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Safari:  Safari is the default web browser that comes with your Mac OS X designed by Apple based on the Apple’s WebKit engine. It was first released in 2003 with Mac OS X 10.3 – Panther, then a mobile version was included in iOS devices since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007. A Windows version of Safari was also released in the year 2007 , which Apple discontinued in 2012. The first version of Safari for Mac was named Safari 1 and now the current version as of writing is Safari 12.0.2 , released for macOS 10.14 Mojave . It got some new features like Favicon or website icons in tabs and more. For more information, read What’s new in macOS Mojave . Apple claims that the new version of Safari is more secure and reliable but as we know that nothing is perfect in this world. Just like other browsers, Safari also gets infected with Malware, Spyware or Adware. Sometimes new updates from Apple are rolled out which makes Safari unstable or even remove it from the system. In order to deal with such situations you should know how to reinstall safari .

Here in this article, I would be explaining to you about some major issues with Safari along with their solutions and if none of the solutions works, the last resort to you is reinstall Safari which I have covered in the end.

Issue / Error With Safari

Safari was recently in hot search trends due to Apple’s latest software updates to the Safari web browser issued on 3rd December, 2015 which reportedly failed and removed Safari from users’ systems. There was another update to Safari which made it incompatible with the OS and changed the safari logo to a crossed out circle. If you would try to open Safari it would show an error message that reads “The version of safari installed on this Mac is not compatible with the current version of OS” . You may also get one of the following error messages.

• “This version of Safari is no longer supported. Please upgrade to a supported browser.”
• Safari crashes as soon as you open it and shows error message Safari quits unexpectedly.
• Can’t connect to the server
• Safari loads partial webpage”
• Safari may become corrupt and may not run at all or runs very slow like a snail, it takes ages to open a web-page, while other browsers run perfectly fine. So if it is not working or having problems to browse websites, you may need to reinstall it.

As per the Apple there is no way to reinstall Safari except reinstalling OS X. Reinstalling OS X does not delete any user’s files, however, its a lengthy process and require so much time and care. But before we reinstall the OS X, I would suggest you to try the following troubleshooting which may fix the issue with Safari. We could also install Safari as a standalone app using a third party software called Pacifist , which is explained in the end.

Troubleshooting the issues with Safari

#1. check to see if safari is running in 32 bit mode..

Apple introduced 64-bit version of Safari with the release of Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6), but it was still possible to run Safari in 32-bit mode for backward compatibility. At the time of release so many JavaScript application and Safari extensions were not designed for 64 bit version of Safari so users had to run Safari in 32-bit mode. After Mountain Lion( OS X 10.8) , Apple removed option to change the bit mode of Safari as all of the extensions and JavaScript Applications were already upgraded to run in 64 bit mode.

Check if Safari is running in 32 bit mode

Right or control click the Safari icon in your Applications folder then click Get Info. If the box next to:  Open in 32 bit mode is Checked, Uncheck it, quit then relaunch Safari.

2. Reinstall Flash Player Plug-ins.

Safari has a long term issue with Flash Player which was also published in an article written by Steve Jobs- Thoughts on Flash . Check safari by Uninstalling flash Player . After the safari is uninstalled delete its left over files from the following locations if available.

3. Restart your computer.

4. reinstall and enable flash player for safari..

Install Flash Player directly from Adobe . If you are having trouble with web installer, download the standalone Flash Player version for Safari and Firefox – NPAPI directly from https://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/flashplayer/latest/help/install_flash_player_osx.dmg

5. Remove incompatible Flash Extension

Remove ClickToFlash extension if it is installed, it can prevent Flash based videos from streaming. It can be found as a plugin in /Library/Internet-Plug-Ins .

6. Make sure the JavaScript and plugins are allowed in Security settings of Safari Preferences window.

Also check the Safari Develop Menu to make sure “ Disable JavaScript ” is not checked. Learn how to enable Develop Menu in Safari .

