safari extensions mac download

How-To Geek

How to install safari extensions on mac.

Want to add more functionality to Safari? Here's how to install Safari extensions on Mac.

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How to download and install safari extensions on mac, how to enable an installed safari extension on mac, how to use safari extensions on mac.

Extensions are mini-apps that add extra functionality to your browser. In Chrome, you add an extension, and that's it. But Safari on Mac does things differently as extensions are shipped as apps. Here's how to install Safari extensions on Mac.

Mac users who are running Safari 12.0 and higher (running on macOS Mojave and above), have to use the App Store method for installing Safari extensions. Here, you first need to download the extension as an app, then enable the extension before you can start using it.

First, make sure you're running the latest version of macOS .

Related: How to Update Your Mac and Keep Apps Up to Date

Then, open the "Safari" browser. Here, click the "Safari" button from the menu bar and choose the "Safari Extensions" option.

This will directly open the "Safari Extensions" section in the App Store app.

Alternatively, you can open the App Store, go to the "Categories" section from the sidebar, and choose the "Safari Extensions" option to get to this section.

Here, you'll see extensions grouped in multiple categories, along with a "Top Free" and "Top Paid" section.

Here, select the extension that you want to download.

Then, click the "Get" or "Install" button.

If asked, enter your Apple ID's username and password.

The extension, or rather, the app, will now be installed on your Mac. If you want, you can open the app. But chances are, it will just give you instructions on how to enable the extension.

As we mentioned at the top, you can't start using a Safari extension right after installing it. Instead, you need to go into "Safari Preferences" and enable an extension.

When you go back to Safari, you'll see a banner saying that new extensions are available. Here, click the "Turn On and Review" button.

This will directly take you to the "Extensions" tab in Safari Preferences.

Alternatively, go to Safari > Preferences from the menu bar and select the "Extensions" tab to see a list of all available extensions.

To enable an extension, click the checkmark icon next to the extension in the left sidebar.

From the pop-up message, choose the "Turn On" option.

You can come back here at any time and click the checkmark again to disable the extension.

Once the extension is enabled, it will show up in the Safari toolbar, right next to the URL bar.

Navigate to a page in Safari and click an extension to use it. Each extension has its own functionality, and you'll see all its features and options in the drop-down below.

You are free to move the extension icons anywhere you want in the Safari toolbar. Press and hold the "Command" key and drag and drop the extension icon to its new place. Take a look at our complete guide on customizing the Safari toolbar to learn more.

Related: How to Customize the Safari Toolbar on Your Mac

How to install Safari extensions on Mac

Learn how to install Safari extensions on Mac and expand the functionality of your browser

You'll want to know how to install Safari extensions on Mac if, like many users, you use the computer's built-in browser. By making use of plug-ins, you can add a variety of features to help you get more out of the app. Perhaps you want a tool that checks your grammar, blocks adverts, allows you to save articles or launch apps. These and more are available.

They are also easy to install. Apple made it easier to find extensions for Safari with the introduction of macOS Big Sur and the number of them is rising. So it isn't just Chrome users who get to play around with extensions. And while you may consider using a rival browser — Google Chrome now outperforms Safari on M1 Macs after all — if you decide Safari has everything you need, you don't need to miss out.

Here is how to find and install Safari Extensions on Mac.

How to find and install Safari Extensions on Mac

1. Launch the Safari browser and click Safari from the top toolbar menu. Now select Safari Extensions .

2. The Mac App Store will open on the Safari Extensions page. Browse the extensions — note that some are free, some are paid-for and some have in-app purchases.

3. Click Get when you see an extension you would like to use.

4. Now click Install and sign in with your Apple ID and password when prompted. 

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5. The extension will be installed. Click Open to launch and you may see some on-screen instructions.

6. You also need to ensure the extension is turned on. Open Safari again and click Safari in the menu. Then, select Preferences .

7. Click the Extensions tab at the top of the window and look down the left side of the screen for a list of available extensions.

8. Tick an extension you want to use and click Turn On . 

9. You will also see information relating to it, including the permissions it requires and an option to uninstall.

And there you go. You can now start adding and using Safari extensions. Extensions exist for different browsers too. Take a look at the best Chrome Extensions but be careful because millions are under threat from malicious browser extensions . You can also install Safari extensions on iOS devices. Find out how by reading how to install Safari extensions on iPhone . You may also want to check out the best ad blockers too. 

David Crookes is a freelance writer, reporter, editor and author. He has written for technology and gaming magazines including Retro Gamer, Web User, Micro Mart, MagPi, Android, iCreate, Total PC Gaming, T3 and Macworld. He has also covered crime, history, politics, education, health, sport, film, music and more, and been a producer for BBC Radio 5 Live.

