Apple tests code to track Google Chrome prompts in Safari

Apple is testing code in Safari to monitor when Google promotes its Chrome browser on search web pages.

FTMQ Tech, written by our newsroom6 October 2026 at 01:040 views

Apple is testing software code in its Safari web browser that can detect when Google displays prompts for Chrome or the Google app on search pages, 9to5Mac reported. The feature also monitors whether users choose to interact with those promotional banners. [1]

According to 9to5Mac, the code was discovered starting in the iOS 27.2 beta 2 software update. The outlet noted that the testing does not guarantee Apple will include the telemetry tracking system in the final public release of iOS 27.2. [1]

Google Chrome launched in September 2008 and is now the default browser on Android devices. Google itself is a multinational technology business that produces the Chrome browser, search engine software, and Pixel mobile phones. [8][9][10]

The experimental telemetry feature suggests Apple is measuring how frequently Google attempts to direct mobile Safari visitors toward its own ecosystem of applications. [1]

Apple is testing code in Safari that detects Google app and Chrome promotional banners.
The Safari code was found in the iOS 27.2 beta 2 build.
The code can monitor if users interact with Google's search prompts.

Sources

Every paragraph above points to the numbered items it rests on. Read the originals here.

[1]Apple may soon track when Google promotes Chrome inside Safari9to5Mac, 3h ago (the report this story comes from)
[2]Google Chrome is testing a major change to how extensions access websitesAndroid Police, 19h ago
[3]Apple’s rumored smart display is a serious threat to Google Home — if it gets these things rightAndroid Authority, 15h ago
[4]Google Pixel Watch 5 review: the Android equivalent of Apple Watch is a next-gen wearableIrish Mirror, 13h ago
[5]The iPhone Duo differs from foldable phones by Samsung, Motorola, and Google in a few key ways. Our Wirecutter expert compared Apple's new phone against the Android foldables she's tested, including her current top pick, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8. httfacebook.com, 9h ago
[6]Google Home vs. Amazon Alexa vs. Apple Home: Which Smart Home Platform Should You Choose in 2026?Online Tech Tips, 21h ago

Background

[7]Sophie Simmons on Wikipedia
[8]Google on Wikipedia
[9]Google Chrome on Wikipedia
[10]Google on Grokipedia

Our newsroom writes these reports with the help of software, from the 10 sources listed and nothing else, and checks them against those sources. Facts can still be wrong or move on; the originals are the record. Spotted a mistake? Write to daniel@monsterkong.com.

Get the day in one email

Reports like this one, the top news of the last 24 hours, every morning. Free, one email a day; readers can comment under every report.

By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Unsubscribe any time.

Comments

Join the conversation

Comments are open to readers of our daily email: the top news of the last 24 hours, every morning, free. Sign up and the comment box opens.

Already on the list? Enter the same address and we will send a sign-in link.