safari install extension

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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iOS 15: How to Download and Install Safari Web Extensions

In iOS 15, Safari now supports third-party web extensions, which can be downloaded and installed through the App Store . Extensions can change how Apple's Safari browser works in useful ways, or even add extra functionality to it.

In addition, developers can now create universal extensions that will work on Mac, iPhone , and iPad , thanks to WebExtension APIs that employ a cross-platform technology and can also support other browsers, like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

The following steps show you how to get extensions to enhance your browsing experience in Safari on iOS 15.

• Launch the Settings app on your ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌.
• Scroll down and tap Safari .
• Under "General," tap Extensions .
• Tap More Extensions .

This last step will take you to a section of the ‌App Store‌ dedicated to Safari extensions, which you can browse and optionally download and install. Note that some extensions are free, whereas others include features that require in-app purchases to unlock them.

Once you install an extension, you'll see it listed in the "Extensions" screen in Settings, where you'll be able to control any extension-related options.

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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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How to use Safari extensions on your iPhone and iPad

Along with some extensions to try.

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One of the handiest types of software in anyone’s quiver is the browser extension: those cool little applets that let your browser do what you want it to do. And one of the nicest things about iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 is that you can now add extensions to the Safari browser. Even though this is a new feature that launched with the latest iOS version, there are already a number of useful extensions available for you to add.

What follows is a rundown on how to add extensions to your Safari app — while we’ve illustrated the process using an iPhone, you can follow the same basic directions with an iPad. We’ve also included a sampling of some extensions you can try.

How to add extensions

• Tap on the Settings app.
• Scroll down to and select Safari > Extensions.
• Any extensions that you’ve already installed will be listed here. Tap on “More Extensions” if you’d like to see what’s available in the App Store. (You can also simply go to the App Store and search on “Safari Extensions.”)

• Once you’ve installed your first extension, you’ll see a little “puzzle piece” icon on the left side of Safari’s address bar. Tap that, and the menu that pops up will include your current extensions plus a “Manage Extensions” selection, which lets you toggle your extensions on and off.

Some extensions to try

This is a small sampling of some of the extensions that you can now access via the App Store. While there are not many extensions yet available (compared to the number of extensions for, say, Chrome), it’s a pretty safe bet that there will be lots more to come over the next few months.

Amplosion ($2.99)

AMP, which is short for “Accelerated Mobile Pages,” is a web format created by Google to optimize search results for mobile browsers. However, if you’d rather not have Google tweaking the webpages you upload, you can use Amplosion to redirect the AMP links that show up in search results into normal mobile links.

Noir ($2.99)

When you’re browsing at night and you’ve set your iPhone or iPad to dark mode, you will often hit a website that is bright enough to make your eyes water. Noir allows you to set a dark mode for all the websites you visit.

1Password (subscription needed)

1Password is a well-known and respected password manager . If you’re a 1Password user, there’s no question that you’re going to want to add this one to your mobile Safari app.

Super Agent for Safari (free)

This handy extension automatically fills out a website’s cookie consent forms based on your preferences, which can save you a lot of time and irritation.

Web Inspector (free)

Something for developers: an app that lets you inspect the HTML coding of a website, modify it, debug it, and perform other essential tasks.

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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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Here are the best new Safari extensions to download for iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 (Updated)

One of the flagship new features in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 is the redesigned Safari web browser. While the highlight of the new Safari is its user interface, it also gains compatibility with more powerful, Mac-like browser extensions. Now that iOS 15 is available to download, there are plenty of extensions hitting the App Store, and we’ve put together a list of some to try out.

Users of 1Password will love the new Safari extension in the latest update. The 1Password extension gives you the ability to see any password right in Safari and fill in password fields with saved ones. The extension can automatically fill in two-factor authentication codes as well. If you’re using an iPad, you will get the entire desktop 1Password experience. The extension will appear in the toolbar for you to access at any time.

The developer behind Apollo for Reddit, Christian Selig, has created a new Safari extension called Amplosion. Amplosion redirects you to the original webpage when you open an AMP link in Safari. The app also lets you keep track of how many times you’ve visited an AMP link and how many times you’ve used Amplosion to avoid one. Amplosion is priced at just $1.99 and if you hate AMP as much as I do it’s well worth it.

Christian has also created an extension that adds an HTML web inspector to Safari. The app is priced at $0.99 and is well worth it – since Apple still hasn’t added its own inspector.

