Remove an extension from Safari settings
Open Safari and go to Safari > Settings (or Safari > Preferences on older Macs). Click the Extensions tab on the left. You will see a list of every extension you have installed. Find the one you want to remove, click it once to select it, then click the Uninstall button that appears on the right side of the window.
The extension disappears from your browser when ready. Safari does not ask you to confirm — the uninstall happens as soon as you click. If you change your mind later, you can reinstall it from the App Store or wherever you originally found it, though you may lose any settings you had saved inside that extension.
This method works the same way on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Safari > Extensions instead of opening Safari itself, but the uninstall button works identically.
Key Takeaways
- Open Safari Settings, click Extensions, select the extension you want to remove, and click Uninstall — the extension is gone when ready with no confirmation step.
- On iPhone and iPad, uninstall extensions through the Settings app rather than Safari itself, but the process is otherwise the same.
- Uninstalling an extension does not delete your browsing history or saved passwords, only the extension itself and any data it stored.
- If you uninstall an extension by mistake, you can reinstall it from the App Store, though custom settings inside that extension may not return.
Turn off an extension without uninstalling it
If you want to stop using an extension temporarily but might need it later, you do not have to uninstall it. In the Extensions tab of Safari Settings, each extension has a toggle switch next to its name. Click the toggle to turn it off. The extension stays installed but stops running in your browser.
A turned-off extension does not slow down Safari, does not appear in your toolbar, and does not process any of your browsing activity. You can turn it back on the same way — click the toggle again. This is useful if an extension causes problems with a particular website but you still want it for other sites.
Remove extensions that came with other software
Some extensions install automatically when you read other programs — for example, a password manager or a shopping tool. These extensions appear in your Safari Extensions list like any other, and you uninstall them the same way: select them in Settings and click Uninstall.
However, uninstalling the extension does not uninstall the program that created it. If you want to remove both the extension and the program completely, you need to uninstall the program itself. On Mac, drag the program to the Trash from your Applications folder. On iPhone and iPad, hold down the app icon on your home screen and select Remove App, then choose Delete App. This removes both the program and any extensions it installed.
Check which websites each extension can access
Before you uninstall an extension, you may want to see what it does and which websites it can see. In the Extensions tab, click an extension name to see its details. You will see a list of which websites the extension is allowed to access — some extensions work on all websites, while others only work on specific ones.
If an extension can access websites you do not want it to see, you can change its permissions without uninstalling it. Click the dropdown menu next to "Allow on these websites" and choose Ask on each visit or Never. This lets you keep the extension but prevent it from running on certain sites. You can also set it to run only on specific websites you choose.
What happens to your data when you uninstall
Uninstalling an extension removes the extension itself and any data it stored — such as settings, saved preferences, or lists you created inside that extension. Your Safari bookmarks, browsing history, saved passwords, and autofill information are not affected. These are stored separately by Safari and remain even after you remove every extension.
If the extension was connected to an online account — for example, a password manager or note-taking tool — you may still have access to your data through that service's website or app. Removing the Safari extension only removes the browser tool; it does not delete your account or the data stored on the service's servers.
Uninstall extensions that are stuck or not working
Occasionally an extension stops responding or causes Safari to crash. If the Uninstall button does not work, try turning the extension off first by clicking its toggle switch, then restart Safari completely. Close all Safari windows, wait a few seconds, and open Safari again. Then go back to Settings and try uninstalling.
If the extension still will not uninstall, restart your device. On Mac, go to Apple menu > Shut Down, wait for the computer to turn off, then turn it back on. On iPhone or iPad, hold the power button until you see the shutdown slider, slide to power off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. After restarting, the extension should uninstall normally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does uninstalling an extension delete my passwords or browsing history?
No. Uninstalling an extension only removes that extension and any data it stored internally. Your Safari passwords, bookmarks, browsing history, and autofill information stay in place. These are managed by Safari itself, not by extensions.
Can I uninstall an extension that came with my Mac or iPhone?
Yes. Even extensions that Apple includes or that come built into your device can be uninstalled. You remove them the same way as any other extension — through Settings, Extensions tab, select and uninstall. You can reinstall them later if you change your mind.
What if I uninstall an extension and then want it back?
You can reinstall it from the App Store or from wherever you originally found it. Any custom settings you had inside that extension may not return, but the extension itself will work normally once you reinstall it.
Will uninstalling an extension make Safari faster?
Only if the extension was actively running and using resources. A turned-off extension does not slow down Safari at all, so you do not need to uninstall it if you just want to pause it temporarily. Uninstalling is only necessary if you want to remove it completely.