Safari extensions uninstall the same way on Mac and iPhone, but the steps differ slightly between the two
On a Mac, you remove Safari extensions through the Safari menu at the top of your screen. On an iPhone or iPad, you go through Settings instead. Both take about 30 seconds once you know where to look. The extension stops running immediately after you remove it — there is no waiting period or restart needed.
Which method you use depends on where the extension is installed. If you use Safari on both your Mac and your iPhone with the same Apple account, an extension installed on one device may or may not appear on the other, depending on how the developer built it. Check both places if you are trying to remove something that is not showing up where you expect.
Key Takeaways
- On Mac, open Safari, click Safari in the menu bar, select Preferences, go to the Extensions tab, find the extension, and click Uninstall.
- On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, scroll to Safari, tap Extensions, find the extension, and tap Remove.
- Removing an extension stops it from running immediately, but the app that installed it may remain on your device.
- If an extension came from the App Store, you can also delete the parent app itself from your device to remove it completely.
- Some extensions are built into Safari itself and cannot be removed — only disabled by turning off their permissions.
Removing an extension on Mac
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top left of your screen. A dropdown menu appears. Click Preferences (or Settings on newer macOS versions). A window opens with several tabs across the top.
Click the Extensions tab. You will see a list of all extensions currently installed. Find the one you want to remove and click it once to select it. A panel appears on the right side showing details about that extension. Click the Uninstall button. Safari asks you to confirm — click Uninstall again. The extension is now removed.
If you do not see the extension you are looking for, it may be disabled rather than uninstalled. Look for a checkbox next to the extension name. If the box is unchecked, the extension is already off but still installed. You can leave it there or click it to select it and then uninstall it.
Removing an extension on iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down the list on the left side until you see Safari. Tap it. The Safari settings page opens.
Scroll down and tap Extensions. You will see a list of all extensions installed in Safari on that device. Find the extension you want to remove and tap it. A details page opens. Tap Remove at the bottom. Safari asks you to confirm — tap Remove again. The extension is now gone.
On iPad, the layout is slightly different because the Settings app uses a split-screen view, but the steps are identical. Navigate to Settings > Safari > Extensions, find your extension, and tap Remove.
What happens to the app after you uninstall the extension
Removing a Safari extension does not automatically delete the app that installed it. For example, if you uninstall a password manager extension, the password manager app itself stays on your device. You can still use the app directly, but it will no longer appear as a button in Safari or run in the background while you browse.
If you want to remove the app completely, you need to delete it separately. On Mac, drag the app to the Trash or use Finder to move it to Trash. On iPhone or iPad, press and hold the app icon on your home screen, tap Remove App, and confirm. Deleting the app will also remove its extension if one exists.
Extensions that cannot be uninstalled
Some extensions are built into Safari itself and do not have an Uninstall button. These are usually Apple's own features, like Passwords or Reading List. You cannot remove them, but you can turn off their permissions so they do not run.
To disable permissions for a built-in extension on Mac, select it in the Extensions tab and look for the permission toggles on the right side. Uncheck any permissions you do not want it to have. On iPhone or iPad, tap the extension and toggle off any permissions listed. The extension will remain in your list but will not function.
Troubleshooting extensions that will not uninstall
If you see an extension in your list but the Uninstall button is grayed out or missing, the extension may be managed by your organization or school. This happens when your device is enrolled in a Mobile Device Management (MDM) system. Contact your IT department or administrator — they control which extensions can be removed.
If the Uninstall button is active but nothing happens when you click it, try restarting Safari. Close Safari completely and reopen it, then go back to the Extensions tab and try again. On Mac, you can also try restarting your computer. On iPhone or iPad, force-close Safari by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (or using the app switcher) and then reopen it.
If an extension keeps reappearing after you uninstall it, the app that installed it may be reinstalling the extension automatically. Uninstall the parent app as well. If it still returns, check your Mac's login items (System Settings > General > Login Items) or your iPhone's Background App Refresh settings to see if something is running that you did not authorize.
Disabling an extension instead of removing it
You do not have to uninstall an extension to stop it from running. You can disable it temporarily instead. On Mac, go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions, click the extension, and uncheck the box next to its name. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Safari > Extensions, tap the extension, and toggle off the switch at the top.
A disabled extension stays installed but does not run. This is useful if you think you might use it again later or if you want to test whether an extension is causing a problem in Safari. If you decide you do not need it after all, you can always come back and uninstall it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will uninstalling an extension delete my saved data?
Uninstalling the extension itself does not delete data, but uninstalling the parent app might. If you remove only the Safari extension, any data stored by that app (like saved passwords or settings) usually stays on your device. If you delete the app itself, that data is typically removed as well. Check the app's documentation if you are unsure.
Can I uninstall an extension that came from the App Store?
Yes. Extensions from the App Store uninstall the same way as any other extension — through Safari Preferences on Mac or Settings on iPhone. You can remove just the extension and keep the app, or delete the app entirely from your device.
Why does an extension keep coming back after I uninstall it?
The parent app may be reinstalling it automatically. Uninstall the app itself, not just the extension. On Mac, check System Settings > General > Login Items to see if the app is set to launch at startup. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn it off for that app.
What if I accidentally uninstalled an extension I need?
You can reinstall it the same way you installed it originally. If it came from the App Store, open the App Store and search for the app, then download it again. If it came from a developer's website, visit that website and follow their installation instructions. Your data may or may not be restored depending on how the app stores it.
Do I need to restart Safari after uninstalling an extension?
No. The extension stops running immediately. However, if you notice Safari is behaving strangely after removing an extension, closing and reopening Safari can help clear any lingering processes.