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How to Activate the iPhone Debug Console or Web Inspector

Use Safari's web developer tools to study problematic websites

developer tools for ios safari

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What to Know

  • Activate Web Inspector on iOS: Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced and move the Web Inspector toggle switch to the On position.
  • Use Web Inspector on macOS: Connect your iOS device to a Mac and choose the URL to inspect from the Develop menu.

If you run into a bug or another issue with a website on Safari mobile, use the Web Inspector tool to investigate. This article explains how to use the Safari console for iPhone to debug errors with the help of your Mac computer. Instructions apply to iPhones with iOS 14, iOS 12, or iOS 11, and well as Macs with macOS Big Sur (11.0), macOS Catalina (10.15), or macOS Mojave (10.14).

Activate Web Inspector on Your iPhone or Other iOS Device

The Web Inspector is disabled by default since most iPhone users have no use for it. However, if you're a developer or you're curious, you can activate it in a few short steps. Here's how:

Open the iPhone  Settings  menu.

On an iPhone with an early version of iOS, access the Debug Console through Settings > Safari > Developer > Debug Console . When Safari on the iPhone detects CSS, HTML, and JavaScript errors, details of each display in the debugger.

Scroll down and tap  Safari  to open the screen that contains everything related to the Safari web browser on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Scroll to the bottom of the page and select Advanced .

Move the Web Inspector toggle switch to the On position.

Connect Your iOS Device to Safari on a Mac

To use the Web Inspector, connect your iPhone or another iOS device to a Mac that has the Safari web browser and enable the Develop menu .

With Safari open, select Safari from the menu bar and choose  Preferences .

Select the  Advanced  tab.

Select the Show Develop menu in menu bar check box and close the settings window.

From the Safari menu bar, select Develop and choose the name of your attached iOS device, then select the URL that appears under Safari to open the debug console for that site.

After you connect your device, use your Mac to inspect the website you want to debug and have it open in the Safari mobile browser.

What Is Web Inspector?

Web developers use Web Inspector to modify, debug, and optimize websites on Macs and iOS devices. With Web Inspector open, developers can inspect the resources on a web page. The Web Inspector window contains editable HTML and notes regarding the styles and layers of the web page in a separate panel.

Before iOS 6, the iPhone Safari web browser had a built-in Debug Console that developers used to find web page defects. Recent versions of iOS use Web Inspector instead.

With Safari 9 and OS X Mavericks (10.9), Apple introduced Responsive Design Mode in Web Inspector. Developers use this built-in simulator to preview how web pages scale to different screen sizes, resolutions, and orientations.

To set up Web Inspector on your iPad, open your iPad's Settings and select Safari > Advanced , then turn Web Inspector On . Connect the iPad to a Mac computer, then open Safari on the Mac and select Safari > Preferences > Advanced , then turn on Show Develop menu in menu bar .

You cannot just connect your iPhone to a Windows PC and start using Web Inspector through Chrome like you can with a Mac. Installing package manager software can provide you a sort of workaround, but it's not recommended unless you're familiar with the package management app you intend to use.

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  • Apple Watch developers like Breakpoint Studio, Pandora, Qardio, and more are now creating new app experiences that offer a deeper level of customization, and are more responsive to their users’ environment.
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  • StoreKit 2 , which ensures in-app purchases are safe and secure for customers, now features new APIs for handling product entitlements and subscriber status, and testing support in both Xcode and the Apple sandbox environment.
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  • Third-party navigation apps will be able to show a map view in a vehicle’s instrument cluster display, and a new CarPlay simulator for Mac will vastly improve testing efficiency.
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developer tools for ios safari

Use the developer tools in the Develop menu in Safari on Mac

If you’re a web developer, the Safari Develop menu provides tools you can use to make sure your website works well with all standards-based web browsers.

If you don’t see the Develop menu in the menu bar, choose Safari > Preferences, click Advanced, then select “Show Develop menu in menu bar.”

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How To Open Developer Tools On Safari

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Introduction

Opening developer tools in a web browser is a fundamental skill for anyone involved in web development, debugging, or troubleshooting website issues. Developer tools, also known as DevTools, provide a suite of powerful features that allow you to inspect and modify the structure and layout of a web page, analyze network activity, debug JavaScript, and much more. In this article, we will explore how to open developer tools specifically in the Safari web browser.

Safari, known for its sleek interface and robust performance, offers multiple methods to access its developer tools. Whether you prefer using the menu bar, keyboard shortcuts, or the context menu, Safari provides convenient options to suit your workflow. By mastering these methods, you can seamlessly integrate developer tools into your web development process, enhancing your efficiency and productivity.

In the following sections, we will delve into each method, providing step-by-step instructions and tips to ensure a smooth experience. Whether you are a seasoned web developer or just starting your journey, understanding how to open developer tools in Safari is a valuable skill that can empower you to create, debug, and optimize websites with confidence. Let's embark on this exploration and unlock the potential of Safari's developer tools together.

Method 1: Using the Menu Bar

Opening developer tools in Safari using the menu bar is a straightforward and reliable method. This approach is particularly useful for users who prefer navigating through familiar menu options to access essential browser features. Here's how you can effortlessly open developer tools using the menu bar:

Launch Safari : Begin by opening the Safari web browser on your Mac or iOS device. Ensure that you are running the latest version of Safari to access the most advanced developer tools and features.

Navigate to the Menu Bar : Look at the top of your screen for the menu bar. You will find the menu options such as "File," "Edit," "View," "History," "Bookmarks," "Develop," "Window," and "Help."

Access the "Develop" Menu : Click on the "Develop" option in the menu bar. If you don't see the "Develop" menu, you may need to enable it first. To do this, go to "Safari" > "Preferences" > "Advanced" and check the box next to "Show Develop menu in menu bar."

Open Developer Tools : Once you have accessed the "Develop" menu, you will find a list of options, including "Show Web Inspector." Click on "Show Web Inspector," and the developer tools panel will appear, providing you with a comprehensive set of tools to analyze and modify web pages.

Explore the Developer Tools : With the developer tools now open, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the various tabs and features available. You can inspect the HTML and CSS of the web page, analyze network activity, debug JavaScript, and much more.

