Safari for Windows

Safari, famous for its smooth incorporation with iOS and macOS systems, once appeared on Windows. But, this version of Safari, extending up to Safari 5.1.7, posed exceptional obstacles for automated testing.

As the arena of web apps evolved, so did the intricacies of guaranteeing compatibility and reliability across diverse platforms and browsers. One of the critical challenges of Safari for Windows is the need for more official support and updates, resulting in compatibility glitches and potential discrepancies in functionality and rendering compared to Safari on iOS or macOS.

This has made automated testing on Safari for Windows an arduous task, as QA testers need to seek workarounds and alternate approaches or techniques to ensure accurate and consistent test outcomes.

This article will give insight into the challenges encountered while automating testing on Safari for Windows and explore the most effective workarounds and strategies to overcome such obstacles. From restricted compatibility to platform disparities, we unravel the complexities of testing on this discontinued version of Safari and offer actionable insights for QA Specialists navigating the exact scenarios.

What are the core challenges of testing on Safari for Windows?

  1. Unsupported Features: Safari for Windows lacked support for some CSS properties, JavaScript functionalities, web standards, and HTML5 elements. Testing on this browser version often leads to inaccuracies and discrepancies in rendering and functionality.
  2. Limited Compatibility: Safari for Windows was accessible up to version 5.1.7, which is considerably outdated compared to the current versions accessible for iOS and macOS. This restricted compatibility posed challenges to testing modern web apps that depend on newer browser standards and traits.
  3. Platform Dissimilarities: Safari for Windows exhibited variances in behavior and performance compared to its macOS counterpart. Testing scripts designed and validated on Safari for macOS may not behave the same on Safari for Windows, resulting in inconsistencies in test outputs.
  4. Security issues: Safari for Windows might have security flaws, particularly if you download expired or older software versions. On its first launch day, some security researchers found eight threats/ vulnerabilities in Safari.
  5. Appearance: Some say Safari for Windows looks outdated as it’s ported from Mac OS and performs on Apple’s Core Foundation and Cocoa User Interface.
  6. Instability: Running Safari for Windows is not suggested because the framework it was designed on predates Windows 10 by multiple versions.

How can we test Safari-centric traits on Windows?

Testing Safari-centric traits on Windows can be tricky as Safari isn’t accessible for Windows. However, you can utilize cross-browser testing platforms such as LambdaTest to simulate Safari on macOS and test Safari-centric traits on Windows. This incredible platform enables end-users to test Safari on Windows for test automation.

It also supports Safari version 5.1 on Windows systems from 7 to 10. LambdaTest also offers automated and manual tests for mobile and web applications across over 3,000 browsers, OSs (operating systems), and mobile devices.

It provides a cloud-powered test environment where you can access actual macOS machines and browsers, including Safari, for comprehensive testing. This enables you to ensure your web app functions properly and delivers a smooth experience across browsers and platforms.

Some benefits of testing Safari on real Windows devices include:

  • Specific testing: Improves user experience.
  • Perfect emulation: Reflects real-time use
  • Catches errors: Shows how Safari exactly runs, seeing issues that may not reflect in simulations.
  • Smooth experience: Results in a seamless and reliable browser experience for users.

Cloud-based platforms like LambdaTest can easily incorporate codeless automation and CI/CD tools like TestingWhiz, LEAPWORK, and CircleCI. The platform also offers a Google lighthouse report in Automation to check and review the site’s performance metrics.

LambdaTest is an AI-powered test orchestration and execution platform that lets you run manual and automated tests at scale with over 3000+ real devices, browsers, and OS combinations.

Key Traits:

  • Mark as A Bug: While testing Safari on Windows, report bugs straight from LambdaTest to Asana, JIRA, Slack, GitHub, Trello, or GitLab, etc.
  • Network Throttling: Ensure a smooth user experience by evaluating your mobile view site’s responsiveness on several network profiles.
  • In-built Safari DevTools: Intelligent User Interface Inspector streamlines User Interface debugging, offering precise component identification for effective web testing.
  • 120+ out-of-the-box Integrations: Incorporate smoothly with your test stack through an extensive series of 120+ integrations.
  • Accessibility Testing: Allow WCAG-compliant accessibility test, guaranteeing web content accessibility without old-style interaction approaches.
  • Geolocation testing: Test your site or mobile application from varied geoIPs to ensure your users get a smooth and flawless experience across all locations.

What are some alternative browsers to test on Windows?