CardPointers

The new CardPointers Safari extension knows what deals you may be able to take advantage of on different shopping websites. CardPointers says that it’s compatible with thousands of websites. While shopping in Safari with the extension enabled, you’ll get a notice telling you which card to use for the best deal as well as any special offers.

Cheep is an app that helps you find deals on Flights. With its latest update, it adds a Safari extension for use with Google Flights. The extension helps determine the cost per mile, distance in miles, and recommends whether or not you should book the flight. Cheep is free.

Am excited for Cheep launch for iOS 15 today! https://t.co/IgcZ7i1upe – safari extension for google tells you the miles, cost per mile, and rating – personalize airline alliances for mileage run deals – minimum fare rating you want to see – integration with TikTok and Instagram pic.twitter.com/RpJ84MYmys — Jonathan Chum (@jchum) September 20, 2021

Web Inspector

This app is a simple web inspector that appears to be designed to look familiar to those who frequently use one in Chrome on the Mac. This extension lets you inspect webpages and edit their elements, enter JavaScript commands, view network requests, and more. It’s also entirely free.

I just released Web Inspector for iOS and iPadOS. It's a Safari extension for web developers to edit web pages on the fly, debug JavaScript, and more. It's free with no in-app purchases: https://t.co/u5mBSkMKnV pic.twitter.com/U1PdXv9VjK — Zhenyi Tan (@zhenyitan) September 20, 2021

HyperWeb is a new extension that adds the ability to customize just about anything you want to in Safari while browsing the web. The app lets you create blockers, personalize search, and customize the design of webpages. The app can also recommend enhancements to enable to make the extension more powerful.

Language Translator by Mate

Safari already has some translation features built-in but a new app from Gikken called Language Translator can help you take things to the next level. The app’s new Safari extension can automatically translate sites in 40 languages without any work required by the user. You can also select text and get a pop-up window if you want to translate it to another language. The app is pricey though at $29.99 but if you frequently need to translate different sites in a multitude of languages it might be worth the buy.

Vidimote is a new Safari extension that allows you to control video playback from the toolbar. The extension lets you change the speed of videos, jump ahead, switch between PiP and fullscreen, and more. Vidimote is $4.99 and available now.

StopTheMadness

StopTheMadness is a Safari extension that helps you take control of websites you frequently visit. The extensions lets you enable native iOS features like contextual menus, text editing, drag and drop, and autofill. The extension also improves privacy on the web by stopping clickjacking for different services among other things. StopTheMadness is priced at $7.99 on the App Store.

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How-To Geek

7 iphone and ipad safari extensions worth installing.

Safari Extensions arrived in iOS 15, so we made a list of our favorites.

Quick Links

Managing extensions for safari on iphone and ipad, dark mode everywhere: turn off the lights or nitefall, manage your tab problem: startpage.ai, dismiss cookie permissions pop-ups: super agent, liberate your videos: pipifier, manage your passwords: 1password, disable amp and much more: hyperweb, a welcome enhancement for safari.

With the arrival of iOS 15, Safari for iPhone and iPad gained proper extensions. Apple has taken the same curated App Store approach as it did with Safari for Mac, vastly improving Safari's web browsing capabilities.

Here are some of the highlights, and a brief overview of how extensions work on iOS and iPadOS.

Extensions for the Safari browser on iPhone and iPad are managed using the App Store. You can search for new extensions as you would any other app, and updates are managed by the App Store and can be applied automatically too.

You'll even find a dedicated Safari Extensions category in the App Store app by tapping the Apps tab then scrolling down to "Top Categories" and tapping See All > Safari Extensions.

When you have enabled one or more extensions you will see a small icon in the address bar that looks like a puzzle piece. Tapping on this will show active extensions and a "Manage Extensions" option where you can enable and disable extensions quickly.

Due to Apple's careful approach to privacy in iOS , expect to be asked to grant permission to certain websites or services. Some apps require "Access" to every website they are designed to work with, while others may ask to filter your traffic if they are designed to block certain types of content.

You can go to Settings > Safari > Extensions to see a list of currently installed extensions, what each has access to, and any privacy disclosures. You can also give an extension full access to all websites here, which gets rid of the frequent permissions pop-ups.

You should make sure you fully understand the risks of allowing an app developer to access this information. A similar comparison can be made to third party keyboards , which may require "Full Access" and thus be able to store or transmit anything that is typed.