By utilizing the menu bar to access developer tools in Safari, you can seamlessly integrate this essential feature into your web development workflow. This method provides a convenient and intuitive way to leverage the power of Safari's developer tools, empowering you to create, debug, and optimize websites with precision and efficiency.

Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Harnessing the power of keyboard shortcuts is a time-saving and efficient way to access developer tools in Safari. By memorizing and utilizing these shortcuts, you can seamlessly integrate developer tools into your web development workflow, enhancing your productivity and efficiency. Here's how you can effortlessly open developer tools using keyboard shortcuts:

Initiate Keyboard Shortcut : To open the developer tools using a keyboard shortcut, simply press "Option + Command + I" on your Mac keyboard . Alternatively, you can use "Option + Command + C" to open the developer tools and immediately activate the cursor for inspecting elements on the web page.

Access Developer Tools : Upon executing the keyboard shortcut, the developer tools panel will swiftly appear, providing you with a comprehensive set of tools to inspect, debug, and optimize web pages. This rapid access to developer tools streamlines your workflow, allowing you to delve into web page elements and network activity without interrupting your creative momentum.

Navigate with Ease : With the developer tools now open, take a moment to explore the various tabs and features available. You can effortlessly navigate through the Elements, Console, Sources, Network, and other panels using the keyboard or mouse, gaining valuable insights into the structure and behavior of the web page.

By leveraging keyboard shortcuts to access developer tools in Safari, you can seamlessly integrate this essential feature into your web development process. The intuitive and rapid nature of keyboard shortcuts empowers you to swiftly analyze and modify web pages, debug JavaScript, and optimize website performance with precision and speed. Embracing these shortcuts as part of your web development toolkit can elevate your proficiency and effectiveness, enabling you to create exceptional web experiences with ease.

Method 3: Using the Context Menu

Utilizing the context menu to access developer tools in Safari offers a convenient and efficient method, particularly for users who prefer a streamlined approach to web development. By leveraging the context menu, you can seamlessly open the developer tools directly from the web page, eliminating the need to navigate through multiple menu options. Here's a detailed exploration of how you can effortlessly open developer tools using the context menu:

Navigate to the Web Page : Visit the web page that you intend to inspect and analyze using the developer tools. Whether it's your own website, a client's project, or a site you're troubleshooting, the context menu provides a swift pathway to accessing the developer tools.

Right-click on the Web Page : Once you are on the web page, right-click (or control-click) anywhere on the page to reveal the context menu. This menu typically offers a range of options related to the content and functionality of the web page.

Access the "Inspect Element" Option : Within the context menu, look for the option labeled "Inspect Element" or a similar variation. Click on this option, and the developer tools panel will promptly appear, providing you with a comprehensive set of tools to inspect and modify the web page's structure and behavior.

Explore the Developer Tools : With the developer tools now open, take a moment to explore the various tabs and features available. You can inspect and modify the HTML and CSS of the web page, analyze network activity, debug JavaScript, and much more, all within the context of the specific elements you've chosen to inspect.

By leveraging the context menu to access developer tools in Safari, you can seamlessly integrate this essential feature into your web development workflow. This method offers a direct and intuitive pathway to swiftly analyze and modify web pages, empowering you to gain valuable insights and optimize website performance with precision and ease. Embracing the context menu as part of your web development toolkit can elevate your proficiency and effectiveness, enabling you to create exceptional web experiences with seamless accessibility to developer tools.

In conclusion, mastering the art of opening developer tools in Safari is a valuable skill that can significantly enhance your web development capabilities. By exploring the various methods to access developer tools, including using the menu bar, keyboard shortcuts, and the context menu, you can seamlessly integrate this essential feature into your workflow, empowering you to create, debug, and optimize websites with precision and efficiency.

Whether you prefer the familiarity of navigating through the menu bar, the rapid accessibility of keyboard shortcuts, or the streamlined efficiency of the context menu, Safari offers versatile options to suit your preferences and workflow. Each method provides a seamless pathway to unlock the powerful suite of developer tools, enabling you to inspect and modify web pages, analyze network activity, debug JavaScript, and much more.

By leveraging the menu bar, users can rely on the intuitive navigation to access developer tools, seamlessly integrating this essential feature into their web development process. The convenience of using familiar menu options ensures a smooth transition into the world of web page inspection and modification.

Embracing keyboard shortcuts as part of your web development toolkit can elevate your proficiency and effectiveness, enabling you to swiftly analyze and modify web pages, debug JavaScript, and optimize website performance with precision and speed. The rapid access to developer tools streamlines your workflow, allowing you to delve into web page elements and network activity without interrupting your creative momentum.

Utilizing the context menu to access developer tools offers a direct and intuitive pathway to swiftly analyze and modify web pages, empowering you to gain valuable insights and optimize website performance with precision and ease. This method eliminates the need to navigate through multiple menu options, providing a streamlined approach to web development.

In essence, understanding how to open developer tools in Safari is a foundational skill that can empower you to create exceptional web experiences. By seamlessly integrating developer tools into your web development process, you gain the ability to inspect, debug, and optimize websites with confidence, ultimately enhancing the quality and performance of your web projects. Embrace the versatility of Safari's developer tools and unlock the potential to elevate your web development capabilities.

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David Lozzi

  • Debugging Safari/Chrome on your iPhone/iPad/iOS device

developer tools for ios safari

In the world of modern web development, Web 2.0 (or is it 3.0?), with HTML5, CSS3, ES6, and frameworks and libraries up the wazoo, our web apps and sites always work seamlessly and flawlessly across all the browsers and devices… hahaha, I know…

The reality is, web development, as great and modern as it is, can have little caveats and nuances across the different browsers: Chrome, Safari, FireFox, Edge, and the Mac/Windows/Linux/iOS/Android versions of each. Thankfully, the big contenders like Netscape (those were the days) and Internet Explorer have finally been deprecated and are no longer expected to be supported in the wild. Even with the great modern web, we still have issues once in a while.

In my recent efforts in troubleshooting one small “nuance” between Chrome on Mac and Chrome and Safari on iOS (yes, all three were acting differently), I needed to debug my browser on my iPad and/or iPhone. I won’t get into what the issue is here, instead, I’ll get into how we can debug the browsers on our iOS devices. I’ve searched for many options, some worked, some didn’t, so below is what worked for me.

