How to uninstall Safari extensions
Removing a Safari extension takes about 30 seconds. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen, then select Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the Extensions tab, find the extension you want to remove, and click the Uninstall button next to it. The extension is gone immediately — you do not need to restart Safari.
If you cannot see the Extensions tab, your Mac version of Safari may be older than version 13. On those versions, go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions, select the extension, and click Uninstall. The steps are nearly identical.
Some extensions also leave behind small files or settings even after uninstalling. For most people this does not matter, but if you want a complete removal, you can delete the extension's folder from your computer. This is optional and only necessary if you are troubleshooting a problem.
Key Takeaways
- Open Safari, go to Safari menu > Settings > Extensions, find the extension, and click Uninstall.
- The extension removes immediately without requiring a restart or restart of your browser.
- Uninstalling an extension does not affect your bookmarks, passwords, or browsing history.
- If an extension stops working or behaves strangely, uninstalling and reinstalling it often fixes the problem.
Where Safari stores extensions and why you might not see them
Safari extensions live in the Extensions tab of Settings, but not every extension shows up there. Some extensions are built into Safari itself — features like Reader, translation tools, or privacy features that come with Safari. These cannot be uninstalled because they are part of the browser, though you can often turn them off by unchecking a box in Settings.
Third-party extensions you downloaded from the App Store appear in the Extensions tab and can be uninstalled. If you installed an extension years ago and cannot find it now, it may have been removed by the developer or stopped working with newer versions of Safari. Checking the Extensions tab will show you only the extensions currently installed.
What happens to your data when you uninstall an extension
Uninstalling an extension does not delete your Safari bookmarks, passwords, browsing history, or any other browser data. The extension itself is removed, but your browser settings stay exactly as they were.
Some extensions store their own data — for example, a password manager extension might store encrypted passwords, or a note-taking extension might store notes you created inside it. When you uninstall the extension, that extension-specific data is usually deleted too. If you think you might need that data later, check the extension's settings before uninstalling to see if there is an export or backup option.
Uninstalling extensions that came from the App Store
Extensions downloaded from Apple's App Store can be uninstalled two ways. The first way is through Safari Settings as described above. The second way is through the App Store itself: open the App Store, find the extension under your Purchased apps, and click Uninstall. Both methods remove the extension completely.
If you uninstall through the App Store, the extension disappears from Safari automatically within a few seconds. If you uninstall through Safari Settings, the app remains in your Applications folder but stops running in Safari. For a complete removal, uninstall through the App Store instead.
Turning off an extension without uninstalling it
You do not have to uninstall an extension to stop using it. In the Extensions tab of Safari Settings, each extension has a checkbox next to its name. Unchecking that box turns the extension off — it stays installed but does not run. This is useful if you want to keep the extension but do not need it right now, or if an extension is causing problems and you want to test whether disabling it fixes them.
When an extension is turned off, it uses no memory and does not affect Safari's performance. You can turn it back on anytime by checking the box again. This is faster than uninstalling and reinstalling if you think you might use the extension again later.
Fixing problems by uninstalling and reinstalling
If an extension stops working, crashes Safari, or behaves strangely, uninstalling and reinstalling it often solves the problem. Uninstall the extension as described above, restart Safari completely (quit and reopen it), then download the extension again from the App Store. This gives you a fresh copy of the extension with clean settings.
Before you reinstall, check whether the extension's developer has released an update. Open the App Store, search for the extension by name, and look at the version number and release date. If a newer version came out recently, the update may have already fixed the problem. Install the latest version and see if it works better.
Removing extensions that slow down Safari
Extensions use memory and can slow Safari down, especially if you have many installed. If Safari feels sluggish, check your Extensions tab and uninstall any you no longer use. You can also turn off extensions temporarily to see which one is causing the slowdown: disable each extension one at a time, restart Safari, and see if performance improves.
Safari's built-in features — like Reader mode, translation, and privacy tools — do not slow down the browser noticeably. The slowdown usually comes from third-party extensions, especially ad blockers or password managers that run on every website you visit. Removing the ones you do not actively use is the fastest way to speed Safari back up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I uninstall a Safari extension on my iPhone or iPad?
Yes, but the process is different. Open Settings, scroll down and tap Safari, tap Extensions, find the extension, and tap Edit, then Delete. On iPhone and iPad, extensions are managed separately from the Mac version, so you may need to uninstall them on each device individually.
What if I cannot find the Uninstall button?
Make sure you are in the Extensions tab of Safari Settings, not the General tab. If the extension still does not show an Uninstall button, it may be a built-in Safari feature that cannot be removed. You can turn it off by unchecking the box next to its name instead.
Will uninstalling an extension remove it from all my devices?
No. Safari extensions are managed separately on each Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Uninstalling an extension on your Mac does not remove it from your iPad. You must uninstall it on each device where you want it gone.
Can I reinstall an extension I uninstalled?
Yes. Open the App Store, search for the extension by name, and click Install. As long as the extension is still available in the App Store, you can download it again anytime. Your previous settings will not return — the extension installs fresh.