For testing on Windows, there are multiple alternative browsers that you can utilize apart from Safari. Such browsers provide diverse traits, rendering engines, & user experiences, enabling you to test your web apps comprehensively across diverse platforms. Some well-known alternative browsers for testing on Windows comprise:

  1. Mozilla Firefox is an open-source/ free browser that prioritizes customization and privacy options. Mozilla utilizes the Gecko rendering engine and provides developer-friendly tools such as the Web Developer Console and Firefox Developer Edition.
  2. Google Chrome: Popular for its security, speed, and extensive developer tools, it is the most preferred and widely used browser globally. Chrome utilizes the Blink rendering engine and assists modern web standards.
  3. Microsoft Edge is also well-known and the default browser in Windows 10, based on the Chromium engine. MS Edge offers compatibility with Chrome extensions and provides traits such as Collections for organizing content.
  4. Opera: It is a feature-rich browser that is popular for its speed and built-in tools such as VPN, ad blocker, and sidebar extensions. Opera utilizes the Blink rendering engine and is appropriate for testing web apps across varied devices.
  5. Vivaldi: is a highly customizable browser that enables end-users to alter their browsing experience with several tab management options, themes, and sidebar panels. Vivaldi utilizes the Blink rendering engine, perfect for testing UI customization and productivity traits.
  6. Brave: IA privacy-cantered browser blocks trackers and ads by default. Fearless is based on Chromium and provides a speedy and clean browsing experience, making it ideal for testing performance and privacy-concerned features.

These alternative browsers offer a set of test environments, assisting you in ensuring that your web apps are functional, compatible, and performant across distinct browser ecosystems on Windows.

Safari for Windows: Workarounds in Automated Testing

  • Emulation & Virtualization: Use MUseemulation or virtualization tools to simulate Safari on macOS within a Windows environment. Popular tools like LambdaTest enable you to emulate Safari on iOS/ macOS for testing purposes seamlessly.
  • Cross-Browser Testing: Integrate a cross-browser testing approach to validate web apps across multiple platforms and browsers, including Safari on Chrome, macOS/iOS, Firefox, and Edge. Use cloud-powered test platforms such as LambdaTest that proffer real macOS/iOS gadgets for all-inclusive cross-browser testing.
  • Fallback Mechanisms: execute fallback mechanisms or alternative paths in your web app to manage Safari-centric problems on Windows. This guarantees that users using the app via Safari for Windows have a smooth experience despite browser drawbacks.
  • Automation Testing Frameworks: Select robust automation testing frameworks such as Appium, Selenium WebDriver, or Cypress that proffer cross-browser compatibility and assist Safari on macOS/iOS. Write test scripts that adjust to varied browser environments and manage platform-centric behaviors.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Continuously evaluate browser usage statistics and user traffic to determine the relevance and influence of testing on Safari for Windows. Prioritize testing efforts based on the actual user data and browser acceptance trends.

Therefore, are you seeking to overcome the challenges of Safari for Windows automation? This platform is your go-to solution! With LambdaTest, you can smoothly implement cross-browser testing, counting Safari on macOS/iOS straight from your Windows environment. Access actual macOS/iOS gadgets, leverage virtualization tools, and confirm robust testing coverage with our cloud-powered platform. You can easily stay ahead with LambdaTest for effective and intelligent Safari automation testing on Windows.

How can QA Engineers ensure comprehensive test coverage for Safari on Windows?

QA testers can ensure comprehensive testing coverage for Safari on Windows through multiple strategies:

  1. Cross-Browser Testing: Run thorough cross-browser tests by counting Safari on macOS/iOS and other leading browsers such as Firefox, Chrome, and Edge. Utilize cloud-powered test platforms that offer real macOS/iOS gadgets for accurate testing.
  2. Device Emulation: Use emulation or virtualization tools to simulate Safari on iOS or macOS within a Windows environment. It aids in replicating the actual browser behavior and identifying platform-specific issues.
  3. Test Automation: Execute robust test automation frameworks such as Appium or Selenium WebDriver that support Safari on macOS/iOS. Write testing scripts that cover core functionalities and circumstances to ensure constant behavior across diverse platforms.
  4. Regression Test: Frequently conduct regression tests on Safari for Windows to check that new changes or updates don’t introduce compatibility problems. Include regression suites, especially targeting Safari to catch any early regressions.
  5. User Feedback & Analytics: Collect user feedback and analyze browser use statistics to know the significance of Safari on Windows for your niche audience. Prioritize test efforts based on user traffic and browser acceptance trends.
  6. Compatibility Testing: Testing your web apps on diverse versions of Safari for Windows to confirm compatibility across several releases. Pay attention to any precise traits or functionalities that might behave differently on Safari than on other browsers.

By integrating these strategies, QA Engineers can accomplish comprehensive test coverage for Safari on Windows, guaranteeing a smooth user experience across diverse browsers and platforms.

Wrapping Up!

While Safari for Windows might present obstacles in automation tests, accepting the right tools and strategies can aid QA Engineers in overcoming these challenges and ensure all-inclusive test coverage for their web projects. While Safari for Windows poses challenges in test automation owing to the lack of native support and updates, multiple effective workarounds are accessible. By leveraging cross-browser test methods, virtualization tools, and robust automation testing frameworks, QA Engineers can ensure all-inclusive test coverage across Safari on macOS/iOS & other major browsers.

Moreover, continuous monitoring of browser usage trends and user traffic allows QA Engineers to prioritize testing efforts efficiently. Embracing these workarounds and staying updated with sector improvements and browser compatibility guarantees that automation testing on Safari for Windows remains effective and yields reliable outcomes, contributing to web apps’ complete quality and user experience.