All steps below are all running on my:

  • MacBook Pro 16-inc, M1 Pro, running macOS Ventura 13.6
  • iPad Air (4th) v15.3.1
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max iOS v17.0.3

What are we debugging

Before we get started in debugging, we should cover what we’re debugging. In the following debugging methods, we can debug anything our browser can get to: netflix.com, google.com, or our public website. With CI/CD in place, I can make code changes and get them into my dev environment in under 5 minutes, and that suffices at times. I can then hit the site directly on my iPhone and debug as needed.

Sometimes, if I’m really diving into a granular issue and don’t want to wait, I like to use ngrok. Ngrok spins up a gateway from a public address to your local dev machine. This allows me to troubleshoot realtime on my mobile browser while writing the code on my laptop. It’s pretty slick and has saved me a lot of time. I can even share the ngrok address with my colleagues and they can access it on my local machine too! Another option would be to set up DNS for your iPhone to navigate to your laptop while on the same wifi network, and that’s not worth the effort in my book.

Debugging in Chrome on iOS

This is great quick way to check out your console messages without using your Mac.

  • In Chrome on your iPad or iPhone, go to chrome://inspect and then press Start Logging .
  • Now go do your thing in another tab, keeping this tab open.
  • Come back anytime to see any and all console outputs!

See, no laptop/desktop needed, just do it on the mobile device.

This is as far as we can get with Chrome on iPhone/iPad. From my limited understanding, Chrome for iOS uses a WKWebView which gets difficult to actually attach to and debug. If the JavaScript console output isn’t enough, try Safari…

Debugging in Safari on iOS

This is a great method of debugging your iOS devices as it gives you the closest thing to actually debugging on your computer. With this method you can use the dev tools on your Mac to connect to your iOS Safari browser. It’s pretty sweet.

  • On your Mac , open Safari, then go to Safari > Settings.
  • Click Advanced and click Show Develop menu in menu bar at the bottom of the window. Close the window.
  • On your iPad or iPhone , go to Settings > Safari > Advanced.
  • Scroll to the bottom and enable Web Inspector .

For this next part, I recommend using a USB cable to attach your iOS device to your Mac. You might get away with doing this over Wifi, as I have in the past, but it’s not reliable .

  • Connect your device to your Mac using a USB cable, or try the following over Wifi.
  • On your Mac, in Safari, click the Develop menu.
  • Near the top of the menu you should see your iPad or iPhone listed.
  • Hover over your device in the menu and you’ll see Safari with each tab listed below. Click the one you want to debug.
  • The Web Inspector should then appear, now debug it: Elements, Console, Sources, Network, all of it should work!

Good enough for now

Between these two techniques, I’ve been able to troubleshoot my issues quite successfully. Generally, iOS Safari and Chrome act relatively the same, so debugging in Safari helps me clear my Chrome issue. And if it doesn’t I can always throw in more console.log s and see what Chrome is actually doing. Ideally, we should be able to debug the code directly on Chrome, like we can do with Safari, but at this time it’s just not possible.

One other option, for a cost: inspect.dev

There’s a product called inspect.dev that boasts it can debug Safari, Webviews, and Chrome from macOS, Windows, and Linux. Learn more at https://inspect.dev/why . I have not tried them out, I don’t want to pay for something that should be free for developers (hence this blog post).

Let me know if you know other ways to debug your mobile browsers! Leave a comment below or let’s connect on Twitter .

‘Til next time, happy debugging!

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7 thoughts on “ Debugging Safari/Chrome on your iPhone/iPad/iOS device ”

You should also check out using x-code’s simulator. Safari Dev Tools can attach to the Safari session on the simulator and you’re off to the races!

Oh yea, i just found that and then forgot that… thanks I’ll check it out closer and share my findings!

Thanks for article. One small correction Chrome for iOS uses WKWebView.

Thanks for the fix! will update

  • Pingback: [FIXED] The image is taking the original dimentions of it on the phone after deployment - Learn How to FIX your angular code

Thanks bro! I’ll follow yours steps, wish me luck.

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Top 10 Best iPhone App Development Tools for Apple Developers

Photo of Tuhin Bhatt

Co-founder of Intelivita

  Published on April 30, 2024

  8 min read

Are you looking to develop, design, test, and launch iOS applications?

Streamline your app development process with iOS developer tools.

iOS development tools can greatly help you to create high-quality apps for the Apple hardware, from the iPhone and the iPad to the Apple watch and smart Apple TV.

Imagine how many users you can reach by integrating your app with Apple’s integrated development environment (IDE).

Think of thousands to millions.

So, are you ready to build an iOS app?

Here are the top iOS app development tools we recommend.

Top 10 iOS Development Tools

To fully grasp the full advantages of iPhone app development , here are the 10 best iOS developer tools we recommend.

XCode is Apple’s integrated development environment (IDE) used to create, test, and distribute iOS apps across all Apple platforms.

With the newest release, XCode 15, developers can code and design high-performance apps with the following advanced iOS developer tools:

  • Code completion
  • App building
  • Interactive previews
  • Live animations

One of the best features of XCode is its next-level code editor and compiler, downloadable for all platforms.

Using this, you can write code safer, easier, and faster while consistently referencing your assets.

Aside from that, XCode offers a Bookmark navigator that comes in handy when managing your code, tasks, and projects.

iOS developers can have a real-time and centralized view of all the localization assets for further review and update.

Once your iOS app is built, test and diagnose your development results with the redesigned test reports that come with video recording.

Afterward, utilize the XCloud for a seamless deployment to TestFlight and the App Store.

One of the most impactful advantages of iPhone app development is your ability to develop a tech-based solution that is not only intuitive but also powerful.

Enter Swift, a robust iOS app development language that will help you create the app of your dreams.

Swift has a concise yet expressive syntax and modern features to design and produce iOS app development software that runs fast.

It is also beginner-friendly, yet still as high-powered as advanced iPhone app development tools.

Swift is compatible with Linux, and its community members are actively enabling Swift to be compatible across a variety of platforms.

