The fastest way to uninstall a Safari extension
Open Safari, then go to Safari menu > Settings (or Preferences on older macOS versions). Click the Extensions tab on the left. Find the extension you want to remove, click it once to select it, then click the Uninstall button. The extension is gone when ready — you do not need to restart Safari.
That is the complete process. Most extensions disappear this way in under 30 seconds. If you cannot find the extension in that list, it may have been installed as part of another process, which means you will need to uninstall the parent process instead.
Some extensions also leave behind data — saved passwords, browsing history, or settings specific to that tool. Removing the extension itself does not delete that data. If you want to clear it, you can do that separately through Safari's privacy settings.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Safari menu > Settings, click Extensions, select the extension, and click Uninstall to remove it completely.
- Extensions installed as part of another process must be removed by uninstalling that process, not through Safari settings.
- Uninstalling an extension does not automatically delete the data it stored, like saved passwords or site preferences.
- You can clear an extension's stored data separately through Safari > Settings > Privacy if you want a complete removal.
- Some extensions require you to sign out of an account before uninstalling, though most do not.
When an extension does not appear in the Extensions list
If you see an extension active in Safari but cannot find it in the Extensions tab, it was likely installed as part of a larger process. This happens with password managers, ad blockers, and VPN tools that bundle a Safari component with desktop software.
To remove it, uninstall the parent process. On macOS, drag the process to Trash from the Applications folder, or use the uninstall tool that came with it. On iOS and iPadOS, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage), find the app, and tap Delete App. The Safari extension will disappear when the main process is gone.
If you are unsure which process installed the extension, click the extension in Safari's Extensions tab — most show a description that names the parent app. You can also search your Applications folder by the extension name to find what installed it.
Removing extension data and permissions after uninstall
When you uninstall an extension, Safari keeps any data it stored — passwords saved through that extension, browsing history it tracked, or settings you configured. If you want to delete that data too, you need to clear it separately.
Go to Safari > Settings > Privacy, then click Manage Website Data. Search for the extension name or any websites associated with it, select them, and click Remove. This clears cached data and cookies that extension left behind.
You can also revoke the permissions you gave an extension before uninstalling it. In the Extensions tab, click the extension, then look for a Permissions or Website Access section. Change the setting from "Allow on all websites" to "Never" or "Ask" before you uninstall. This prevents the extension from accessing your data if you ever reinstall it later.
Disabling an extension instead of uninstalling it
If you might want to use an extension again later, you can disable it instead of uninstalling it. Go to Safari > Settings > Extensions, click the extension, and toggle the switch next to its name to off. The extension stays installed but stops running.
A disabled extension does not load when you open Safari, so it uses no memory and does not slow down your browser. You can turn it back on anytime by toggling the switch again. This is useful for extensions you use occasionally or want to test — you keep them without the performance cost.
Disabling is also safer than uninstalling if you are not sure whether you want to keep an extension. You can disable it for a week and see if you miss it. If you do not, uninstall it then. If you do, turn it back on.
Uninstalling extensions on iPhone and iPad
Safari extensions on iOS and iPadOS work differently than on Mac. Most extensions are managed through the app that provides them, not through Safari itself. To remove an extension on iPhone or iPad, open the app that installed it, look for an Extensions or Safari settings section, and toggle the extension off or uninstall it there.
If the extension came from the App Store as a standalone tool, you can also remove it by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, finding the app, and tapping Delete App. The Safari extension will be removed with it.
Some extensions on iOS require you to go to Safari > Settings > Extensions to manage them, but most do not appear there. Check the app itself first — that is where the controls usually are.
What to do if an extension will not uninstall
Occasionally an extension gets stuck and will not uninstall through the normal process. Try restarting Safari first — close it completely and open it again, then go back to Settings > Extensions and try uninstalling again.
If that does not work, restart your Mac or iOS device. This clears Safari's memory and often fixes stuck extensions. After restarting, go back to the Extensions tab and try uninstalling once more.
If the extension still will not budge, it may be installed as part of system software or another process. Search your Applications folder for anything related to the extension name, and uninstall that process instead. You can also check System Settings > General > Login Items to see if the extension's parent app is set to launch automatically — removing it from that list sometimes helps.
Preventing unwanted extensions from installing in the first place
Many extensions install without asking, bundled with other software or added by websites you visit. To reduce this, check the Extensions tab regularly — once a month is reasonable — and remove anything you do not recognize or use.
When you read applications, pay attention during installation. Many installers offer to add a Safari extension as part of the setup. Uncheck that box if you do not want it. Read the privacy policy of any extension before installing it, especially password managers and ad blockers, since they see a lot of your browsing.
You can also restrict which websites can install extensions. Go to Safari > Settings > Extensions, click an extension, and change the "Website Access" setting from "Allow on all websites" to "Ask" or specific sites only. This gives you control over where an extension can run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does uninstalling a Safari extension delete my saved passwords?
Not automatically. If the extension stored passwords in Safari's keychain, they stay there even after you uninstall the extension. If it stored them in its own system, they may be deleted when you uninstall. To be safe, go to Safari > Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data and search for the extension name to clear any data it left behind.
Can I uninstall a Safari extension that came with my Mac?
Yes. Apple's built-in extensions like Savings and News can be uninstalled the same way as any other extension — go to Safari > Settings > Extensions, select it, and click Uninstall. You can reinstall it later from the App Store if you change your mind.
What happens to my browsing history if I uninstall an extension?
Your general Safari browsing history stays intact. If an extension was tracking your history separately, that tracked data may be deleted when you uninstall it. Your regular Safari history is not affected by removing any extension.
Why does an extension still show up in Safari after I uninstalled it?
It probably was not fully uninstalled. Go back to Safari > Settings > Extensions and check if it is still listed. If it is, select it and click Uninstall again. If it is not listed but still appears to be active, restart Safari and your Mac, then check again. If it persists, the extension may be installed as part of another process.
Can I uninstall multiple extensions at once?
No. Safari requires you to uninstall extensions one at a time. Select each one, click Uninstall, and move to the next. It only takes a few seconds per extension, so removing several takes less than a minute total.