How to test Edge on macOS? (with Top Methods)

MacBooks have been on an ever-rising demand and gaining increasing popularity over the days, and that’s not a surprise. In 2023, only the Mac lineup of Apple fetched the company a whopping $29.4 billion. In 2024, Apple launched a new range of Macs in the market in the 3rd quarter, specifically the new iMac.

By 2025, the prediction says Apple sales will likely cross the $100 billion mark.

With no straightforward support of Edge on macOS, testing software gets cumbersome for developers. However, we can’t deny the importance of using the Edge browser because of:

• Less resource usage: Its fast performance, reduced resource consumption, and user-friendly interface are attracting users on multiple platforms, including MacOS. Edge has gone through evolutions with better features, over the years.
• Integration and Features: Edge supports many features that MacOS users value, namely Vertical Tabs to improve multitasking and tab management and Privacy and Security.
• Relevance for Developers and Testers: Developers often test Edge to ensure compatibility with a growing user base. However, subtle differences in rendering, features, and extensions make it necessary to test specifically on Edge to avoid usability issues.

Let's explore why testing Edge on macOS is essential, the challenges involved, and an exhaustive step-by-step guide to conducting these tests effectively.

Challenges of Testing Edge on macOS

With the new range of MacBook Pro models and the overhauled Mac Mini with strong M4 and M4 pro chips, it’s quite evident that new Mac updates are on the pipeline. To keep at par with the AI like text and image generation, upgrades of MacOS are inevitable. This translates into ensuring software compatibility across different browsers and platforms.

Having said that, you can’t always continue to go through uninstalling and reinstalling newer versions of Edge. Hence, testing the compatibility on older versions of Edge is also inevitable. Now, testing older and some newer versions of Edge on macOS comes with unique challenges, particularly when compared to real device testing.

Here are some common obstacles that we usually face:

• Lack of Native Availability: While Edge is available for macOS, it is not the default browser. We need to install it manually, which can delay testing setup.
• Testing Older Versions: macOS updates and Edge’s automatic update system often overwrite previous versions, making it challenging to test how older versions handle specific features.
• Hardware and Performance Disparities: Testing locally on MacOS may not replicate the real-world conditions faced by users on different hardware configurations. Variances in screen resolutions, touchpad gestures, and network conditions can impact the user experience.
• Dependence on Real Device Cloud: While emulators and simulators exist, they do not replicate the nuances of a real device. Bugs may go unnoticed until tested on a real device cloud.

Step-by-Step Guide to Testing Edge on macOS (Top 2 Methods)

Method 1 - Installing Microsoft Edge on MacOS

Before starting the testing process, ensure that Edge is properly installed on your macOS.

Follow these steps:

First, Visit the Microsoft Edge Download Page to install it.

1. Edge download page will detect the OS by default. Next click on download. Make sure to click and accept for download to happen.
2. Next, launch the Edge package from the downloads folder. Continue to start the installation on your Mac.
3. Choose the Macintosh HD to install the browser and click on “install” to start the installation. Enter the password and continue the installation. Close the window after the installation is done.

Your Edge is ready to be tested on MacOS.

1. After installation, enable developer tools
2. Navigate to Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services > Developer Tools.
3. Enable tools like the Network Panel, Performance Monitor, and Console to assist with debugging.

Method 2 - using Apple Devices hosted on the cloud

Without access to in-house physical device labs, real device clouds are the best and indispensable option for developers to use robust software compatibility. It’s only testing through a range of multiple operating systems and devices with different versions, including the latest launches like iMac and MacPro, can you ensure that your app is working all good.

No hassles of device labs or browser installations when you can leverage reliable platforms like BrowserStack to test Edge on diffeeent macOS configurations. Based on the experience with testing on Browserstack, here are the step by step process:

Here’s how to get started:

Login or Sign Up: Sign Up if you are a new user or Login with your credentials. This takes you to the dashboard where you can find a range of latest/legacy macOS versions, pre installed with different versions of Edge browsers. No setup is needed which makes it easy to use.

Choose the browser configuration: Select the macOS version, preferably Sierra 10.2 or later, for a better support and the latest Edge version from the platform’s interface.

Input the URL: Enter your site’s link to start the testing on the browser.

Initiate Live Testing: Once done, your testing starts after a secure connection is established for the macOS on the desired Edge version. Choose responsive mode or adjust the desired resolution to be tested.

You can even change your IP location or geolocation for localization testing as needed.

Debug Issues: BrowserStack’s console integration lets you debug and share with your team's preferred project management tool.

Testing Edge on macOS is an essential step for developers and testers aiming to deliver a consistent user experience across platforms. While challenges like accessing older versions and hardware disparities exist, leveraging tools like Browserstack can really fastrack your testing processes.