This will open the doors to more potential with Swift development.

Moreover, Swift is optimized for modern server applications, especially those that require compiled performance, runtime safety, and a bite-size memory footprint.

3. CocoaPods

CocoaPods is one of the iOS development tools that has been rising in popularity lately.

Its core function is to manage dependencies for Cocoa projects that use a combination of Swift and Objective-C.

It boasts one of the biggest libraries in the iOS app development ecosystem, spanning over 99 thousand libraries that have been utilized in 3+ million apps.

Built with Ruby, CocoaPods is a great option to scale your iPhone app development process.

CocoaPods also offers a smooth integration with XCode, enabling you to easily incorporate libraries into your iPhone app development project through a command-line interface (CLI).

iPhone app developers using CocoaPods also have total flexibility in customizing the configuration of the libraries to include in the project.

The community support is perhaps one of the best aspects of CocoaPods.

It has a large and active developer network that contributes to the improvements of the tool.

AppCode is a smart IDE for developing iOS or macOS applications.

It also supports a large set of programming platforms and languages, including Windows.

The greatest strength of AppCode lies in its intuitiveness, saving Apple developers significant manual hours from extra typing and completing routine tasks with its simple code.

AppCode’s advanced code analysis will come a long way in inspecting warnings and errors.

Each error is also expandable, so you can spot the highlighted grammatical errors with a comprehensive list of missing localizations, improper initialization methods, markdown errors, and such.

This way, you can streamline the troubleshooting process, saving both production time and expenses.

Further, AppCode also has a code completion feature.

It will provide accurate suggestions and offer a length of refactoring actions.

Just like ChatGPT, AppCode can be a more intelligent partner to help you write higher-quality code with enhanced productivity.

5. Firebase

If you are asked “ how long does it take to build an iOS app ?” and searching for the most time-efficient tool, Firebase is the answer.

Firebase is a Google-backed development platform that is highly effective for developing both Android and iOS apps and games.

It is a trusted iOS app development language , used by millions of businesses.

Here is a range of Firebase’s solutions and products that will help you in every stage of your iPhone app development process:

  • The Build Stage. A fully managed backend infrastructure with Cloud Firestore and Authentication to streamline your app development.
  • The Release and Monitor Stage. Track the stability and performance of your app with Crashlytics, Performance Monitoring, and Google Analytics.
  • The Engage Stage. Boost customer conversion and retention with A/B testing, personalized messaging, and rich analytics.

What’s more, Firebase offers a bundle of pre-packaged, open-source extensions that help you automate tasks such as completing payments with Stripe, triggering emails, searching queries with Agolia, as well as streaming collections to BigQuery.

The most successful iOS application examples , from Duolingo to Lyft, are built on Firebase.

If you’d like to follow the success of these apps, make sure to partner with bespoke iPhone app development services , such as Intelivita, that can help you craft the best-in-class Apple solution while accelerating your time-to-market.

Realm is best known as a MongoDB database platform with capabilities such as flexible sync and storage efficiency for Android and iOS.

If you are a developer working with complex data across multiple platforms, Realm is your best friend.

One of Realm’s primary features, the Object-Oriented Data Model, allows you to store and manage data in object forms to simplify complex data structures and increase your development efficiency.

Another winning feature is the cross-platform sync that facilitates real-time and bi-directional data synchronization across devices and platforms.

This will ensure your data stay updated and accessible, improving user experience and the reliability of your application.

Realm is also the strongest on this list in terms of security.

It has next-gen encryption and security measures to safeguard your data at rest and during transit.

With Realm, you can build superior iOS apps with high standards of data integrity and privacy.

7. Alamofire

For open-source projects, Alamofire is one of the best networking libraries.

It is open-source and based on HTTP, written in Swift, essentially serving as an elegant wrapper around URLSession.

What makes Alamofire a standout is its comprehensive features, including chainable requests/response methods, support for the Combine framework, and facilities for JSON and Codable decoding.

In terms of data integrity and security, Alamofire provides next-level authentication capabilities, supporting protocols such as OAuth and HTTP Basic Authentication.

Alamofire can also automatically handle data transformation for inputs and outputs in JSON, XML, or other formats.

Using Alamofire, you can monitor the progress of uploads and downloads with real-time feedback on file transfers.

8. TestFlight

TestFlight is the official platform by Apple for user testing.

With TestFlight, invite users to test your apps – up to 10,000 invites through email or a public link – and collect feedback before release.

To use TestFlith, all you have to do is to upload the beta version of your app or an App Clip to the AppStore Connect.

Testers can directly send feedback with screenshots of your app on their screen.

This makes it easy for you to understand the full context if a crash happens or if a bug is found.

Using TestFlight, you can make sure to maximize the potential of your app, increasing your chance of achieving success when your app is released.

Zeplin is a collaborative tool that connects developers and designers.

It has a couple of special features, namely:

  • Handoff+. Automate the handoff process by publishing your finalized designs and enabling developers with all the specifications.
  • Styleguides. Take advantage of reusable design elements and directly link the components to the corresponding code.
  • Open Platform. Integrate Slack, Jira, and other tools with Zeplin’s API and webhooks to enhance your workflow with customizations.

By having a platform that supports all these features, your teams can deliver high-quality projects at a faster rate.

10. Charles

Charles is an HTTP proxy, HTTP monitor, and reverse proxy for developers to observe incoming HTTP and SSL/HTTPS traffic between their PC and the internet.

This also applies to requests, responses, and the HTTP headers which comprise cookies and caching.

Charles has released the public beta 13 version which introduces UI improvements as well as dark mode support.

In summary, the tools handpicked here have been tested and found as the most effective solutions available today for iOS app development, catering to different aspects of the process from coding and design to testing and deployment.

If you’re looking to accelerate your iOS development projects, make sure to do so with the expertise of a dedicated team.

Intelivita provides specialized iOS development services that will bring your app from concept to the market.

We have a track record of creating success for the likes of Microsoft and Oxitec, and we will be more than glad for your company to be the next one.

Image of Tuhin Bhatt, the Co-founder of Intelivita.

