Before Apple created its own web browser, fans used Internet Explorer for Mac. But on January 7th, 2003, Safari was born, a software that was to become the official browser for this tech company. After launching some beta versions and a 1.0, Apple finally built the definitive product.

Now everybody knows Safari to be a part of the Apple ecosystem, and it’s loved and hated equally among users. If you read this article, you’re probably one of the former and here you’ll find some interesting information about your favorite browser.

Safari latest version

Apple doesn’t give up when it comes to improving its products and is trying to enhance its browser and turn it into the best option. To compete with Edge or Chrome, they released a new version that includes interesting improvements.

Since this was released in May, you probably have it running already. But if you’re not sure, here is a guide on how to check your current installed version of Safari.

One of the company’s biggest achievements is its significant improvement in the working speed. This goes both for navigation and multimedia. They were able to get such results by using web animations and the Web API, both responsible for uploading the information received from the Internet.

Enhanced security

The update also brings important news when it comes to security and bug fixings. In the first place, the use of content security policy is optimized which avoids attacks derived from the cloud. Undoubtedly, this allows users to navigate Safari in a much safer way.

Secondly, many errors have been solved, especially when it comes to CSS and JavaScript. This translates into a faster loading speed in the most optimal way. Especially when it comes to spacing, users will be grateful for this new feature.

But the best news is that you can try all of this without making Safari your main browser. If you’re not sure yet, download the trial version and use it independently (keeping the old one still on your device). Thus, you can get it out of your system and try the new features. If you don’t like them, you can always go back.

Characteristics

Safari is one of the fastest browsers out there and it comes with many perks. The possibility to add extensions is a great plus. A flexible option like this one must have certain characteristics like easy synchronization, performance optimization, and several other settings. For example, Safari runs so smoothly that it will help you save the battery of your iPad or iPhone.

If you want your searches to be faster, Safari is the right option because it includes suggestions on the search bar. Moreover, you can pin your favorite sites, so they don’t take up so much space.

You also have the choice to select your predetermined search engine and a very convenient one-click sharing option on the menu.

Safari pros

• Custom-made for Mac hardware
• The reading mode is quite comfortable when you’re navigating a web page
• Integrated sharing menu
• High speed
• Search suggestions

Safari cons

On the other hand, Safari no longer supports Windows, especially on iOS devices. Also, it has been criticized for not having as many extensions available as Google Chrome or Firefox. In line with this, users complain about some pages not working properly on Safari, but this is the price you pay for getting an elite product. Naturally, widely used software like Microsoft products have more compatible options available.

In this video, you can find 10 reasons why Safari beats Chrome as a tool to navigate the web. Among other things, the former offers a better user experience particularly when it comes to reading. The reading list is a huge advantage that Chrome doesn’t give you. It’s worth noting that this is a different feature than the bookmarks because the article is deleted after you read it.

A powerful tool within the apple ecosystem

All in all, apple fans will probably choose Safari over other options. The possibility to integrate and synchronize browsers across devices is certainly attractive. Although you can do this with Google too, Safari brings extra perks like the possibility to view only the content without additional distractions.

When it comes to privacy and password storage, Safari also has the lead, providing a reliable and super flexible navigation option.

Extensions are excellent tools for those who navigate the web whether from a desktop or mobile device. In this regard, Apple users can enjoy a variety of options to enhance their experiences.

Add-ons can be quite handy and sometimes we use them without even knowing. In general, they contribute to making the navigation process easier and optimizing workflows. From blocking ads to changing themes, you can do several tasks.

Save passwords, translate web pages automatically, save your favorite content, and make notes within the text. In this article, we come back to the basics of how to use extensions in our day-to-day tasks.

How to install Safari extensions

Before we can start using the add-ons that apple offers us, we need to understand how to find and install them. These methods may change as programs and applications evolve but the principles remain the same.

Apple has chosen the simplest path and included extensions on its own store (Mac App Store) so that we can easily access them. You simply have to open Safari and go to the toolbar in the upper part where you need to find the Safari “extensions” option.

