Currently, you cannot release an application without implementing cross-browser compatibility. This is due to the multi-platform and multi-browser ecosystem that has captured the modern app industry. It is impossible to predict which browser will be used by your user to access the app. However, cross-browser compatibility is easier said than done due to various obstacles like configuring Safari for Windows.

Safari is the default browser of Apple that comes with any device under its ecosystem. Apple has long discontinued the support for Safari on the Windows operating system. This removal of support created challenges for testers who are trying to implement cross-browser compatibility on their apps.

Struggling to find a solution to these challenges? This is the right article for you. In this article we will discuss the challenges of running cross-browser testing on Safari for Windows, the possible solutions, and also the alternatives that you can consider.

What Is Safari For Windows

Before going into the challenges and possible solutions for running Safari on Windows, we must take a step back and understand the basics. Apple provided official support for Safari on Windows from 2007 to 2012. However, shortly after, Apple discontinued the support giving reasons for limited adoption and also improving the strategic focus on the Apple ecosystem.

Today, if you want to run Safari on the modern Windows platform, you will face various challenges due to outdated versions and compatibility issues. If you’re a tester trying to verify the performance of your app, it will be a significant roadblock as modern web apps will not perform as expected on the legacy version of this browser.

Why Cross-Browser Testing For Safari Is Important

At this point, many testers might consider completely ignoring testing their app on Safari for Windows. However, we would massively caution against this step due to the massive market share of users who are still driving this browser.

Moreover, if you consider eliminating Safari for Windows, you might also restrict the performance of an application on the native Apple ecosystem, which will cover a massive segment of your audience base. To further improve our knowledge regarding this segment, let us consider some of the most important parameters in this:

  • Safari, being the second largest browser internationally, will be a critical target for any company or developer trying to implement cross-browser testing on their applications.
  • The rendering engine of Safari, the WebKit engine, is very unique in terms of handling CSS, HTML, and JavaScript elements. This rendering process is completely different compared to Chromium-based engines like Microsoft edge and Google Chrome.
  • You will find Safari users across various operating systems like macOS, iOS, and iPad OS. Each of these segments will have different specifications and performance requirements.
  • Finally, the Apple ecosystem encourages a huge segment of users to continue using the Safari web browser. This process is especially visible on mobile devices. So, ensuring the compatibility of your app on Safari for Windows will be an essential approach towards achieving mobile-first design.

Challenges of Testing Safari on Windows

Now, let us go through some of the major challenges that you will encounter while implementing Safari testing on the Windows operating system:

  • The last version of Safari that was officially available on Mac was Safari 5.1.7. So, this is a massively outdated version and does not reflect the capabilities that are present in the modern versions of this browser.
  • It is almost impossible to replicate Safari’s behavior on Windows, which is similar to that of Mac or iOS devices. This problem is mainly caused by OS-specific optimization issues.
  • WebKit, the rendering engine responsible for viewing various elements and websites on Safari, behaves differently compared to Blink and Gecko. Therefore, you cannot anticipate the behavior of Safari by testing other browsers or rendering engines.
  • Finally, the absence of an official version of Safari for Windows will massively limit your testing options. This is because, as testers, you have to explore various workarounds or third-party tools to even get the basic test cases implemented.

Solutions for Testing Safari on Windows

Although there are massive challenges in testing your application on Safari for Windows, there are various solutions which will allow you to ensure Safari compatibility without requiring Mac or iOS devices. To help you further understand this process, we have mentioned some of the major solutions on this list:
LambdaTest

If you want to integrate AI testing with your cross-browser testing processes, LambdaTest is the best solution for you. It is an AI-powered test orchestration and execution platform that lets you perform manual and automation testing at scale with over 3000 real devices, browsers, and OS combinations.

You can also use LambdaTest to find errors in your automation tests, as it will automatically create a comprehensive test report with multiple media elements, like screenshots and videos. These elements are aimed at helping you quickly find the faulty element and implement the required resolution steps.

Using Virtual Machines

A virtual machine will allow you to run the Mac operating system on a Windows device. This approach will allow access to Safari for multiple testing purposes. To implement a virtual machine, you can utilize various tools like VirtualBox or VMware.