Tuhin Bhatt is a co-founder of Intelivita, a leading Web and Mobile App Development Company. He helps passionate entrepreneurs build amazing tech products. Tuhin being a peoples man who has a passion to share his technical expertise with clients and other enthusiasts.

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EU iPhone users—avoid alternative app stores until Apple fixes this

I f you're using the newest version of Safari on your smartphone, you may be at risk of tracking. This is the worrying finding of two iOS developers and security researchers.

With the latest iOS update to its web browser , Apple finally accommodated EU antitrust rules by introducing a new way for people in the EU to download alternative app stores. However, the feature comes with "catastrophic security and privacy flaws," Talal Haj Bakry and Tommy Mysk can reveal.

This isn't the first time the duo unveiled security flaws linked to Apple devices and their applications. In January, they discovered the iPhone X app may be sending unwanted personal data without your knowledge. In 2022, they also reported a data leak occurring when using  VPN services on iOS 16.

A flawed Safari URI scheme

Under the Digital Market Act (DMA), Big Tech companies falling in the category of gatekeepers have to follow strict requirements intended to reduce anticompetitive behavior. Apple, for example, must allow alternative app stores on iOS.  

That's exactly why the Big Tech giant introduced what's known as URI scheme in the iOS 17.4 update. This mechanism enables iPhone and iPad users in the EU to install alternative marketplace apps directly from the developers’ websites. 

To make it work, marketplace developers are required to include a HTML button that, when tapped in the Safari app, will launch the alternative distribution app installation link (MarketplaceKit). This is a security safeguard, Apple says, to prevent the marketplace from installing apps without a person’s consent. However, according to researchers, Apple's implementation rather endangers the privacy and security of all iPhone users in the EU looking to use this feature. 

"Apple must have forgotten that this is the web, and developers can actually style HTML buttons to virtually look like anything," wrote Bakry and Mysk in a blog post . 

That's a big issue because, as the duo discovered, when Safari invokes the URI scheme, it doesn't check whether the website containing the alternative distribution link actually matches a registered marketplace. Worse still, they found the browser would accept any parameters once invoked—even when the information doesn’t match. Other flaws within this system may enable bad actors to intercept and manipulate third-party requests, too.

"This makes the perfect recipe for a malicious marketplace to be able to track users across different websites. All the malicious marketplace has to do is get approved by Apple," explained Bakry and Mysk, adding that Apple's review process is notoriously flawed as many scam apps continue to find their way into the provider's official App Store.

According to security researchers, all this makes people using an iPhone in the EU vulnerable to cross-site tracking while opening the door to various injection attacks. See the video below for more technical information on how the URI process and security bugs work in practice.

While flaws in software are not uncommon, Bakry and Mysk argue that the severity of these flaws in both the design and implementation raises concerns about Apple’s entire approach to app sideloading. They believe, in fact, that such a security bug is on Apple to keep insisting on inserting itself between the alternative marketplaces and their users. 

For example, they explained, under the system that the Brave app implemented, the secure browser successfully checks the website's origin and fails to invoke the URI scheme if the URLs don’t match. 

"Surprisingly, Apple finds it more important to check if the scheme call came from an HTML button event than checking for cross-site invocation," said the researchers. They now urge all iPhone users in the EU to use Brave to avoid being tracked.

In the meantime, as the European Commission just added the iPadOS system to its gatekeeper list, Bakry and Mysk are now planning to evaluate the security of Apple's approach also to app sideloading on iPad devices.

I have contacted Apple about this privacy issue, and I'm still waiting for a comment at the time of writing.

 EU iPhone users—avoid alternative app stores until Apple fixes this

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Apple to unveil AI-enabled Safari browser alongside new operating systems

Marko Zivkovic's Avatar

Safari getting new AI tools in iOS 18

developer tools for ios safari

The software — expected to debut as Safari 18 later in 2024 — is currently undergoing evaluation alongside internal builds of Apple's next-generation operating system updates, namely iOS 18 and macOS 15, according to people familiar with the matter. Should all of the new features make it to the release candidate stage, users will be treated to a new user interface (UI) for customizing popular page controls, a "Web eraser" feature, and AI-driven content summarization tools.

Intelligent Search - AI-enhanced browsing and text summarization

Engineers evaluating the latest builds of Safari 18 can find a toggle for the new page controls menu within the browser's address bar. The menu consolidates — and provides quick access to — old and new page control tools, among them being the browser's new "Intelligent Search" feature.

A screenshot of Arc Search on iPhone with a summary of an article from AppleInsider

This feature is not automatically enabled in test builds of Safari 18 and instead requires manual activation from the page controls menu. Once enabled, it's believed the tool leverages Apple's on-device AI technology — specifically the Ajax language-learning model — to identify topics and key phrases within a webpage for which to base the summarization.

In selecting key phrases, Apple's LLM software identifies sentences that provide explanations or describe the structure of objects, depending on the text in question. Words repeated within a text and key sentences are recognized as text topics.

These early indications suggest Apple is striving to deliver text summarization alongside Safari 18 later this year, though the exact implementation of this feature remains fuzzy.

Apple's text summarization features could be a response to rival generative AI tools, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT. But Apple's on-device models and technologies like Private Relay could make the experience much more secure for users. Intelligent Search is also likely to be the same AI browser assistant that one X user hinted at a couple of weeks back.

Web Eraser for better content-blocking

Also accessible from the new page controls menu is a feature Apple is testing called "Web Eraser." As its name would imply, it's designed to allow users to remove, or erase, specific portions of web pages, according to people familiar with the feature.

The feature is expected to build upon existing privacy features within Safari and will allow users to erase unwanted content from any webpage of their choosing. Users will have the option to erase banner ads, images, text or even entire page sections, all with relative ease.

A screenshot of 1Blocker's element blocking feature that removes selected parts of a webpage

The erasure is said to be persistent, rather than limited to a browsing session. This means that Safari will remember the changes even after the original tab or window has been closed.

When visiting a web page with previously erased content, Safari will inform the user that the page has been modified to reflect their desired changes. The browser will also give the user the option to revert changes and restore the webpage to its initial, unaltered state.

As for where Apple got the inspiration for Web Eraser, the company could have Sherlocked the feature from the third-party app 1Blocker. The application features a similar way of erasing ads, where users would tap ads to make them disappear.