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Tips & Tricks

Troubleshooting, how to install safari extensions on mac.

Did you know that you can improve the Safari experience on your Mac by installing extensions? Browser extensions can help you personalize your web browser by adding various features made by third-party developers.

Most web browsers that are available today have support for extensions. Users have the option to install these extensions from their respective stores to access features like being able to block content on websites, grammar correction, VPN, and more. For Safari, you’ll be able to download the extensions from the Mac App Store.

The extensions you download from the App Store are disabled by default and you’ll need to enable them manually. In this article, we’ll guide you through the necessary steps to properly install Safari extensions on Mac.

How to Install Safari Browser Extensions on Mac

Installing browser extensions for Safari is a fairly simple and straightforward procedure on macOS. Just follow the steps below to get started.

Now you know how to install and enable extensions in Safari on Mac.

Once you’ve enabled an extension, the icon for that particular extension will show up in the Safari toolbar.

It’s worth noting that you’ll get a warning when you enable an extension that’s known to slow down web browsing in Safari. You’ll also be notified if any of the extensions you installed is no longer supported . That being said, if you’re facing performance issues after enabling an extension, you can disable the Safari extension on your Mac or remove the extension from your Mac permanently .

Not all extensions that are available in the store are free, and there are several extensions that you may have to pay for. Although the Mac App Store is the safest and simplest way to install extensions, you can also install Safari extensions that you downloaded from elsewhere by unpacking the extension file.

Did you install some useful extensions from the Mac App Store in Safari for Mac? What’s your favorite Safari extension? Share your experiences, thoughts, tips, and recommendations in the comments!

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Related articles:

• How to Install & Use Safari Extensions on iPhone & iPad
• How to Remove Safari Extensions on Mac
• Show File Name Extensions in Mac OS X
• How to Bypass “Safari no longer supports unsafe extension” Error in Mac OS Mojave

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” you can also install Safari extensions that you downloaded from elsewhere by unpacking the extension file.”

I am doing Greek lessons online with duolingo and have encountered a problem. I’m hoping you can help.

When I type in a Greek answer, it shows up very briefly then seems to vanish – This is very unsettling when you want to compare what you wrote with what is shown at the bottom of the page as the correct version – but in fact it is still there but in a very weak shadowy format.

See eg: My answer is on the right, but is largely invisible

But if I Select that, a slightly darker version of the answer shows up,

But that is clumsy.

Do you know of an Extension, or Setting in Safari that I can change, that will sharpen this image? I have wandered thru Safari Settings and Preferences to see if I can find anything, but no luck so far. cheers, marilyn

I don’t think there is any Safari extension that would help this issue.

That sounds like a bug with Duolingo, have you reached out to their support to report the issue?

If you’re using a web browser to access Duolingo, one solution might be to try a different web browser , so if you’re using Safari you may try Chrome or Firefox for example. It may render their site differently.

Another option would be to use the Duolingo app on an iPhone or iPad, which works quite well from my experience. That app is native and does not run in a browser.

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How to add and enable extensions in Safari for Mac

Finding Safari extensions

Activating safari extensions, turning off, deleting safari extensions.

With Safari extensions, you can add functionality to your web experience. They are used to change the appearance of web pages, display news headlines, provide shopping discounts, and more. Conveniently, they are located in the Mac App Store. Here's how to add and enable Safari extensions in macOS Monterey.

Like apps, you can find Safari Extensions through the Mac App Store on the Mac App Store. To get started:

• Open the Mac App Store .
• Choose Categories on the left side of the menu.
• Select Safari extensions under Extensions.

• Click Get or the payment amount next to the Safari extension you wish to install.
• Select Install .

Installing Safari extensions does not mean they're activated. Instead, you must do this manually. After installing a Safari extension:

• Open Safari .
• Click Turn On and Review... next to the message that says "New Safari Extensions Available." This opens the Extensions box in Safari.

• Check the box next to the new Safari extension, when applicable.
• Click Turn On in the pop-up box, when applicable.

If you no longer wish to use a Safari extension, you can turn it off or delete it.

• Choose Safari on the Safari menu bar.
• Select Preferences from the pull-down menu.

• Uncheck the box next to the Safari extension you wish to deactivate OR
• Select the Safari extension you wish to delete.
• Click Uninstall to delete the Safari extension.
• Choose Show in Finder in the pop-up box.

• Right-click the extension you wish to delete.
• Choose Send to Trash .
• Repeat Steps 4 through September 9, if necessary.

