Testing Safari on Windows: Tools and Methods for Cross-Platform Testing

Apple developed Safari for its devices in 2003. It was also available on Windows till the year 2012. Although official support has ended, testing Safari on Windows remains important for web developers. Safari browser online tools allow developers to test their websites on Safari without needing a macOS device.

Testing on Safari ensures your web applications are compatible across all major browsers. This is required because Safari has unique rendering behaviors and features. Learning the right tools and methods for testing Safari for Windows is essential. It helps you achieve comprehensive cross-browser compatibility.

This blog will explore various tools and methods for testing Safari for Windows. It will provide practical solutions and techniques to streamline your testing process.

Safari for Windows: Tools for Cross-Platform Testing

Here are the devices you can opt for performing cross platform testing to test Safari for Windows. 

Using Virtual Machines

Virtual machines allow you to run macOS on your Windows computer. This enables you to test Safari in a native environment.

• Easy Setup: Virtual machines provide an easy setup process for installing macOS on Windows.
• Native Experience: You get a native macOS environment, ensuring accurate Safari testing.
• Isolation: Virtual machines isolate your testing environment from your main system. This prevents conflicts and ensures stability.
• Resource Allocation: You can allocate specific resources to the virtual machine. This ensures optimal performance for testing.
• Snapshot Feature: Many virtual machines offer a snapshot feature. This allows you to save the current state and revert if needed.
• Examples: VirtualBox, VMware Workstation.

Safari on Browser Emulators

Browser emulators simulate Safari for Windows on different platforms. This helps in testing without needing the actual device or OS.

• Cost-Effective: Emulators are a cheaper solution for testing. You do not need to purchase additional hardware.
• Quick Access: Emulators provide quick access to different browser versions. This ensures thorough testing.
• Flexibility: You can switch between different browser versions and settings. This helps in testing various scenarios.
• User-Friendly: Most emulators have a simple interface. This makes the testing process straightforward.
• Immediate Feedback: Emulators provide immediate feedback on how your site performs. This helps in quickly identifying issues.
• Examples: Spoon.net, CrossBrowserTesting.com.

Remote Browser Services

Remote browser services give you access to Safari browsers running on remote macOS machines. This ensures accurate and real-world testing.

• Real Browser Testing: Remote services use actual Safari browsers. This provides accurate test results.
• Variety of Versions: These services offer different versions of Safari. This ensures compatibility testing across versions.
• Accessibility: Access Safari from any device with an internet connection. This provides flexibility and convenience.
• Scalability: Scale your testing efforts easily with remote browser services. This handles large testing requirements.
• Integration: These services often integrate with other testing tools. This streamlines your testing workflow.

Cloud Testing Platforms

Cloud testing platforms run your automated tests on various browsers, including Safari browser online. They provide scalability and reduce local resource usage.

• Scalability: Cloud platforms can handle large-scale testing. This makes them suitable for enterprise-level projects.
• Cost Efficiency: Pay only for what you use with cloud platforms. This reduces unnecessary costs.
• Accessibility: Access testing environments from anywhere. This provides flexibility for distributed teams.
• Speed: Cloud platforms can run multiple tests in parallel. This speeds up the testing process.
• Maintenance-Free: Cloud providers handle maintenance and updates. This reduces the burden on your team.
• Examples: LambdaTest is an AI-powered platform for test orchestration and execution, enabling both manual and automated testing across more than 3000 real devices, browsers, and operating system combinations. It operates as a scalable cloud grid and is recognized as one of the leading tools for cross-device testing. 

Key Features:

• Accelerate your test automation with HyperExecute, a cutting-edge, high-speed cloud service for end-to-end test orchestration.
• Test At Scale provides an open-source platform for test selection and flaky test management, helping you speed up testing, reduce job durations, and receive quicker feedback on code commits.
• Utilize smart visual regression testing in the cloud to detect visual discrepancies.
• Access over 120 third-party integrations with tools for CI/CD, project management, codeless automation, and more.
• Conduct localhost testing for both web and mobile applications.
• The platform supports the automation of test scripts using various frameworks such as Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, Appium.

Cross-Browser Testing Tools

This helps you test your web applications on multiple browsers, including Safari. They ensure compatibility and performance across different environments.

• Comprehensive Testing: These tools provide a comprehensive environment for testing across browsers. This ensures your site works everywhere.
• User Interface: Most tools have a user-friendly interface. This simplifies the testing process.
• Automated Testing: Many tools support automated testing scripts. This enhances efficiency and accuracy.
• Real-Time Results: Get real-time feedback and results. This helps quickly identify and fix issues.
• Integration: Integrate with other development and testing tools. This streamlines the development process.
• Examples: Browserling, Browsershots.

Methods for Cross Platform Testing to Test Safari for Windows

Here are some techniques and methods to test Safari for Windows and perform cross platform testing:

Using DevTools for Debugging

DevTools provides powerful debugging tools to identify and fix issues in your web applications. These tools are essential for thorough and efficient debugging.

