How to Test Websites on Safari for Windows Without a Mac?

Ensuring your site functions flawlessly on Safari for Windows is essential for delivering a consistent user experience. But Apple no longer offers an authorized Safari version for Windows, making it challenging for software developers & QA teams to test their websites. Fortunately, there are several modes to test sites on Safari using cloud-powered platforms such as LambdaTest, virtual machines, & software developer tools. Such platforms enable remote access to Safari running on actual macOS gadgets, guaranteeing accurate test outcomes. In this article, we will discover the finest approaches to test sites on Safari from a Windows PC.

Why Test Sites on Safari?

Safari browser is the default browser for iOS & macOS. It is the most extensively used and well-known web browser in the world. Maintaining cross-browser compatibility, improving user experience, and increasing performance all depend on your site functioning flawlessly in Safari.

Crucial Reasons to Test on Safari:

• Exceptional WebKit Rendering Engine

Safari uses WebKit as its rendering engine, in contrast to Google Chrome (Blink) and Mozilla Firefox (Gecko). Sites might appear & behave distinctly on Safari, necessitating specific CSS adjustments & error fixes.

• Safari Has an Important User Base

It is the second most famous browser after Chrome, with millions of customers across Apple gadgets. Ignoring Safari compatibility can lead to a poor experience for a huge portion of your niche audience.

• Apple-Centric Traits and Restrictions

Safari enforces strict privacy and security measures like:

• ITP (Intelligent Tracking Prevention) – Restricts 3rd party cookies & tracking.
• Gesture-Based Navigation – Sites should be optimized for Apple’s multi-touch gestures.
• Limited Web API Support – Some traits such as Service Workers, WebUSB, & Web Bluetooth, behave diversely in Safari.

• Guaranteeing Cross-Browser Constancy

A website that functions perfectly in MS Edge or Chrome might still experience the following:

• JavaScript implementation differences.
• CSS rendering problems (for instance, animations, grid, flexbox).
• Performance variations on iOS & macOS gadgets.
• Responsive Tests for Apple Devices.

With the increasing usage of MacBooks, iPhones, and iPads, guaranteeing a smooth experience across distinct screen resolutions & sizes is essential.

How to Test Sites on Safari for Windows Without a Mac?

Testing sites on Safari for Windows is crucial for guaranteeing cross-browser compatibility, as multiple visitors depend on Safari on iOS & macOS devices. But, after version 5.1.7, Apple discontinued Safari for Windows, making it tough for QAs to test sites directly on a Windows PC.

Best Techniques to Test Sites on Safari for Windows

1. Use Cloud-Powered Test Platforms (Recommended)

Cloud-centric test solutions proffer remote access to Safari browsers executing on real macOS gadgets. This is the most convenient & reliable technique.

LambdaTest – Perfect for Automated & Live Safari Tests

• Test on several Safari versions (comprising older ones).
• Access actual macOS environs from Windows.
• Run responsive testing across distinct screen sizes.
• Debug problems through inbuilt software developer tools.
• Incorporate with CI/CD pipelines for automated tests.

Steps:

1. Log in for a free account in LambdaTest.
2. Choose Safari and the preferred macOS version from the web browser tests dashboard.
3. Put your site URL to start live tests.
4. Utilize built-in debugging tools to scrutinize performance & fix problems.

2. On a Virtual Machine, install macOS (Less Suggested)

An additional method to run Safari on Windows is by downloading macOS on a VM (virtual machine).

Required Software: VirtualBox, Parallels, or VMware

Steps:

1. Download a macOS image file & install it on a VM (virtual machine).
2. Install Safari inside the virtual macOS environment.
3. Open Safari & test your site.

Restrictions:

• Necessitates high system resources.
• Complicated setup procedure.
• Might not be legally compliant with Apple’s licensing guidelines.

3. Make use of Safari Simulators and Emulators 

Some sites claim to provide Safari simulators or emulators, which mimic Safari’s behavior and appearance. However, the majority of these tools:

• Are unreliable and outdated.
• Miss crucial traits for accurate tests.
• Don’t mimic Safari’s real-time rendering engine.

Verdict: Not suggested for professional tests.

4. Utilize Chrome Developer Tools to Mimic Safari (For Rapid Tests)

If you simply need a basic performance, you can make use of Chrome’s Developer Tools to modify the web browser’s User Agent to Safari.

Steps:

1. Simply open Chrome Developer Tools (Ctrl + Shift + I or F12).
2. Browse More tools → Network settings.
3. Choose Safari (macOS/iOS) under User Agent.

Restrictions:

• Doesn’t simulate Safari’s WebKit rendering engine.
• Can’t test Safari-centric errors or performance problems.

One of the most effective ways to test sites on Safari for Windows without a Mac is by utilizing cloud-centric test platforms such as LambdaTest. Such platforms offer real-time access to Safari executing on macOS, guaranteeing exact QA tests for cross-browser compatibility.

Comparison of Safari Tests Approaches

For perfect Safari tests without a Mac, cloud-centric platforms such as LambdaTest are suitable options. They offer actual macOS settings, guaranteeing thorough debugging, QA tests, & cross-browser compatibility.

LambdaTest: The Actual Solution for Safari Tests on Windows

When it comes to cross-browser tests, guaranteeing that your site works smoothly on Safari is essential. But as Apple has discontinued Safari for Windows, the difficulty remains—how can QA Engineers and software developers guarantee compatibility without owning a Mac PC?

This is where a cloud-centric platform like LambdaTest comes into play. This pristine platform allows businesses, QA experts, and software developers to test their sites across diverse Safari versions & macOS environments—all from a Windows PC.