Related: With iOS 15, the iPhone Stays Ahead of Android in Privacy

Many websites now support dark themes either with a toggle or by detecting your device's current settings. Many still don't, and that's a problem when you're trying to browse at night. Turn Off the Lights is one such free extension that attempts to remedy this.

On Safari, the app works by adding a semi-transparent dark overlay. This has the effect of dimming page content without inverting colors, so things appear much dimmer. The benefit of this approach is that it leaves page styles alone which means you're less likely to run into problems with page styles or readability.

It's not foolproof and some websites resist the extension, while the overlay can be a little temperamental at times. It also lacks the customization that you'll find on the desktop version.

Nitefall is a good alternative if Turn Off the Lights falls short. It's also free but can only be used on a limited number (25) of websites. It has three dark themes, support for maps, and site-specific settings but if you want to use it on more websites you'll need to upgrade for a one-off fee of $3.99.

Related: How to Enable Dark Mode on your iPhone and iPad

Do you have a nasty tab habit? Culling hundreds of tabs using Safari's tiled view is tedious even on the latest devices. It's not possible to read the full website name or URL, and many older tab previews will be purged. Startpage.ai makes this process much easier.

Once you've set new tabs to open with Startpage.ai you'll see a neat list of all current tabs, with the most recently used at the top. Each tab title is listed with its URL, and you can even filter tabs using the search bar at the top. You can then close each tab with a tap of the red "Close" button.

Related: How to Use Tab Groups in Safari on iPhone and iPad

There's even a dark mode toggle at the top of the screen for managing your tab addiction after dark. An essential extension for anyone who never closes tabs, and something Apple should probably copy to make managing tabs in future versions of Safari less of a mess.

Cookie warnings are one of the most annoying things on the modern internet. It's not necessarily a bad thing that websites now have to ask you before tracking you or gathering information, but cookie warnings introduce additional steps to reading almost any article on the web.

Super Agent is one extension that can help. Install the extension then set your cookie preferences in the app and let Super Agent take care of the rest. The extension will action your preferences on a large number of websites (though not all websites are supported).

Cookies are split into three sections: advertising, functional, and performance. Any that don't fit these categories are automatically blocked. There's no subscription, and the accompanying app makes it easy to manage your preferences.

Related: What Is a Browser Cookie?

Previously a plug-in for the desktop version of Safari, PiPifier does one thing and it does it well: restoring picture-in-picture functionality to videos across the web. Apple added this handy feature to Safari in iOS 14, but it hasn't always worked everywhere. The feature allows you to watch a video in a frame while using other apps, and it has a transformative effect on iPhone and iPad multitasking.

Notably, YouTube blocks picture-in-picture mode on Safari for iPhone and iPad in a bid to get you to use the YouTube app. The YouTube app currently sells this feature back to you as part of a YouTube Red subscription. PiPifier restores picture-in-picture mode to the web version of YouTube, allowing you to use the full functionality of Safari with YouTube once more.

Related: How to Use Picture-in-Picture on iPhone

If you use 1Password then the app's accompanying Safari extension provides a "desktop-class" experience. Of course, the extension isn't going to be of much use to you if you use another service like LastPass or Apple's iCloud Keychain (which already integrates nicely with Safari ).

You can use the extension to autofill details like passwords , credit card details , two-factor authentication codes , and more. You can also quickly access any favorite credentials or notes, and add new items to your 1Password account.

If you want one extension that includes most of the separate enhancements listed above, Hyperweb is what you're looking for. It's the Swiss army knife of mobile Safari extensions, providing features like dark mode (by inverting colors), cookie pop-up management, picture-in-picture plus content blocking, and search engine personalization too.

Related: What Is Google AMP, and Why Is It In My Search Results?

Hyperweb also allows you to apply custom styles and run custom user scripts from websites like Stylish and Greasy Fork which can change the look and feel of some of your favorite websites. It also blocks Google's AMP (Accelerated Mobile Project) pages when visiting from a search engine, and it's currently the only free extension to do so.

If you use third-party apps for services like Twitter, Reddit, or YouTube you can force content to open in apps like Tweetbot, Apollo, or Syndromi. You can also direct Apple Maps to Google Maps, open streams in apps like VLC, or send PDFs to PDF Expert.

Hyperweb's most powerful feature allows you to create your own rules known as local enhancements. You can set "If" and "Then" parameters that target specific URLs, domains, pages, and search engines that go well beyond the included enhancements. You can only create one of these rules in the free version, or you can pay $2.99/month to unlock the extension's functionality.

