Use Safari extensions on your Mac

Safari extensions enhance and customise the browsing experience on your Mac. Here's how to install them, uninstall them or share them across devices.

Safari extensions add functionality to Safari, so you can explore the web the way you want. Extensions can show helpful information about a web page, display news headlines, help you use your favourite services, change the appearance of web pages and much more. Extensions are a great way to personalise your browsing experience.

Install extensions

Turn on extensions

Turn off extensions

Uninstall extensions

Share extensions across devices

Install extensions

Use the App Store to conveniently download and install Safari extensions. All extensions in the App Store are reviewed, signed and hosted by Apple for your security, and they’re automatically kept up to date.

  1. Start by installing the latest macOS updates You need Safari 12 or later to get Safari extensions from the App Store.

  2. Open Safari and choose Safari > Safari Extensions from the menu bar.

  3. The App Store opens to the Safari Extensions page. To download and install an extension, click Get or click the price. You may be asked to sign in with your Apple ID.

  4. Click Install.

  5. After the extension has been installed, click Open and follow the onscreen instructions provided by the extension.

Turn on extensions

After installing an extension, follow these steps to turn it on.

  1. Choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences).

  2. Click Extensions.

  3. Tick the box next to the extension's name. Find out what to do if you can't turn on extensions.

If you’re browsing privately, or using a profile or web app

When browsing in a private window in macOS Sonoma or later, all extensions that require website access will be turned off by default.

  1. Choose Safari > Settings.

  2. Click Extensions.

  3. Select the extension in the sidebar, then select “Allow in Private Browsing” on the right.

  4. Whether you’re browsing privately or not, you can also restrict the extension’s access to certain websites. Click the Edit Websites button to view the extension in Websites settings. From there you can allow access, deny access or require that websites ask you for access.

When using Safari profiles, extensions for the default profile are managed in the main Extensions tab of Safari settings. Extensions for other profiles are managed in the Profiles tab, which has its own Extensions tab for each profile. By default, extensions are turned off for each new profile.

When using a Safari web app, extensions are not available, but you can easily switch to Safari: Click the Share buttonShare button, then choose Open in Safari. Or choose File > Open in Safari.

Turn off extensions

  1. Choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences), then click Extensions.

  2. To turn off an extension, untick its box.

Uninstall extensions

If you can't determine what an extension does, or you don't expect to use it again, you should uninstall it.

  1. Choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences), then click Extensions.

  2. To uninstall an extension, select the extension and click the Uninstall button.

Share extensions across devices

Starting with macOS Ventura, iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, you can share extensions across your Mac, iPhone and iPad:

  • On your Mac, open Safari and choose Safari > Settings, then click Extensions. Select “Share across devices” at the bottom of the window.

  • On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Safari > Extensions, then turn on Share Across Devices.

If an extension on one device is also compatible with your other devices, it automatically appears in Extensions settings on those devices. Click the Get button or iCloud iconNo alt supplied for Image next to the extension to download it. When you turn the extension on or off, your other devices show the same change.

To uninstall an extension from all devices, you must uninstall it on each device.

Learn more

Safari no longer supports most web plug-ins. To load web pages more quickly, save energy and strengthen security, Safari is optimised for content that uses the HTML5 web standard, which doesn't require a plug-in. To enhance and customise your browsing experience, use Safari extensions instead of web plug-ins.

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

Published Date: