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Mac apps to open URLs in a Safari private or non-private window

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lapcat/PrivateWindow

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PrivateWindow

PrivateWindow is an app for macOS 12 Monterey or later that opens URLs in a Safari or Safari Technology Preview private window and then quits.

PublicWindow is an app for macOS 12 Monterey or later that opens URLs in a Safari or Safari Technology Preview non-private window and then quits.

These apps can be used independently, but they were designed to be used with Link Unshortener and StopTheMadness.

Donations of app icons are welcome!

PrivateWindow was originally based on Safari Private, with some improvements. PrivateWindow and PublicWindow can be used with Safari or Safari Technology Preview, they respect opening URLs in the background, and PublicWindow can open non-private windows rather than private windows.

Installing

  1. Download the latest release.
  2. Move PrivateWindow.app to your Applications folder.
  3. Open PrivateWindow.app. PrivateWindow.app main window
  4. Press the Open Accessibility Settings button. PrivateWindow.app would like to control this computer using accessibility features. Grant access to this application in Privacy & Security settings, located in System Settings.
  5. Press the Open System Settings button.
  6. Enable PrivateWindow. System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility > PrivateWindow
  7. Repeat the above steps for PublicWindow.app.
  8. The first time you open a URL with the app, allow it to control System Events. "PrivateWindow.app" wants access to control "System Events.app". Allowing control will provide access to documents and data in "System Events.app", and to perform actions within that app.

System Settings > Privacy & Security > Automation > PrivateWindow > System Events

Uninstalling

  1. Move PrivateWindow.app and PublicWindow.app to the Trash.

Building

Building from source requires Xcode 14 or later.

Before building, you need to create a file named DEVELOPMENT_TEAM.xcconfig in the project folder (the same folder as Shared.xcconfig). This file is excluded from version control by the project's .gitignore file, and it's not referenced in the Xcode project either. The file specifies the build setting for your Development Team, which is needed by Xcode to code sign the app. The entire contents of the file should be of the following format:

DEVELOPMENT_TEAM = [Your TeamID]

Author

Jeff Johnson

To support the author, you can PayPal.Me or buy my App Store apps.

Copyright

PrivateWindow and PublicWindow Copyright © 2023 Jeff Johnson. All rights reserved.

License

See the LICENSE.txt file for details.