---
title: "Is IndexedDB supported across all browsers? What about older versions?"  
description: "Is IndexedDB supported across all browsers? What about older versions?"  
author: "Shalini Passi"  
published: 2025-07-04  
updated: 2025-07-04  
canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/interview/34315/is-indexeddb-supported-across-all-browsers-what-about-older-versions  
category: "database"  
tags: ["database", "indexeddb"]  
reading_time: 4 minutes  

---

# Is IndexedDB supported across all browsers? What about older versions?

> **Yes,** [**IndexedDB**](https://www.mindstick.com/interview/34304/how-do-you-create-and-open-a-database-in-indexeddb) **is supported in all modern browsers**, but there are **some differences and limitations** in **older versions** or **private modes**.

## Current Browser Support (2025)

| Browser | IndexedDB Support |
| --- | --- |
| Chrome (all versions since 11) | Full support |
| Firefox (since v4) | Full support |
| Safari (since v10.1) | Full support, **quirks exist** |
| Edge (Chromium & Legacy) | Full support |
| Opera | Full support |
| Android WebView | Yes |
| iOS Safari | Yes, but **limited** before v13 |
| Internet Explorer 10–11 | Basic support, many limitations |

## Older Version Caveats

### IE 10 & 11

IndexedDB is supported, but:

- Only **basic features**
- **No support for Blob storage**
- Less stable; crashes more frequently
- Poor error reporting

### Safari (before v13)

Quirky behavior:

- **Private mode breaks IndexedDB**
- `indexedDB.open()` may silently fail or throw `QuotaExceededError`
- Data loss across sessions
- Always wrap logic in **feature detection** (see below).

## Private/Incognito Mode Limitations

| Browser | Behavior in Private Mode |
| --- | --- |
| Chrome | ✅ Works normally |
| Firefox | ✅ Works normally |
| Safari | ⚠️ IndexedDB often **disabled** or fails silently |
| Edge | ✅ Works normally |

## Feature Detection (Recommended Practice)

Before using IndexedDB, **always check** support:

```javascript
if (!window.indexedDB) {
    alert("Your browser doesn't support a stable version of IndexedDB.");
} else {
    // Safe to proceed
}
```

## Tips for Legacy Support

| Strategy | Benefit |
| --- | --- |
| Use `window.indexedDB` check | Avoid crashes or unsupported errors |
| [Use Promises or wrappers](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/336224/handling-javascript-asynchronous-operations-with-promises-and-async-await#:~:text=Best%20Practices,javascript%20javascript%20asynchronous%20promise) | Simplifies async error handling |
| Use [localForage](https://github.com/localForage/localForage) | A fallback wrapper that uses IndexedDB, WebSQL, or localStorage depending on support |

### Summary

| Environment | Support | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Modern browsers | Full | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc. |
| iOS Safari < 13 | Partial | Beware of private mode & quota issues |
| IE 10/11 | Limited | Avoid for serious apps |
| Incognito mode | Varies | Safari blocks; Chrome/Firefox OK |

## Answers

### Answer by Shalini Passi

> **Yes,** [**IndexedDB**](https://www.mindstick.com/interview/34304/how-do-you-create-and-open-a-database-in-indexeddb) **is supported in all modern browsers**, but there are **some differences and limitations** in **older versions** or **private modes**.

## Current Browser Support (2025)

| Browser | IndexedDB Support |
| --- | --- |
| Chrome (all versions since 11) | Full support |
| Firefox (since v4) | Full support |
| Safari (since v10.1) | Full support, **quirks exist** |
| Edge (Chromium & Legacy) | Full support |
| Opera | Full support |
| Android WebView | Yes |
| iOS Safari | Yes, but **limited** before v13 |
| Internet Explorer 10–11 | Basic support, many limitations |

## Older Version Caveats

### IE 10 & 11

IndexedDB is supported, but:

- Only **basic features**
- **No support for Blob storage**
- Less stable; crashes more frequently
- Poor error reporting

### Safari (before v13)

Quirky behavior:

- **Private mode breaks IndexedDB**
- `indexedDB.open()` may silently fail or throw `QuotaExceededError`
- Data loss across sessions
- Always wrap logic in **feature detection** (see below).

## Private/Incognito Mode Limitations

| Browser | Behavior in Private Mode |
| --- | --- |
| Chrome | ✅ Works normally |
| Firefox | ✅ Works normally |
| Safari | ⚠️ IndexedDB often **disabled** or fails silently |
| Edge | ✅ Works normally |

## Feature Detection (Recommended Practice)

Before using IndexedDB, **always check** support:

```javascript
if (!window.indexedDB) {
    alert("Your browser doesn't support a stable version of IndexedDB.");
} else {
    // Safe to proceed
}
```

## Tips for Legacy Support

| Strategy | Benefit |
| --- | --- |
| Use `window.indexedDB` check | Avoid crashes or unsupported errors |
| [Use Promises or wrappers](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/336224/handling-javascript-asynchronous-operations-with-promises-and-async-await#:~:text=Best%20Practices,javascript%20javascript%20asynchronous%20promise) | Simplifies async error handling |
| Use [localForage](https://github.com/localForage/localForage) | A fallback wrapper that uses IndexedDB, WebSQL, or localStorage depending on support |

### Summary

| Environment | Support | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Modern browsers | Full | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc. |
| iOS Safari < 13 | Partial | Beware of private mode & quota issues |
| IE 10/11 | Limited | Avoid for serious apps |
| Incognito mode | Varies | Safari blocks; Chrome/Firefox OK |


---

Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/interview/34315/is-indexeddb-supported-across-all-browsers-what-about-older-versions

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