Begin forwarded message:
From: "David Goldfield" <david.goldfield@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Tech-VI] Could Apple Have Finally Squashed the Longstanding “Safari
Not Responding” macOS Bug?
Date: December 6, 2023 at 8:05:52 PM EST
To: List <tech-vi@xxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: tech-vi@xxxxxxxxx
AppleVis: Recent Blog Posts - Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 3:16 PM
Could Apple Have Finally Squashed the Longstanding “Safari Not Responding”
macOS Bug?
I am thrilled to share some potentially great news - with the upcoming
release of macOS Sonoma 14.2, Apple may finally have fixed the longstanding
“Safari not responding” bug that causes repeated temporary freezes for many
when using VoiceOver on a Mac.
As I outlined in my post in October about why I could no longer recommend
Macs to fellow blind computer users,
<https://www.applevis.com/blog/we-deserve-better-apple-why-i-can-no-longer-recommend-mac-fellow-blind-computer-users>
this frustrating bug has been a major pain point for many VoiceOver users on
Mac across multiple MacOS versions. For the worst effected, it causes
frequent temporary freezes that can result in the user's Mac randomly and
sporadically becoming unusable for up to several minutes at a time,
dramatically impacting productivity and the overall user experience of macOS
and VoiceOver.
However, with the latest macOS update, Apple seems to have possibly resolved
this longstanding issue once and for all. Since the second developer beta
release in early November, I have not experienced a single “Safari not
responding” extended freeze on macOS Sonoma 14.2. This is even when pushing
VoiceOver to its limits on complex web pages. Pages that might previously
trigger an extended freeze now load without issue. I have encountered
occasional brief instances of the “Safari not responding” message, but these
have been rare. Typically these brief freeze-ups last no more than a couple
seconds before Safari recovers. They likely fall within the normal range one
might expect when loading complex webpages. Other testers involved in the
beta program have reported similar experiences. Additionally, apple has
indicated through a response to my bug report in Feedback Assistant that they
believe this bug to be resolved.
Furthermore, this improvement doesn't just apply to Safari - I'm also no
longer experiencing any extended “not responding” messages in other
WebKit-based applications that used to occasionally freeze. So Apple appears
to have potentially addressed the underlying issue across WebKit, not just
Safari specifically.
I do want to stress that the prevalence of this issue has been inconsistent
across users. Some VoiceOver users report never encountering the “Safari not
responding” bug at all. Others experience it occasionally, while for some of
us it occurs frequently and is highly disruptive. Additionally, there has
never been a consistent way to reproduce the “Safari not responding”
behaviour - it will occur randomly and sporadically. The same web page may
work fine multiple times before suddenly triggering a freeze. So while the
fix seems comprehensive based on my own experience and that of some other
testers, it would be hasty and unwise for me to claim that this issue is
definitively fixed for all. it's possible some users may still encounter
extended freeze ups in certain situations. My own machine is a M1 MacBook Air
with 8GB of RAM, for reference. Given the inconsistent nature of this bug in
the past, I can't guarantee it is 100% squashed for every configuration and
use case. However, as somebody who dealt with regular frustrating occurrences
previously, the complete absence of any extended “not responding” messages
since updating is very promising and gives me confidence Apple has at least
partially addressed the underlying issue. Please do share your experiences
after updating - positive or otherwise.
I cannot adequately express how thrilled I am by this development. The relief
of no longer having those frustration-inducing system freezes constantly
interrupting my work is immense. If the issue does indeed prove to be
completely resolved, I would once again feel confident relying on and
recommending Macs to fellow blind users thanks to Apple finally addressing
this bug.
While I was publicly critical of Apple for letting this drag on so long
without a fix, I want to sincerely thank the company for making it an urgent
priority to finally and comprehensively resolve the issue. I recognise it
likely presents complex technical challenges. But Apple's engineering team is
clearly pulling out all stops to permanently squash this bug, and we are
extremely grateful as users.