That's all there is

Safari extensions provide extra functionality for web browsing while using some of the best Macs . Though most extensions are free, some do cost money. You can activate, deactivate, and delete extensions in macOS Monterey by following a few steps. More extensions are added to the Mac App Store monthly. With iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, you can also add Safari extensions on your iPhone or iPad. For instructions on how to do that, check out our guide to adding Safari extensions on iOS .

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How to Manage Extensions in Safari on Mac and More

Like Google Chrome, Apple’s Safari browser for Mac allows you to use extensions. I’m sure you’ve heard of browser extensions, even though you may have not used them before. In the case of Apple’s Safari browser for Mac, there are many extensions you can download and install that can greatly improve your web browsing experience. That’s because Safari extensions enhance the browser’s functionality. In this guide, I will show you how and where to manage extensions in Safari on Mac and more.

What is Safari Extension and How to Install It

As its name suggests, extensions are generally described as software modules that you can use to customize the browser you use. They extend the functionality of a web browser. A single extension installed on your browser can greatly improve the way you browse the internet and the tasks that you need to do.

For the Safari app for Mac, extensions allow you to do many things, such as display social media and news buttons, block content on websites, extend your access to apps, and more.

In case you’re wondering where to get Safari extensions, you can find and download them from the App Store. All the Safari extensions that you can find from the App Store are vetted by Apple just like any other app. So. you are sure that those extensions are safe and won’t harm your Mac in any way.

How to Install Extensions in Safari on Your Mac

Time needed:  1 minute

To install an extension for Safari on your Mac, just follow these steps.

Choose the one you would like to install.

How to See and Manage Safari Extensions

When you’ve installed Safari extensions, you may not notice some of them at once. Some stay hidden and work in the background. Others appear when you are about to do something in Safari that needs the installed extensions. For example, if you installed the Grammarly Safari extension, you will only see it working when you’re composing a text or message.

To see and manage the Safari extensions on your Mac, simply open the Safari app, then click Setting s > Extensions .

From here, you can do several things.

• Turn an extension on or off by deselecting the extension’s checkbox.
• Use the Safari extensions on your other Apple devices, as long as you’ve signed in with the same Apple ID on your other devices. In addition, you must have Safari turned on in iCloud, enabled two-factor authentication, and selected Share across devices .
• Change an extension’s settings.
• Remove an extension by selecting it, then clicking Uninstall . You may also delete the app that contains the extension.

Relatedly, iPhone or iPad users can check out our separate guide on how to manage Safari extensions on those devices.

How to Remove Unwanted Extensions

In case you’re asking yourself, “How do I remove unwanted extensions in Safari?” This only takes a few simple steps.

• In the Safari app on your Mac, Click Settings .

• If you don’t want to remove the app, you can just disable its extension.
• If you want to remove the app as well, simply click the Show in Finder button.

• Click Move to Trash .

How to Edit Safari Extensions

Another question that you might ask yourself is, “How do I edit Safari extensions?” For that matter, can you edit Safari extensions? The answer to the second question is yes. Unfortunately, however, editing Safari extensions requires you you to be knowledgeable about the Safari Extension builder.

You will also need to execute a Terminal command that extracts all the files contained in the extensions you’ve downloaded. Then, you have to edit it with the Safari Extension Builder. This is something I hope a general user won’t need to do, but if you like to tinker and customize the add-ons for your browser … more power to you.

Final Words: Remove Unused and Unsupported Safari Extensions

Safari will regularly inform you when there are extensions that slow down browsing or when they are no longer supported by Safari. Be sure to remove or delete these extensions.

There may also be instances when extensions can slow down browsing if they are installed but not enabled. So, be sure to enable Safari extensions after installing them.

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The 7 best free Safari extensions for the Mac

Browser extensions add specific capabilities to Safari by reading and modifying web content to promote an integrated browsing experience that’s tailored to your needs. There are two places to find Apple-approved Safari extensions: The App Store and the Safari Extensions Gallery webpage .

With Safari 12 on macOS Mojave and iOS 12, Apple revised the way its native web browser operates with extensions. Whereas in the past, you could easily download an extension from a developer, today you must download and install a Mac app or an Apple approved extension from the Safari Extensions Gallery page. The gallery is still operative for browser versions as far back as version 9, and is still considered a safe way to download and install Safari extensions. Regardless of the browser version, all apps from the App Store and Gallery page can update automatically.

Safari 12 blocks legacy extensions from third-party sources, and is now in the process of deprecating its own Extensions Gallery. It quit accepting new Gallery extension submissions at the end of 2018, accelerating a transition away from the Gallery in favor of the App Store. Many extensions continue to work just fine in Mohave’s latest browser.

