Safari extensions turn off in Settings, not in the browser menu

To disable an extension in Safari, open Safari Settings (or Preferences on older Macs), go to the Extensions tab, find the extension you want to turn off, and uncheck the box next to its name. The extension stays installed but stops running. If you want to remove it entirely instead, click the Uninstall button next to it.

The exact steps depend on whether you are on Mac, iPhone, or iPad, but the principle is the same: extensions live in Settings, not in the main browser interface. This is different from Chrome or Firefox, where you can often manage extensions from a menu inside the browser window.

Key Takeaways

  • Disabling an extension in Safari means unchecking it in Settings → Extensions, which stops it from running without removing it.
  • On Mac, you reach Safari Settings through the Safari menu at the top of the screen, then click the Extensions tab.
  • On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings → Apps → Safari → Extensions to disable extensions for that browser.
  • Disabling an extension is temporary and reversible; uninstalling it removes it completely and you would need to reinstall it from the App Store.
  • Some extensions only work on certain websites, so you can also choose to disable them only on specific sites rather than everywhere.

Disabling extensions on Mac

On a Mac, open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top left of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences if you are on an older version). Click the Extensions tab — it looks like a puzzle piece icon.

You will see a list of all your installed extensions. Find the one you want to disable and uncheck the box next to its name. The extension is now off but still installed. If you want to turn it back on later, just check the box again.

Some extensions let you choose which websites they run on. If you see a dropdown menu next to an extension name that says "Allow on all websites" or "Allow on visited websites", you can click it and choose "Allow on specific websites" instead. Then you can add or remove individual sites from the list.

Disabling extensions on iPhone and iPad

On iPhone or iPad, extensions are managed through the Settings app, not Safari itself. Open Settings, scroll down and tap Apps, then tap Safari.

Scroll down to the Extensions section. You will see a list of extensions you have installed. Tap the extension you want to disable, then toggle off the switch next to "Allow". The extension is now disabled. To turn it back on, toggle the switch back on.

Just like on Mac, you can also choose to allow an extension only on certain websites. Tap the extension name, then tap "Allow on Specific Websites" and add or remove sites from the list.

The difference between disabling and uninstalling

Disabling an extension turns it off but leaves it installed on your device. You can turn it back on anytime by checking the box (on Mac) or toggling the switch (on iPhone or iPad). Disabling is useful when you want to test whether an extension is causing a problem, or when you use it only sometimes.

Uninstalling removes the extension completely. On Mac, click the Uninstall button next to the extension name in Settings. On iPhone or iPad, tap the extension in Settings and choose Remove App. If you uninstall an extension and later want it back, you will need to find it in the App Store and install it again.

When to disable an extension instead of uninstalling it

Disable an extension if you think it might be slowing down Safari or causing a website to load incorrectly, but you are not sure which extension is the culprit. Turn off one extension at a time and test whether the problem goes away. This is faster than uninstalling and reinstalling.

Also disable an extension if you use it only occasionally. For example, if you have a password manager extension that you only need when you are setting up a new account, you can disable it most of the time and turn it on when you need it. This keeps Safari running leaner when you are not using it.

Disable rather than uninstall if you are troubleshooting a website that is not working properly. Some websites have trouble with certain extensions running in the background. Disabling the extension temporarily lets you see whether that is the problem without losing your settings or having to reinstall later.

Disabling extensions only on specific websites

Safari lets you allow an extension on all websites, only on websites you visit, or only on specific websites you choose. This is useful if an extension works well on some sites but breaks others.

On Mac, open Safari Settings, click Extensions, and find the extension. Click the dropdown next to its name. Choose "Allow on specific websites" and then add the sites where you want it to run. On iPhone or iPad, tap the extension in Settings → Apps → Safari → Extensions, then tap "Allow on Specific Websites" and add sites to the list.

If an extension is causing problems on one particular website, you can disable it just for that site without turning it off everywhere. This is often faster than disabling the whole extension.

Troubleshooting when an extension will not disable

If you uncheck an extension on Mac but it keeps running, try closing Safari completely and opening it again. Sometimes Safari needs to restart to fully explore the change.

If an extension is greyed out or you cannot uncheck it, it may be managed by your organization if you are using a work computer. Contact your IT department — they may have locked certain extensions so they cannot be disabled.

On iPhone or iPad, if you cannot find an extension in Settings, it may not have been installed as an extension. Some apps add features to Safari but do not show up in the Extensions list. Check the app itself to see whether it has settings for Safari integration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does disabling an extension delete my saved data or settings?

No. Disabling an extension pauses it but keeps all its data and settings intact. When you turn it back on, everything is exactly as you left it. Uninstalling is what removes the data — once you uninstall, you lose any saved passwords, preferences, or other information the extension stored.

Will disabling an extension make Safari faster?

It may. Some extensions run in the background and use memory or processing power even when you are not actively using them. If Safari feels slow, disabling extensions one at a time and testing can help you find which one is causing the problem. Not all extensions have a noticeable impact on speed.

Can I disable an extension just for private browsing?

On Mac, yes. In Safari Settings under Extensions, some extensions have a checkbox for "Allow in private browsing". Uncheck that box to disable the extension only in private windows. On iPhone and iPad, this option is not available — extensions are either on or off for all browsing.

What happens if I disable an extension that a website needs to work?

The website may not work properly. Some sites rely on extensions like password managers or payment tools. If you disable an extension and a website stops working, turn the extension back on and the site should work again. You can also allow the extension only on that specific website instead of disabling it everywhere.

How do I know which extensions are slowing down Safari?

There is no built-in Safari tool that shows which extensions use the most resources. The best way is to disable extensions one at a time, close and reopen Safari, and see whether it feels faster. Start with extensions you do not use often. Once you find the slow one, you can decide whether to disable it permanently or uninstall it.