Updated UI will move key tools into one easy location

The new page controls menu referenced throughout this article will attempt to offer Safari 18 users quick and easy access to several options previously located across different menus and the Share Sheet. Running on pre-release versions of macOS 15, for instance, the menu also pulls in the "Aa" menu common on existing iPadOS versions of the browser. These include zoom options, webpage settings for privacy controls, content blocking options, extension shortcuts, and access to the new AI and erasure tools.

A mockup image of desktop Safari with an iPad-like menu that includes AI and erase features.

These various options existed previously on macOS, but were found by navigating through the Safari settings menu. Having all of these controls in one central location in the Address Bar will make these options more discoverable for end users. Other options like on-page text search and reader mode are also in this menu.

This all suggests Apple intends to unite the iPadOS and macOS Safari UI paradigms when it unveils its new OS releases during its Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

AI-enhanced Visual Lookup feature could be available in 2025

Simultaneously, Apple is also working on a much more powerful visual search feature scheduled for integration sometime in 2025 that will allow users to obtain information on consumer products when browsing through images. People familiar with the tool say it's similar to the Visual Lookup feature, through which Siri can identify plants, pets and landmarks from photos.

An image of a black cat with big yellow eyes in Apple Photos with text below classifying it as a 'bombay'

Visual Search could be implemented as a system-wide feature. So, instead of surfacing search results in the Photos app, the user may be able to use Visual Search directly in Safari by selecting an image.

Given development of this tool is in the earlier stages, it remains unclear how Apple will ultimately go about implementing it. It also remains to be seen whether or not the feature will make it through internal testing.

The iPhone maker has expressed significant interest in artificial intelligence and more recently published research related to on-device language learning models. This goes hand in hand with widespread rumors about several other AI-powered software features, many of which are expected to make their debut later this year with iOS 18.

Another big year for Safari

From its inception, Safari was always meant to rival existing web browsers.

A Flickr login screen with password auto fill shown as a pop-up

Safari was originally added to macOS as a means of replacing Microsoft's Internet Explorer for Mac, which was the default browser. Over the years, the app made its way to the iPhone , and has since received various upgrades over the years.

More recent versions of Safari provide users with personalized web suggestions, and allow for greater privacy protection with features such as iCloud Private Relay.

This latest set of enhancements only serves to better position Safari against the competition, in an ever-increasing landscape of generative AI tools and third-party ad-blockers.

While Apple tests many such features during different development stages, it is important to remember that not all of them make it to release. Apple has been known to delay features or cancel them entirely, so there's always a chance we may not see these new Safari features after all.

Along with Safari 18 and its associated improvements, we should also see a revamped Calculator with Math Notes make its way to iPadOS 18. Freeform Scenes and Adaptive Voice Shortcuts are new OS features, which are also expected to debut later this year.

Apple is expected to introduce various AI-related enhancements as part of iOS 18 and macOS 15, both of which should be announced at the company's annual WWDC on June 10.

36 Comments

"As for where Apple got the inspiration for Web Eraser, the company could have Sherlocked the feature from the third-party app 1Blocker. The application features a similar way of erasing ads, where users would tap ads to make them disappear." They may also have been inspired by Simplified Page....

As long as I can turn it off/hide it they can knock themselves out. 

Will the web eraser feature remove pop up videos, such as the ones that appear on this site?

I use the 'Reader' function in Safari quite a bit, but sometimes it doesn't work very well. Seems like something that AI could help make better. 

Web ads suck but how else do you think your favorite websites will stay in business? Are you prepared to pay a subscription to every site? I doubt it…

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New AI Features Reportedly Coming to Safari in iOS 18

Safari will gain a series of AI-powered features and UI enhancements in iOS 18 , AppleInsider reports .

safari icon blue banner

  • An "Intelligent Search" browser assistant tool that leverages Apple's on-device AI technology to identify key topics and phrases on webpages for summarization purposes.
  • A "Web Eraser" tool that allows users to remove unwanted portions of webpages easily. Erasure is persistent, remaining even when revisiting a site unless changes are reverted.
  • A new, quick-access menu emerging from the address bar that consolidates page tools, bringing over some functions that currently sit in the Share Sheet and placing them alongside the new tools.

The iPadOS and macOS versions of Safari are also expected to align further. These new features are purportedly undergoing evaluation alongside internal builds of ‌iOS 18‌ and macOS 15 ahead of their unveiling at Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC) in June. Earlier this month, backend code on Apple's servers suggested that a new Safari browsing assistant is in the works, corroborating this report.

Farther in the future, Apple is said to be working on a more powerful version of Visual Look Up that allows users to obtain information on products when browsing through images. The feature is expected to be released sometime in 2025.

Last week, Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman said that ‌iOS 18‌ will "overhaul" many of Apple's built-in apps , including Notes, Mail, Photos , and Fitness. Apple's next-generation operating systems are almost certain to be previewed during Apple's WWDC keynote on June 10, and the updates should be widely released in the fall.

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A "Web Eraser" tool that allows users to remove unwanted portions of webpages easily. Erasure is persistent, remaining even when revisiting a site unless changes are reverted.

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iOS 18 could supercharge Safari with more than just Apple's AI features

Published on April 30, 2024

Apple iPhone 14 safari imessage

  • Safari on iOS 18 and macOS 15 may pack an AI-powered summarization feature that leverages an on-device LLM.
  • It may also include a new web content eraser, which would enable users to delete webpage elements and sections, such as ad banners.
  • Apple may upgrade Visual Look Up in 2025 to include support for identifying consumer products in images — not just pets, plants, and landmarks.

It’s no secret that iOS 18 will offer some major new features powered by artificial intelligence. In fact, Apple CEO Tim Cook explicitly stated that the company would be revealing its AI goods at some point this year. While the specifics of these AI upgrades are generally vague now, it appears that Safari on iOS 18 may pack some of them.

According to information obtained by AppleInsider , Safari on iOS 18 and macOS 15 will receive a major update. For starters, users may be able to rely on AI-enhanced browsing and text summarization, similar to what the Arc browser currently offers. The on-device Ajax large language model (LLM) would reportedly scan the text to identify the main topics and summarize web content accordingly.

