Browser Compatibility

Browser Compatibility

Bower works best on modern browsers with up-to-date web standards. Learn which browsers are supported and how to resolve compatibility issues.

Updated 2 weeks ago

01
Compatibility

Supported Browsers

We officially support the latest versions of these browsers. Older versions may work but aren't guaranteed.

Fully Supported

  • -Chrome 120+ (Recommended)
  • -Edge 120+ (Recommended)
  • -Firefox 121+
  • -Safari 17+
  • -Brave 1.60+
  • -Arc (latest version)

Limited Support

  • -Safari 15-16: May have upload issues
  • -Firefox 115-120: Older ESR versions
  • -Chrome 100-119: Missing modern features

Not Supported

  • -Internet Explorer (all versions): No longer maintained by Microsoft, lacks required web standards
  • -Opera Mini: Proxy-based rendering breaks JavaScript functionality
  • -UC Browser: Non-standard rendering engine
  • -Browsers older than 2 years: Security risks and missing features

Recommended Setup

For the best experience, use Chrome or Edge (latest version) on desktop. These browsers receive the most testing and provide the fastest performance with our MapBox integration and AI analysis features.
02
Known Issues

Browser-Specific Issues

Known problems and solutions for specific browsers.

Safari: Upload Dialog Doesn't Appear

Safari sometimes blocks file upload dialogs due to privacy settings.

Solutions

  • -Enable "Allow file access" in Safari → Settings → Websites → Downloads
  • -Disable "Prevent cross-site tracking" temporarily
  • -Update to Safari 17+ (older versions have known bugs)

Firefox: Map Rendering Issues

MapBox GL may render incorrectly in Firefox with certain graphics drivers.

Solutions

  • -Enable hardware acceleration: Settings → General → Performance → Use recommended performance settings
  • -Update graphics drivers to latest version
  • -Try Firefox ESR (Extended Support Release) for better stability

Brave: OAuth Login Blocked

Brave's aggressive privacy settings can block Google OAuth.

Solutions

  • -Disable "Block all cookies" shield for bower.site
  • -Allow third-party cookies for bower.site and accounts.google.com
  • -Click the Brave shield icon and reduce protection level to "Standard"

Chrome: "Out of Memory" Errors

Analyzing multiple large images simultaneously can exhaust browser memory.

Solutions

  • -Close other tabs and applications to free memory
  • -Analyze one image at a time instead of batching
  • -Resize images below 10MB before uploading
03
Optimization

Performance Tips

Optimize your browser for the best Bower experience.

Enable Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration uses your GPU to render graphics, significantly improving map performance.

Chrome/Edge: Settings → System → Use hardware acceleration when available

Firefox: Settings → General → Performance → Use recommended performance settings

Safari: Enabled by default on macOS

Clear Browser Cache Regularly

Accumulated cache can slow down page loading and cause stale data issues. Clear cache weekly for optimal performance. Use Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+Delete (Mac) to open clear browsing data dialog.

Update Your Browser

Browser updates include performance improvements, security patches, and new web standards. Enable automatic updates to always run the latest version. Check for updates manually: Settings → About [Browser Name].

Disable Heavy Extensions

Browser extensions consume memory and can interfere with JavaScript execution. Disable ad blockers, privacy tools, and developer extensions when using Bower. Test in incognito mode to identify extension conflicts.
04
Mobile

Mobile Browsers

Bower works on mobile devices, but some features are optimized for desktop use.

Mobile Support

  • -iOS Safari 17+: Full support
  • -Chrome (Android): Full support
  • -Samsung Internet: Full support
  • -Firefox (Android): Limited map interaction

Mobile Limitations

  • -Smaller screens limit map detail visibility
  • -Upload from camera takes longer than desktop
  • -Touch gestures may conflict with map controls
  • -Analysis may be slower on older devices

Mobile Best Practices

  • -Use landscape orientation for better map visibility
  • -Ensure stable WiFi connection (cellular data works but may be slow)
  • -Close background apps to free memory before analyzing images
  • -For detailed analysis work, switch to desktop when possible

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