If you can’t turn on extensions in Safari for Mac

Find out what to do if you can’t tick the box to turn on an extension in Safari settings on your Mac.

Starting with macOS Catalina, your Mac includes a security feature designed to prevent malicious software from tricking you into turning on a Safari extension. In some cases, this feature is affected by the use of legitimate software that has certain screen-recording or accessibility features. If that happens:

  • You may see a message stating that Safari has detected an app or service that's interfering with clicking.
  • You may be unable to turn on Safari extensions in Safari settings. You can untick the box to turn off an extension, but you can’t tick the box to turn it on.

To resolve, install the latest Apple software updates, then try again. After updating your software, if you still can’t turn on extensions in Safari for Mac:

  1. Start your Mac in safe mode.
  2. Open Safari and turn on any Safari extensions that you want to use.
  3. Restart your Mac.

General information about how to use Safari extensions is available for Mac and for iPhone and for iPad.

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