Why Safari Isn’t My Go-To Browser—Yet
As an avid Apple enthusiast, I rely heavily on my iPhone and MacBook, enjoying a wide array of Apple’s stellar applications. However, one aspect of this otherwise fantastic ecosystem leaves me a bit frustrated: Safari.
Extensions Don’t Always Play Nice
My primary concern with Safari revolves around extensions. Take Grammarly, for instance—every time I attempt to use it, the plugin crashes the browser. I’ve tweaked settings to enhance performance, but that hasn’t made much difference.
Other extensions have been problematic as well. I often uninstall them only to see an immediate improvement in Safari’s performance. There are some exceptions, like Cold Turkey, which is excellent for blocking distracting websites. But relying on a single solid extension in an otherwise limited ecosystem feels insufficient, especially when these same tools work seamlessly in other browsers.
Frequent Unexpected Closures
Another vexing issue I encounter is Safari randomly closing tabs due to “significant energy consumption.” This seems to happen primarily on resource-heavy sites, particularly those with video content. While this problem occurs on all my Apple devices, I notice it much more frequently in Safari compared to Chrome or Firefox. Despite efforts to clear caches and tweak settings, nothing has alleviated the issue, and it’s been a persistent problem for years. I sincerely hope Apple addresses this soon.
Browsing Confusion
When searching for something quickly, I prefer typing directly into the URL bar. However, Safari often misinterprets my search terms as attempts to visit a URL. This usually happens when I use specific characters like numbers or percentage symbols. The annoying result? I often end up redirected to random error pages, which forces me to re-enter my search in Google. Until this gets sorted, Safari just can’t become my primary option.
Bookmarking Isn’t Intuitive
Bookmarking is essential for organized browsing, especially when managing multiple tabs. While Safari does allow for bookmarking, I find Chrome’s capabilities significantly better. Safari features a sidebar for bookmarks, but I prefer having them visually accessible without extra clicks. It simply feels less intuitive compared to the streamlined experience in Chrome.
Slow Loading Times
Experiencing slow load times in Safari can be frustrating, particularly on my iPhone and iPad. While I sometimes suspect my Wi-Fi, I realize that other apps load just fine. Pages often stall during the loading process, requiring a full restart of the browser to resolve the issue. While this workaround usually helps, it’s undeniably irritating.
Cookie Management Woes
I’m okay with accepting cookies, but Safari demands consent every time I revisit a site. While other browsers sometimes glitch, I find Safari’s frequency of cookie prompts quite excessive. Generally, I only deal with cookie preferences once every few days in other browsers, but Safari infringes on that routine.
Conclusion
While Safari has the potential to be an incredible browser, it’s marred by too many persistent issues. Slow loading times, unexpected tab closures, and cumbersome cookie management are just a few reasons why I still favor Chrome as my everyday browser. Until Apple addresses these shortcomings, I can’t see myself making the switch to Safari.
