If you’re using an iPhone and prefer Chrome over Safari, you might want to think twice — Apple is warning users that its own browser is the safer choice when it comes to privacy.
While every iPhone comes with Safari pre-installed, many users switch to Google Chrome for its features, especially the integration of Gemini, Google’s new AI assistant. But despite Chrome’s popularity, Apple insists Safari provides stronger protection against online tracking and data collection.
According to a report by BGR, Safari includes several privacy tools that Chrome lacks — such as blocking third-party cookies, removing unique trackers from URLs in private mode, hiding browsing activity from web extensions, and using machine learning to defend against cross-site tracking. Apple also highlights that Safari can mask your IP address to prevent advertisers and websites from building detailed user profiles.
Google, however, says Chrome is also designed with safety in mind. On its official site, the company claims Chrome offers “secure-by-default” protection through features like sandboxing, site isolation, predictive phishing detection, and automatic updates every six weeks — with emergency security patches pushed out within 24 hours.
Still, Apple doubled down with its latest iOS 26 update, rolling out new privacy-focused tools such as Advanced Tracking and Fingerprinting Protection, which makes it harder for websites to identify or track your device online.
Apple’s message remains clear: if privacy is your top priority, Safari is the way to go. On its website, the tech giant even took a direct jab at its rival, stating — “Unlike Chrome, Safari truly helps protect your privacy.”
