Nowadays, it is critical to ensure that the website functions properly by testing it on all major browsers. If a website is tested in one browser and ignored in others, its behaviour will remain unclear. Safari is one of the most popular web browsers in the world. For Apple devices, it is the default browser. It was initially solely available for macOS, but later became available for Windows. That is only for a short period; later on, Apple discontinued Safari for Windows.

Although it has been discontinued, testing Safari for Windows remains crucial, especially for developers who need to ensure their applications are compatible with various browsers. The decision to discontinue Safari can make testing it on Windows more challenging. However, many ways and strategies can be implemented. These contribute to the smooth performance of web applications, such as those for Safari on Windows.

In this article, we will explore the advantages of testing Safari on Windows, along with different ways for testing across various browsers. Some of the limitations will also be covered, and the best practices to follow when testing Safari for Windows. So let’s start by understanding the Safari browser first.

Understanding Safari for Windows

Apple’s own web browser, Safari, was first released in 2003. It is renowned for its sleek appearance, quick browsing, and excellent resource simplicity on Apple devices. It is the default browser on macOS and iOS, and to be honest, it functions flawlessly there. Also, It offers a fast web browser, a large range of customisation options, robust and secure privacy, and longer battery life. With its private browsing mode and intelligent tracking protection, the Safari browser also helps to provide exceptional security. It is a reliable and strong web browser because of all these unique features. Providing a quick, secure, and reliable browsing experience is its main objective. Because of this, most Windows users have been tempted to check if it can also run on a PC.

But Safari on Windows was officially discontinued by Apple. No security patches, updates, or support have taken place since then. Any site can fail to look or perform properly due to the vulnerability to security vulnerabilities and a lack of new web standards.

To put it briefly, it is stuck, which makes it unsuitable for browsing in 2025. However, many continue to search for Safari on Windows. Users continue to Google “Safari for Windows” despite the risks involved. This is where testing Safari for Windows is needed, and developers seek to determine if a website works as intended. The look and feel of Safari is also appealing to Apple users. Another reason is that people who use many devices want a uniform experience across Windows, Mac, and iPhone.

Advantages of Testing Safari Browsers on Windows in 2025

The Apple Ecosystem

Safari is closely linked to the Apple ecosystem. It includes iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and so on. Testing on Safari will be required to ensure that the website functions on each of these platforms.

Consistency among browsers

All browsers interpret HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in different ways. Testing Safari compatibility with Windows specifically will not only make sure that the web application is compatible and will display properly, but also identify problems with the Safari browser.

An advantage over competitors

In contrast to competitors who do not place as much focus on this, testers can differentiate themselves by ensuring that the website or application works properly in all browsers. This includes less widely used ones like Safari for Windows. This focus on rigorous testing and user experience attracts and retains users who need a consistent experience across platforms.

Differences in rendering

Web pages may appear different depending on the browsers, as they use different rendering engines, like WebKit in Safari. Safari browser testing will help identify and resolve issues to ensure the same appearance and experience are present across browsers and provide an optimal user experience.

Built-in Features

Reader mode and the incognito browser are just a few of the many built-in capabilities of Safari. These features may affect how users interact with websites. These features are also tested on Safari to make sure they function as intended.

Security Testing

Every browser has unique features and security vulnerabilities. Older browsers like Safari could pose higher security risks. By verifying that the application conforms to security standards, testing may help identify and reduce any security risks for users.

Expanding the audience

Ignoring Safari on Windows might cost a certain number of users, despite the fact that it is not as popular as other browsers. Some users still like it or demand it. By verifying that a web application runs correctly on this browser, testers open it out to a larger audience. This inclusion is essential to retaining users who would otherwise be shut out.

Various Methods to Test Web Apps Across Apple’s Browsers

Running macOS virtual machines

One of the most effective ways to test Safari is to use virtual machines (VMs). Install VirtualBox or VMware to build virtual machines on the computer running Windows. Following online tutorials will assist in installing macOS on a virtual machine, providing access to the most recent Safari version. Once configured, testers may easily switch between different Safari versions and other browsers.

Browser testing services

Testers can also use online testing services to access different browser versions, such as Safari on macOS. They allow testers to execute tests on real browsers and devices. These services save both time and resources by eliminating the need to manage multiple configurations.

Using Online Cloud Testing Platforms

Use cloud platforms to test the performance of modern web applications on Apple browsers. Cloud platforms enable testers to access any of the preferred operating systems and devices via remote device farms. LambdaTest is a popular solution for real-time mobile cloud testing with various Safari versions.

LambdaTest is an AI testing tool that enables testers to execute manual and automated testing at scale across over 3000 real devices, browsers, and operating systems. Also, LambdaTest offers cloud-based access to real macOS environments, allowing AI-driven testing on Safari from Windows-based machines. The platform also allows testers to remotely manage a real Mac during an AI-powered testing session from a Windows computer.