Now you will see a variety of add-ons available either for free or for a fee. In the same way that you would do with any app, you need to click on “get” and the installation process will start automatically.

If you want to change the settings, you have to follow these instructions:

• Open the browser window
• Go to the toolbar
• Click on “safari”
• Click on “preferences”
• Click on “extensions”
• Enable or disable the extension as you wish

Choosing your extensions

Many users are not even aware of the huge number of resources available through extensions. As we mentioned before, sometimes we’re not even aware that we’re using them but still, there they are. Undoubtedly, these tools can save you time and make your job easier and the installation is intuitive.

If you’re wondering which one to use, that will depend on your needs and goals. Naturally, not all extensions are free but sometimes the fee that you need to pay is totally worth the effort as it brings you benefits. If you don’t know where to start, check out the extensions available at Mac’s app store.

Managing your extensions

Once your add-ons are installed you can manage their settings, enabling or disabling them as you see fit. Check out the video below and you’ll see two ways to do this right from your iPhone. Also, the system will show a warning if you activate an extension that will make your browser run slower.

But one of the main advantages of using Safari is that you can synchronize all your devices and use your extensions across all of them. If you log in using your Apple ID, you can use the same extensions that you installed in your previous Mac and the same works for iPads and iPhones. make sure you have activated Safari on your iCloud settings and that the option to share across devices is on.

Besides, you can change the settings or uninstall the extension (with the option to remove the app along with it). Feel free to limit their access and establish the permits that you want to allow. For instance, your extensions may have permission to access the content that you visit on the web, so make sure you are aware of what each one does.

Keep in mind that changes in settings may not be applied instantly, in some cases, you may need to reset the application or even the device.

Extensions to make our lives simpler and not the other way around

Luckily, Apple understands that extensions must be helpful. The system will immediately let you know if one of them is outdated, hence unavailable, or affects your navigation speed.

Although Apple’s detractors argue that Safari extensions are limited when compared to other providers, the advantages of belonging to a solid ecosystem are priceless. If you’re finding trouble when navigating the web or feel that your work process is being affected, look for an Apple add-on that brings a solution. This tech giant always has an ace up its sleeve that surprises us in the best way possible.

If you own a Mac, you probably use the Apple browser called Safari. While the Mac ecosystem is awesome as a whole, sometimes we run into limitations when it comes to tools and elements. This includes, for example, browser extensions.

These pieces of software were created to make our lives easier and help us be more productive when we navigate, work, play, etcetera. Although many complain about the fact that Safari has much fewer extensions available than its cousins Firefox and Chrome, there are still many options. Apple provides good alternatives when it comes to making Safari a more productive tool. Here is an article for writers, journalists, readers, and researchers that are looking to optimize their performance through Safari extensions.

Reader

Upon its release, this was one of the biggest news in the world of web navigation. In the beginning, this used to be an option only available for Safari providing a cleaning visual of any given website. In other words, it removed all the extra content of the article showing the content as if it were on a blank page. Thus, the reader could concentrate on what he/she needed because all distractions, like advertisements, were removed.

Eventually, there was a version released for Google Chrome called iReader with practically the same options but with certain limitations. For example, when scrolling down the page, the navigation feels a little rough and the transition from the reader to the normal web page is too sudden.

Turn Off the Lights

Journalists and writers will love this addon as it helps them to focus. If you’re watching a YouTube video, for example, this extension will make the background darker. Thus, concentration becomes easier, and your creative process is optimized.

This is also a great option for online workers or students that spend several hours in front of the screen. They will find many advantages in this add-on:

• A better user experience
• Enhanced eyecare
• Improvement of the concentration level
• Optimization of the working/creative process
• Enhanced comprehension
• Possibility to enjoy their favorite movies without distractions

Translator for Internet Pro

When writing an article, a paper, or an essay we need to find information from several sources and sometimes we don’t find them in our native language. Although this doesn’t replace a professional translation, Safari offers an extension that will help you scan the page even if it’s originally in a different language.