7. Check Safari after Turning Off the IPv6 Support.

On February 4, 2008 , IANA adds AAAA records for the IPv6 addresses of six root name servers. With this transition, it became possible to resolve domain names using only IPv6.

On August 28, 2009 , OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard  was released to manufacturing worldwide and reported to have issues with safari if using IPv6.

On June 6, 2012, the Internet Society together with many other big companies and organizations held World IPv6 Launch Day, a global permanent deployment of IPv6.

On July 25, 2012, Mountain Lion- OS X 10.8 was released and had a known issue with ipv6 and dns implementation and people started using Chrome and firefox until Apple admitted there was a bug and fixed it. The Same bug chased OS X 10.10 Yosemite too.

To fix this issue, first make sure your Mac is up to date by installing all Software updates. If its already updated and you still have the same issue then turn off the IPv6 as mentioned below.

For OS 10.6.8 and earlier

a.) Go to System Preferences > Network > Advanced > TCP/IP > Configure IPv6: Off. Click “OK” then Apply and then test after restarting the Mac. You could also use the following command in terminal to do the same.

Turning off IPv6 support for ethernet: networksetup -setv6off Ethernet

Disabling IPv6 for wireless: networksetup -setv6off Wi-Fi

Note: Disabling IPv6 may also stop you from using some of the core OS X system services, like the discovery service Bonjour, AirDrop, because they use IPv6. Accordingly, disabling IPv6 may render AirDrop sharing unusable, certain print services configured on Bonjour will become unavailable, and some other convenient Mac features may turn inoperable as well.

For OS X 10.7 and above

b.) Go to  System Preferences > Network > Advanced > TCP/IP > Configure IPv6: Link-local only. Click “OK” then “Apply” and then close preferences. Check Safari after Logout and log back in, it should be working fine.

Re-Enabling IPv6 for Wi-Fi & Ethernet in OS X

Of course, reversing the above change is also possible, and you can re-enable IPV6 support with the following command strings entered into the terminal:

For Wireless Interface networksetup -setv6automatic Wi-Fi

For Ethernet Interface networksetup -setv6automatic Ethernet

8. Flush the DNS Cache

OS X keeps a local cache of resolved DNS queries for a time defined by the DNS server. Sometimes it might be necessary to reset the cache immediately and re-query a DNS server if an entry on your DNS server has recently changed. To Flush (Reset) DNS Cache, use the terminal commands below for the version of OS X you’re using.

OS X Yosemite and later

Use the following Terminal command to reset the DNS cache in OS X v10.10.4 or later: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder Use the following Terminal command to reset the DNS cache in OS X v10.10 through v10.10.3: sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache

OS X Mavericks, Mountain Lion, and Lion

Use the following Terminal command to reset the DNS cache in OS X v10.9.5 and earlier: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Mac OS X Snow Leopard

Use the following Terminal command to reset the DNS cache in OS X v10.6 through v10.6.8: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache

9. Try Open DNS

For, “can’t connect to server” issues, Apple suggests using Open DNS or Google DNS. If you are using Safari 5.0.1 or later and you are facing issues like Slow or partial webpage loading, or webpage cannot be found. Try open DNS server mentioned below. Open System Preferences > Network > Advanced > DNS Click + and type: 208.67.222.222 Click + again and type. 208.67.220.220 Click ‘ OK’ . Quit and relaunch Safari to test.

If that didn’t help, go back to the DNS tab. Select the 208 addresses then click ➖ under the DNS Servers panel to delete. Then click + to add Googles’ DNS Server. 8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4 Then click OK and try Safari.

10. Scan the Computer with Malwarebyte Anti-malware

Your Safari might be infected with Malware, Spyware or adware which is causing Safari to crash. I have created a list of Common Malware and Adware , check to see if your Computer is infected with any of these.Scan your computer with Malwarebyte -Anti-malware for Mac . Remove all the found items as they are harmful to your computer.

