how to update Safari on MacBook. Head to the Apple menu > System Settings > Software Update > click Restart Now to install the updates.
Currently, the latest version of iPadOS and iOS is 16, and macOS is 13 (Ventura). If your device model is compatible with the latest OS version and you have installed the upgrades, you can look forward to using the following Safari features.
- Animated IVF
Support for AVIF still images and AVIF animated image sequences were rolled out by Safari 16. In addition, moving and still, images saved in AVIF format are now supported on macOS Ventura, iPadOS 16, and iOS 16.
- Scroll to Text Fragment
Safari offers support for Scroll to Text Fragment, which makes it possible to include a text directive when searching for text fragments as part of a website URL. If you navigate to a website URL providing such a directive, the web browser will scroll the text fragments into view and highlight them.
- Passkeys
Passkeys started in macOS Ventura and iPadOS/iOS 16 are meant to replace traditional passwords when signing into applications and websites.
These are next-generation credentials and much safer to use than passwords. Passkeys use a dual authentication key system. One key is private and stored on the device, while the other key is public and stored on the website server.
Touch ID or Face ID authorizes the passkey to allow the user access to the website or app on their iPhone or other devices with biometric authentication. If the keys don’t match, you cannot log into your account.
Since one of the keys is private and only available to the user, it cannot be phished, leaked, or stolen.
- Updated Tab Groups Feature
Tab Groups was introduced in iOS 15, and since then, it has gained a lot of importance and also attracted several updates.
The Tab Groups feature typically lets users organize the tabs into different segments for ease of swapping between them. With the latest Safari 16 update, the Tab Groups feature is taken to the next level with new features.
For example, Pinned Tabs are available to users and are used when you want to have some tabs open all the time. You can pin them to a Tab Group by choosing the Pin Tab option.
You can even let your Tab Group have a separate Start Page. You can do this by going to the Tab View > selecting the plug button to open an empty page > scrolling down to choose Edit to customize the Tab Group Start Page. Of course, for this to work, you must have an active Tab Group that is ready to be customized.
Another added Tab Groups feature is the Shared Tab Groups, allowing you to easily share the Tab Group you created with family or friends. Then, multiple people can contribute links and work together.
- Improvements in Screen Capture
Safari 16.1 supports capturing specific Safari windows with getDisplayMedia on macOS Ventura.
When you call getDisplayMedia in response to an action, you will see a prompt seeking permission to share the screen or a specific window of an app.
getDisplayMedia provides MediaStream, which contains a video stream of an app or screen window. This can be recorded, or you can use it as part of a WebRTC session.
Besides these, you will get improved Safari web extensions, web push notifications, live text, and more. You can also sync the extensions across your Apple devices to avoid the hassle of turning on the extensions for each device. Even the Safari browser settings can be synced across your Apple devices, so you can start browsing the web using your Mac and continue the same on your iPhone or iPad. What’s more, Safari will suggest strong passwords if you are using the browser to create an online account. The password will sync with iCloud Keychain.
Final Thoughts
The default Apple web browser continually tries to outsmart other web browsers and offer users a smooth experience. Therefore, you must update Safari and check out the features mentioned above to enjoy a seamless browsing experience.
Have you updated your Apple device yet? If you haven’t, you are missing out on loads of exciting features!
