Google has unveiled a breakthrough that transforms the iPhone browser landscape.
The tech giant quietly launched an automated data transfer tool that eliminates the desktop computer requirement for switching from Safari to Chrome.
This development, first reported by MacObserver, means iPhone users can finally move their entire browsing life directly on their phone without the technical headaches that kept millions locked into Safari.
The new on-device migration feature uses iOS’s built-in export functionality to create a switching process. Chrome 145 beta users are already testing this feature, and with Chrome 144 as the current stable release, public availability appears imminent despite the beta being currently full.
The one-tap migration
Google’s migration wizard changes what used to be a complex multi-step ordeal into a guided experience that even your least tech-savvy relative could master. The system utilizes Safari’s “Export Browsing Data” feature to generate a ZIP file containing all user information.
Users can now transfer passwords, credit cards, browsing history, and bookmarks through Google’s step-by-step instructions. The tool walks users through opening Safari’s settings, tapping Export Browsing Data, selecting desired information, and saving the file to Downloads — everything happening entirely on the iPhone.
The standout feature is Google’s attention to privacy during the transfer process. Chrome immediately alerts users that their exported file contains sensitive personal information and offers an instant deletion option once the import completes. The system warns that “Your data will be saved to your Google Account” but gives users complete control over file cleanup afterward.
Competitive times
This launch strikes at a crucial moment when browser competition on iOS is heating up. Safari’s ecosystem lock-in has been cracking as analysis from five months ago revealed neither browser dominates across all categories, creating the perfect opening for easier switching tools.
Google’s calculated move targets the biggest barrier preventing iPhone users from making the jump: data migration complexity. Previously, users needed desktop computers and technical expertise to transfer their digital browsing life, but this new tool obliterates those friction points.
The feature arrives precisely as Apple continues expanding Safari’s export capabilities. Apple’s documentation from 11 months ago shows the company already supports exporting bookmarks, history, extensions, credit cards, and passwords as ZIP files.
Google is now capitalizing on this Apple-provided foundation to accelerate Chrome adoption across iOS devices.
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