How to Install Safari on Linux

Apple’s Safari browser, known for its user-friendly interface and strong integration with Apple’s ecosystem, is not officially supported on Linux operating systems. Despite this, Linux users who prefer the Safari interface or need to test their web development work in Safari may seek ways to get the browser running on their non-native platform. To do this, several workarounds and methods involving compatibility layers and virtualization have emerged.

Use Wine to Run Safari

Wine is a compatibility layer that enables Linux users to run some Windows applications. You can attempt to install an older version of Safari for Windows using Wine.

1. Install Wine:

   • Open the Linux terminal.
   • Update your package repository with sudo apt update.
   • Install Wine using sudo apt install wine.
   • Configure Wine with winecfg.

2. Download Safari for Windows:

   • Look for a reliable source to download Safari for Windows since it’s no longer provided by Apple.

3. Install Safari Using Wine:

   • In the terminal, navigate to the directory where the Safari installer was downloaded.
   • Run the installer with Wine by typing wine SafariSetup.exe.

4. Run Safari through Wine:

   • Once installed, find Safari in your applications menu or run it from the terminal using Wine.

Summary: This allows you to run Safari on Linux, to a certain extent. However, performance may vary, and the version available might be outdated. It can be beneficial for running websites but might not support the latest web standards.

Virtualize macOS on Linux

1. Check System Compatibility:

   • Ensure your Linux machine meets the hardware requirements for virtualization.

2. Install Virtualization Software:

   • Install software like VirtualBox or VMware.

3. Create a New Virtual Machine:

   • Set up a new virtual machine and allocate resources to it.

4. Install macOS on Virtual Machine:

   • Acquire a macOS installation image and install it on the virtual machine.

5. Install Safari on macOS within Virtual Machine:

   • Once macOS is installed, Safari should be available by default.

Summary: This is the most reliable way to get the full Safari experience, but it requires a legal copy of macOS, a powerful computer, and can be complex to set up. It’s excellent for web developers needing to test on Safari.

Run a macOS-based Docker Image

Note: Docker is a tool designed to create, deploy, and run applications using containers.

1. Install Docker:

   • Install by using the package manager with sudo apt install docker.

2. Pull macOS Docker Image:

   • Find and pull an image from a Docker repository.

3. Run Docker Container:

   • Start a container using the macOS image with necessary settings.

4. Access Safari inside the Docker Container:

   • Use the macOS environment inside the container to access Safari.

Summary: While this method is not straightforward and might involve legal grey areas, it can be a way to access Safari for development purposes. It’s not generally recommended for everyday Safari users.

Use PlayOnLinux

PlayOnLinux is a graphical front-end for Wine.

1. Install PlayOnLinux:

   • Use your package manager to install PlayOnLinux.

2. Install Safari Through PlayOnLinux:

   • Open PlayOnLinux, search for Safari, and follow the prompts to install.

3. Run Safari:

   • Look for Safari in PlayOnLinux and run it.

Summary: PlayOnLinux simplifies the process of using Wine. Its main advantage is the user-friendly interface, but the Safari version might still be outdated.

Tips and Tricks for Better Experience:

1. Use Browser User Agent Switcher:

   • Install a browser user agent switcher on your preferred browser to mimic Safari.

2. Performance Tweaks for Virtualization:

   • Allocate more resources to improve your VM performance.

3. Close Unnecessary Applications:

   • Running Safari on Linux can be resource-intensive. Close other apps to improve performance.

4. Keep Safari Updated (if possible):

   • If running on a VM, make sure to update Safari for the latest features and security patches.

5. Customize Wine for Better Compatibility:

   • Experiment with Wine settings to improve Safari’s performance.

6. Backup Regularly:

   • Especially when using VMs, back up your data to avoid loss.

In conclusion, while there is no native Safari browser for Linux, several workarounds cater to different needs — from occasional use via Wine to full-fledged virtualization for development purposes. Each method has its trade-offs in terms of performance, functionality, and complexity.

FAQs

Q: Can I install the latest version of Safari on Linux?
A: No, since Apple does not provide a Linux version or an updated Windows version, the latest Safari versions are only available through macOS.

Q: Is it legal to virtualize macOS on Linux?
A: The legality depends on the source of your macOS software and its end-user license agreement. It is usually against Apple’s EULA to run macOS on non-Apple hardware.

Q: Is using Safari through Wine stable for daily use?
A: Wine can be unpredictable and the version of Safari will be outdated. It might not be suitable for daily use for everyone, especially if you rely on the latest web standards and security features.