You plug in a device, open the web page that’s supposed to talk to it, and nothing happens in Safari. No prompt, no device list, sometimes a message that your browser isn’t supported. It works instantly in Chrome. Nothing is wrong with your Mac or the device.

Many web pages talk to hardware through a set of browser features called WebUSB, WebHID and Web Serial. Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers support them. Safari doesn’t, and neither does Firefox. Here’s what that affects, and how to handle it safely.

What needs these features

  • Keyboard and mouse configurators that run in the browser, such as tools for remapping custom mechanical keyboards.
  • Firmware updaters and flashers for microcontrollers, development boards, 3D printers and some audio gear.
  • Web interfaces for hardware signing devices, such as the web versions of some hardware security and key-storage devices.
  • Some label printers, scales and lab equipment with browser-based control panels.

Security keys for logging in, such as YubiKeys, are different. They use WebAuthn, which Safari supports fully, along with passkeys.

Why Safari doesn’t support them

Apple has declined to implement these features, citing privacy and security: they let a web page talk directly to hardware, which widens what a malicious site could attempt and could be used to fingerprint devices. You can agree or disagree, but it isn’t a bug, and there is no setting in Safari to turn it on.

Your options

  1. Use the device’s desktop app if there is one. Many devices with a web interface also offer a Mac app that talks to the hardware directly and doesn’t depend on the browser. For anything security-related, the official desktop app is usually the safer choice anyway.
  2. Keep a Chromium browser for hardware only. Install Chrome, Edge or Brave, and use it only for these pages. Don’t sign in, don’t add extensions, and don’t use it for everyday browsing. That keeps its attack surface small.
  3. Grant access per device, per site. Chromium browsers ask each time a site wants a device. Only approve the device you plugged in, and only on the site you meant to visit. You can review and remove access in the browser’s site settings.

Mac-specific checks when a device still isn’t found

  • Allow the accessory. On Apple silicon MacBooks, macOS asks whether to allow a new USB or Thunderbolt accessory to connect. If you missed or declined the prompt, unplug and reconnect, or check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Allow accessories to connect.
  • Try a different cable. Many USB-C cables are charge-only and carry no data. A cable that charges a device may still not let the Mac see it.
  • Avoid unpowered hubs for firmware updates. Connect directly to the Mac.
  • Quit the device’s desktop app before using the web version. Only one program can usually hold the connection at a time.
  • Check it’s visible to macOS. Hold Option, choose Apple menu > System Information, and look under USB. If it isn’t listed there, the problem is the cable, port or device, not the browser.

A safety rule for hardware pages

A web page with access to your device is powerful. Type the address yourself rather than following links, check the domain carefully, and never enter a recovery phrase or master secret into a web page, whatever device it says it’s configuring.

The short version

Safari doesn’t support WebUSB, WebHID or Web Serial, so browser-based configurators, flashers and device interfaces won’t work in it. Use the device’s desktop app if it has one, or keep a clean Chromium browser just for hardware, and check the cable, accessory permissions and System Information if the device still isn’t found.