How to remove Safari extensions you no longer use
To delete a Safari extension on Mac, open Safari and go to Safari > Settings (or Preferences on older versions), click the Extensions tab, select the extension you want to remove, and click Uninstall. On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Safari > Extensions, tap the extension, and toggle it off — you can also tap Remove to delete it entirely.
The process differs slightly between devices because Safari on Mac stores extensions in the browser itself, while iOS and iPadOS manage them through the system Settings app. Both methods take less than a minute and don't require restarting Safari.
Key Takeaways
- On Mac, open Safari Settings, click Extensions, select the extension, and click Uninstall to remove it completely.
- On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Safari > Extensions, select the extension, and tap Remove to delete it.
- Toggling an extension off in iOS Settings disables it without removing it; tapping Remove deletes it entirely.
- Removing an extension does not affect your browsing history, bookmarks, or saved passwords.
Deleting extensions on Mac
Start by opening Safari and clicking Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. If you're using macOS Ventura or newer, select Settings. On older versions of macOS, the option will say Preferences instead. Either way, a window will open showing Safari's configuration options.
Once the Settings or Preferences window is open, click the Extensions tab — it's usually the fourth or fifth tab from the left. You'll see a list of all extensions currently installed in Safari, along with a checkbox next to each one showing whether it's turned on or off.
Find the extension you want to remove and click it once to select it. An Uninstall button will appear to the right of the extension name. Click that button, and Safari will ask you to confirm the removal. Click Uninstall again in the confirmation dialog, and the extension is gone.
Removing extensions on iPhone and iPad
On iOS and iPadOS, extensions are managed through the Settings app rather than Safari itself. Open Settings on your device, scroll down, and tap Safari. Scroll down again until you see Extensions and tap it.
You'll see a list of all extensions you've installed. Tap the extension you want to remove. A detail screen will open showing the extension's name and a toggle switch. To completely delete the extension, tap Remove at the bottom of the screen. To just turn it off without removing it, toggle the switch off instead.
If you only toggle the extension off, it stays installed on your device and you can turn it back on later without reinstalling it. If you tap Remove, the extension is deleted and you would need to reinstall it from the App Store if you change your mind.
What happens when you delete an extension
Deleting a Safari extension removes only the extension itself. Your browsing history, bookmarks, saved passwords, and autofill information all remain untouched. Some extensions store their own data — like saved notes or custom settings — and that data is usually deleted along with the extension, though a few extensions may leave behind cached files.
If an extension was slowing down Safari or causing pages to load incorrectly, removing it should fix those problems immediately. You don't need to restart Safari or your device for the change to take effect.
Turning off an extension instead of deleting it
If you're not sure whether you want to keep an extension, you can turn it off without removing it. On Mac, open Safari Settings, click Extensions, and uncheck the box next to the extension's name. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Safari > Extensions, tap the extension, and toggle the switch off.
A disabled extension takes up very little space and won't affect Safari's performance. You can turn it back on anytime by checking the box (Mac) or toggling the switch (iPhone/iPad) without reinstalling anything. This is useful if you use an extension only occasionally or want to test whether it's causing a problem.
Finding extensions you've installed
If you're not sure what extensions you have, you can see the full list in Safari Settings on Mac or in the Settings app on iPhone and iPad. On Mac, some extensions also add a button to Safari's toolbar — look for small icons to the right of the address bar. Clicking one of these buttons usually opens a menu where you can access the extension's settings or turn it on and off.
On iPhone and iPad, extensions don't appear in the Safari interface itself — they only show up in Settings. This is why many people forget they have extensions installed until they notice Safari behaving differently or running slowly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting an extension remove my saved data from websites?
No. Deleting a Safari extension does not affect your passwords, bookmarks, browsing history, or any data stored by websites themselves. The extension's own settings or notes may be deleted, but your core Safari data stays intact.
Can I delete an extension that came with Safari?
Safari doesn't include any extensions by default — all extensions must be installed separately from the App Store. If you see an extension you don't recognize, you installed it at some point, and you can remove it.
What's the difference between turning off and deleting an extension?
Turning off an extension disables it but keeps it installed, so you can turn it back on later without reinstalling. Deleting an extension removes it completely, and you'd need to reinstall it from the App Store if you want it back.
Do I need to restart Safari after deleting an extension?
No. Safari recognizes the change immediately, and you don't need to restart the browser or your device. The extension stops working right away.
Why is Safari running slowly after I installed an extension?
Some extensions use a lot of memory or run scripts on every webpage you visit, which can slow down Safari. Try turning off the extension to see if Safari speeds up. If it does, you can delete the extension or contact the extension's developer for a faster version.