Safari Experimental Features: The Insider’s Guide

Heard about Safari Experimental Features but got no clue what they’re all about? Well, buckle up, because you’re in for a ride! We’ll dive deep into the world of Apple’s web browser, Safari, and unveil the curtain on these mysterious features.

Just like any other big-league web browser developer, Apple offers advanced access to their browser through Developer Tools. Safari’s Experimental Features are the hidden gems that let you in on the latest web tools, browser innovations, and development goodies cooked up by Apple’s talented team.

What Are Safari Experimental Features?

Simply put, these features are a treasure trove for web developers working on Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and Macs. They offer a sneak peek into the latest tools, browser behavior adjustments, and other development features. So, if you want to keep your web apps and pages bug-free, you’d better start experimenting!

Though primarily aimed at developers, average Joes and Janes can also benefit from some of these features to improve their Safari experience. But beware! Don’t go tinkering with settings you don’t understand, or you might find yourself in a pickle.

How to Get Experimental Features of Safari on macOS

Ready to dive into the deep end? Just follow these simple steps to enable Safari Experimental Features on your MacBook or iMac:

1. Open Safari on your Mac.
2. Click on the Safari menu located in the top-left corner of the screen.
3. Click Preferences in the context menu.
4. Navigate to the Advanced tab (double cogwheel icon on the right).
5. Checkmark the “Show Develop menu in menu bar” checkbox at the bottom of the window.
6. Close the Safari Advanced Preferences window.
7. Click on Develop in the Mac toolbar.
8. Hover over Experimental Features to see a list of available features.

To activate any of these features, simply click on the desired option.

How to Get Experimental Features of Safari on iOS

Got an iPhone or iPad and want to join the party? You’re in luck! Here’s how to enable Safari Experimental Features on your iOS device:

1. Open the iOS Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap on Safari.
3. Tap on Advanced at the bottom of the right-side menu.
4. Tap on Experimental Features.
5. Toggle on or off the desired features.

How to Reset Safari Experimental Features

Had enough fun experimenting, and now you want to return to normalcy? Or maybe you’ve messed up your browser settings? No worries! Here’s how to reset Safari Experimental Features to default settings on your MacBook or iMac:

1. Open Safari and click on Develop in the Mac toolbar.
2. Hover over Experimental Features.
3. Click on Reset All to Defaults at the bottom of the list.

To reset Safari Experimental Features on your iPhone or iPad:

1. Open Settings and navigate to Safari > Advanced > Experimental Features.
2. Scroll down and tap Reset All to Defaults.

Please note that these steps only work for iOS/iPadOS 15.4 or later. If you’re on an older version, you’ll need to manually deactivate or activate features according to your needs.

Useful Safari Experimental Features

Here are some nifty Experimental Features that you, as an end user, might find handy:

• CSS Spring Animations: Give your webpages a springy vibe with these animations.
• Secure Contexts API: Keep man-in-the-middle attackers at bay and protect your device’s security.
• Web Animations: Toggle webpage animations on or off to speed up your browsing experience.
• Subresource Integrity: Ensure the integrity of incoming web content and block tampered content.
• WebGL 2.0 (macOS) and WebGPU (iOS): Control hardware-accelerated 3D animation rendering on your devices.
• Storage API: Utilize internal storage on Apple devices without compromising user privacy and security.
• FTP support: Enable file transfer protocol for development purposes within the Safari browser.
• HDR Media Capabilities: Disable or enable HD content visualization on Safari.

Safari Experimental Features: FAQs

Here are some burning questions you might have:

Should I Turn Off All Safari Experimental Features?

Unless you’re a web developer or programmer, you shouldn’t mess with Safari Experimental Features. However, if Apple Support technicians instruct you to enable certain features, go ahead and do so.

Which Safari Experimental Features to Turn On?

Use the Reset All to Defaults button on macOS and iOS 15.4 or later to let the system handle feature activation. For older iOS versions, refer to a similar untouched device or contact Apple Support for guidance.

Do I Need Experimental Features on My iPhone?

You generally don’t need to activate additional experimental features on your iPhone. However, if you’re using an older device and facing performance issues while browsing, you may consider deactivating certain features at your own risk.

Should I Turn On Experimental Features?

Unless you’re a developer, you shouldn’t turn on extra experimental features. However, Apple technical support may ask you to enable specific features if you contact them with Safari-related issues.

Safari Experimental Features: The Final Word

Now you know the ins and outs of Safari Experimental Features! You’ve learned how to activate, reset, and make the most of these features. Remember, they’re mainly for web app developers and programmers, so there’s no need for everyday users to tinker with them.

Feel free to comment below if this article helped you as a developer or end user. Don’t forget to share it with your friends and colleagues so they can also discover the advanced features of Safari.