Safari Extensions were added to iOS and iPadOS 15, Apple's smartphone and tablet operating systems. Check out what else is new in the update , and take full advantage of the great new iOS 15 privacy features .

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How to Install Safari Extensions in Windows

Use at your own risk: Safari for Windows has been discontinued

What to Know

• Go to Settings > Preferences > Extensions and flip the toggle On . Select the extensions and choose Install .
• To update automatically, go to Settings > Preferences > Extensions and select Install Updates Automatically .
• Safari extensions use the .safariextz file extension. Be cautious when downloading third-party extensions.

Apple discontinued the development and support of the Safari web browser for Windows in 2012. Edge , Chrome , and Firefox are better and safer choices for browsing on Windows computers. However, Safari for Windows still can be downloaded and installed on Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. Plus, you can still find some third-party extensions.

Install Safari for Windows

To install Safari for Windows on a Windows computer:

While you can still download a copy of Safari for Windows, its final 2012 version, Safari 5.1.7, isn't supported or recommended for use.

Go to the Softpedia website .

Select the Download tab and then select the mirror site to start the download.

Choose Run to install the browser.

Clear the option to make Safari the default browser.

When the installation is complete, launch Safari for Windows.

Alternatively, download and run the Safari 5.1.7 setup EXE file .

Apple no longer offers extensions for Safari for Windows. Any extensions you find are written by a third party to expand the browser's functionality, personalizing the browsing experience, or adding features not built into Safari's default version.

If you discover any third-party extensions that you trust, here's how to install them in Safari for Windows:

When you install a third-party extension, follow the instructions provided with it. Those instructions may vary from the ones given here.

Select the gear icon at the top of the browser and then select  Preferences > Extensions .

Or press Ctrl + ,  (Control plus comma) to get to Preferences quickly.

In the Extensions tab, toggle extensions to the  On  position.

Click to download the Safari extension you want to install.

Select the  Install  button when asked if you're sure that you want to install the extension.

Safari extensions have the .safariextz file extension . Be extremely careful when downloading a third-party extension from the internet.

To disable an extension, go back to the Extensions tab and toggle the extension to the Off position.

How to Make Safari Extensions Update Automatically

Some extensions may offer updates. If an extension you loaded offers updates, set the browser to install updates automatically. Apple no longer updates extensions for Safari for Windows.

Select the  Updates  button at the bottom of the  Extensions   tab.

In the center of the screen, select the  Install Updates Automatically check box.

Exit the  Extensions  window. The extension updates on its own when a new version is released.

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• Productivity

Exploring Safari Extension Types and Benefits

Table of Contents

Installing a Safari extension sounds really simple but until you want to. It's a little unique with Safari. Here's how to Install, Manage, or Delete Safari extensions.

Safari, Apple’s web browser, is known for its sleek design, smooth performance, and commitment to user privacy. With the introduction of extensions on Safari, users can now customize and enhance their browsing experience even further. In this article, we’ll delve into different types of Safari extensions, their benefits, and take a closer look at the Speechify Safari Extension.

Safari browser extensions have transformed the way users interact with Apple’s web browser, enhancing their browsing experiences and offering greater versatility. These small add-ons or plugins can be found in the App Store, both for macOS and iOS, and they are designed to add extra functionality to Safari. Whether you’re using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, Safari extensions cater to your specific needs and preferences.

To explore and install Safari extensions, open Safari on your Mac or iOS device, and navigate to the Safari menu. Here, you’ll find the “Safari Extensions…” option, which takes you to the App Store’s dedicated section for Safari extensions. From there, you can search for, install, and manage your extensions effortlessly. Installing extensions is a straightforward process, and you can turn them on or off at any time to suit your browsing requirements.

Safari extensions have evolved over the years, becoming more powerful and feature-rich. With the introduction of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, extensions have gained new capabilities, including improved Shortcuts integration and even compatibility with the Apple Watch. These enhancements have made Safari extensions an integral part of the Apple ecosystem, ensuring a consistent and customizable browsing experience across all Apple devices.

In addition to the benefits provided by Apple’s App Store, Safari extensions offer users the ability to tailor their browsing experiences to their liking. These extensions range from ad blockers, password managers, and privacy-focused tools to productivity enhancers and shortcuts creators. By embracing Safari extensions, users can make the most out of their browsing sessions, streamlining tasks and adding features that cater to their specific needs. Uninstalling extensions is as easy as installing them, ensuring that your Safari browser remains clutter-free and optimized for your preferences. With each new iteration of iOS, including iOS 17, Safari extensions continue to evolve, providing users with even more options and flexibility when it comes to customizing their online experiences.

