iOS18 has a lot of cool features, including Reader Mode, Safari’s own personal ad blocker.
Tech how-to: Switch to a beta browser
Let me tell you a secret: I’m all about staying tech-ahead and not trailing behind, so I’m constantly tapping into apps, programs, hardware and more before they’re released to the public. You can do the same thing in one way, even if you’re not a Digital Goddess®.
Today, if you’re up for it, try a beta version of your browser. You’ll get new features before anyone else, and the software engineers will get some important early feedback in return. I’ll show you how.
‘Mite’ or might not
With a beta, you may have to put up with a few bugs along the way, since it won’t be the polished, final version. I’ll tell you, though — beta editions are usually pretty stable and reliable. If you’ve ever used beta iOS software on your iPhone like I do, it’s the same deal.
Pro tip: You can even run the beta version of your browser alongside the final version and switch between them as needed. If you find something that doesn’t work in one, just go back and try it on the other version.
All the links to check it out
- Google Chrome: Head to this page to get the beta version for your system. You can go for the Developer or Canary editions, but they’re less stable.
- Microsoft Edge: This page has the beta download. As with Chrome, you’ve got Developer and Canary versions, too, which are more buggy — but also more cutting‑edge.
- Firefox: This page is where you can find the beta download. Again, there are even earlier versions to try: Developer and Nightly.
- Opera: This page gives you the Developer version download, which is effectively Opera’s beta version.
For Safari, the process is a little different. (Of course … we’re talking about Apple here.) You’ll need to register as an Apple developer — it’s free, and you won’t need to code any software. After that, you can download the developer version.
Be sure you keep this in mind
When it comes to beta software, especially browsers, you’ve got to be extra careful about what you’re doing online. Remember, the whole point of beta testing is to iron out the kinks, so these versions send anonymous data back to the developers about how things are working and what’s not.
That’s why you should never use a beta browser for anything confidential, like online banking or accessing sensitive documents. Even if they claim the data is anonymized, you never really know what information might be sent back as part of the testing process.
Want to know exactly what’s being shared? Take a look at the privacy policy or data collection details on the download page. It’s all there in the fine print. Bottom line: Stick to the stable releases for anything that needs to stay private.
Quick privacy win: Clear cookies on your phone
There’s a question I find myself asking a lot with tech products and services: “Is it worth it?” I’m not just talking about money, though, yes, I’m hoping my new $1,200 iPhone will be worth it (eesh).
Privacy is a cost, too. With every “free” service you get, you’re handing over something in return.
⏩ Mac pro user tip: If you’re a link hoarder, try this Safari trick. Open Settings > Advanced > Press Tab to highlight each item on a webpage. Now you can sail through the links on whatever page you’re on. To do it, hit Tab on your keyboard to highlight a link and Enter to open it. Cmd + Enter opens the link in a new tab. Maybe this will make Christmas shopping less painful … maybe.
🚨 Mac warning: Microsoft researchers found a serious macOS security bug that lets hackers access your private data. It bypasses Safari’s protections, meaning your search history, camera, microphone and location are all at risk. The good news? There’s already a patch. Don’t wait — go to System Settings > General > Software Update > Update Now.
You forgot your password again
Before you hit “Forgot password,” check if the password is hidden on your computer. Your best bet is your web browser’s list of saved passwords.
On Google Chrome:
- Click the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner, then Settings.
- Click Autofill and passwords from the left-hand panel, followed by Google Password Manager.
- Scroll through your list of saved accounts until you find the one you’re looking for. Click the eye icon to make the password visible. You’ll need to enter your system credentials to verify it’s you.
On Apple Safari:
- Click Safari from the menu bar at the top of the screen, then Preferences > Passwords.
- Enter your system password if needed, then scroll the list till you find it. Click the three-dot icon to make it visible.
Time-saving tricks using your keyboard
I spend hours and hours (and hours) online every week looking for the latest in tech for my national radio show, podcasts and, of course, newsletter.
I rounded up eight browser keyboard shortcuts I use so you can spend less time clicking around for the right button, too.
Check your permissions: Certain websites may have access to your webcam and microphone. To check in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Mozilla Firefox, click the icon to the left of the address bar. In Safari on a Mac, open the Safari menu and pick Settings for …
🔖 Bookmarks are so 2010: Want all your last-viewed tabs to reopen when you start your browser? In Chrome, click the three vertical dots at the top right, then tap Settings. Click On startup > Continue where you left off. Steps for Safari, Firefox and Edge here.
🔖 Bookmarks are so 2010: Want all your last-viewed tabs to reopen when you start your browser? In Chrome, click the three vertical dots at the top right, then tap Settings. Click On startup > Continue where you left off. Steps for Safari, Firefox and Edge here.
Beta blocker: Apple Safari 18 beta’s new Reader mode lets you read any article without ads or auto-playing videos. To use it, you’ll need to update to the Sequoia OS beta. Go to Settings > General > Software Update > toggle on Beta Updates > macOS Sequoia developer beta > Upgrade Now. Now, when you open an article in Safari, click the square icon in the URL bar, and then click Show Reader to scroll ad-free!
🔖 Easier than bookmarks: Want all your tabs to open up when you start your browser? In Chrome, click the three vertical dots, then Settings. Click On startup > Continue where you left off. Steps for Safari, Firefox and Edge here.
🍏 Browser showdown: Apple is warning its 1.46 billion iPhone users to stop using Google Chrome. They’re throwing shade by plastering billboards worldwide, with the message Safari is “a browser that is actually private.” Google has admitted to collecting data even when you’ve enabled Incognito mode, so Apple makes a valid point.
🔖 Easier than bookmarks: Set all your tabs to open when you start your browser. In Chrome, click the three vertical dots, then Settings. Click On startup > Continue where you left off. Steps for Safari, Firefox and Edge here. Power move!
Sneak peek: In Safari, preview a website before you click the link. Using your mouse, hover the pointer over the link, then press Cmd + Ctrl + D. Voila, a pre-click preview. Click outside the preview, and it disappears.
- For Chrome on a PC, drag the icon from your Start menu to the desktop to create a shortcut. Then right-click and select Show more options > Properties. There, you’ll see the URL string under “Target.” Add -incognito to the end.
- On Safari for Mac, click Settings > General > Safari opens with a private window.
- For Android phones, tap and hold the browser’s icon, then select Open in Private tab.
- On iPhone, press and hold your browser’s icon and choose New Private Tab (for Safari) or Incognito Search (for Chrome).
It’s not just your computer: You need to close all the tabs in your phone’s browser, too. On iPhone, open Safari, and tap and hold the icon that looks like two overlapping squares. From the pop-up, choose Close All Tabs. Done! On Android, say, “Hey, Google, close all tabs.”
Quick-wipe your phone searches: For Chrome, hit the three dots at the top, and choose History > Clear browsing data. Use Safari? Open Settings, and tap Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Choose a timeframe and tap Clear History. Phew, it’s gone.