Right now, there’s not much to the browser extension section of the App Store, which you can access via the Safari > Safari Extensions menu. Of the 66 App extensions currently available, only 27 are free. Another half dozen are 99 cents and the rest range in price to $19.99. Here are the best of the free extensions from both sources.

Ghostery Lite

Ghostry Lite Safari extension

Ghostery Lite is the free version of Ghostery that blocks ads and trackers that transmit and receive user information. Using the browser’s own Content Blocker API, the extension discards content, cookies, and tracking scripts to cut down on the information Safari shares with other websites, without sacrificing performance.

You can customize Ghostery from the toolbar button by choosing either the default setting or individually blocking some ads while leaving others for sites you want to support. You can also use the extension to control analytics, audio or video players, adult content and more.

Translate Safari extension

When you come across multi-lingual web content, it’s distracting not to be able to read it in context. Translate lets you translate pages from any language to any other language via either the Microsoft or Google Translate function. You can also choose from a host of other translation services via the toolbar button, contextual menu, or keyboard shortcut. nWithin the settings you can also choose whether to translate pages automatically or manually and choose to set up a preferred service region.

An updated Mac App Store version called TranslateMe costs $9.99.

Zoom Safari extension

Sometimes webpage content is just too small (or large). You can fix such issues with Zoom , a simple extension that lets you adjust the scale of content on any webpage.

Just invoke the app from the toolbar, and you get a slider that spans from 0 to 400 percent, making any size text or images easier to see in a full page context. You can adjust sizes with the slider or the plus or minus buttons. A Default button immediately reverts the page to 100 percent.

TrafficLight

The web often seems like a giant mirror looking inward at every user, spying and recording most activities for both commercial and nefarious purposes. Bitdefender, the company behind the popular anti-virus program of the same name, offers the TrafficLight Safari extension as an advanced malware protection filter that guards your browsing experience against phishing attacks. It finds hidden trackers that follow and analyze your browsing activity, while a safe search feature specifically monitors search results to warn users about malware and fraudulent websites.

HoverSee Safari extension

Content scaling can be an issue on some websites, with some images especially difficult to decipher. HoverSee enlarges all images and image-based video links as you hover your mouse over them and shows any available descriptions alongside the preview.

It works especially well on thumbnail images like Facebook and Twitter, links to image galleries, and direct image links. If you hover on YouTube, it will automatically play your video in its magnified mode. You can adjust visual display delay, minimum and maximum zoom, white list or black list certain sites, use a hot key to control zoom on specific images, autoplay or mute videos and more.

DuckDuckGo Safari extension

Even if you’re not already using DuckDuckGo as your default search engine, you can still take advantage of the search engine’s privacy and security features with this Safari extension. The extension brings up a search interface that lets you search without storing your search history or following you around the web. Just click the icon in the toolbar to get the search box, or invoke it from the right-click contextual menu.

Shortly Safari extension

When you want to include a URL in an email or social media post, it helps to chop long ones into short bits-and that’s where Shortly come in. You can choose your preferred service of Google, Bitly, TinyURL or Custom Endpoint. Just enable the extension in the Safari Preferences, and then click the browser toolbar button or set up a hot key to automatically shorten any URL. Your trim URL appears ready to copy and paste either as a popover or alert window.

Author: Jackie Dove

Jackie Dove is an insomniac tech writer and editor in northern California. A wildlife advocate, cat fan, and photo app fanatic, her specialties include Mac hardware and software, art, design, photography, video, and a wide range of creative and productivity apps and systems. Jackie now writes for a variety of consumer tech publications.

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Extensions are add-on codes to extend the capabilities of your browser. If you are using Safari on a Mac system, you can easily access plenty of extensions like Grammarly and AdBlock. However, unlike Google Chrome, installing these extensions can be a little tricky in Safari. If you find it difficult too, don’t worry! Here’s a guide to help you learn how to install Safari extensions on your Mac and manage them efficiently.

Note : You will need a Safari 12 or later to get these extensions from the App Store.

How to install Safari extensions in macOS

Enable installed safari extensions on the mac, how to use a safari extension on your mac.

• Restrict Safari extension on your Mac

How to uninstall or turn off Safari extensions in macOS

• Scroll through the variety of extensions available and pick your favorite. For reference, I am using the Grammarly extension as an add-on.
• The extensions can be free or paid . Buy the paid extension and hit Install ; for the free ones, click Get.

• Click the checkbox , and a pop-up window will appear.

NOTE:  You can also open Preferences → Extensions to view and use these downloaded extensions.