When to Use Safari Extensions

Safari extensions come in various types, each offering unique functionalities to cater to different user needs. Here are some of the most popular categories:

1. Ad Blockers:

Ad blockers, such as AdBlock and uBlock Origin, prevent intrusive ads and pop-ups from cluttering your webpage. You can turn on these extensions to streamline your browsing experience and reduce distractions.

2. Password Managers:

Password managers like 1Password and LastPass help you securely store and autofill your login credentials across websites. They enhance your online security and make it easy to manage multiple accounts.

3. Privacy and Security:

Extensions like DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials and Ghostery protect your privacy by blocking trackers and providing insights into website privacy practices. They ensure that your personal information stays confidential.

4. Productivity Enhancers:

Grammarly is a popular choice for improving your writing with spelling and grammar checks, while Honey helps you find coupons and discounts when shopping online. These extensions boost your productivity and save you money.

5. Picture-in-Picture:

Extensions like PiPifier enable picture-in-picture mode for videos, allowing you to watch content in a small floating window while browsing other webpages.

6. Bookmark Managers:

Bookmark managers such as Bookmarks by Raindrop.io help you organize and sync your bookmarks across devices, making it easier to access your favorite sites.

7. Tab Managers:

Tab management extensions like Tab Snooze help you keep your tabs organized and reduce clutter by suspending inactive tabs until you need them.

Benefits of Safari Extensions

Now that we’ve explored the various types of Safari extensions, let’s dive into their benefits:

Enhanced Functionality:

Safari extensions expand the capabilities of your web browser, allowing you to perform tasks more efficiently and access features that are not native to the browser.

Personalized Browsing:

You can tailor your browsing experience to your specific needs by installing extensions that provide features you find most useful.

Improved Security and Privacy:

Privacy-focused extensions protect your online identity by blocking trackers, while password managers strengthen your digital security.

Increased Productivity:

Productivity-enhancing extensions help you stay focused and organized while performing tasks online, ultimately saving you time.

Cross-Platform Consistency:

Many Safari extensions are available on iPhone, iPad, and Macbook, ensuring a consistent experience and shared permissions across your Apple devices.

Streamlined User Interface:

Extensions often add new tools to your browser’s toolbar, simplifying actions like taking screenshots, translating text, or capturing web content.

Stay Ahead with New Features:

As Safari and the Safari app evolves, new features and improvements are introduced with each release. Extensions help you adapt to these changes and add additional functionality as needed.

Speechify: One of the Best Safari Extensions

One standout Safari extension is Speechify, a versatile text-to-speech tool that transforms written content into spoken words. Available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, the Speechify Safari Extension offers an array of benefits:

1. Accessibility:

The Speechify Safari Extension is an invaluable resource for users with visual impairments or learning disabilities. It allows them to listen to web content, making the internet more accessible.

2. Multitasking:

With Speechify, you can have web articles, news, and research papers read aloud to you while you perform other tasks on your device. It offers a seamless and productive multitasking experience.

3. Learning Assistance:

Whether you’re a student or a professional, Speechify can read educational materials, research articles, and textbooks out loud. This aids comprehension and retention.

4. Customization:

You can adjust the speaking rate, voice, and other settings to match your preferences, ensuring a comfortable listening experience.

5. Offline Accessibility:

Speechify allows you to save audio versions of web articles for offline listening, ensuring you can access content even without an internet connection.

6. Language Options:

Speechify supports multiple languages, making it accessible to a global audience.

7. Natural-Sounding Voices:

The extension employs high-quality text-to-speech voices that sound remarkably natural, providing an engaging listening experience.

In conclusion, Safari extensions offer a world of possibilities for users to enhance their browsing experiences. Whether it’s improving productivity, bolstering privacy, or ensuring accessibility, these extensions cater to various needs. The Speechify Safari Extension, in particular, stands out as a powerful tool for converting written content into spoken words, offering accessibility, customization, and high-quality text-to-speech functionality. It’s a valuable addition to Safari’s growing ecosystem of extensions, enriching the browsing experience for users across Apple’s range of devices.