Forget about copying and pasting and keeping several tags open. Translation for Internet Pro is a Safari add-on that provides automated and instant translations. Thanks to these features many students and researchers choose Translator for Internet Pro.

Dark Theme

Every day more web pages are adapting to macOS’s dark mode, but until all of them do all we have is this extension. “Dark theme” transfers web pages into a dark mode with a wide array of settings available. For example, you can choose the starting time and the finish time for this model to be applied.

Also, you can set it up in such a way that turning from one mode to the other becomes super easy. As you can see in the following video, you can do it in just two clicks.

Needless to say, this is another great option to take good care of your sight and rest your eyes after many hours in front of the computer. Again, you can use the timer to enable it and disable it automatically.

Instapaper

Did you ever come across a piece of news of the utmost importance, but you just don’t have the time to read it at the moment? Instapaper brings a great solution. This Safari extension allows you to create a reading list and save all the articles for later. Obviously, the list is synchronized across your devices so you can access it on every part of your Mac ecosystem. This is also a great option if you don’t want to spend Internet data when you’re out of Wi-Fi. You also save lots of time by not having to search for the articles all over again.

Haste

If you’re a researcher, you probably use search engines. With Haste, you can continue with the same search on several engines at the same time. Choose what platforms to use and what categories to enter to get the best result possible.

The auto-complete feature is quite useful and allows you to add, remove or edit customized searches. A great option to save time and still get the best results.

LINER

Optimize your research process by highlighting the most important parts of a web page. In the same way that you used to print a document and take notes to pass them on to a friend, Liner helps you share your comments. This time, the process is 100% digital and allows you to share whatever fragment has caught your attention. Being on the same line with collaborators, colleagues, and friends has never been easier. Also, students will be able to print the pages directly with their highlights and personal notes.

To sum up, Safari may not be the most comprehensive solution when it comes to extensions, but it does have good options and a reliable ecosystem. Supported by Mac, any of these options will help you in your writing process or make the reading experience far more enjoyable.

If you’re looking for an ad block that you can use with Safari, this is the article that you need to read. The Internet functions in a very particular way and many websites rely on ads to receive income and cover their expenses.

These can come in various ways like pop-up windows, automatic videos, notifications, or blocking windows. In many cases, these ads hide subscription-only content.

Even though we understand why ads are important for these websites, they can be annoying. Besides getting in your way when you’re trying to read or find the information that you’re looking for, they can affect your device’s performance. This is why many users choose to install ad blocks that hide the advertisement or at least prevent them from fully uploading. Such a solution is very convenient and is available for different browsers and operating systems.

Five fully functioning ad blocks for Safari

If you’re a fan of Mac, you’ll find several options to block website ads both for free and for a fee. The add-ons on this list are some of the best and constitute a good set of options. Keep in mind that for a complete blocking you may need to choose a paid subscription.

Wipr

Wipr is the first add-on on this list, and you can get it for only $2 on the Mac store. The level of privacy makes it one of the most sought-after ad blocks for Mac. You can be at ease because nobody will be able to track your data or any of the private information that you share. Setting it up is easy as you can do it in only a few seconds. The software runs in the background and all the essentials are automatically managed including updates and types of blockings.

For this price, you’ll get a highly functional tool that’s widely promoted by users across the web. Among other things, Wipr blocks the following:

• Advertisements
• Trackers
• Crypto miners
• Cookies notices
• Social share buttons

Ghostery Lite

Here is the best option if you want a simple solution. Ghostery Lite is easy to use and free which makes it one of the best options. Due to its characteristics, this add-on for safari is quite popular offering a decent level of blocking.

However, if you’re a pro you may find Ghostery Lite to be a bit limited. With very few setting options, users pretty much need to accept what they get.

Moreover, some have reported that the extension slows down the browser’s performance, but there are user forums where you can find solutions to such problems.

AdGuard

Being one of the best adblock solutions, AdGuard is not only an extension. It works as a totally independent application opening a world of possibilities. You can choose what type of content should the app block or allow and you can choose to “whitelist” some websites. One of the coolest perks is the possibility to arrange customized settings for each domain.