The active extensions will be seen in the toolbar. (as seen in the image below).

Now that you have successfully enabled the extension, you might be wondering;

Well, it’s easy! All you have to do is go to a page in Safari and click an extension .

Each extension has different functionalities, which can be seen in the drop-down once you click the icon. You can also move the extension icons freely in the Safari toolbar.

Besides, the extensions often run automatically, but you can turn off or restrict them from the toolbar if you don’t need them. Restricting a Safari extension means giving limited permissions to the extension. Keep reading to know how you can change the extension’s permissions.

Restrict or change Safari extension on your Mac

• Click the extension’s icon in the toolbar.

• Go to Preferences from the Safari menu
• Click on Extension and disable them by clicking the checkbox.
• To uninstall these extensions, press delete .

Safari extensions installed successfully on your Mac!

I hope this article helped customize your browsing experience in Safari. Moreover, as you can only download extensions from the App Store, they are safe to use, and your data is not at risk.

Head over to the App Store and go through the extensive list. Let me know which one you are currently using or plan to use in the comment section below.

Read more: 

• How to disable Safari tab previews on Mac (Quick guide)
• How to Clear Safari Cache, History and Cookies on Mac
• How to Share Mac Screen with Another Mac

An entrepreneur by heart, I am obsessed with the world of Apple. I survive on Apple products and their updates. Over the last five years, I have been writing all kinds of content that are remotely connected to Apple and sharing across digital platforms. When not writing, you will find me on the court playing basketball or in my room playing the sitar.

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How to manage Safari extensions on Mac

If you’re new to Safari on Mac, there are plenty of great features for Apple’s stock web browser. One of them, like other browsers, is the ability to install extensions. These handy tools can help you do more when you use Safari. Extensions can be anything from tab savers to shopping helpers to ad blockers.

Installing extensions is easy from the App Store. But you should also periodically review the extensions you have installed. Plus, knowing how to remove an extension is essential for those you no longer want to use.

So here we’ll show you how to manage the Safari extensions you have installed on your Mac.

View your Safari extensions

To see the extensions you have installed on Safari, follow these simple steps:

1) Open Safari and click Safari > Preferences from the menu bar. Note : The Safari Extensions option you see in this menu is for viewing extensions available in the App Store, not those you have installed.

2) Click the Extensions tab.

On the left of the window, you’ll see all of the Safari extensions you have installed.

On the right, you’ll see the name, version, brief description, and the permissions you have given to that extension.

Disable or delete an extension

To stop using an extension, simply uncheck the box next to it in the sidebar. This is ideal for extensions you want to stop using temporarily but don’t necessarily want to delete from Safari.

To delete an extension, select it in the sidebar. Then, on the right, click Uninstall . Most Safari extensions from the App Store are parts of apps or apps themselves. So when you click Uninstall, you’ll see a message stating that you must remove the application, like in the screenshot below.

Click Show in Finder  and your Applications folder will open with the app selected. Right-click and pick Move to Trash or drag the app to your Trash.

You’ll then be prompted for your password in order to move the app to the Trash.

The app and its Safari extension will be moved to the Trash, where you can delete it permanently. You’ll also notice that the extension no longer displays in your list.

Related: 3 ways to delete apps on Mac

Get more extensions

You have two handy ways to check out additional Safari extensions in the App Store. One, we mentioned above, is in your menu. Click Safari > Safari Extensions .

The other is in the Safari > Preferences > Extensions area described above. Click the button at the bottom for More Extensions .

Both options will take you right to the Safari Extensions section of the Mac App Store .

Extensions for Safari can be super handy tools, but only if you use them. If you have an extension that you no longer use or want to remove permissions from, you can easily uninstall it and give it another try down the road if you like.

What are your thoughts on Safari extensions? Do you like to use them and look for new ones often? Or, do you stir clear of browser extensions altogether? Let us know!

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How to Find, Install, and Remove Safari Extensions on Mac

Just like Chrome and Firefox, Safari has a vast array of extensions available to expand its features and improve browsing.

As with many web browsers, you can add a ton of new functions and features to Safari using extensions. There are Safari extensions for just about everything you can think of, including password management, ad blocking, and tab management. There are also extensions that automatically look for voucher codes when you reach the checkout on shopping sites, and others that help you manage your time.

But where can you find Safari extensions? And once you’ve found them, how do you install them? And if you don’t need extensions anymore, how do you uninstall them?

In this guide, we’ll run through everything you need to know.

A Word of Caution About Extensions

Safari is a fast and lightweight browser, but the more extensions you install, the slower it’s likely to become. If you install a lot of extensions, you may find your Mac’s performance suffers.