In case you are curious about the process, you simply have to follow the steps that we have given below:

  1. Begin the process by installing VirtualBox or VMware on a Windows testing machine.
  2. Then, you have to move on to obtaining a Mac OS image and configure it on the virtual machine.
  3. The final step in this process is to launch the Mac operating system and open Safari to initiate the application testing processes

However, you must understand that virtual machines often come with massive limitations. The most important one being the resource-intensive setup process. These tools also offer potential licensing issues with the Mac installation or non-Apple hardware.

Remote Desktop Solutions

The final solution is using a macOS device remotely connected with a remote desktop connection. There are various services like AWS EC2, which will allow access to virtual Mac machines for software testing. To implement a remote desktop solution, you simply have to follow the steps that we have given:

  1. Begin the process while launching a Mac operation instance on AWS EC2.
  2. After completing the first step, you have to connect your system with a remote desktop client.
  3. The final step in this process is to launch Safari and conduct your Safari tests as per the requirements of the application that is being developed.

Similar to using a virtual machine, a remote desktop setup also has its limitations as it cannot replicate the physical parameters of your device, like user interaction errors, low battery, or unstable bandwidth. These factors are critical in determining the final functioning of your app on Safari.

Alternatives to Safari Testing on Windows

Even after all the solutions that were discussed above, you might feel that Safari testing on Windows is just not the thing for you. You can consider the following alternatives to create an approximate idea of Safari’s behavior on the Windows OS:

  • You can approximate the behavior of the WebKit engine by using other WebKit browsers like Epiphany or older versions of Chromium. Although they might not be the same, these browsers will help you get crucial insights into the rendering differences.
  • Most of the modern browsers like Chrome and Firefox natively provide responsive design modes which will help you simulate iOS devices. Although these modes might not completely replicate the Safari browser’s behavior, they’re usable for understanding basic layout issues and responsive checks.
  • Finally, you can also use the Safari Technology Preview, which is a developer-focused version of Safari. This version will offer early access to various new features and updates. Although this option will require you to have access to the Mac operating system, it can act as a great option for testing future Safari behaviors.

Emerging Alternatives to Safari Testing

Other than the above-stated alternatives, there are various more options that are yet to come in the coming years:

  • Generally, various progressive web apps will work seamlessly on multiple browsers and platforms. These apps will reduce the risks of browser-specific dependencies.
  • Modern app testing tools like Applitools will use artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify cross-browser visual differences, including Safari-specific rendering issues.
  • You will also have the option to use headless browsers like Puppeteer for automated testing over a cloud-based instance.

Cross-Browser Testing Best Practices for Safari

Finally, let us go through some of the best practices that you must implement in your testing environment while verifying cross-browser compatibility on Safari for Windows:

  • It is important to focus on testing features that are most important to the user experience. These features will include navigation, forms, and media playback.
  • As stated, you must understand that all emulators and simulators have certain limitations. So, testing on real Mac or iOS devices is the ultimate way to get the most accurate test reports.
  • It is very important to automate repetitive test cases using various tools like Selenium. Cloud-based platforms that LambdaTest will also support Safari automation.
  • You must remember that the rendering behavior of Safari will vary across various versions due to several updates. It is important to ensure compatibility with the latest and a few previous versions of Safari for the best end user experience.
  • Finally, you should use web analytics to understand the percentage of Safari users visiting your current website. You can use this data to focus your testing efforts on user demographics and behavior.

The Bottom Line

Based on all the factors that we put forward in this article, we can safely say that although testing web apps on Safari may seem challenging, you will have access to a wide range of tools and solutions to make it possible. Other than the solutions that we mentioned in this article, if you are trying to seek alternatives, emulators and Webkit-based browsers will also get the job done for you.

In simple terms, the best way to achieve successful cross-browser testing while including Safari for Windows is by using the right tools, prioritizing the most important features, and adopting all the best practices. This will help you to provide a smooth experience to your customers to strengthen the application’s reach and overall usability.

So, whether you are a developer or tester, you must focus on mastering the strategies that we mentioned in this guide to become the most efficient Safari tester in your team and deliver an exceptional end-user experience across all platforms.