Interestingly, Safari version 18 may also introduce a web eraser, allowing users to remove certain elements from the sites they’re browsing. It will reportedly support the removal of ad banners, images, text, and other sections, potentially sherlocking 1Blocker in the process. The best part is that Safari may remember what elements a user has erased, even after they close the tab or app. This would retain their preferred layouts per each modified site indefinitely.

Otherwise, Safari 18 on macOS 15 may also include an updated address bar UI that matches that of iPadOS. Through this design tweak, Apple would further streamline Safari’s user interface across its different operating systems.

The report also points to an upgraded Visual Look Up feature that may debut in 2025. If it comes to fruition, users will be able to identify consumer products in images across the different apps. For reference, Visual Look Up is currently limited to images of pets, plants, and landmarks.

It’s worth mentioning that Apple engineers are reportedly testing these features internally. So, naturally, there’s a chance that some (or all) of them won’t make it to the public iOS 18 and macOS 15 beta builds, let alone the stable releases. Ultimately, we will get a definite answer on June 10, when Apple officially previews iOS 18 and macOS 15 during the main WWDC24 keynote.

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Web development tools

Apple has brought its expertise in development tools to the web. Safari includes Web Inspector, a powerful tool that makes it easy to modify, debug, and optimize websites for peak performance and compatibility on both platforms. And with Responsive Design Mode, you can preview your web pages in various screen sizes, orientations, and resolutions. Access these tools by enabling the Develop menu in Safari’s Advanced preferences.

Web Inspector

Web Inspector is your command center, giving you quick and easy access to the richest set of development tools ever included in a web browser. It helps you inspect all of the resources and activity on a web page, making development more efficient across Apple platforms. The clean, unified design puts each core function in a separate tab, which you can rearrange to fit your workflow. You can even debug memory using Timelines and tweak styles using widgets for over 150 of the most common CSS properties.

developer tools for ios safari

Elements. View and inspect the elements that make up the DOM of a web page. Clicking elements from the fully editable markup tree on the left reveals the node’s styles in the middle sidebar, with more details in the right sidebar.

developer tools for ios safari

Console. Type JavaScript commands in the console to interactively debug, modify, and get information about your webpage. View logs, errors, and warnings emitted from a webpage, so you can identify issues fast and resolve them right away.

developer tools for ios safari

Sources. Find every resource of a webpage, including documents, images, scripts, stylesheets, and more. Use the built-in debugger with data type and code highlights to troubleshoot and understand the script execution flow.

developer tools for ios safari

Network. See a detailed list of all network requests made to load every web page resource, so you can quickly evaluate the response, status, timing, and more.

developer tools for ios safari

Timelines. Understand all the activity that occurs on an open web page, such as network requests, layout and rendering, JavaScript events, memory, and CPU impact. Everything is neatly plotted on a timeline or recored by frame, helping you discover ways to optimize your site.

developer tools for ios safari

Storage. Find details about the data stored by a web page, such as application cache, cookies, databases, indexed databases, local storage, and session storage.

developer tools for ios safari

Graphics. Preview animation keyframes and their classes from HTML5 canvas, JavaScript animations, CSS animations, and CSS transitions. Dial in the motion and the visual design of web pages.

developer tools for ios safari

Layers. Visualize compositing layers in 3D to understand where layers are generated and in what order they'll render. Use layers to help find unexpected memory consumption or excessive repaints on a web page.

developer tools for ios safari

Audit. Preform audits against a web page to certify that common code and accessibility errors are addressed. Confirm that a web page follows design guidelines and specifications of modern web pages.

Responsive Design Mode

Safari has a powerful new interface for designing responsive web experiences. Responsive Design Mode provides a simple interface for quickly previewing your web page across various screen sizes, orientations, and resolutions, as well as custom viewports and user agents. You can drag the edges of any window to resize it. And you can click on a device to toggle its orientation, taking it from portrait to landscape — and even into Split View on iPad.

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  1. How to Activate the Web Inspector or Safari Console for iPhone

    How to Activate the iPhone Debug Console or Web Inspector. Use Safari's web developer tools to study problematic websites. Activate Web Inspector on iOS: Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced and move the Web Inspector toggle switch to the On position. Use Web Inspector on macOS: Connect your iOS device to a Mac and choose the URL to inspect from ...

  2. Tools

    Apple has brought its expertise in development tools to the web. Safari includes Web Inspector, a powerful tool that makes it easy to modify, debug, and optimize websites for peak performance and compatibility on both platforms. And with Responsive Design Mode, you can preview your web pages in various screen sizes, orientations, and resolutions.

  3. Safari Developer Features

    Overview. Safari includes features and tools to help you inspect, debug, and test web content in Safari, in other apps, and on other devices including iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro, as well as Apple TV for inspecting JavaScript and TVML. Features like Web Inspector in Safari on macOS let you inspect and experiment with the layout of your ...

  4. Safari

    Safari for developers. Safari is the best way to experience the internet on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Thanks to blazing-fast performance and industry-leading energy efficiency, millions of users enjoy exploring the web with Safari. Take advantage of powerful new features, advanced developer tools, and cutting-edge technologies in Safari to deliver ...

  5. Guide to Safari Developer Tools

    To enable Safari Developer Tools, open Safari, click Safari in your menu bar, and then select Preferences. You can also use Command-Comma keyboard shortcut to open Safari's Preferences dialog. Locate and select the Advanced menu. At the bottom of this menu you should see a checkbox that is labeled "Show Develop menu in menu bar".

  6. Complete Guide to Safari Developer Tools

    To open the Safari Developer Tools, right-click on Inspect and start debugging. You can leverage other built-in features offered by LambdaTest, like geolocation testing, uploading files, accessibility, and much more. Using Safari, you can use the Responsive Design Mode while debugging your websites on LambdaTest.

  7. Apple introduces new developer tools and technologies to create even

    New APIs and tools in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS will help game developers create the next generation of games and deliver all-new experiences to their users. A new Metal texture compression tool supports all of the latest formats, as well as optimized formats for Apple silicon, making it easier for developers to bring high-end games to all of ...

