This is Why Apple Warns iPhone Owners to Ditch Chrome for Safari

Apple has become increasingly vocal about users making Safari their go-to browser instead of Chrome. Safari is designed to work seamlessly with iOS and macOS and can offer better performance and longer battery life. Apple has recently resorted to using some scare tactics to differentiate Safari from other browsers, like Google’s Chrome.

“Your Browsing is Being Watched”

In a recent television ad, Apple shows users surfing unnamed browsers while security cameras with wings resembling birds squawking and hovering in the background while peering over people’s shoulders as they search the web. The ad warns, “your browsing is being watched.” As users select Safari, the winged cameras explode. Apple closes the ad with the caption: “Safari. A browser that’s actually private.” Finally, the ad concludes with the simple statement: “Privacy. That’s iPhone.”

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While the ad doesn’t specifically mention Chrome or any browser but Safari by name, it’s safe to imply the ad specifically targets Chrome. According to Statcounter, more than 66% of all mobile browsing is done via Chrome, while Safari is a distant second at 23%. In a Webkit blog about the ad, Apple states, …”users should not be tracked across the web without their knowledge or consent.” It goes on to attack Chrome’s Incognito Mode as being a week privacy tool, while touting Apple’s enhanced Private Browsing available in Safari 17.2 and 17.5.

According to Apple, the Safari 17.0 adds protections to both Private Browsing and default browsing settings. Private Browsing now includes link tracking prevention and advanced fingerprinting protection (gathering information on device and software settings via a browser). In all browsing modes, Apple’s Safari now includes capped lifetime cookies and portioned Session Storage (data stored in the browser until it is closed).

While this may all sound pretty confusing to an average user. If you fall into this category and you are concerned with browsing privacy, Safari offers better security than Chrome based on our research.

In a 2020 class-action lawsuit, Google admitted it still collects data in Incognito mode. While it’s possible to fiddle with Chrome settings, Safari’s are stronger by default, which is the foundation for all users. Safari and Chrome also aren’t your only options. Do your research and find a browser that suits you. However, for the safest and most private browsing experience, we still suggest using a VPN both for iOS and macOS users, regardless of your browser.