For that reason, you should consider how useful an extension will be before you install it. If you do add a lot of extensions to Safari, consider disabling ones you’re not currently using (check out the Disabling or Uninstalling Safari Extensions section below). This can help to improve Safari’s speed and performance .

Finding and Installing Safari Extensions

Apple overhauled the Safari extensions system a few years ago, discontinuing the Safari Extensions Gallery. This helps Apple to keep users safe from rogue extensions, but it also means a lot of old extensions aren’t available anymore. Now, if you want to find and add Safari extensions, you only really have one choice—the Mac App Store.

To find Safari extensions, open the App Store , then select Categories from the side menu. Now, click Safari Extensions . You can also get there by selecting Safari > Safari Extensions in the Safari menu bar.

Now you can browse through the available extensions or use the search bar in the top left of the App Store to look for them. Unfortunately, you can’t limit your search to only Safari extensions. And it’s not always clear whether you’re looking at a Safari extension or a standalone macOS app.

To add an extension, download or buy it as you would with any app in the App Store. When it’s downloaded, click Open .

You can now follow the prompts to enable the extension in Safari. Alternatively, you can open Safari and enable your new extensions there. You might see a message at the top of the browser that says you have new extensions. Click View Extensions .

You can also select Safari > Preferences from the menu bar, and open the Extensions section. Find your new extension, and click the checkbox. Hit Turn On .

Disabling or Uninstalling Safari Extensions

You can disable or uninstall Safari extensions you don’t use anymore. If you’re experiencing problems in Safari, you may want to disable all your extensions and then re-enable them one by one. This can help you determine if an extension is causing the problem, and which one. If you decide you don’t want an extension at all anymore, you can uninstall it.

It’s a good idea to close all your open tabs in Safari before disabling or uninstalling extensions. If you have a lot of tabs open (maybe because you’re using Tab Groups ), Safari’s performance worsens noticeably when you disable or uninstall an extension. Each open tab has to adjust to no longer having that extension active, especially when that tab was using the extension.

To disable or uninstall an extension go to Safari > Preferences , then click Extensions .

Uncheck an extension in the list on the left to disable it. To uninstall an extension, select it in the list, then click the Uninstall button.

You might see a message telling you the extension is part of an app, which you’ll need to remove. Click Show in Finder .

Delete the app as you would with any app, by dragging it to the Trash or pressing Cmd + Backspace .

Go Beyond Safari

If you can’t find the Safari extension you’re looking for, then it might be worth trying a different browser. Other Mac web browsers, like Chrome and Firefox, have plenty of options when it comes to extensions. There’s a good chance at least one of those browsers will have what you’re after.

The closure of the Safari Extensions Gallery is disappointing, but there are still lots of great extensions to choose from. And as this guide shows, installing and uninstalling them is straightforward.

How to Use Safari Extensions on Mac

Safari extensions allow you to personalize your browsing experience to better serve your needs. You can add browser extensions that block ads or specific content on websites, help you find coupons and discounts, or save articles for later reading in customized reading lists. The options are nearly endless! Let's get started learning how to use Safari extensions on your Mac. 

Related:  How to Delete Frequently Visited Sites in Safari on iPhone

Why You’ll Love This Tip

• Customize your online experience by adding Safari extensions that allow you to find coupons, block ads, proof your writing, and more! 
• Easily install and enable needed Safari extensions and disable add-ons you no longer need. 

How to Manage Safari Extensions on Mac

While the details of how you use a specific extension will depend on its functionality, the steps for installing, enabling, and disabling a Safari browser extension are universal. If you're unsure which Safari extension you'd like to install, a few popular and useful Safari add-ons include Honey (to help find coupons and save money), Grammarly (to proof emails and documents), and 1Password for Safari (to save your many website logins). For more great ideas, we've got an article on our very favorite Safari extensions . To learn more about how to customize your iPhone settings and browsing experience, sign up for our free Tip of the Day  newsletter. Now, here's how to install and enable Safari browser extensions: 

Now you know how to install, enable, and disable Safari browser extensions! 

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Apple to unveil AI-enabled Safari browser alongside new operating systems

Safari getting new AI tools in iOS 18

The software — expected to debut as Safari 18 later in 2024 — is currently undergoing evaluation alongside internal builds of Apple's next-generation operating system updates, namely iOS 18 and macOS 15, according to people familiar with the matter. Should all of the new features make it to the release candidate stage, users will be treated to a new user interface (UI) for customizing popular page controls, a "Web eraser" feature, and AI-driven content summarization tools.

