Apple to Add Safari Extensions to Mobile Browser Experience

Apple’s Safari browser is getting a major update in iOS 15 that will allow mobile users to use extensions. 

Among the slew of announcements during this week’s 2021 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple said that extensions are coming to Safari browsers on mobile devices and tablets. The addition of extensions will allow users to customize their mobile browsing experience by adding password fillers, text translators, and other convenient apps. 

Safari will be the first mobile browser to offer extensions, beating out other browsers like Google Chrome. Right now, you can only download separate apps that act as extensions or use the few built-in ones like Safari’s popup blocker and Reader View, but this will be the first time extensions are built into a mobile browser. 

The addition of mobile extensions means users will be able to use popular Safari extensions like Adblock Plus, HoverSee, WasteNoTime, Honey codes, and more. 

Aside from news of the extensions, Apple announced an entirely new Safari experience coming not only to the new macOS. but all Apple devices. The reimagined Safari will have a streamlined tab bar with the search feature built right into the active tab. The new tab bar takes on the color of the site you’re viewing, so it feels like a part of the page.

Tab Groups also are a new addition to Safari in iOS 15, allowing users to save tabs into specific topics or groups and pick them back up later, even across devices.

You can view more of Lifewire’s complete coverage of WWDC here.