• Previous Why you should listen to audiobooks
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Tyler Weitzman

Tyler Weitzman is the Co-Founder, Head of Artificial Intelligence & President at Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews. Weitzman is a graduate of Stanford University, where he received a BS in mathematics and a MS in Computer Science in the Artificial Intelligence track. He has been selected by Inc. Magazine as a Top 50 Entrepreneur, and he has been featured in Business Insider, TechCrunch, LifeHacker, CBS, among other publications. Weitzman’s Masters degree research focused on artificial intelligence and text-to-speech, where his final paper was titled: “CloneBot: Personalized Dialogue-Response Predictions.”

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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.

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.

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

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

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.

Click Install.

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

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

Choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences).

Click Extensions.

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.

Choose Safari > Settings.

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

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.

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

To turn off an extension, untick its box.

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

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

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.

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

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.

This Safari extension helps fix my Reddit experience now that Apollo is gone

Make Reddit bearable again.

Browsing Reddit on my iPhone used to be an enjoyable experience. Not by using the official Reddit app, you understand – that was (and still is) a nightmare – but by using the much-beloved Apollo app. Yet since Reddit jealously forced Apollo’s developer to shutter the app, I’ve been left in something of a no man’s land.

Using the Reddit app isn’t really an option, as it’s so full of ads and irritating design features that I’ve long since given up on it. But the other alternative – browsing the site in Safari – has its own problems, mainly relating to those incredibly annoying nagging pop-ups that beg you to launch the official app. We’ve been over this Reddit, your app sucks, I’m not going to use it.

For a long time, I was at a loss for what to do. Until, that is, I discovered a handy little Safari extension called Sink It for Reddit . Install this app, tweak a few options, and your browsing experience is freshened up and made a whole lot more bearable. It’s not quite as good an experience as using Apollo was (but then again, what is?), but it’s lured me back to Reddit without requiring me to shore up the official app’s download count. That alone is a win.

What does Sink It for Reddit do?

Sink It for Reddit automatically removes all of those annoying banners telling you to try the Reddit app. These sections take up significant portions of the screen and interrupt your browsing, but with Sink It for Reddit, they’re gone in a flash.

But it offers much more than just automatic banner banishment. You can block ads and promoted content, hide the navigation bar for a more immersive view, add a ‘back to top’ button so you don’t have to endlessly scroll upwards, and much more.

Some of my favorite tweaks relate to comments. I love that Sink It adds color coding to comment threads, making it very easy to keep track of who is replying to whom. You can add a button that scrolls to the next parent comment in a thread, automatically collapse auto-mod posts, and show images inline instead of seeing <image> tags wherever you look.

There are a bunch of other improvements found in the app, and combined they make Sink It an all-in-one fix-up shop for Reddit. I’ve gotten so used to some of its tweaks that I occasionally forget that they’re not native features, that’s how good it is.

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The same developer has also launched Sink It for Twitter/X , which takes a similar approach of nuking X’s most irritating features and making the experience on Safari much more pleasant (well, apart from all the weirdos and vitriol, but that’s well beyond the developer’s remit).

As great as Sink It for Reddit is, it doesn’t quite hit Apollo’s level of greatness. But in a world where Reddit is cracking down on almost any competitors to its own (frankly awful) official app, it’s a welcome addition to my Home Screen. If you’re sick of the way Reddit works but still love its content and community, it’s a great app to try.

How to use Sink It for Reddit

• First of all, open the Settings app and go to Safari > Extensions . Tap Sink It for Reddit , then enable all the toggles. Make sure reddit.com and Other Websites are also set to Allow in the Permissions section
• Now, open Sink It for Reddit and tap the red Sink It Settings button . Here you’ll find all of the app’s tweaks divided into categories
• Try tapping the Comments Upgrades button . Go through the list of adjustments and enable any that catch your eye. All your changes are applied automatically, there’s no Save button you have to press. You can now go to the other settings sections and make any changes you want
• While most settings are enabled or disabled using a simple toggle, you can also add to your lists of favorite subreddits and banned subreddits using the relevant sections in Sink It’s settings
• You’ll notice that some settings have colored dots next to them. These indicate which version of Reddit the features are supported on. Green dots refer to the new unified user interface (UI), while yellow ones are for old Reddit only. Red dots work for both old and new UIs on desktop, while blue dots denote support for both old and new UIs on mobile

Alex Blake has been messing around with Apple tech ever since he caved to the pressure and bought an iPhone 3G “just to see what all the fuss was about.” He’s spent the subsequent 15 years prattling on about Apple and has somehow managed to do so professionally. Don’t ask him how.

