Microsoft Edge Browser for iOS: Is the Microsoft Browser on an Apple device worth a look?

Mandy Maclemore 2021-02-07

While you’ll not come across the Safari browser on a Windows PC any time soon, the new Microsoft Edge is available for use on Mac devices.

Microsoft Edge Browser for iOS: Is the Microsoft Browser on an Apple device worth a look?

While you’ll not come across the Safari browser on a Windows PC any time soon, the new Microsoft Edge is available for use on Mac devices. Basically, the newly launched browser offers a new breath of fresh air to web browsing as it’s available across multiple platforms. So, if you’re looking for reasons to switch from Safari to Microsoft Edge, here are some of the reasons why you need to do so:

Flexible Privacy Settings

Remember, web trackers often collect data regarding how you interact with a website. With this, they’ll give you web content and advertisements personalized for your benefit. Unluckily, there’re those web trackers designed to harm you. The best thing about Microsoft Edge is that it addresses bad and good web trackers in a way that the other common browsers do not.

So, instead of opting for the all-or-nothing approach, the browser gives you the ability to choose from three levels of tracking. From the basic setting, Microsoft automatically blocks the trackers it thinks can harm you while it allows those designated to customize your ads and web content.

Customizable Tab Page

Whenever you open a new tab in Apple Safari, you’ll see a boring page that links to your frequently visited and favorite webpages. However, you’ll be welcomed on Edge tabs by stunning pictures of California redwoods, Muskoxen in Alaska and Wintertime in Geneva, Switzerland. Besides, it comes with a Bing web search box, quick links to the most visited sites and Microsoft News.

As you start it, the Edge browser tab page can match one of the three canned layouts. Else, you can design it by creating a more personalized version. The commonly used is the informational layout.

Broad Availability

The new Microsoft Edge browser is available on several platforms, such as iPadOS, iOS, macOS, Windows and Android. If you have a Microsoft account, you can easily sync your browser settings, favorites, passwords, addresses and much more across all platforms. As Microsoft denotes, it will soon be possible to sync your extensions, open tabs and history.

Easy to Import and Setup

Microsoft truly wants iOS users to embrace Microsoft Edge. With this, it’s notable that the developer has made it pretty easy to configure and use. Once you launch the browser for the first time, the browser will ask you to authorize it to import the earlier browser settings. Regarding the Apple Safari, it will import bookmarks, favorites and browse history. When it comes to Google Chrome, it will import password and payment info, settings, addresses and much more.

More and More Extensions

Are you aware that Microsoft Explorer was the first web browser to incorporate the use of extensions? Well, if you’re not aware, that’s the truth. Since then, several free extensions have become common to Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and other web browsers.

Since Microsoft Edge is founded on the Chromium source code, you can get your extensions from either Microsoft’s online store or Chrome web store. Basically, this compatibility means that you have got access to more than 190,000 extensions. Apple Safari, for instance, has less than 1000 extensions. Isn’t this worrying? Well, it certainly is!

Points Worth Noting

When it comes to iCloud, this is one area where Apple Safari has the edge over its counterpart. One of the best things about using Apple Safari is that your passwords and usernames sync across several devices by utilizing the iCloud Keychain. While it’s possible to perform the same in Microsoft Edge, you cannot import the old from the new.

Also, there is a problem with Apple Pay. Over the years, you might have enjoyed this option that makes it easy for you to make payments via websites. Regarding Microsoft Edge, you’ll not find this option. In such cases, you can continue using Apple Safari alongside Microsoft Edge to carry out some of these minor tasks.

Yes, It's Worth a Look!

Microsoft Edge may not be the best browser out there. However, it is better than Apple Safari. Well, competition is welcome in all fields. In this case, it’s essential that Apple learns about some of its mistakes from this browser and upgrade its browser accordingly. Certainly, Apple Safari has lost the battle to Google Chrome and now to Microsoft Edge. It will be quite interesting to see the new additions that Safari will include to rank up there among the very best.

Written and edited by Mandy Maclemore

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