How to remove an extension from Safari
To delete a Safari extension, open Safari, then go to Safari > 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 now gone from your browser.
If you cannot find an extension in Settings, it may have been installed as part of another process. Some extensions live inside Mac apps rather than in Safari itself. In that case, you would uninstall the parent app through Applications or System Settings, which removes the extension along with it.
Key Takeaways
- Safari extensions are removed through Safari Settings under the Extensions tab, not through the Mac System Settings.
- Some extensions bundled with other applications require you to uninstall the parent app to remove them completely.
- On iPhone and iPad, extensions are managed through Settings > Safari > Extensions, and you toggle them on or off rather than uninstalling them.
- Removing an extension does not delete any data it stored; you may need to clear Safari data separately if you want to erase browsing history or cookies tied to that extension.
Removing extensions on Mac step by step
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select Settings (on macOS Sonoma and newer) or Preferences (on older versions). A window will open with several tabs across the top.
Click the Extensions tab. You will see a list of all extensions currently installed in Safari, organized by category or in a single list depending on your macOS version. Each extension shows a toggle switch next to its name. Find the extension you want to delete and click it once to highlight it.
Once the extension is selected, an Uninstall button appears below the list or to the right of the extension name. Click that button. Safari will ask you to confirm the removal. Click Uninstall again in the confirmation dialog. The extension is now removed from Safari.
Removing extensions on iPhone and iPad
On iPhone and iPad, the process is different because Safari extensions cannot be fully uninstalled the way they are on Mac. Instead, you turn them off. Open Settings, scroll down and tap Safari, then tap Extensions.
You will see a list of extensions installed on your device. Tap the extension you want to disable, then toggle the switch next to Allow These Websites to the off position. The extension is now turned off and will not run in Safari.
If you want to completely remove an extension from iPhone or iPad, you must uninstall the app that came with it. Go to your home screen, find the app, press and hold it, then select Remove App and confirm. This removes both the app and its associated extension.
What happens to your data when you delete an extension
Deleting an extension does not automatically erase the data it collected or stored. If an extension tracked your browsing, stored passwords, or saved preferences, that information may remain in Safari's cache or in the extension's own storage until you clear it separately.
To remove browsing data tied to an extension, go to Safari > Settings > Privacy on Mac, or Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data on iPhone. Choose the time range (Last Hour, Today, Last Week, Last Month, or All Time) and click Remove Now. This clears cookies, cache, and browsing history across all extensions and websites.
If you want to be more selective, some extensions have their own settings where you can clear stored data. Check the extension's settings before you uninstall it if you want to preserve any information it stored.
Extensions that come bundled with other apps
Some Mac applications install Safari extensions automatically when you install the app itself. These extensions do not appear in the Safari Extensions list in the normal way, or they reappear after you uninstall them because the parent app reinstalls them.
Common examples include password managers, ad blockers, and shopping tools that come with larger software packages. To remove these extensions permanently, you must uninstall the parent process. On Mac, drag the app to the Trash, or use System Settings > General > Storage to find and remove it. Some apps also leave behind preference files or support folders that you may want to delete manually.
If you want to keep the app but disable its Safari extension, open the app's own settings and look for a Safari or browser integration option. Many apps let you turn off their browser extensions without uninstalling the entire process.
Why you might want to delete an extension
Extensions can slow down Safari, especially if you have many installed at once. Each extension runs code in the background while you browse, which uses memory and battery. Removing extensions you no longer use can make Safari faster and improve battery life on laptops and mobile devices.
Extensions also request permission to access your browsing data, passwords, and website content. If you no longer trust an extension or no longer need it, removing it reduces the number of programs that can see what you do online. This is a straightforward way to reduce your digital footprint without changing your browsing habits.
Some extensions become outdated or stop working after Safari updates. Rather than leaving a broken extension installed, removing it keeps your extension list clean and prevents Safari from trying to load code that no longer functions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reinstall an extension after I delete it?
Yes. If you deleted an extension from the App Store or from a developer's website, you can reinstall it the same way you installed it the first time. Go to the App Store, search for the extension by name, and click Get. If it was a web-based extension, visit the developer's website and follow their installation instructions.
What if an extension will not uninstall?
If the Uninstall button is grayed out or missing, the extension is likely managed by your Mac's administrator or by a parent app. Check System Settings > General > Login Items or Allowed Apps to see if the extension is locked. If you installed the parent app, try uninstalling that app first. If your Mac is managed by an organization, you may not have permission to remove certain extensions.
Will deleting an extension remove my saved passwords?
Deleting a password manager extension does not automatically delete the passwords it stored. The passwords remain in the extension's vault or in Safari's own password manager. If you want to remove them, you must delete them manually through the password manager's settings or through Safari Settings > Passwords.
Do I need to restart Safari after deleting an extension?
No. Safari removes the extension when ready after you click Uninstall. You do not need to close and reopen Safari for the change to take effect, though restarting Safari can help if you notice any unusual behavior after removing an extension.
Can I temporarily disable an extension instead of deleting it?
Yes. In Safari Settings under Extensions, each extension has a toggle switch. Turn the switch off to disable the extension without uninstalling it. This is useful if you want to test whether an extension is causing a problem or if you might want to use it again later. The extension remains installed but does not run.