Check out the following video and see how you can use AdGuard to remove ads not from only one device but from all your network and your family’s too.

Quiet Content Blocker

Quiet content blocker is more than a simple Adblock extension. Actually, it won’t block ads at all. What it will do is save you from those annoying elements that sometimes we find on websites. We are talking about social share buttons, chatbots, sponsored search results, comments, and any other distractions that might get in your way.

Speaking of which, you can also block some of the applications right from your Mac. Such a feature is incredibly useful when you need to concentrate on work or study and keep your mind off social media and games.

AdBlock for Safari

Last but not least, we have an intermediate version between Ghostery Lite and AdGuard. Adblock for safari is a little more complex than the former but not as solid as the latter. Even though its name doesn’t say too much, this extension is quite popular being used by approximately 60 million people around the world. You can use it to block ads on Facebook and YouTube and some general advertisements on other websites as well.

Choose the right option according to your needs

Some people prefer Microsoft while others are faithful to Mac. The same goes for other operating systems and gadgets. But there’s one thing that they all have in common, and this is the need to get an addon that blocks annoying ads.

Choose any of these five options if you use Safari and you’ll get a solution. How quick, reliable, or flexible this solution is will depend on how much you’re willing to spend. Anyway, any of these constitutes a great filter for you to navigate the web without distractions.

Today we present this blog about Mac, IOS, and Safari. We’ve known each other for three years but have been using Apple products for quite some time. Our group is formed of five people from diverse backgrounds that have one thing in common: our passion for technology.

What you’ll find in our blog

At some point, the natural step for us was to create this blog where we can share our insights and experiences with other Apple fans. We decided to focus on Safari because it has its own community of users who usually need help and support. However, this blog is about all Apple products.

Here are some topics that you may find here:

Tips

When navigating the Internet, playing games, or using your devices in any way, you may run into some problems. Our tips include how to install Add-ons, how to set up your browser, and how to solve navigation issues.

Advice

If there’s one thing that navigation must have is user-friendliness. This section teaches you those tricks that can make your life easier. For example, you’ll learn how to change your browser’s theme, how to synchronize your content across devices, and how to save articles so that you can read them later.

This is just a start and barely a reflection of everything our blog can offer.

Workshops and tutorials

If you’re a tech fan you probably love workshops and tutorials. Whether you use the Microsoft version for Mac or native software, you’ll find this section to be quite useful. Learn how to take the most advantage out of your devices and make the best use possible of Safari. After all, there’s a reason why you chose to work with Apple products, and this is a space where you can take them to their utmost potential.

Industry Insights

Naturally, a good Safari blog must be on top of the news. We write about updates, new technologies, trends, bugs and solutions, and new releases. The technology industry has grown to cover the needs of the 21st-century consumer and this fact cannot be overlooked. In such a context, Apple, like many other tech leading companies, plays an important role.

Fans should not be left out of this news and advancement, and this is part of our responsibility as blog owners.

Our writers

We are lucky enough to have tech experts as writers. Although the first entries were created by the blog’s creators, now we have found some great professionals to support us in this task. Thanks to their wide experience they can write about what people like and need providing genuine value to what we do at CocoaMug.

The editorial team

Moreover, these writers are supported by a solid editorial team, which is formed by the creators. Taking up the responsibility to curate and edit the content was a huge step for us but we are happy to have taken it. Important tasks such as proofreading, editing, and fact-checking cannot be outsourced to simply the first guy that you run into. This is why we’ve taken the challenge and now everything goes through our check before it’s published.

Nothing shows commitment as involvement in one’s project and this is what we do. Besides having great writers, we take pride in our solid editing team.

Welcome to CocoaMug.com

Having said this, we present our blog. We hope that CocoaMug helps you in your search for answers and in the process of finding a like-minded community. We’ve decided to build this project on this solid ground and, so far, we’ve been quite successful. We hope you enjoy each article as much as we enjoy writing them. See you in the next entry!