Apple has issued a sharp new warning for iPhone and Mac users, urging them to stop using Google Chrome and even the Google app. The company says these apps allow forms of tracking that Safari is designed to block, especially a technique that has quietly become more common again, which is ‘device fingerprinting. Apple’s main concern: Fingerprinting Fingerprinting is a hidden method of tracking that works without cookies. Instead of storing files on your phone, it collects small pieces of information, your device model, screen size, browser type, and other settings, to build a unique profile of you. That profile can then follow you across websites. Also read: Your phone constantly shares location clues through nearby signals, find out how it tracks you
Apple on this practice: Safari works to prevent advertisers and websites from using the unique combination of characteristics of your device to create a ‘fingerprint’ to track you. Unlike cookies, fingerprinting cannot be turned off, which is why Apple says it’s particularly worrying. The issue has resurfaced this year, especially after Google reversed its earlier decision to ban fingerprinting technologies. What Safari does differently Apple says Safari distorts or hides certain device details so that your phone looks similar to many others, making fingerprinting harder. The browser also uses AI-driven tracking prevention, stronger private-browsing tools, and safeguards against websites that try to infer your location indirectly. Mozilla Firefox has also adopted similar protections, suggesting that this is now becoming an industry-wide shift. Warning extends to the Google App Apple notes that many users still end up inside Google’s ecosystem because Safari uses Google as its default search engine. At the bottom of Google’s mobile search page, there’s always a blue prompt encouraging users to “Try app.” Apple says the Google app collects even more personal data than Chrome. Also read: Why AI companies offering free subscriptions in India, find out how each service collects, stores, and protects your data
Apple’s advice: If you value private browsing, avoid tapping that “Try app” link. You don’t need Chrome for Google Docs To soften the criticism, Apple also points out that Google’s productivity tools work just fine in Safari. Their note: Safari works seamlessly with Google Docs, Google Sheets and Google Slides. People still prefer Chrome Despite these warnings, Chrome continues to dominate globally. Many users accept the trade-off between convenience and data tracking. Apple acknowledges that users will ultimately pick whatever browser suits them best.
Its goal, however, is to highlight what’s at stake, especially on the iPhone, where Apple has long positioned privacy as a key selling point.
All about awareness
Switching browsers is a personal choice. But Apple wants users to be aware that Chrome and the Google app may expose them to tracking methods they cannot control, while Safari is built to block them.
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