How to remove an extension from Safari
Open Safari and go to Safari > Settings (or Safari > Preferences on older Macs). Click the Extensions tab on the left. Find the extension you want to remove in the list, select it, and click the Uninstall button. The extension disappears from your browser when ready.
If you cannot find the extension in Settings, it may have been installed as part of another program. Check your Applications folder for any software that came with the extension, uninstall that program, and the extension will usually be removed at the same time.
Removing an extension does not delete your browsing history or saved passwords. It only stops that extension from running in Safari.
Key Takeaways
- Extensions are removed through Safari Settings, not by deleting files from your computer.
- Some extensions come bundled with other software and will reinstall if you do not uninstall the parent program.
- Removing an extension takes effect when ready and does not affect your bookmarks, passwords, or browsing history.
- If an extension does not appear in the Extensions tab, check whether it was installed by another process you downloaded.
- You can turn an extension off without removing it by unchecking the box next to its name in Settings.
The difference between turning off and removing an extension
Safari lets you do two different things: disable an extension or remove it entirely. Disabling keeps the extension installed but stops it from running. Removing deletes it from Safari.
To disable an extension without removing it, open Safari Settings, click Extensions, find the extension, and uncheck the box next to its name. The extension stays in your list but does not load when you browse. This is useful if you want to keep an extension but do not need it right now, or if an extension is slowing down Safari and you want to test whether turning it off helps.
To remove it completely, select the extension and click Uninstall instead. You can always reinstall it later from the App Store if you change your mind.
What to do if an extension keeps coming back
Some extensions are installed as part of a larger program. If you remove an extension from Safari but it reappears the next time you open the browser, the parent program is reinstalling it.
Look in your Applications folder for any software you installed around the time the extension appeared. Common culprits include read managers, PDF readers, password managers, and search tools. Open the program's settings or preferences and look for an option to disable the Safari extension, or uninstall the program entirely if you do not use it.
If you are not sure which program installed the extension, search your Mac for the extension's name. Open Finder, click the search icon in the top right, type the extension name, and look through the results for any applications that might be related.
Removing extensions that are slowing down Safari
If Safari has become slow, an extension may be the cause. The fastest way to find out is to disable your extensions one at a time and see whether Safari speeds up.
Open Safari Settings, click Extensions, and uncheck the box next to the first extension. Close Safari completely and reopen it. If the browser feels faster, that extension was the problem — you can then decide whether to remove it or keep it disabled. If Safari is still slow, re-enable that extension and disable the next one.
Once you identify the slow extension, you can remove it or straightforward leave it disabled. Disabled extensions do not run in the background, so they will not slow down your browsing even if they are still installed.
Removing extensions you no longer recognize
If you see an extension in Safari Settings that you do not remember installing, it is safe to remove it. Extensions that appear without your knowledge are usually installed by other software, and removing them will not break anything.
Before you remove it, you can click on the extension's name to see a description of what it does. This helps you decide whether you actually want it. If the description does not match anything you use, or if you do not recognize the publisher's name, removing it is the right choice.
If you remove an extension and later realize you needed it, you can reinstall it from the App Store by searching for its name.
How to manage extensions on different Safari devices
If you use Safari on both your Mac and your iPhone or iPad, extensions work differently on each device. Mac extensions are managed through Safari Settings on your Mac only. iPhone and iPad extensions are managed through the Settings app on those devices.
On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, scroll down and tap Safari, then tap Extensions. You will see a list of extensions you have installed. Tap an extension to turn it on or off, or swipe left and tap Remove to delete it.
Extensions you install on your Mac do not automatically appear on your iPhone or iPad, and vice versa. You have to manage them separately on each device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will removing an extension delete my saved passwords or bookmarks?
No. Removing an extension only removes that extension from Safari. Your passwords, bookmarks, browsing history, and all other data stay exactly as they are. The extension has no access to that information.
Can I remove an extension that came with macOS?
Yes. Even extensions that Apple includes with Safari can be removed. Open Safari Settings, click Extensions, select the extension, and click Uninstall. You can reinstall it later if you change your mind.
What if I remove an extension by mistake?
You can reinstall it from the App Store. Open the App Store, search for the extension by name, and click Get. It will reinstall in Safari within a few seconds. Your settings and data will not be affected.
Why does an extension keep reappearing after I remove it?
Another program on your Mac is reinstalling it. Check your Applications folder for software you installed recently, open its settings, and look for an option to disable the Safari extension. If you do not use the program, you can uninstall it entirely.
Does disabling an extension slow down Safari?
No. A disabled extension does not run at all, so it has no effect on Safari's speed. Removing it and disabling it have the same result for performance — the only difference is that a disabled extension is still listed in Settings and can be turned back on quickly.