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Homepage for Safari 4+

Set any homepage in safari, ahnaf mahmud, screenshots, description.

With this extension, you can set any URL and Safari will automatically load your homepage upon opening a new tab. To set up, enable the extension and ensure it is set as the new tab page. To set the homepage URL of your choice: 1. Open your device's settings app 2. Select the Safari app followed by Extensions 3. Select the extension and tap Settings

Version 1.0.3

This version includes some minor tweaks and bug fixes.

App Privacy

The developer, Ahnaf Mahmud , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

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How to open the Chrome Web Store and install extensions

T he Chrome Web Store has thousands of themes and extensions that add new visuals and features to your Chrome browser. Are you looking for a new Chromebook on a budget ? Use an extension that finds coupon codes for the item you're shopping for. Need help writing? Use a writing assistant extension powered by the Gemini or ChatGPT large language models .

If you want to boost your productivity or change its appearance, here's how to explore the Google Chrome Web Store to see what upgrades and add-ons are available.

ChatGPT vs. Gemini: Which gives the better answers?

Open the chrome web store from google chrome.

If you use Google Chrome on your Windows PC or Mac, here's how to open the Chrome Web Store from the Google Chrome browser.

• Select the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner of the address bar to see a menu of options.
• Hover over the Extensions submenu, then select Visit Chrome Web Store .
• A new tab opens, showing the Chrome Web Store extensions page. From there, browse extensions using the carousel at the top or by scrolling down and checking out the cards on the main page.
• Choose the type of extension by selecting a category from the left sidebar. Google offers suggestions in the Recommended for you category and provides other categories, including Accessibility , Blogging , Productivity , and Shopping .
• Or, type keywords in the search box in the upper-right corner to find particular tools and extensions that make it convenient to access the information you need.
• Select the Themes option in the upper-left corner to browse the custom styles.

How to install Chrome extensions and themes

After you've found something you like, install the extension by opening it in the Chrome Web Store and selecting the Add to Chrome button in the upper-right corner. A popup window provides you with privacy and security information about the extension. Select Add extension to continue.

It's common for an extension to need permission to read and change data on websites you visit. Some extensions can be customized to restrict which websites they can access. All extensions can be deactivated and uninstalled if you want to take a break or remove them.

With a Chrome theme, choose Add to Chrome , and the new theme becomes active immediately.

How to use Chrome extensions

Some Chrome extensions begin working as soon as you install them, while others require some setup. You can access some extensions in the toolbar that appears to the right of the address bar. Toolbar extensions appear as icons. Click them to activate them, or right-click for more options.

To manage extensions:

• Select the icon at the far right of the toolbar that looks like a jigsaw puzzle piece, then choose Manage Extensions from the popup menu.
• Alternatively, use the more menu in the upper-right corner, hover over Extensions , and choose Manage Extensions .
• A new tab opens, showing the extensions you installed on your computer.
• You'll see a toggle switch that's blue when turned on and gray when turned off. There are also buttons to show more Details and to Remove an extension.

Open the Chrome Web Store from a Chromebook

ChromeOS is great for most computing needs, and our guide to the best Chromebooks can help if you want to switch away from Windows and macOS.

The Chrome browser is the primary interface on a Chromebook, so Chrome extensions are important. Use the methods mentioned above to open the Chrome Web Store from your Chrome browser.

You can also open the Chrome Web Store from the Launcher. Select the round button in the lower-left corner and type Web Store in the search box. When it appears in the list, choose it to open the Chrome Web Store in a browser tab. Pin it on your shelf when you're done with it so that it's easy to find again.

How to pin apps and websites to your Chromebook's shelf

What about chrome apps.

You might find references to Chrome apps online, but they are no longer supported except for Google Enterprise and Education customers and partners. Google said Chrome app support has been extended for these users "until at least January 2025." For everyone else, they are no longer accessible in the Chrome Web Store, and existing Chrome apps won't execute.

Google Chrome apps require a compatible web browser because they are built with web-friendly languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These apps look similar to Windows and macOS apps and open in their own windows.

It was a great idea, and many Chrome apps were developed, but a new technology called progressive web apps (PWA) is a better option for web developers who want to create lightweight apps that run everywhere.

Open the Chrome Web Store from another browser

Several browsers are compatible with Chrome extensions and themes. For example, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Brave browsers support Chrome extensions.

