How to use a hidden Safari browser in Apple Watch

Life Hacker [Japanese version] Reprinted from the article published on February 5, 2022

Pressing the Apple Watch digital crown does not display Safari.

If you use the guide to be introduced in the future, you can open a web page on the Apple Watch using the secret Safari browser that is actually built into Watchos.

How to browse the web using Safari on Apple Watch

There is no visible browser on the Apple Watch, but when you receive a link by message or email, you can tap to open the link and browse the web using the WatchOS version of Safari.

How to open a web page with Apple Watch is as follows:

(1) Use messages and emails on the iPhone or Apple Watch to send the target URL to yourself and nearby people.

(2) Open the "Message" or "Email" app on the Apple Watch.

(3) In the "Message" and "Email" app, move to the conversation or email you just sent.

(4) Tap the URL to open with the hidden Safari browser.

Tips: To send the URL to yourself, open the iPhone's "Message" app, tap the "Create" button, and enter the phone number or email associated with iMessage in the recipient column.Enter the desired URL or paste and press "Send".

You can also enter the URL directly in the message conversation using the full QWERTY keyboard of Apple Watch Series 7.In other models, we use dictation to "Apple.Please say "com".

If you enter an address on the website using the light -brigging function, the "O" of "com" may be recognized as "0" (zero).

Therefore, when sending a URL, use the Apple Watch keyboard, dictation, iPhone, etc.

Precautions when browsing the web with Apple Watch

Browsing in Apple Watch is not as enriched as the iPhone, so we recommend that you use it as much as possible.

To scroll the web page up and down, use one finger or rotate the digital crown.

Like the iPhone, if you tap the top of the screen in the Apple Watch, it usually moves to the top of the current page, but nothing happens even if you do the same operation with the web page open.

Tap the interlink on the web page to open new links.

If there is a search box on the web page like Wikipedia, you can enter the search query using the Apple Watch keyboard, graffiti function, and dictation function.

You cannot tap the URL address bar and enter a new address.You need to use the link of the page itself.

To return or go on the page, swipe right or left from the end of the Apple Watch screen.

You cannot pinch with two fingers and enlarge the web page.

However, you can zoom in / zoom out with a double tap.When you enlarge the web page, drag it with one finger.

Tap the upper address bar and tap "Reload the page".On this screen, the option to move to the "previous page" is also displayed.

Tap the upper address bar and select "Leader View" or "Web View".Not all websites provide these options.

You can use other apps by clicking digital crowns.

The web page will be open unless you close the Apple Watch "Message" or "Mail" app.

To end the web browse with the Apple Watch, tap "Close" at the top left of the screen.

In the hidden web browser of the Apple Watch, some images may not be displayed or may take time to read.

Also, even if you tap the image, it may not be open in full view.

Similarly, many custom fonts may not be rendered in Watchos Safari and may not be displayed.

In that case, you will use standard fonts.As a result, familiar websites may look different from iPhone or Mac on Apple Watch.

How to erase browsing history with Apple Watch

A paired iPhone is required to synchronize screenshots taken with Apple Watch and recorded voice memos.However, Apple Watch browsing history is not synchronized with the paired iPhone's Safari history.

Here's how to delete Apple Watch's cookies, authentication information, and other browsing data from the Apple Watch.

(1) Open the "Settings" app in Apple Watch.

(2) Tap "General".

(3) Scroll down and tap "Web site data".

(4) Tap "Erase Web Site Data" and tap "Erase Data" to confirm.

The reason why the Apple Watch does not have a normal web browser

Apple does not display the Safari icon on the Apple Watch.The main reasons are on the small screen and battery.

Compared to the smallest popular smartphone, the largest Apple Watch Series 7 screen is very small, so it is inconvenient to enter URLs or display a web page.

Furthermore, due to other Watchos restrictions, input to forms, upload files, and other online exchanges from Watchos browsers.

Also, the Apple Watch battery is small, and if you use the existing apps and functions a lot, it is difficult to hold up for one day.

When a normal web browser is added, rendering a rich website with a wide range of functions, the battery consumption will be intense.

Also, if Watchos tries to reduce the content of a heavy web page that exhausts the battery, the user experience will be poor.

Third Party Apple Watch Browser

Major developers are not very interested or motivated to create a small Apple Watch screen.

However, if you really need a web browser in Apple Watch, 0 µBrowser.You can check it for $ 99.If you don't want to pay, try Parrity as a free Apple Watch browser, so try it.

Will Safari's full browser be added to Watchos in the future?

It's a difficult question to answer.

Currently, you can't even listen to music with the built -in Apple Watch speaker.To play the music added to the Apple Watch, you must connect to AirPods and other Bluetooth earphones.

This is to make the battery last longer and manage it for one day.Therefore, it is very unlikely that a full web browser that can access sites like YouTube will be added.

However, if the battery technology develops a large capacity into a small form factor, Safari may be installed in the Apple Watch.

Source: App Store (1, 2)