• Element Inspector: Inspect and modify the DOM and CSS on the fly. This helps you understand how your changes affect the layout.
• Console: Use the console to log information and diagnose issues. This is useful for testing and debugging JavaScript.
• Network Panel: Monitor network requests and responses. This helps identify performance bottlenecks and failed requests.
• Performance Panel: Analyze the performance of your web application. This includes identifying slow scripts and rendering issues.
• Storage Panel: Inspect cookies, local storage, and session storage. This helps in debugging client-side storage issues.

Utilizing Safari Technology Preview

It allows you to test new web technologies and features. It provides insights into upcoming changes in Safari for Windows.

• Early Access: Get early access to the latest web technologies. This helps you stay ahead of the curve.
• Feedback: Provide feedback on new features and technologies. This helps improve future versions of Safari.
• Compatibility Testing: Test your web applications against upcoming changes. This ensures compatibility with future Safari versions.
• Performance Improvements: Identify performance improvements and optimizations. This helps you optimize your web applications.
• Security Enhancements: Test security enhancements and new security features. This helps you secure your web applications.
• Download and Install: Easily download and install Safari Technology Preview. This allows you to start testing immediately.

Creating Custom User Agent Strings

Custom user agent strings allow you to simulate different browsers and devices. This is useful for testing how your site behaves in various environments.

• Simulate Different Devices: Use custom user agent strings to simulate different devices. This helps test your site’s responsiveness.
• Test Browser Compatibility: Simulate different browsers to test compatibility. This ensures your site works across all browsers.
• Identify User Agents: Customize user agent strings to identify specific browsers and devices. This helps in debugging device-specific issues.
• Automated Testing: Integrate custom user agent strings into automated tests. This provides a comprehensive testing environment.
• Monitor Traffic: Analyze and monitor web traffic with custom user agents. This helps understand how different users interact with your site.
• Easy Configuration: Configure custom user agent strings easily. This allows quick and efficient testing.

Responsive Design Mode Implementation

This lets you see how your web application performs on various devices.

• Simulate Devices: Generate various devices with different screen sizes. This ensures your site is responsive.
• Adjust Screen Size: Adjust the screen size manually to see how your site adapts. This helps identify layout issues.
• Test Media Queries: Verify that your CSS media queries work correctly. This ensures your design adjusts as expected.
• Orientation Testing: Test your site in both portrait and landscape orientations. This ensures a consistent user experience.
• Touch Emulation: Emulate touch events to test touch interactions. This is crucial for mobile device testing.
• Pixel Density: Adjust the pixel density to see your site’s appearance on DPI screens. This ensures your site looks sharp and clear.

Using JavaScript Console for Testing

It is a powerful tool for testing and debugging your web applications. It provides immediate feedback on your code.

• Log Messages: Use console.log() to log messages and variables. This helps in tracking the flow of your code.
• Error Messages: View error messages and stack traces. This helps in identifying and fixing bugs.
• Execute Code: Execute JavaScript code directly in the console. This helps in testing and debugging specific parts of your application.
• Inspect Objects: Inspect JavaScript objects and their properties. This helps in understanding the state of your application.
• Monitor Events: Monitor and debug events in your application. This helps in diagnosing event-related issues.

Employing Network Throttling

Network throttling simulates different network conditions. This helps you understand how your web application performs under various scenarios.

• Simulate Slow Networks: Simulate slower network speeds like 3G. This helps in testing the performance of your site under poor connectivity.
• Test Load Times: Measure load times under different network conditions. This helps in identifying performance bottlenecks.
• Latency Simulation: Add latency to your network requests. This helps in understanding the impact of high latency on your application.
• Bandwidth Management: Test how your application handles limited bandwidth. This helps in optimizing data usage.
• Offline Testing: Simulate offline conditions to test offline capabilities. This ensures your application handles connectivity issues gracefully.
• Immediate Feedback: Get immediate feedback on how network changes affect your site. This helps quickly identify and fix performance issues.

Capturing and Analyzing Network Logs

They help diagnose performance issues and understand the behavior of your web application.

• Request Inspection: Inspect all network requests made by your application. This helps in identifying failed or slow requests.
• Response Analysis: Analyze the responses from the server. This helps in understanding how your application handles server data.
• Performance Metrics: Capture performance metrics like load times and resource sizes. This helps in optimizing your application.
• Caching Behavior: Understand and optimize your caching strategies. This helps in improving load times and reducing server load.
• Security Analysis: Inspect the security of your network requests. This helps in identifying potential vulnerabilities.
• Logging Tools: Use tools to capture and analyze network logs effectively. This provides a detailed view of your application’s network activity.

Wrapping Up

Testing your web applications on Safari for Windows is important for cross-browser compatibility. Although Safari for Windows is no longer supported, various tools and methods can help. Options like virtual machines, browser emulators, and cloud testing platforms are available. 

Learning these techniques is essential for delivering a consistent user experience across all browsers. Use these tools and methods to improve your web development process. Make sure your applications are accessible to all users.