This guide walks you through installing Microsoft Edge on both your Mac and your iPhone. You’ll get the browser up and running on each device, and we’ll cover the basics of syncing your data between them if you want that.
What You’ll Need
- A Mac running macOS Catalina (10.15) or later (for the current version of Edge).
- An iPhone running iOS 15 or later.
- Enough free storage space (about 300 MB on Mac, about 200 MB on iPhone).
- Internet connection for downloading.
- Optional: a Microsoft account (free) if you want to sync bookmarks, passwords, and history between your Mac and iPhone.
Step-by-Step
Install on Mac
- Open Safari or another browser on your Mac and go to the official Microsoft Edge download page at
microsoft.com/edge. - Click the “Download for macOS” button. The site will detect your Mac’s processor (Intel or Apple Silicon) and offer the correct version automatically.
- Wait for the download to finish. The file is a
.pkginstaller, usually saved in your Downloads folder. - Open the downloaded
.pkgfile. If you see a warning that it’s from the App Store or an unidentified developer, right-click (or Control-click) the file and choose “Open,” then confirm you want to open it. - Follow the installer prompts. Click “Continue,” then “Install.” You may need to enter your Mac’s administrator password.
- Wait for the installation to complete, then click “Close.”
- Launch Edge. It will appear in your Applications folder. On first launch, you can choose to import bookmarks from Safari or Chrome, and set it as your default browser if you like.
Install on iPhone
- Open the App Store on your iPhone.
- Tap the search tab at the bottom and type “Microsoft Edge.”
- Find the official Microsoft Edge app (developer: Microsoft Corporation) and tap “Get” or the cloud icon to download it.
- Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password if prompted.
- Wait for the app to install, then tap “Open” from the App Store, or find the Edge icon on your home screen.
- On first launch, you’ll see a welcome screen. You can choose to sign in with a Microsoft account, or skip that for now and use it as a guest.
Optional: Sync Between Mac and iPhone
- On your Mac, click the profile icon (top right of the Edge window) and select “Sign in.”
- Enter your Microsoft account credentials (Outlook, Hotmail, Xbox, or any Microsoft account).
- On your iPhone, tap the profile icon (bottom right) and sign in with the same account.
- Confirm the sync prompt on both devices. Your bookmarks, passwords, and open tabs will start syncing within a few seconds.
Common Mistakes
- Downloading from a third-party site: Always use the official Microsoft page or the App Store to avoid malware or outdated versions.
- Ignoring the “unidentified developer” warning on Mac: If you just click away the warning, the installer won’t run. Use right-click → Open to bypass it safely.
- Choosing the wrong architecture on older Macs: If you have an Intel Mac and accidentally download the Apple Silicon version, it won’t open. Check your Mac’s chip under Apple menu → About This Mac.
- Not updating after install: Edge updates itself automatically, but if you’ve disabled updates, you might miss security patches. Keep automatic updates on.
Tips
- Set Edge as your default browser on each device for a consistent experience. On Mac: System Settings → Desktop & Dock → Default web browser. On iPhone: Settings → Edge → Default Browser App.
- Use Edge’s “Collections” feature to save and organize research or shopping links across your devices.
- Enable “Sleeping Tabs” in Settings → System and performance to save battery on your Mac.
- On iPhone, enable “Background App Refresh” for Edge in iOS Settings to keep your synced tabs up to date.
- If you use a password manager, Edge can import your saved passwords from Chrome or Safari during setup, or you can install the extension later.
Troubleshooting
- Mac says “Edge can’t be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software”: This happens if you downloaded from a non-App Store source. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down, and click “Open Anyway” next to the Edge warning.
- Installer fails with “damaged” or “incomplete”: Delete the downloaded
.pkgfile and download it again. A corrupted download is common; a fresh download usually fixes it. - Edge won’t launch after install: Restart your Mac. If it still won’t open, uninstall (drag Edge to Trash, delete the
Microsoft Edgefolder in~/Library/Application Support) and reinstall. - iPhone app won’t download: Check your storage (Settings → General → iPhone Storage). Delete unused apps or photos to free space, then try again.
- Syncing isn’t working: Make sure you’re signed in with the same account on both devices. Check that sync is enabled: on Mac, go to Edge → Settings → Profiles → Sync; on iPhone, Settings → Profile → Sync. Toggle it off and on.
- Edge is slow on Mac: Try turning off hardware acceleration in Edge → Settings → System and performance → uncheck “Use hardware acceleration when available.” Also check for too many extensions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Microsoft Edge free on Mac and iPhone?
Yes, Edge is completely free. You don’t need a Microsoft account to use it, though signing in enables syncing.
Can I use Edge on both devices with the same bookmarks?
Yes, if you sign in with the same Microsoft account on both, your favorites, passwords, history, and open tabs will sync automatically.
Will Edge replace Safari on my Mac or iPhone?
No, it installs alongside Safari. You can keep both and choose which one opens when you click links. Edge can be set as default if you prefer.
Does Edge on iPhone support extensions?
Yes, Edge for iOS supports a limited set of extensions from the App Store, such as ad blockers. On Mac, it supports the full Chrome Web Store library.
Can I import my Chrome bookmarks into Edge?
Yes, on both Mac and iPhone, the first-run setup offers to import from Chrome. On Mac, you can also do it later via Settings → Profiles → Import browser data.
Is Edge safe to use?
Yes, Edge is a mainstream browser with regular security updates, built-in phishing protection, and tracking prevention. It’s comparable to Safari or Chrome in safety.
Related
General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.
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