  8. Debug Websites Using the Safari Developer Tools

    To debug your website using the Responsive Design mode on Safari, follow the steps mentioned below: Enable the Developer Menu. To do that, launch the Safari Browser on your Mac computer. Go to Preferences > Advanced and check the Show Develop menu in the menu bar. Navigate to the website you want to debug.

  9. Use the developer tools in the Develop menu in Safari on Mac

    If you're a web developer, the Safari Develop menu provides tools you can use to make sure your website works well with all standards-based web browsers. If you don't see the Develop menu in the menu bar, choose Safari > Preferences, click Advanced, then select "Show Develop menu in menu bar.". See also Safari for Developers.

  10. How To Open Developer Tools In Safari

    To initiate the process of opening Developer Tools in Safari on a Mac, you can follow these simple steps: Using the Menu Bar: Launch Safari on your Mac and navigate to the menu bar located at the top of the screen. Click on "Safari" in the menu bar to reveal a dropdown menu. From the dropdown menu, select "Preferences" to access Safari's settings.

  11. How to Use Developer Tools in Safari on iOS

    Touch the On button to activate the Debug Console. After the Debug Console is enabled, Safari reports any errors it encounters when accessing a website. At the top of every web page, just under the address bar, the Debug Console reports any HTML, JavaScript, or CSS errors.

  12. How to use Devtools for Safari Mobile View?

    To access the Responsive Design Mode, enable the Safari Develop menu. Follow the steps below to enable the Develop menu: Launch Safari browser. Click on Safari -> Settings -> Advanced. Select the checkbox -> Show Develop menu in menu bar. Once the Develop menu is enabled, it'll show up in the menu bar as shown in the image below: Note ...

  13. javascript

    On the ipad go to Settings > Safari > Advanced and activate the Web Inspector.. Connect your ipad with your computer. On your computer open Safari, enable the developer tools in the settings. check the above menu for the tab Developer and find your iPad there.. Full control via console from your desktop machine over the iOS Safari and you're done!. PS: This works exact the same way with the ...

  14. Inspecting iOS and iPadOS

    Enabling inspecting your device from a connected Mac. Before you can connect your device to a Mac to inspect it, you must allow the device to be inspected. Open the Settings app. Go to Safari. Scroll down to Advanced. Enable the Web Inspector toggle. Now, connect the device to your Mac using a cable. In Safari, the device will appear in the ...

  15. How To Open Developer Tools On Safari

    Access the "Develop" Menu: Click on the "Develop" option in the menu bar. If you don't see the "Develop" menu, you may need to enable it first. To do this, go to "Safari" > "Preferences" > "Advanced" and check the box next to "Show Develop menu in menu bar." Open Developer Tools: Once you have accessed the "Develop" menu, you will find a list ...

  16. How to Debug Websites on iPhone Safari

    Connect the iOS device to the machine. Enable the Web-Inspector option. To do so: Go to Settings > Safari > Scroll down to the bottom > Open Advanced Menu>. Turn on Web Inspector. Open the desired web page to debug or preview on your mobile Safari browser. Once done, enable the Develop menu on the Mac device.

  17. How to Use Developer Tools for Mobile Safari on an iPhone ...

    In this video I show how you can use an iPhone simulator on Macs to use browser developer tools on the mobile version of the Safari browser. Be sure to subsc...

  18. Debugging Safari/Chrome on your iPhone/iPad/iOS device

    Connect your device to your Mac using a USB cable, or try the following over Wifi. On your Mac, in Safari, click the Develop menu. Near the top of the menu you should see your iPad or iPhone listed. Hover over your device in the menu and you'll see Safari with each tab listed below. Click the one you want to debug.

  19. Develop menu

    Overview. The Develop menu is home to the tools available to design and develop web content in Safari, as well as web content used by other applications on your Mac and other devices. The Develop menu also provides quick access to Changing Developer settings in Safari on macOS and Changing Feature Flag settings in Safari on macOS.. Note. If you haven't already enabled features for web ...

  20. 10 Best iOS Development Tools: Must-Haves for Developers

    To fully grasp the full advantages of iPhone app development, here are the 10 best iOS developer tools we recommend. 1. XCode. XCode is Apple's integrated development environment (IDE) used to create, test, and distribute iOS apps across all Apple platforms. With the newest release, XCode 15, developers can code and design high-performance ...

  21. EU iPhone users—avoid alternative app stores until Apple fixes this

    While Safari's iOS 17.4 update meets the new Digital Market Act's rules, it comes with "catastrophic security flaws." ... To make it work, marketplace developers are required to include a HTML ...

  22. Apple to unveil AI-enabled Safari with iOS 18 & macOS 15

    Safari getting new AI tools in iOS 18. 36. ... intends to unite the iPadOS and macOS Safari UI paradigms when it unveils its new OS releases during its Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

  23. New AI Features Reportedly Coming to Safari in iOS 18

    Safari will gain a series of AI-powered features and UI enhancements in iOS 18, AppleInsider reports. Safari will apparently receive a range of visual tweaks alongside several new tools to improve ...

  24. iOS 18 to bring AI features to Safari

    Also arriving on Safari is a quick-access menu to consolidate page tools from the Share Sheet and onto the new section. Alignment on both the macOS and iPadOS versions is said to be improved. It's believed that iOS 18 will be revealed during this year's Worldwide Developers Conference.

  25. Changing Developer settings in Safari on macOS

    Disable site-specific hacks. On rare occasions, when a particular website does not work correctly in Safari, modifications are made in browser code to get that site to work. This setting disables such modifications to make it possible for the site's developers to debug their problem. If there are no site-specific hacks, this setting has no ...

  26. iOS 18 could supercharge Safari with more than just Apple's AI features

    Safari on iOS 18 and macOS 15 may pack an AI-powered summarization feature that leverages an on-device LLM. It may also include a new web content eraser, which would enable users to delete webpage ...

  27. Tools

    Apple has brought its expertise in development tools to the web. Safari includes Web Inspector, a powerful tool that makes it easy to modify, debug, and optimize websites for peak performance and compatibility on both platforms. And with Responsive Design Mode, you can preview your web pages in various screen sizes, orientations, and ...