macOS changes removed support for separate browser-profile launchers

StoneWorks_Tech wrote:

In recent macOS versions, certain system changes have removed the ability for browsers to offer separate launchers or Dock icons for different profiles. Chrome and Edge both used to support this, and Safari has never offered it.

Safari added this a couple of years ago at least: Use profiles in Safari on Mac - Apple Support

StoneWorks_Tech wrote:

Safari has profiles but no way to launch a specific profile from the Dock for easier access.

You can configure certain websites to always open with specific profiles. That should do what you're asking.

Otherwise, I've seen many 3rd party solutions and/or scripting for doing what you're asking. I haven't tried any of those, so I can't recommend them. Here's one, out of many.

Now I understand. You don't just want a browser with multiple profiles. You want multiple copies of the same browser open at the same time with different profiles. Again, you can send Apple feedback from the link I posted.

For what it's worth, I just checked Brave and it's possible to choose different profiles on launch. I have to assume it's possible with Chrome & Edge since they're all Chromium-based.

StoneWorks_Tech wrote:

Is anyone else experiencing this limitation? I’d appreciate hearing from others who rely on multiple profiles.

I don't use the function. Yours is the first post I've read of someone who does.

Feel free to send Apple feedback.

Feedback - macOS - Apple

dialabrain wrote:

Hmmm. You can't have multiple icons of the same browser with different profiles in the Dock. Or is that what your brother figured out? Sometimes I'm a little dense. 🤔

My brother figured out how to do what the OP wants to do (but with Chrome and Windows). He had two different Chrome icons in the Windows equivalent of the Dock. Both are running. It confused me. He explained one was personal and the other was for the work he is doing for a museum.

Perhaps there's a busy signal? ;-)

Yes, apparently it's possible in Windows according to the OP…

"Granted, I say all of this as a former Mac user who switched to Windows for a while, then came back to macOS and am really happy overall - just a little frustrated by some of the limitations."

At least that's what I inferred.

dialabrain wrote:

Yes, apparently it's possible in Windows according to the OP…

"Granted, I say all of this as a former Mac user who switched to Windows for a while, then came back to macOS and am really happy overall - just a little frustrated by some of the limitations."

At least that's what I inferred.

I've used Windows every working day for the last twenty-odd years, so I'm at least reasonably conversant. It was new to me.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

I've used Windows every working day for the last twenty-odd years, so I'm at least reasonably conversant. It was new to me.

Understood. But the thread isn't really about how to do it with Windows. 😎

dialabrain wrote:

IdrisSeabright wrote:

I've used Windows every working day for the last twenty-odd years, so I'm at least reasonably conversant. It was new to me.

Understood. But the thread isn't really about how to do it with Windows. 😎

And, of course, you've never wandered off into the weeds....

See: Use profiles in Safari on Mac - Apple Support