Chrome for iPhone is preparing to take a major leap in the way users switch browsers within the Apple ecosystem. Soon, users will be able to transfer much of their Safari data directly from their mobile device, without needing a computer as an intermediary, including the option to import Safari bookmarks to Chrome From the phone.
This new feature will arrive with the Chrome version 145 for iOSCurrently in testing, this new feature is designed for iPhone users. The goal is to make switching from Safari to Chrome a simpler and more guided process, while keeping data such as passwords, payment methods, bookmarks, and browsing history virtually intact.
A specific feature to switch from Safari to Chrome on the iPhone
The key to this update lies in a new Chrome's built-in tool for iPhone to "import from Safari"This option, which was detected in the beta version by the specialized publication The Mac Observer, will appear directly in the Google browser as a migration assistant designed to run on the phone itself and facilitate Export bookmarks from Safari for your transfer.
Until now, anyone wanting to move their data from Safari to Chrome had to rely on the desktop versionPreviously, users used to export or sync information to a Mac or PC and then let Chrome integrate it into their Google account. With the arrival of Chrome 145, this step is becoming unnecessary, which is especially relevant for users in Spain and the rest of Europe who already manage almost everything from their mobile devices; until now, many relied on processes to... Export bookmarks from Chrome and Safari from a computer.
The assistant is geared towards people who have been using Safari for a long time and have accumulated experience with it. much of their daily digital activityThis includes logins, favorite websites, frequently visited pages, and stored payment information for online purchases. The idea is that changing browsers shouldn't require rebuilding all those settings in Chrome from scratch.
Based on what has been seen in the test versions, the new tool will be presented as a guided process, with clear steps, where the user will be able to track progress and to know at all times what type of data will be moved and where it will end up within the Google environment.
For many iOS users who don't want to get bogged down with advanced settings, the fact that Everything can be done from the iPhone itself. No wires, no iTunes, and no additional syncing represents a significant change in the browser migration experience.
What Safari data can be directly imported into Chrome
The new import system is not limited to a simple transfer of favorites, but encompasses various categories of information stored in SafariGoogle's intention is that when opening Chrome on the iPhone after the change, the environment will feel familiar and functional from the first use.
Among the elements that can be migrated are the following: passwords that the user has saved in Safari or in the iCloud KeychainThanks to this, accessing services, social networks, banks, or content platforms from Chrome will be much more direct, without having to remember or manually enter each password.
The function also includes the transfer of payment methods configured in the Apple browserThis is especially useful for those who regularly shop online from their mobile phones. Storing this data in Chrome prevents having to re-enter card numbers on each website, although it always comes with security warnings to make the user aware of the implications.
Another important group consists of bookmarks, favorites, and pinned pages which many users organize into folders. Migrating them to Chrome reduces the effort required for reconfiguration and maintains quick access to the pages you visit daily, from news outlets to banking or e-government portals; that's why it's useful to know how Manage favorites in Safari before the migration.
The assistant will also include the option to carry the browsing historyThis allows recent searches and visited pages in Safari to be accessible from Chrome. This can be useful for resuming tasks started in the previous browser without having to search for them again.
At all times, the system will explain that the data being imported They will be stored in the Google account associated with the userThat detail is important: from then on, the information can be synchronized with other devices where Chrome is used with the same account, such as computers, tablets, or Android phones; therefore, it's advisable to review guides on bookmark synchronization between Mac and iPhone If you have any doubts.
This is how the direct import process will work on iOS
The mechanics that Google is testing on iOS rely on the Exporting browsing data from Safari on the iPhone itselfInstead of performing a direct transfer between applications, the system first generates a compressed file with the information selected by the user.
The procedure, as seen in the beta version, starts with the option of Export the data from the device settingsFrom there, a compressed file (an information package) is created that includes passwords, history, bookmarks and, where applicable, payment data, always depending on what the user has decided to include in the export.
That file is temporarily saved on the iPhone and then, Chrome for iOS offers a guided flow to locate and import itThe browser detects the file, associates it with the active Google account, and displays a summary of which data categories will be incorporated.
During this wizard, the user will receive several warnings explaining that the file content is sensitive and that, once the operation is complete, the data will be stored. integrated into the Google services ecosystemThis affects both security and synchronization, as that information will then be available on other linked devices.
Once the process is complete, a specific option will appear in Chrome to decide what to do with the compressed file used during the transfer. The goal is to offer a quick way to to prevent unnecessary copies of that file from remaining in the phone's memory, reducing the risk of someone accessing it if the device is lost or shared.
Privacy, data erasure and the European data framework
One of the aspects that this new feature emphasizes most is the responsible management of the export fileChrome will explicitly remind you that this file includes sensitive information, such as passwords or payment details, and will recommend deleting it once it is no longer needed for import.
This additional step is intended to minimize the chances that sensitive data is stored without control On the iPhone, this can be problematic if full backups are performed, the device is lent to others, or unauthorized access occurs. The option to immediately erase data after migration acts as an extra layer of protection.
Beyond file management, the tool makes it clear that, starting from the import, Passwords, payment methods, and bookmarks will now be subject to Google's policies.For users in Spain and the rest of the European Union, this falls under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which requires transparency regarding how personal data is processed and stored.
Those who choose to use this feature will be able to continue managing all the information from the Chrome settings on iOS or from other synced devicesThis will allow you to review, modify, or delete imported passwords, manage saved payment cards, reorganize bookmarks, or clear your history whenever you deem it necessary.
In practice, the new feature doesn't fundamentally change Google's data model, but it does give users more leeway to control the timing and manner of migration from SafariBy concentrating everything on the iPhone itself and adding warnings about using and deleting the export file, the aim is to balance convenience and security.
With the arrival of Chrome 145 on iOS, iPhone owners who are thinking of abandoning Safari will have access to [the alternative]. a much more direct system for stealing passwords, cards, history and bookmarks to the Google browser. All this without depending on a computer, with a step-by-step assistant and explicit options to reduce the risks associated with handling personal data, an approach that fits with the growing concern for privacy in Spain and the rest of Europe.
