Removing an extension takes two steps: find it in Safari's settings, then delete it

Open Safari and go to Safari > Settings (or Safari > Preferences on older macOS versions). Click the Extensions tab on the left. You will see a list of every extension you have installed. Click the one you want to remove, then click Uninstall. The extension disappears when ready.

On iPad and iPhone, the process is slightly different because Safari settings live in the main Settings app, not in Safari itself. Go to Settings > Safari > Extensions, tap the extension you want to remove, and tap Remove. Again, it takes effect right away.

If you cannot find an extension in the Extensions tab even though it is running, it may have been installed as part of another app. Check your Applications folder for any program that came with Safari tools, and uninstall that program instead.

Key Takeaways

  • On Mac, open Safari Settings, click Extensions, select the extension, and click Uninstall.
  • On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Safari > Extensions, tap the extension, and tap Remove.
  • Removing an extension stops it from running when ready — you do not need to restart Safari.
  • If an extension does not appear in the Extensions list, it may be bundled with another app in your Applications folder.

Why you might want to remove an extension

Extensions use memory and can slow Safari down, especially if you have many installed. Removing ones you no longer use frees up that space. Extensions also have access to the websites you visit, so removing ones you do not trust reduces the number of programs watching your browsing.

You might also remove an extension because it stopped working, because a newer version replaced it, or because you straightforward changed your mind about what you need. There is no penalty for uninstalling and reinstalling later if you change your mind again.

Disabling an extension instead of removing it

If you think you might want to use an extension again soon, you can turn it off without deleting it. In the Extensions tab, uncheck the box next to the extension's name. It stays installed but stops running.

Disabled extensions still take up a small amount of storage space, but they use no memory or processing power while they are off. This is useful if you want to test whether an extension is causing a problem — disable it, see if Safari runs better, and then decide whether to remove it permanently.

Controlling which websites an extension can access

Before you remove an extension, you might want to limit what it can do instead. In the Extensions tab, click an extension and you will see options for which websites it can run on. You can set it to Ask (Safari asks you each time), Allow (it always runs), or Deny (it never runs).

You can also set different rules for different websites. For example, you might allow a password manager on your bank's website but deny it everywhere else. This gives you more control than straightforward removing the extension, and you keep the tool available if you need it later.

What happens after you remove an extension

The extension stops working when ready. Any features it provided — like a button in the toolbar, a sidebar, or automatic actions on certain websites — disappear right away. You do not need to restart Safari or your computer.

If the extension stored any data (like saved passwords or settings), that data is usually deleted when you uninstall. Some extensions back up their data to the cloud, so check the extension's website or documentation if you need to preserve anything before you remove it.

Reinstalling an extension you removed

If you change your mind, you can reinstall any extension you removed. Go back to the App Store or the extension's website and read it again. Your settings will not be there unless the extension syncs them to an account you log into.

Some extensions are free, and some cost money. If you paid for one and then removed it, you usually do not have to pay again to reinstall it — your purchase is tied to your Apple ID. Check the App Store listing to confirm before you reinstall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does removing an extension delete my saved passwords or data?

Usually yes — when you uninstall an extension, Safari deletes the data it stored locally on your device. Some extensions back up data to their own servers or to your iCloud account, so check the extension's settings before you remove it if you want to keep anything.

Can I remove an extension that came with macOS?

Yes. Apple's built-in extensions like Reader and Translate can be uninstalled just like any other extension. You can reinstall them later from the App Store if you change your mind.

Why is an extension still running after I removed it?

Make sure you clicked Uninstall and not just closed the Settings window. If it is still running, check the Extensions tab again — it may have been installed as part of another app. Look in your Applications folder for any program that might have bundled it, and uninstall that program instead.

Will removing an extension speed up Safari?

It depends on how many extensions you have and what they do. Extensions that run constantly or access many websites use more memory. Removing unused or heavy extensions can make Safari noticeably faster, but removing one rarely makes a dramatic difference.