safaripreviewiconApple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser Apple first introduced in March of 2016. Apple designed the Safari Technology Preview to test features that may be introduced into future release versions of Safari.

Safari Technology Preview release 38 includes fixes and improvements for Fetch API, Web Payments, CSS, Web API, Media, Apple Pay, Web Inspector, and WebDriver. Today's update also enables the Beacon API by default and implements new Beacon API features.

With Safari 11 now available to developers through the macOS High Sierra beta, Apple is providing two versions of Safari Technology Preview, one for macOS Sierra users and one for those using macOS High Sierra.

The Safari Technology Preview update is available through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store to anyone who has downloaded the browser. Full release notes for the update are available on the Safari Technology Preview website.

Apple's aim with Safari Technology Preview is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. Safari Technology Preview can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download.

Top Rated Comments

Susurs Avatar
110 months ago
What is Beacon?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Erdbeertorte Avatar
110 months ago
I have a question for you folks who are running this preview, now that the beacon api has been enabled.

Is there an option/setting to turn that off?
Normally everything is unchecked in Develop/Experimental Features, if you install it for the first time except for the Beacon API this time.
It seems there are four new features because I always check everything. Even though I don't have any clue what all that means. ;)




[doublepost=1503519194][/doublepost]
Interesting... this is the first time the Safari Tech Preview update hasn't shown up for me in the App Store immediately after I read the article about it here on MacRumors. Hmm. o_O
It hasn't shown up there for me too since at least the last three versions. I Just wanted to ask if anyone else experienced this.

Attachment Image

Attachment Image
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JaguarF Avatar
110 months ago
As was pointed out to me recently, if you enable everything under Develop > Experimental, it's 464. (On Sierra.)
Really? I get a score of 474 with all the experimental features activated.

Attachment Image
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jimothyGator Avatar
110 months ago
What is Beacon?
I wondered this, too. I found this documentation ('https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Beacon_API'). The "Why Use Beacon?" section gives an example use case.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Erdbeertorte Avatar
110 months ago
Does Preview version support Youtube 4k already or still nothing ?
Seems to work for some videos I tried now. Maybe the other ones lied about being 4K or need Flash what Safari seems only support for very old and/or long videos that are Flash only.

A few days ago I checked it with the previous version and found nothing higher than 1440p.




Edit: Forgot to prove that it's really Safari.



Attachment Image

Attachment Image
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mdriftmeyer Avatar
110 months ago
Wait really?
Not really. Preview 38 459/555.

Preview 38 is Safari 11.1 listed string on macOS 10.12.

Interestingly, Safari 11 beta 6 that can be downloaded for El Captian and Sierra is 455/555. The difference is no beacon enabled yet and Subresource integrity under the Security tests.

By comparison: Safari 10.2 currently for macOS 10.12 is 419/555.

WebGL 2 is currently enabled in 10.2 but going under additional testing for 11 (beta 6) and 11.1 (Preview 38)

Safari 10.2 lacks Peer to Peer 0/38 points, Scripting 0/3 for Modules.k

Outside of shoring up Forms, Peer-to-Peer Media Stream recorder and Screen Capture, Writable streams, Audio speech recognition, and possibly Device motion/orientation with WebVR, plus the Web Animations API nothing new features are untouched.

What's always ongoing will be future web standards that are yet to be flushed out like WebGPU (https://gpuweb.github.io/admin/cg-charter.html), updates to current HTML 5.x (5.2/5.3 RC) [if necessary], CSS 1/2/3 full support(https://www.w3.org/Style/CSS/) and possibly SVG 1.2/2.x/MathML, etc.

Nothing drastically is missing, unless you think having Forms support and web applications are a do or die scenario between Safari and Chrome.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
iphone 16 pro colors 1

Apple Begins Selling Refurbished iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Models at Lower Prices

Wednesday February 4, 2026 7:44 am PST by
Apple today began selling certified refurbished iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models on its online store in the U.S., with prices discounted by 12% to 22% compared to Apple's current or former pricing for the devices. Here were Apple's starting prices when the devices launched in September 2024: iPhone 16: $799 iPhone 16 Plus: $899 iPhone 16 Pro:...
Apple TV Color

Apple TV Announces 12 New Shows and Films Coming This Year

Wednesday February 4, 2026 12:29 pm PST by
Apple on Tuesday previewed 12 new shows and films that will be premiering on the Apple TV streaming service throughout 2026. The new series: Imperfect Women — March 18, 2026 Margo's Got Money Troubles — April 15, 2026 Widow's Bay — April 29, 2026 Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed — May 20, 2026 Cape Fear — June 5, 2026 Lucky — July 15, 2026 The new films: Eternity — ...