How to Update Safari without upgrading MacOS

Safari is the default browser on all Apple devices and has its own perks and caveats.

Since it is deeply integrated into the OS, it is perhaps the most efficiently optimized browser for your Mac and iPhone/iPad. All the features and customizations you could try on your device would be totally in sync with the Apple ecosystem.

But that is just one side of the coin. A few drawbacks exist to the Safari browser being treated as a system app.

The inability to update the Safari browser without updating the OS is pecking. Upgrading the OS to update a browser doesn’t translate to the best-case scenarios for various users.

Many users do not wish to immediately install the latest OS upgrade on Mac because of compatibility or performance issues with some apps and software.

Likewise, setups used for development or testing purposes don’t require frequent updates as they would then have to restructure their code designs regularly.

And yes, the fact that you would have to exhaust your GBs of data (for macOS) at a time when you could have done away with a few MBs downloading just Safari browser might also be a cause of concern for some users.

So all this begs an important question- how could you update the Safari browser without upgrading the OS?

Upgrade Safari without an OS update

From time to time, Apple does release a standalone update to its browser that isn’t linked with the OS upgrade.

So how could you verify whether the Cupertino giants have released a standalone update to their browser? And if there’s such an update, how to install it onto your PC?

Here are the steps to update:

1. Open System Preferences/Settings under the Apple menu.
   It will open the System Preferences window.
2. Select the Software Update program from the list.
   It will open the Software Update window and start checking for updates.
3. Click on the More info… link.
   
4. Select the checkbox for the Safari browser.
   Make sure to disable other OS upgrade checkboxes.
5. Hit the Install Now command button.

The Safari download will begin and automatically finish the update installation.

That’s it. Mac will now install the latest update for your Safari browser without upgrading OS, and you can enjoy all its new goodies.

Bottom Line

We round off the guide on how to update Safari without upgrading the OS on the computer.

As you might have noticed, it is still solely in the hands of Apple as and when (and more importantly if) they plan on releasing a standalone browser update rather than a part of the system update. Something available in the App Store app for ease of download.

Since so many complexities are involved in updating this browser, many users prefer to take an alternate route and install an alternative browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Doing so gives them complete control over the browser without even the need to interact with the OS. What are your views on the same?

Are you willing to make a switch to a different web browser? Or would Safari still be your go-to choice for its decent performance and handy cross-device support in the Apple ecosystem?

Lastly, if you've any thoughts or feedback on How to Update Safari without upgrading MacOS, then feel free to drop in below comment box. You can also report the outdated information.