Apple warns iPhone users to avoid Chrome Browser and other Google apps due to data collection practices that create unique tracking profiles. The company, based in Cupertino, in the Estados Unidos, published the notice on its official website at Reino Unido this Monday, December 8, 2025, highlighting that Safari offers more robust protections against these techniques. The focus lies on “fingerprint” technology, which combines device information to identify individual users, even in private mode.
This measure comes amid fierce competition between Apple and Google in the mobile browser market, where Chrome holds around 67% global share, compared to 23% for Safari, according to recent market data. Apple argues that Google’s reversal on banning fingerprinting in 2024 exacerbates privacy risks.
- Top concerns with Chrome: Profiling for personalized ads and cross-site tracking.
- Initial advantages of Safari: automatic blocking of known trackers and IP hiding.
- Estimated impact: More than 1 billion iPhone users affected by the recommendation.
Risks of fingerprinting on Chrome
The fingerprinting technique collects data such as hardware configurations, browsing history and language preferences to form a unique identity. Essa practice, reactivated by Google after a brief prohibition, cannot be deactivated by users, unlike traditional cookies.
In the context of the iPhone, Chrome integrates with the iOS ecosystem but exposes sensitive information to advertisers. Apple explains that websites use this data to monitor behavior over time, even in anonymous sessions.
Cybersecurity experts note that fingerprinting affects billions of devices globally, with Google prioritizing monetization via ads.
Protection features in Safari
Safari employs artificial intelligence to detect and block tracking attempts in real time. Essa intelligent prevention analyzes traffic patterns and removes unique elements from URLs during private browsing.
Additionally, the browser hides the IP address from known trackers, preventing precise geolocation. Extensões web browsers do not access browsing history by default, and location data is not shared with search engines.
Users report up to 50% faster page loading on Safari compared to Chrome, especially on newer iOS devices.
Direct comparison between browsers
Apple lists specific advantages of the Safari over the Chrome in a comparison table available on its website. Enquanto o Safari checks all the privacy boxes, Chrome fails several, such as blocking unique trackers.
- Prevents tracking with machine learning: Safari yes, Chrome no.
- Remove trackers from URLs in private mode: Safari yes, Chrome no.
- Hides IP from trackers: Safari yes, Chrome no.
- Blocks extensions from accessing history: Safari yes, Chrome no.
This discrepancy reinforces Apple’s recommendation for immediate migration.
Google applications in addition to Chrome
The warning extends to other Google services, such as the main app, which collects personal data associated with the user’s identity. Apple warns against clicking on “try the app” buttons during searches on Safari, as this leads to environments with more intense collection.
On Google Docs, Sheets and Slides, trackers can act if Chrome is the default browser. Safari, however, integrates seamlessly with these services without compromising privacy.
Reports indicate that the Google app stores searches and preferences for advertising profiles, in contrast to the Safari, which does not record history in private mode.
Integration and usability strategies
The Safari delivers up to 17 hours of video playback on MacBook battery power, surpassing competitors in energy efficiency. Seu native translator processes entire pages without sending data to external servers.
Integration with iPhone allows synchronization of tabs and passwords via iCloud, with end-to-end encryption. Passkeys replace traditional passwords, reducing phishing risks.
Business users benefit from privacy reports that detail blocks by site, helping with compliance with regulations like GDPR.
Evolution of the privacy dispute
Competition between Apple and Google has intensified with AI ads on Chrome, which display advertisements in search results. Apple positions Safari as a counterpoint, emphasizing the absence of tracking in AI tools.
Since 2024, Google has tested alternatives like Privacy Sandbox, but abandoned projects due to low adoption. Apple, in turn, updated Private Browsing 2.0 to combat fingerprinting with generic device settings.
Analysts predict that this offensive could increase the share of Safari by 5-10% in the coming months among iPhone users.
Operational advantages of Safari on iOS
Browsing on Safari consumes less mobile data, with intelligent image compression. In recent tests, it loads websites 40% faster on 5G connections.
Reader mode removes unnecessary elements, improving accessibility for the visually impaired. Suporte WebKit guarantees full compatibility with iOS apps.
Automatic updates seamlessly incorporate security patches, keeping the browser ahead of known vulnerabilities in Chrome.
Practical recommendations for users
To migrate, users must set Safari as the default on Ajustes on the iPhone. Desinstalação from Chrome removes integration prompts with Google.
- Check weekly privacy reports on Safari to monitor blocks.
- Enable private mode for sensitive sessions and avoid third-party extensions.
These actions minimize residual exposures.
Global alert expansion
The warning, initially on Reino Unido, spreads to markets such as the US and Brasil via the Apple website. Horários locations vary: 12pm on Londres, 8am on Nova York.
Countries with strict data laws, like União Europeia, see greater adoption. Apple plans educational videos to expand reach.
Millions of downloads of Safari were recorded in the last 24 hours after launch.