I also want to thank everyone in the blind community who has persistently
reported this issue to Apple over the years and provided details on
situations that trigger the “Safari not responding” bug. Your bug reports and
vocal feedback have been invaluable in keeping pressure on Apple to
prioritise fixing this problem. The information you provided likely also
helped Apple's engineers isolate the cause of the freeze issues and identify
an effective solution. This fix wouldn't have happened without the community
repeatedly making their frustrations clear and contributing detailed examples
and test cases. Your efforts underscore the importance of speaking up when
accessibility issues arise and not silently tolerating them. So thank you all
for helping drive this change.
The progress on a “Safari not responding” fix is a reminder of Apple's
capabilities when they truly dedicate resources and talent towards an
accessibility issue. It restores faith that Apple cares about delivering the
best possible experience for its blind and low vision customers, not just
sighted ones.
Of course work still remains to address other issues and frustrations in the
VoiceOver experience on Mac. But fixing this singular pain point would be a
major leap forward in performance and usability. Apple deserves kudos for
finally prioritising a fix, and I hope they will work to quickly resolve
remaining issues.
I look forward to once again feeling comfortable recommending Macs to fellow
blind computer users thanks to Apple squashing one of its most notorious
accessibility bugs. It will be a great day for VoiceOver users who will no
longer have to face those frustrating "Safari not responding" messages
constantly interrupting work and leisure. Thanks Apple for hearing our
feedback and making this a priority fix. It is hugely appreciated.
Note: Apple released the release candidate build of macOS Sonoma 14.2 to beta
testers this week. While Apple has not officially confirmed the public
release date, past experience with macOS betas indicates that the stable
public release usually closely follows on the heels of the release candidate
build being issued to testers. So users can expect the final version of macOS
Sonoma 14.2 to be publicly rolled out next week, barring any last minute
issues.
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Comments
Optimistic <https://applevis.com/comment/159515#comment-159515>
By PaulMartz
3 hours 26 min ago
Fingers crossed.
I received an email from… <https://applevis.com/comment/159516#comment-159516>
By The Oliver Kennett
2 hours 18 min ago
I received an email from apple on this matter and have downloaded the beta
this afternoon.
The fact that they have actively said it may be resolved is hopeful. I'll
copy in the email below for reference:
Hi Oliver,
There are changes in the latest macOS update, build 23C63, that may have
resolved this issue.
You can see the software build your device is running and check for the
latest update by clicking on the Apple logo in the upper left hand corner >
About This Mac. If the build is not visible, click on the macOS version, e.g.
10.15.x, to reveal it.
Has this issue been resolved after installing the latest update?
Feedback ID FB13138049, Voiceover repeatedly says 'Safari Not Responding'
making safari unusable for up to two minutes.
Do not reply to this email. Please login to Feedback Assistant or the seed
portal to let us know if the problem is fixed for you.
This, I think, was in reaction to me sending an email to accessibility that
read safari not responding a hundred times each time safari misbehaved. I'm
such a dick sometimes.
I am very excited. As I… <https://applevis.com/comment/159518#comment-159518>
By Adrian Wyka
1 hour 25 min ago
I am very excited.
As I wrote in the thread with this problem.
I submitted a report to Apple a while ago.
I received a reply from them that the problem no longer occurs in the beta
version.
Since I'm not updating to the beta version, I was waiting for confirmation of
this news, or the release of the official version.
I'm still waiting for my impressions after upgrade, but your post makes me
feel positive.
Unfortunately I’m on a 2017 iMac, so cannot download macOS Sonom
<https://applevis.com/comment/159519#comment-159519>
By Kushal Solanki
19 min 31 sec ago
Hi, unfortunately I’m using a 2017 iMac and cannot download MAC OS Sonoma,
but it is good that the not responding bug seems to be fixed.
Safari Betas <https://applevis.com/comment/159520#comment-159520>
By Maldalain
18 sec ago
Oliver could you please tell how to download Safari betas?
https://applevis.com/blog/could-apple-have-finally-squashed-longstanding-safari-not-responding-macos-bug
<https://applevis.com/blog/could-apple-have-finally-squashed-longstanding-safari-not-responding-macos-bug>
David Goldfield
Assistive Technology Specialist
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