You Can Easily Switch to or Move Away From Safari on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac (Here's How)

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• Export Safari browser data to other browsers
• Import other browser data to Safari browser

Abstract

• Safari's import and export tool simplifies the process of transferring browser data between browsers on iPhone and Mac.
• Export Safari data to a ZIP file for easy import to other browsers, but make sure to delete the file when you are done, as the data is not encrypted.
• After exporting data from other browsers, import it into Safari on your iPhone or Mac for seamless switching.

Switching a browser can be cumbersome. However, if you've been thinking about switching to or leaving Safari, Apple's simplified import and export tool can reduce friction and save you time. Let's see how to use it.

Export Safari browsing data to other browsers

Safari is highly optimized for Apple hardware and is the preferred browser for many iPhone and Mac users. However, some disadvantages, such as limited extension libraries and lack of customization options, may force some users to abandon Safari and choose a third-party browser.

If you have the same problem, you can export all Safari browsing data on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to a single ZIP file, which can be imported into a new browser later. Export tool data is not only useful when you want to switch to another browser. It is also handy when you want to back up browsing data or migrate your password from Apple Password Manager to a third-party Password Manager.

Safari's import and export tool is available for macOS 15.2 and iOS 18.2, so if you can't find it, make sure you've updated to the latest version.

The method of exporting Safari browsing data on iPhone or iPad and Mac is basically the same. First access the Safari export tool. You will display it as the Export Browsing Data page on iOS and as a pop-up card on macOS.

On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app and go to Apps at the bottom of the page. Then, scroll down and select "Safari". Scroll down to the History and Site Data section and click Export.

If you are using a Mac, open Safari, click File in the menu bar, and select "Export browsing data to file".

On the Export Browse Data page or pop-up card, you will see all types of data selected by default. However, if you don't want to include everything, you can deselect specific data. If you are using an iPhone or iPad, just uncheck the radio button next to the data you want to exclude.

On Mac, switch to the switch for data you don't want to include in the export.

Similarly, the Safari export tool selects data from all configuration files for export by default, but you can skip browsing data for unwanted configuration files. To do this, click or click the profile selector drop-down button that appears as "All Profiles" at the bottom and make sure that only the profiles whose data you want to export are selected.

Each Safari configuration file has its own history and extension data. Meanwhile, other data such as bookmarks, passwords, and credit cards remain unchanged across all configuration files.

Lastly, click "Save to Download" on your iPhone or iPad and authenticate. Safari now downloads browsing data and saves it to Downloads in the iCloud Drive folder. You can go to this folder to view the exported files.

Alternatively, you can select the destination where you can save the exported file on your Mac. Click the "Download" button, select Save the exported folder, and then click "Save". You need to authenticate to start downloading.

Apple says that the Safari browsing data in the exported file is not encrypted, meaning that anyone with permission to access the file can simply unzip it to see all its contents. So make sure to delete this file from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac after exporting it to another browser.

Import other browser data to Safari

If you have used another browser, if you want to switch to Safari to enjoy its ecosystem convenience on Apple devices or its powerful privacy features, you can use the import tool to import all your browsing data to Safari. Safari's import tool is also useful when you just want to import passwords from other browsers to Safari to simplify website login.

Just like exporting data from Safari, you can import data to Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. First export the browsing data from your current browser. Most browsers export data to separate files. Here are the default formats required for different data files:

• Bookmark: HTML
• Password: CSV
• History: JSON
• Payment Card: JSON
• Extension: JSON

Before starting, make sure to move these exported files to the device in which you want to execute to Safari.

Afterwards, if you are using an iPhone or iPad, open Settings and navigate to Apps > "Safari". Scroll down to the History and Website Data section and click Import to bring up the Import Browse Data page.

Next, click "Select File" on your iPhone or iPad, select the file that contains browsing data from your previous browser, and then click "Done".

Please authenticate when prompted. Finally, click "Import to Safari". Repeat these steps until you have imported data from all files.

On Mac, launch Safari and click "File">"Import browsing data from a file or folder".

Now, click "Select File or Folder" and select all files or folders from which you want to import data.

Click "Import" to start the process.

Whether you import data to Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you will receive a prompt asking if you want to delete files containing browsing data from your previous browser. Click or click the "Delete" button to delete it from the device.

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It's great to see that Apple is easier to import and export Safari browsing data not only on Mac, but also on iPhone, as this eliminates the need to use a Mac when you want to switch your browser.

That is, not all browsers except Brave and DuckDuckGo allow import of Safari data into their iOS or iPadOS apps. So when switching to such a browser, you must first import its data into its Mac app and then enable synchronization with its mobile app on its iPhone or iPad to seamlessly access all history on both devices , bookmarks, passwords, etc.

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