Crucial Traits of LambdaTest for Safari Tests

1. Actual Safari Browsers on macOS

This amazing platform gives access to actual Safari browsers running on macOS environs, removing the necessity for physical Mac gadgets. This guarantees accurate functionality, rendering, & performance tests.

2. Live Interactive Tests

It allows real-time interactive tests, enabling users to test their sites manually in a Safari browser, simulate problems, and debug on the go.

3. Cross-Browser Tests on Various Safari Versions

Test your site on distinct Safari versions (for example, Safari 15, Safari 16, & Safari 14) to guarantee compatibility across multiple macOS updates. This assists in detecting User Interface inconsistencies or JavaScript-linked problems precise to Safari.

4. Automated Tests with Appium & Selenium 

For QAs focused on automated tests, LambdaTest smoothly incorporates Playwright, Appium, Cypress, Selenium, and more to execute test automation on Safari across several macOS settings.

5. Responsive & Screenshot Tests

It enables users to capture entire-page screenshots & run responsive design tests to review how a site appears across diverse screen resolutions in Safari.

6. Incorporation with CI/CD Pipelines

It also supports CI/CD tools such as Travis CI, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, and CircleCI, allowing QA experts to incorporate Safari tests into their DevOps systems for continuous tests & rapid release cycles.

7. Debugging & Issue Tracking

It offers built-in console logs, network logs, and developer tools to debug site problems directly within the Safari test environ. Besides, it incorporates bug-tracking tools such as Slack, Asana, Trello, and Jira, for smooth collaboration.

Why Select LambdaTest for Safari Tests?

• Extensive Safari Version Support – Test across outdated and newest Safari versions.
• No Mac Needed – Conduct Safari tests on Windows without procuring a macOS device.
• Rapid Debugging & Issue Resolve – Detect Safari-centric errors early in development.
• Smooth Automation & Incorporations – Functions with pioneering automated frameworks & CI/CD pipelines.
• Flexible Cloud-based Infrastructure – Conduct testing in parallel on several Safari instances to enhance effectiveness and save time.

How to Test Sites on Safari with LambdaTest?

• Log in/ Sign Up – Generate a premium or free LambdaTest account.
• Choose Safari Version – Pick the preferred Safari browser and macOS version from the dashboard.
• Begin Tests – Put the site URL to start live testing.
• Scrutinize and Debug – Utilize built-in developer tools, logs, and screenshots to detect problems.
• Automate and Scale – Execute Cypress or Selenium scripts to automate Safari tests.

With LambdaTest, website tests on Safari without a Mac are simple, scalable, and effective. Whether you necessitate CI/CD incorporation, manual cross-browser tests, or automated tests, LambdaTest offers an all-inclusive solution to confirm your site performs seamlessly on Safari across diverse macOS versions.

Benefits of doing Safari Tests on Actual Devices

1. Real Rendering & Performance – Actual gadgets give the most reliable browsing experience, guaranteeing accurate font rendering, UI/UX behavior, & performance.
2. Real Compatibility Tests – Guarantees flawless functionality across diverse macOS/iOS environments and Safari versions, controlling cross-browser inconsistencies.
3. Accurate Error Identification – Testing on actual devices assists in detecting Safari-centric problems like touch gestures, scrolling behavior, & input field inconsistencies.
4. Testing on Actual Network Settings – Replicate real latency, network speeds, & interruptions to assess site performance under actual circumstances.
5. Reliable DevTools Access and Debugging – Gain access to Safari Developer Tools for comprehensive bug resolution and debugging, guaranteeing a seamless QA process.
6. Highly Reliable Automated Tests – Running test automation on actual devices (through tools such as LambdaTest’s Real Device Cloud) guarantees that test outcomes are reliable.
7. Improved Gesture and Touch Tests – For mobile Safari tests, actual gadgets allow real pinch-zoom, touch, and swipe tests, which emulators fail to mimic perfectly.

By embracing real device cloud platforms such as LambdaTest, QA Engineers can access actual Safari environs remotely, guaranteeing superior-quality web experiences without the necessity for physical iPhones or Macs.

Conclusion

Testing sites on Safari for Windows without a Mac might seem tricky, but with sophisticated cloud-based test platforms such as LambdaTest, QA experts and developers can intelligently ensure compatibility across distinct macOS environs and Safari versions. While substitutes such as Safari emulators and virtual machines exist, they sometimes lack reliability and accuracy. Cloud-centric tests remain the most effective and practical solution, providing real-time browser access, automation competencies, and smooth CI/CD incorporation.

By embracing these tools, you can find and mitigate Safari-specific problems, improve performance, & deliver a seamless user experience—without the necessity for a physical Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Why is it crucial to test sites on Safari Browser?

Testing sites on Safari for Windows is essential as it guarantees compatibility across each platform, improving user experience & increasing market reach.

• Are there free-to-use options to test Safari on Windows?

Yes, platforms such as LambdaTest offer free trials, but modern functionalities might necessitate a paid plan.

• Do browser developer tools assist in Safari tests?

Browsers such as Edge and Chrome provide developer tools to replicate Safari, but they do not completely simulate Safari’s performance behavior or rendering engine.

• Are Safari simulators or emulators reliable for tests?

Not always. Various online emulators don’t give an accurate Safari environ, resulting in unreliable test outcomes.

• Does Safari behave in a different way from other browsers?

Yes, Safari has an exceptional rendering engine (WebKit) & manages certain web components in a different way, making QA tests on Safari critical for cross-browser compatibility.

• Can I automate Safari tests from Windows?

Yes, Selenium WebDriver assists Safari automation when used with cloud-powered solutions such as LambdaTest.