Intelligent Search - AI-enhanced browsing and text summarization

Engineers evaluating the latest builds of Safari 18 can find a toggle for the new page controls menu within the browser's address bar. The menu consolidates — and provides quick access to — old and new page control tools, among them being the browser's new "Intelligent Search" feature.

This feature is not automatically enabled in test builds of Safari 18 and instead requires manual activation from the page controls menu. Once enabled, it's believed the tool leverages Apple's on-device AI technology — specifically the Ajax language-learning model — to identify topics and key phrases within a webpage for which to base the summarization.

In selecting key phrases, Apple's LLM software identifies sentences that provide explanations or describe the structure of objects, depending on the text in question. Words repeated within a text and key sentences are recognized as text topics.

These early indications suggest Apple is striving to deliver text summarization alongside Safari 18 later this year, though the exact implementation of this feature remains fuzzy.

Apple's text summarization features could be a response to rival generative AI tools, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT. But Apple's on-device models and technologies like Private Relay could make the experience much more secure for users. Intelligent Search is also likely to be the same AI browser assistant that one X user hinted at a couple of weeks back.

Web Eraser for better content-blocking

Also accessible from the new page controls menu is a feature Apple is testing called "Web Eraser." As its name would imply, it's designed to allow users to remove, or erase, specific portions of web pages, according to people familiar with the feature.

The feature is expected to build upon existing privacy features within Safari and will allow users to erase unwanted content from any webpage of their choosing. Users will have the option to erase banner ads, images, text or even entire page sections, all with relative ease.

The erasure is said to be persistent, rather than limited to a browsing session. This means that Safari will remember the changes even after the original tab or window has been closed.

When visiting a web page with previously erased content, Safari will inform the user that the page has been modified to reflect their desired changes. The browser will also give the user the option to revert changes and restore the webpage to its initial, unaltered state.

As for where Apple got the inspiration for Web Eraser, the company could have Sherlocked the feature from the third-party app 1Blocker. The application features a similar way of erasing ads, where users would tap ads to make them disappear.

Updated UI will move key tools into one easy location

The new page controls menu referenced throughout this article will attempt to offer Safari 18 users quick and easy access to several options previously located across different menus and the Share Sheet. Running on pre-release versions of macOS 15, for instance, the menu also pulls in the "Aa" menu common on existing iPadOS versions of the browser. These include zoom options, webpage settings for privacy controls, content blocking options, extension shortcuts, and access to the new AI and erasure tools.

These various options existed previously on macOS, but were found by navigating through the Safari settings menu. Having all of these controls in one central location in the Address Bar will make these options more discoverable for end users. Other options like on-page text search and reader mode are also in this menu.

This all suggests Apple intends to unite the iPadOS and macOS Safari UI paradigms when it unveils its new OS releases during its Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

AI-enhanced Visual Lookup feature could be available in 2025

Simultaneously, Apple is also working on a much more powerful visual search feature scheduled for integration sometime in 2025 that will allow users to obtain information on consumer products when browsing through images. People familiar with the tool say it's similar to the Visual Lookup feature, through which Siri can identify plants, pets and landmarks from photos.

Visual Search could be implemented as a system-wide feature. So, instead of surfacing search results in the Photos app, the user may be able to use Visual Search directly in Safari by selecting an image.

Given development of this tool is in the earlier stages, it remains unclear how Apple will ultimately go about implementing it. It also remains to be seen whether or not the feature will make it through internal testing.

The iPhone maker has expressed significant interest in artificial intelligence and more recently published research related to on-device language learning models. This goes hand in hand with widespread rumors about several other AI-powered software features, many of which are expected to make their debut later this year with iOS 18.

Another big year for Safari

From its inception, Safari was always meant to rival existing web browsers.

Safari was originally added to macOS as a means of replacing Microsoft's Internet Explorer for Mac, which was the default browser. Over the years, the app made its way to the iPhone , and has since received various upgrades over the years.

More recent versions of Safari provide users with personalized web suggestions, and allow for greater privacy protection with features such as iCloud Private Relay.

This latest set of enhancements only serves to better position Safari against the competition, in an ever-increasing landscape of generative AI tools and third-party ad-blockers.

While Apple tests many such features during different development stages, it is important to remember that not all of them make it to release. Apple has been known to delay features or cancel them entirely, so there's always a chance we may not see these new Safari features after all.

Along with Safari 18 and its associated improvements, we should also see a revamped Calculator with Math Notes make its way to iPadOS 18. Freeform Scenes and Adaptive Voice Shortcuts are new OS features, which are also expected to debut later this year.

Apple is expected to introduce various AI-related enhancements as part of iOS 18 and macOS 15, both of which should be announced at the company's annual WWDC on June 10.