Apple's Safari browser supports extensions but is not compatible with Chrome extensions. However, you can install the Chrome browser on a Mac if you need to access a Chrome extension. Many Chrome extensions work in Firefox, but there are some incompatibilities . Check if your browser is supported by opening the Chrome Web Store using this link .

Are Chrome extensions available for Android and iOS?

Chrome extensions are designed for computers, not smartphones. The default browser on most Android phones is Chrome, which doesn't support extensions. On an iPhone, the default Safari browser only supports Safari extensions.

Some third-party mobile browsers support Chrome extensions, but extensions aren't made for small screens and might not work correctly on your smartphone.

Visit the Google Chrome Web Store and simplify your life

Now that you know how to use the Chrome Web Store, pack your Chrome with some extensions. We have a complete list of recommendations for the best Chrome extensions that you might find helpful.

Put them to the test. You'd be amazed at how the newly released artificial intelligence extensions can save you time and help you be more efficient. Your future self will surely appreciate the effort.

Microsoft Edge for Android now supports installing ANY extension... with some work

One of the best new features in Microsoft Edge will soon get even better.

What you need to know

• Microsoft is testing the option to use any extension in Edge for Android.
• Using any extension requires you to have Edge Canary, enable developer mode, and use the extension ID of whatever you'd like to run in your browser.
• Microsoft introduced extension support in a limited capacity earlier this year and the feature is still in beta.

Microsoft Edge for Android may soon support using any extension that you'd like. Microsoft started testing extensions in Edge for Android earlier this year, but a savvy Reddit user spotted the option to install any extension on Edge Canary for Android, though you need to jump through a few hoops to replicate the process.

Using any extension requires enabling developer mode and using the Extension install ID of what you'd like to run, so it's not a seamless experience. But that's to be expected during this early stage of testing.

Initially, you had to have Edge Canary to try extensions, but you can now enable them in the stable version of Edge for Android. After using extensions in Edge for Android for one week, I asked how I ever lived without them . I've continued to use extensions in Edge since then and can't imagine swapping to a browser without extension support. Hopefully more extensions work within the browser soon.

Regardless of the version of Edge you're using on Android, you have to enable extensions through Edge://flags:

• Go to Edge://flags in the address bar.
• Search for "Android Extension."
• Toggled Android Extension to "Enabled."
• While on any webpage, tap the hamburger menu (three lines) in the lower-right-hand corner of Edge.
• Scroll down and select "Extensions," which appears next to a puzzle piece icon.
• Select "Manage Extensions."
• Choose which extensions you'd like installed on Microsoft Edge.

Oddly, the supported extensions appear to differ depending on the version of Edge you use. In my testing, Dark Reader, uBlock Origin, and Global Speed work on Edge Canary but the stable version of Edge only supports Dark Reader and Global Speed.

Microsoft Edge | <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.emmx" data-link-merchant="play.google.com""> Free at Google Play

Microsoft's browser is most known for its presence on Windows, but it also has a version on Android. The browser currently supports a few extensions if you enable a flag but may work with any extension in the near future.

How to use any extension in Edge mobile

It is possible to use any extension in Edge mobile right now, but it's in the early stages of testing and requires several steps to enable and set up. You may also experience frequent crashes. It may not be worth the hassle to enable all extensions at the moment. But if you're eager to do so, Reddit user daplugg23 outlined the steps:

• Open Microsoft Edge Canary.
• Go to Settings and then tap on “About Microsoft Edge.”
• At the bottom of the screen, tap on the Edge build number (e.g., Edge Canary 125.0.2487.0) 5 times to enable Developer Options.
• In the Developer Options, tap on “Extension install by id.”
• To find the extension ID, follow these steps: a. Open the Microsoft Edge Web Store ( https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/Microsoft-Edge-Extensions-Home ). b. Find and select the extension you want to install. c. Look at the URL in the address bar. d. The extension ID is the long string of characters at the end of the URL (e.g., jbkfoedolllekgbhcbcoahefnbanhhlh for Bitwarden).
• Enter the extension ID into the “Extension install by id” field on your Edge Canary browser.
• The extension should now be installed on your Android device.

Presumably, if using more extensions works well on Edge, Microsoft will streamline the process. Alternatively, Microsoft may expand the list of included extensions gradually.

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Sean Endicott brings nearly a decade of experience covering Microsoft and Windows news to Windows Central. He joined our team in 2017 as an app reviewer and now heads up our day-to-day news coverage. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at  [email protected] .

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