Apple has released Safari 17 beta for macOS Ventura and Monterey users ahead of its full release in Sonoma

Apple has launched Safari 17 beta, an important upgrade to its web browser, for macOS Ventura and Monterey users. Originally revealed at WWDC 2023 with macOS Sonoma, the update offers significant improvements to the browsing experience.

The Safari 17 beta is now available to users with macOS 13 and 12, extending its availability beyond macOS 14. The upgrade includes support for new media formats such as JPEG XL and HEIC, and introduces Live Text support for vertical text orientation. A new Profiles feature lets users manage browsing history and website settings separately for different contexts like Work and Personal. The update also simplifies password sharing, making it easier for users to share passwords and passkeys with trusted contacts.

Web developers will benefit from several updates, including a restructured Responsive Design Mode that emphasizes page responsiveness. The developer menu has been redesigned for easier access to key website and web app creation and testing tools. The Safari Technology Preview offers developers a look into Safari 17's features and experimental capabilities, and this section has also been replaced by Feature Flags, which organizes features into Stable, Testable, Preview, and Developer categories.

To install Safari 17 beta, users must log in with their Apple ID on the Apple Beta Software Program website and download the latest build. Safari 17 beta will replace the main Safari app on your device. The official release is expected in the upcoming fall, coinciding with the public release of macOS Sonoma.