Overview
Swif Browser Security brings Swif's browser protection to Safari on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Like Swif's Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions, it helps you see which SaaS apps and AI services your users visit, block the ones you don't allow, and catch unapproved sign-ups.
In Safari, the extension is called Swif Browser Security on every platform. It was previously called SWIF Shadow IT Discovery.
Supported platforms
Platform | Requirements | How it's deployed |
macOS | macOS 15 or later, with the latest Safari | |
iOS and iPadOS | iOS and iPadOS 15.4 or later. Needs the Swif Mobile Security app on the same device. | Swif's VPP app catalog. See Swif Browser Security for iOS/iPadOS. |
Features
Feature | What it does | Mac | iPhone and iPad |
Shadow IT and SaaS discovery | Reports visits to SaaS apps and AI tools to your Shadow IT dashboard, with how often each is used | ✅ | ✅ |
Prevent Shadow IT sign-ups | Flags new sign-ups to unapproved SaaS and AI services. Learn more | ✅ | ✅ |
Blocklists and allowlists | Blocks sites you don't allow, and shows the Swif block page. Learn more | ✅ | ✅ |
Personal AI accounts | Finds personal account sign-ins on AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini | ✅ | ✅ |
Team access reading | Reads web app permission tables, and sends them to the Shadow IT dashboard | ✅ | ✅ |
Startup page | Opens a page you choose when Safari starts | ✅ | Not available |
Password reset | Lists the Mac's local accounts in the extension's panel, with a Reset Password option. Needs the Swif agent on the Mac. | ✅ | Not available |
Employee auto-provisioning | Adds employees to Swif automatically | ✅ | Not available |
For more about Shadow IT reporting, see Shadow IT Features: Complete Visibility and Control.
Install on Mac
Use the Apple Safari Extension Policy (macOS) to deploy the extension to your Macs.
Field | What it does |
Swif Safari Extension | Turns the Swif Safari Extension on or off for users on the assigned Macs |
In Swif, go to Device Management > Policies, then select Create new policy > Configure a Policy.
Select Apple Safari Extension Policy.
Turn on Swif Safari Extension.
Save the policy, and assign it to your Macs.
Whether users need to approve the extension
Enrollment method | Result | User approval needed? |
Enrollment SSO | The extension is installed and approved automatically. | No |
Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) | The installer is installed, but the extension may not be installed or approved automatically. | Yes, if installed |
Regular Swif enrollment | The extension is installed. | Yes, in Safari |
BYOD (agent installer) | The extension is installed. | Yes, in Safari |
The policy requires macOS 15 or later.
Approve the extension on a Mac
If users need to approve the extension:
In Safari, go to Safari > Settings > Extensions.
Select Swif Browser Security, and turn it on.
Grant the permissions it asks for.
Click the Swif Browser Security icon in the Safari toolbar, and sign in with your Swif account.
Install on iPhone and iPad
On iPhone and iPad, two Swif apps work together:
App | App ID | Role |
Swif Mobile Security |
| Identifies the device to Swif, and gives the extension a device token every day |
Swif Browser Security |
| Contains the Safari extension |
Swif Browser Security needs Swif Mobile Security. Without it, the extension can't identify the device, or report anything to Swif.
To set it up:
Get free VPP licenses for both apps in Apple Business Manager.
Deploy them with Swif. Swif Mobile Security is deployed automatically when a device enrolls. Assign Swif Browser Security from Swif's VPP app catalog.
On each device, users open Swif Mobile Security once, then turn on Swif Browser Security in Settings > Apps > Safari > Extensions, and set All Websites to Allow.
For full steps, see Swif Browser Security for iOS/iPadOS.
What's different on iPhone and iPad
Safari only. Other browsers and apps aren't covered.
Private Browsing isn't covered, unless the user allows the extension there.
Daily token. The extension stops reporting if Swif Mobile Security hasn't been opened since midnight UTC.
Side panel on iPhone. Choose Request Desktop Website from Safari's address bar menu to open it.
Configure and monitor
Set up blocklists, allowlists, and Shadow IT alerts in Swif. The extension enforces them on Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
Get alerts when users try to sign up for unapproved tools.
Review activity, flagged domains, and risky behavior on your Shadow IT dashboard. Adjust your settings as needed.
Troubleshooting
The extension isn't installed on a Mac
Check that the Mac runs macOS 15 or later.
Check that the Apple Safari Extension Policy is assigned, with Swif Safari Extension on.
On Macs enrolled with Automated Device Enrollment, the extension may not install automatically. Ask the user to approve it in Safari.
The extension is installed but not working on a Mac
Check that it's turned on in Safari > Settings > Extensions, and has the permissions it needs.
Swif Browser Security isn't in Safari's settings on an iPhone or iPad
Check that the device runs iOS or iPadOS 15.4 or later.
Check that Swif Browser Security is installed.
An iPhone or iPad isn't reporting activity
Ask the user to open Swif Mobile Security, to refresh the device token.
Check that the extension is on, and All Websites is set to Allow.
Check that the user browsed in Safari, and not in Private Browsing.
For more help, contact support@swif.ai, or use the in-app chat.