36 Comments

"As for where Apple got the inspiration for Web Eraser, the company could have Sherlocked the feature from the third-party app 1Blocker. The application features a similar way of erasing ads, where users would tap ads to make them disappear." They may also have been inspired by Simplified Page....

As long as I can turn it off/hide it they can knock themselves out. 

Will the web eraser feature remove pop up videos, such as the ones that appear on this site?

I use the 'Reader' function in Safari quite a bit, but sometimes it doesn't work very well. Seems like something that AI could help make better. 

Web ads suck but how else do you think your favorite websites will stay in business? Are you prepared to pay a subscription to every site? I doubt it…

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Google Chrome

You can now summarize long-winded linkedin posts with this handy (and funny) chrome extension.

LinkedIn can be a handy tool, but it’s often full of long-winded posts that take forever to get to the point. Now, there’s a handy Chrome extension that can summarize long LinkedIn posts and maybe give you a bit of a chuckle too.

The brainchild of designer Soren Iverson, “LinkedIn TLDR” is a Chrome extension that uses AI to summarize LinkedIn posts that are too long. An option appears above posts to shorten them down to just a sentence or two.

The idea was originally just a fun joke – Iverson’s profile on Threads is full of truly brilliant satirical ideas for the apps and services we all use – but turned into an extension with the helpful of developer Kingston .

The extension lives up to its origins in that, in part, it’s satirical. The default mode for the extension will summarize a LinkedIn post with a bit of satire thrown in. For instance, Iverson shared a demo on Threads that took the infamous LinkedIn post of someone proposing to their girlfriend and “what it taught me about B2B sales” and summarized it with some hilarious jabs.

Post by @soren.iverson View on Threads

But there’s also a “serious” mode which will summarize the post more literally, which does seem useful given how verbose some posts on the platform can be.

I’ve been playing around with the extension for a bit and, while it’s definitely not as fast as the demos suggest, it’s super fun.

“LinkedIn TLDR” is available on the Chrome Web Store for free, and it only asks permission to view and modify linkedin.com. The extension notably only works on posts in the home feed, though.

More on Google Chrome:

• Chrome’s Gemini address bar shortcut rolls out
• Chrome’s Omnibox address bar is now powered by machine learning
• Google Chrome removes side panel button in favor of pinning

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Update macOS on Mac

Use Software Update to install updates and upgrades for macOS and its built-in apps, including Safari.

Before you begin

Before installing new software, it's a good idea to back up your Mac .

Make sure that your Mac is connected to the internet . You should be able to access websites or receive email, for example.

Use Software Update

Open Software Update:

From the Apple menu  in the corner of your screen, choose System Settings. Click General in the sidebar of the window that opens, then click Software Update on the right.

If you don't have System Settings in the Apple menu , choose System Preferences instead. Then click Software Update in the window that opens.

Don't see Software Update settings?

When you open Software Update, it automatically begins checking for new software.

If new software is available for your Mac, click the button to Update or Upgrade. What's the difference between an update and upgrade?

If new software is not available for your Mac, Software Update says that your Mac is up to date. Software Update shows only software that is compatible with your Mac model. For example, if your Mac is not compatible with a later version of macOS or Safari, Software Update does not offer it to you. Which Mac models are compatible?

Before installation begins, you will be asked to enter your administrator password. It's the password you use to log in to your Mac. Forgot your password?

During installation, your Mac might restart and show a progress bar or blank screen several times. If installation is not successful, learn what to do .

This example shows Software Update in macOS Sonoma. Software Update in your version of macOS might look different.

If you don't see Software Update

If your older Mac doesn't include Software Update, use the App Store instead. It's in your Applications folder. Click the Updates tab in the App Store to check for updates, or search for the software by name.

Learn about other ways to download and install macOS .

What are updates and upgrades?

An update is a newer version of the currently installed macOS, such as an update from macOS Ventura 13.5 to macOS Ventura 13.6.

An upgrade is a major new version of macOS with new name, such as an upgrade from macOS Ventura to macOS Sonoma.

Which Mac models are compatible?

These are the most recent macOS upgrades and the computers that can use them. You can also find out which macOS your Mac is using now .

macOS Sonoma 14 is compatible with these computers

macOS Ventura 13 is compatible with these computers

macOS Monterey 12 is compatible with these computers

macOS Big Sur 11 is compatible with these computers

macOS Catalina 10.15 is compatible with these computers

If your Mac doesn't have enough storage space to install

If an error occurs while downloading or installing

If your Mac doesn't start up all the way

Learn more about updating Safari

Update your iPhone or iPad

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