The AI driven test automation by LambdaTest improves test development, execution, and analysis by including a number of innovative features. KaneAI, a generative AI testing agent, is at the core of its AI-based solutions, allowing testers to create, manage, and debug tests in natural language. This generative AI agent, which is trained on large language models (LLMs), provides testers with instructions in simple English and lets them design and modify end-to-end test cases. This makes the entire process much easier for those who do not know coding.

The platform analyses test data and offers intelligent insights using AI algorithms. The AI helps regulate the tests by identifying those that provide inconsistent results. Additionally, the platform can predict future problems based on previous data, enabling teams to proactively address possible errors. Its AI visual regression cloud (SmartUI) features test visuals across various browsers and devices using AI and computer vision. It automatically checks for visual differences and guarantees a uniform user experience by comparing the user interface to expected outcomes.

Using Browser Emulators and Simulation Tools

Browser emulators and simulators can help testers test the web application’s functionality in the Safari browser. However, testers must understand that this software will never be as precise as a real browser. To use a browser emulator or a simulation tool, they can use any of the popular browser emulation tools or Chrome DevTools that come with Google Chrome. Simulate Safari’s viewport and rendering engine, allowing testers to replicate the real Safari experience in a different browser.

Manual Testing

Given the limitations of automated techniques and outdated browsers, manual testing is important. Manual testing checks for typical flaws, such as font rendering, CSS styling, and JavaScript mistakes. This approach assesses navigation, forms, and overall usability to ensure that they fulfil user expectations. Several workarounds can assist testers in giving the greatest end-user experience by checking the speed of the application on Safari while using Windows OS.

Some of the Limitations in Using Safari for Windows

When testing Safari for Windows, testers may run into a number of problems. We have spoken about a few of the possible difficulties:

  • Compatibility issues: Extensions can interfere with a website’s performance, which results in fragmented functionality and rendering issues.
  • No longer officially supported: Safari for Windows is unable to utilise modern web standards and technologies due to its fixed version of 5.1.7. Outdated software lacks the latest security updates, which causes performance issues.
  • Unstable environment: During the test run, Safari for Windows may crash often and behave inconsistently.
  • Slow test time: Unproductive testing might result from tests that take a long time to load and are unstable.
  • Rendering problems: Modern web applications cause unexpected failures in Safari on Windows.
  • Functionality problems: Outdated browser capabilities may cause some functionalities to not function properly.
  • Absence of development tools: Compared to other web browsers like Chrome and Firefox, Safari does not include an extensive set of developer tools.
  • Issues with test automation: Selenium WebDriver in Windows Safari is a prime instance of an automation technique that comes with restricted support.
  • Inconsistent behaviour: Occasionally, certain browser extensions possess the capacity to have an impact on Windows Safari, resulting in inconsistent or unreliable performance.

Best Practices for Testing Web Apps Across Apple’s Browser

Establish a strong automation plan

Efficiency requires automating repeated testing, particularly when dealing with the range of Apple devices and operating systems. Use Selenium together with Safaridriver, a macOS tool that enables test automation with Selenium’s W3C WebDriver protocol. Use Appium, which is intended to be compatible with native, hybrid, and mobile applications, for automated testing on Apple Safari.

Focus on compatibility

When testing on Safari for Windows, look for features and styles that operate differently. Check CSS Flexbox and Grid, as previous Safari versions have limited support for these. Check out how the layouts adjust. JavaScript functionality guarantees that contemporary JavaScript features function properly by utilising tools such as Babel. Additionally, test media queries for responsiveness, as older Safari may not render them properly.

Utilise emulators

Emulators can let testers quickly observe how the site behaves on Safari, although they may not be flawless. Popular solutions include the Xcode simulator and online emulators. If testers have access to a macOS environment, the Xcode simulator will run Safari on a variety of iOS devices.

Test on different versions

Testing the application on several Safari versions is crucial. The built-in developer tools in Safari should also be taken into consideration, as they offer an array of useful information regarding the application’s security and rendering performance.

Check compatibility issues

Testers must ensure compatibility with multiple WebKit-specific features. This is an important parameter to ensure that the application is functioning as expected on Safari. Safari’s way of handling viewports will differ from other websites and browsers. Therefore, it is important to verify the functioning of responsive web design on this browser.

Conclusion

In conclusion, testing Apple Browser is still important regardless of whether Apple decides to discontinue support for Safari on Windows. It is necessary for dependable and consistent test automation. It is vital to ensure compatibility in all browsers, including even older browsers, to have a unified user experience. However, testing the Safari browser on the Windows version is a difficult task. Various strategies can be applied to make sure that the web application is working with all browsers and devices, including Safari for Windows.