Developers working on Windows machines usually experience challenges with Safari for Windows, which is not true for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. No direct access is possible on other platforms because Safari only works with macOS and iOS.
For this reason, emulating Safari for Windows is a necessary but challenging method for developers and QA engineers looking to deliver a perfect web experience. This blog looks at how Safari emulation can be done on Windows, describing what is available, useful practices, challenges, and other means of testing.
Why Test on Safari?
Safari is instantly available on Apple devices as the favorite web browser for anyone using an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook. Late in 2024, Safari was the number one browser for iOS and macOS, representing 18–20% of all web users, and disregarding Safari while web testing may drive away some of your users.
Unique Safari Behaviors
Safari is set apart from Chrome, Edge, and Firefox because its rendering engine, WebKit, behaves differently from other WebKits.
Issues may include:
- CSS compatibility problems
- HTML5 element rendering differences
- JavaScript inconsistency
- Touch event handling
- Font and layout rendering
- Performance on animations and transitions
The absence of Safari testing increases the chance of layout errors, collapsed functions, and a slow user experience; this happens mostly on iPhone and iPad devices.
The Problem: Safari is Not Natively Available on Windows
After releasing Safari 5.1.7 in 2012, Apple no longer updated the Windows version. Since that time, Windows users have had difficulty installing any recent version of Safari. Developers using Safari for Windows, therefore, face significant challenges:
- No access to the latest Safari features
- Inability to test modern WebKit rendering behavior
- Lack of Safari DevTools on non-Apple platforms
- Compromised ability to debug platform-specific issues
It has led to the need for workarounds and alternative approaches.
What Is Emulation?
Emulation simulates the environment and behavior of Safari for Windows without actually running the native application. Often, this involves running Safari within a Windows emulator or virtualization tool to mimic macOS functionality. While not perfect, it’s often sufficient for quick layout checks and UI testing.
LambdaTest
LambdaTest is a GenAI-native test execution platform that allows you to perform manual and automated tests at scale across 3000+ browser and OS combinations.
Developers can run live, interactive, and automated Safari for Windows tests across multiple versions and screen resolutions without needing physical Apple hardware.
With seamless integration into CI/CD pipelines, AI-driven test automation, and features like smart debugging, video recordings, and detailed logs, LambdaTest is one of the most comprehensive solutions for Safari testing on Windows.
- Pros: Easy integration with CI/CD tools, supports automation with Selenium
- Cons: Requires a stable internet connection, advanced features behind paywalls
Browserling
Browserling offers quick, live cross-browser testing without installations. It runs browsers on virtual machines and streams them to your browser, allowing you to test Safari for Windows in a real environment.
- Pros: Lightweight, fast setup, browser sandboxing for secure testing
- Cons: Limited automation support, UI is more basic compared to enterprise-grade platforms
TestingBot
TestingBot provides automated and manual testing on real Safari browsers using macOS and iOS devices. It supports Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, and more, with a strong focus on privacy and EU-hosted data centers.
- Pros: GDPR-compliant, supports a wide range of automation tools
- Cons: The Interface is less refined than some competitors, documentation could be more detailed.
Blisk
Blisk is a developer-focused browser that includes pre-installed devices (including iOS ones) and helps emulate Safari for Windows-like environments for UI testing. It’s best for quick visual checks and responsive design validation.
- Pros: Great for visual testing and responsive layouts, built-in developer tools
- Cons: Not an actual Safari browser; may not replicate Safari’s exact rendering behavior
Another effective method is to use a virtual machine (VM) running macOS or a macOS cloud desktop environment.
macOS on Virtual Machines
Setting up a virtual macOS environment using VMWare or VirtualBox allows you to install Safari and test natively.
- Pros: Full Safari installation, access to Safari DevTools
- Cons: Apple’s EULA prohibits macOS on non-Apple hardware, technically illegal in many cases
MacStadium or MacInCloud
These are macOS cloud desktop services that provide remote access to a macOS machine.
- Pros: Legal access to all macOS apps, including Safari and Xcode
- Cons: Subscription costs, requires high-speed internet for a smooth experience
Developer Tools & Device Emulation
Many modern browsers offer device emulation features. While not exact, these tools can simulate Safari for Windows-like behavior.
- Chrome DevTools: Chrome’s DevTools includes device emulation for iPhones and iPads. You can simulate touch events, screen sizes, and throttled performance.
- Pros: Free, built into Chrome
- Cons: Emulates device size, not Safari’s rendering engine (WebKit)
- Responsive Design Mode in Firefox: Firefox’s built-in responsive design mode can simulate Safari screen resolutions and user agents.
- Pros: Useful for visual layout testing
- Cons: Does not mimic WebKit behavior
These tools can’t replace Safari, but they offer a quick way to identify major layout issues.
Using Outdated Safari for Windows (Not Recommended)
Some developers try to install Safari 5.1.7 for Windows, the last version released for the platform.
- Pros: Runs natively on Windows
- Cons: Extremely outdated (over a decade old), missing modern web features, doesn’t represent current Safari behavior, security risks.
Bottom Line: This method is not reliable for accurate cross-browser testing and should be avoided.
Xcode + Simulator (Requires macOS)
For those with access to macOS, using Xcode’s iOS Simulator is one of the best ways to test Safari on iPhones and iPads.
- Pros: Precise simulation of Safari on iOS, supports multiple device types
- Cons: Only available on macOS
If you’re using a macOS cloud service, you can still access Xcode and run the simulator remotely.
Best Practices for Testing Safari from Windows
Test plans for Safari for Windows are not easy because Apple is no longer giving support for Safari in Windows, as the last version released was Safari 5.1.7 back in 2012. Regardless, developers must make their sites and apps run smoothly on Safari, as it’s chosen as the main browser for iPhones and iPads.
Here are the best practices for testing Safari from a Windows environment:
- Test on Real Devices When Possible: No emulation can perfectly replicate a real-world environment.
- Automate Testing with AI-driven test automation: Utilize Selenium Grid, Appium, or Cypress with LambdaTest. Using AI-based automation ensures that builds are reliable and efficient.
- Use Progressive Enhancement: Design your website to work across all browsers.
- Validate on Multiple Versions: Test across various Safari versions on macOS and iOS.
- Fallbacks and Polyfills: Add polyfills for unsupported features.
- Use WebKit Nightly or Safari Technology Preview: Stay updated with WebKit developments.
- Utilize Remote Debugging Tools: Debug using Safari’s Web Inspector or cloud platforms.
Conclusion
It is necessary to test websites on Safari for Windows when developing for cross-browser compatibility. Since Safari is widely used by Apple users, it’s crucial to ensure your website performs seamlessly on it.
Although Safari isn’t natively available on Windows, developers can rely on emulators, virtual machines, or cloud-based platforms that integrate AI-driven test automation to make the process efficient.
Using Chrome DevTools or older Safari versions may help with basic checks, but for accurate debugging and performance testing, real browser testing remains essential.
By identifying your audience, prioritizing test coverage, and using the right Safari for Windows tools, you ensure that your website delivers a consistent, high-quality experience across all major browsers.
