MetaMask is, without a doubt, one of the biggest crypto wallets out there, which makes sending crypto, buying NFTs, and swapping coins extremely beginner friendly.
It is available on both iOS and Android devices as a mobile app and in the form of a browser extension on every desktop operating system. However, not every browser is supported by the extension.
And if you are a macOS user, you might be asking if it’s possible to use MetaMask on Safari as the default macOS web browser.
In this article, we will discuss the compatibility of MetaMask with Safari in more depth and look at alternative browser options for those looking to use MetaMask. Let’s get to it!
Is There a MetaMask Extension for Safari?
Unfortunately, MetaMask only supports Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Brave browsers and is not available on Safari, even though it offers its own app for iOS users.
Instead, users must download and use another browser mentioned above or settle for a mobile app that provides the same functionality but with less convenience.
But let’s take a step back and look at the possible reasons why there isn’t a MetaMask extension for Safari.
The Reasons Behind the Missing Safari Extension
There are multiple reasons why there may not be a MetaMask extension specifically designed for Safari that all come back to one.
And it’s not because Safari has a smaller market share compared to other browsers, because, let’s be honest, Microsoft Edge isn’t the most used browser either. It’s because of the complexity behind building an extension for Safari.
Apple has a reputation for being more restrictive regarding their systems. And as one of the developers on GitHub stated, all the major browsers adopted a protocol known as “WebExtensions.” Because of this, a developer can make an extension for all of these browsers from just one code. And Safari did not adopt this standard and has its own format, different from other browsers.
So building an add-on for Safari would require a lot of browser-specific work that hasn’t been prioritized yet.
How to Use MetaMask on Mac
Since MetaMask is not compatible with Safari, you’ll need to choose one of the other available browsers. Here’s a quick overview of adding MetaMask to your macOS device:
- Visit MetaMask’s official website. Either by searching “MetaMask” in your search engine or by typing in the URL: https://metamask.io/
- Click on “Download” in the top bar
- Scroll down a bit and tap on the browser’s logo you are currently using and want to add MetaMask to
- Install the extension. Pin it to your browser for easy access
- Launch the extension and create a new wallet or import an existing one
- You are ready to make your first transaction on your Mac device!
If you are still in the dark and this quick guide wasn’t enough, you can visit our Step-by-Step guide on creating a MetaMask wallet filled with pictures.
Conclusion
While MetaMask is not specifically designed for use with Safari, there are still options available for Safari users who want to use MetaMask. These options include accessing MetaMask through a different browser or through a standalone mobile application.
And even though we would love to tell you that a MetaMask extension is coming for Safari, it’s not certain. As building an extension for Safari requires a lot of browser-specific work in a different format.
