Why won't Safari ask for my microphone?

Safari may block the prompt if the site is not served over HTTPS, if site settings deny microphone access, or if you are in Private Browsing mode. Check Website Settings and refresh the page.

What does StartACall do differently for Safari?

StartACall uses server-side token flows, TURN/STUN relays, WebSocket signaling, and Safari-specific client handling so sessions stay authenticated and media works even under restrictive browser or network settings.

Do I need an app to call from Safari?

No. StartACall runs entirely in the browser. Sign up, grant microphone permission, and start calling without installing native apps.

Why does calling from Safari sometimes fail?

Calls from Safari can fail because of browser permission blocks, older WebRTC implementation on some macOS and iOS versions, third-party cookie or tracking restrictions, and network NAT issues that prevent direct peer connections. Signaling and media negotiation can be interrupted if the browser blocks cookies or cross-site requests.

What steps can I take to fix Safari calling issues?

Update Safari to the latest version, enable microphone access in Website Settings, avoid Private Browsing for authenticated sessions, allow site data and cookies for startacall.com, and ensure the device is on a network that allows WebRTC traffic. If issues persist, use StartACall's diagnostics and TURN relay which fix most NAT and media path problems.

Does StartACall support Safari?

Yes. StartACall is built to work in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox. We use Twilio for PSTN bridging, TURN/STUN relays for media, server-issued tokens for reliable signaling, and polyfills where needed to handle Safari-specific quirks so you can place calls from your browser without installing apps.

Browser Calling Guide

Safari Browser Calling Issues - Why Safari Fails and How StartACall Works

Safari can behave differently than Chrome and Firefox when it comes to WebRTC and permissions. StartACall bridges the gaps so you can place PSTN calls from your browser reliably, including Safari on macOS and iOS.

Read Troubleshooting

Browser CallingLive in Browser

No app required. Works directly in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox.

Why Safari Calls Fail

Understanding the common failure points helps you troubleshoot faster. Below are the most frequent causes for Safari call failures and what they look like.

Permission Blocks

Safari often requires an explicit user gesture for microphone or audio playback. If the site has no microphone permission, the call will not capture audio.

Cookie and Storage Restrictions

Apple's tracking and cookie rules can block third-party cookies and storage that some signaling flows depend on. That can break authentication and Twilio token retrieval for the call session.

Network and Codec Edge Cases

NAT or strict firewall rules can prevent direct peer connections. Safari's WebRTC differences can surface when negotiating codecs or SRTP keys with PSTN bridges.

Symptoms to watch for

Call connects but you or the other party are muted or one-way audio
Call fails during or immediately after authentication
Mic request never appears or gets denied silently

How StartACall Fixes Safari Problems

We designed StartACall to handle the full range of Safari quirks so your team can call from the browser with confidence.

Reliable Signaling

Server-issued Twilio access tokens and WebSocket-based signaling avoid reliance on blocked third-party cookies. This keeps sessions stable across Safari settings.

TURN Media Relays

When direct peer-to-peer fails, StartACall routes media through TURN servers so audio works even behind strict NATs and firewalls.

Twilio PSTN Bridge

We use Twilio to bridge WebRTC to the PSTN, handling codec negotiation and ensuring compatibility with traditional phone networks worldwide.

Client-Side Fixes

Graceful permission prompts with clear instructions
Polyfills and Safari-specific handling in our browser SDK
Fallback audio playback methods to avoid user gesture blocks

Server-Side Fixes

Short-lived access tokens to avoid stale sessions
Server-managed TURN/STUN allocation for media resiliency
Fallback SIP over WebSocket if a direct WebRTC negotiation fails

Built-in Diagnostics

StartACall provides real-time analytics and diagnostics so you can see permission status, ICE candidate exchange, and media relay usage. That makes it simple to identify whether a problem is a permission, network, or signaling issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is StartACall compatible with iOS Safari?

Yes. StartACall supports modern iOS Safari versions. Some older iOS versions lack full WebRTC features, so we recommend updating to the latest iOS for best results.

Why does my microphone prompt not appear in Safari?

If the prompt does not appear, check that the site is loaded over HTTPS, that you are not in Private Browsing, and that Safari > Settings for the website allows Microphone access. Reload the page after changing settings.

What if I get one-way audio?

One-way audio is usually a NAT or TURN issue. StartACall automatically falls back to TURN relays when direct media paths fail, which fixes most one-way audio problems.

Do I need to install anything?

No. StartACall is web-based. You can place calls from Safari, Chrome, or Firefox without installing apps or plugins.

Ready to stop worrying about Safari quirks?

Sign up and start making calls from your browser instantly. Built-in diagnostics and resilient media routing ensure calls work reliably in Safari.