Apple may track Google's Chrome banners inside Safari

Reported by 9to5Mac: Apple has been testing code in Safari that can spot when Google shows banners pushing Chrome or the Google app, and whether you interact with them.

The test code appeared in iOS 27.2 beta 2. 9to5Mac says Safari loads a JavaScript file when you visit Google's home page or search results pages. The script checks for banners or other page elements meant to steer you toward the Google app or Chrome. It can also identify links tied to either app using their custom URL schemes and App Store IDs. If it finds a promotion, Safari can log events: that the banner was shown, that you appear signed into a Google account, and whether you interacted with it. Apple can then mark the result as accepted or dismissed.

Apple still hasn't documented the feature publicly, including in the iOS 27.2 beta 3 and Safari 27.2 beta release notes. So it may never ship. But the fact that Apple built it means the company is at least measuring how often Google promotes its own apps inside Safari.

Why it matters

9to5Mac notes the code arrives during tighter scrutiny of browser competition. In the UK, Google has cited its Chrome promotions to iPhone owners as evidence that it still competes with Safari. Regulators have examined whether the Apple-Google search agreement gives both companies less reason to compete in browsers.

In the EU, Apple also has to follow the Digital Markets Act, which covers how browsers are chosen and which one is default. The European Commission has already investigated whether Apple's Safari choice screen followed those rules.

What to do

Nothing, yet. This is beta code, and Apple may never ship it. If you do see a Chrome banner in Safari, don't be surprised if Apple logs whether you tapped it. There's no setting to change and nothing to fix. If you're on an older iPhone, same answer: keep using the browser you like.

• Apple
• browser competition
• chrome
• Google
• iOS 27.2
• Safari