Look into the following folders and browse their contents for any third-party add-on files. Move the third party add-on files to trash.

11. Reset Safari

If all the above methods have been tried and Safari still does not work. Reset the Safari by deleting the following files.

Delete Keychain entry named “ Safari Extensions list ” from Keychain Access located in /Application/Utilities folder.

Clear the NVRAM variables by typing the following command at terminal. sudo nvram -c

Why will you have to Reinstall Safari ?

If all the above mentioned steps have been exhausted and safari still doesn’t seem to be working then it might be a possibility that “Safari.app” application file has become corrupted. And the final resort to you is either clean reinstall Safari or Reinstall the OS X.

How would you Uninstall Safari?

Uninstalling Safari from Mac is not as easy as uninstalling any third party apps. To uninstall safari you must either reinstall the operating system or use a third party app to uninstall the application for you and again to reinstall Safari, you either reinstall the whole Operating system or use a third party software to extract it from OS X installation file.If you normally try to move safari to trash you will see following error message. “Safari can’t be modified or deleted because it’s required by OS X.”

Follow the below mentioned steps to uninstall Safari.

1. uninstall safari using terminal command.

Launch the Terminal, located in / Applications/Utilities/ folder. Type the following command and hit enter to change the current working directory(CWD) to the Applications directory. cd /Applications/

Now that you are in the Applications folder, you can start deleting apps. You will not get a confirmation of the removal, the app will simply be uninstalled completely. The following commands will only work when used in the /Applications/ directory.

sudo rm -rf Safari.app/

2. Uninstall Safari manually.

Go to the /Applications folder and Right-Click or Control-click on Safari icon and select Show Package Contents.

This will open a new folder called contents and it will have other bundled software and info.plist files inside it. Simply select all the package contents and delete them to uninstall safari.

After deleting the package contents you also need to delete other supporting configuration and preferences file for Safari exactly as mentioned above in Step 11-Reset Safari . Restart the computer now and Safari is uninstalled completely.

3. Uninstall Safari using a Third party App.

CleanMyMac 3 is a free application that can be used to uninstall Safari on macOS. In OS X El Captian, you cannot remove Safari with CleanMyMac 3 and will run into this message: “Safari.app” couldn’t be removed because you don’t have permission to access it.”

Reinstall Safari on my Mac

How would you reinstall safari.

There are multiple ways of reinstalling Safari. If your OS X version has got a new Combo update released and you haven’t installed it, Look into the details of Combo update and see if it contains Safari. If it has Safari then installing the Combo will bring Safari back as a fresh new updated version. If your OS X is already updated then follow one of the steps below.

#1. Safari can also be downloaded from Softpedia and reinstalled – http://mac.softpedia.com/get/Internet-Utilities/Safari.shtml

Download it from the Softpedia and reinstall it as usual.

#2. Use Pacifist to extract Safari out of the original OS X installation file.

Pacifist is a shareware application that can extract the contents from Mac OS X .pkg package files, .dmg disk images , and .zip, .tar, .tar.gz, .tar.bz2, and .xar archives. This is specially used when a native OS X application becomes damaged and needs to be reinstalled without the hassle of reinstalling all of Mac OS X.

Pacifist is compatible with Mac OS X 10.8 or higher, including Mac OS X 10.11 “El Capitan”. Pacifist requires a 64-bit Intel™ processor.

Download the latest version of Pacifist in zip or disk image format. For users using versions of Mac OS X older than 10.8, download older versions of Pacifist here . Now to Reinstall Safari you need the source image to extract safari from.

You can extract Safari from the following sources.

• Original OS X installer dmg file.
• Hidden Recovery Partition on any Mac.

A.) Extract Safari from original OS X installer DMG file.

90% of the times your Mac keeps a copy of the complete OS X installer that you downloaded to upgrade your system. This download is by default saved in /Application folder. Go to the /Application folder and see if you have OS X El Capitan or the current running version of OS X on your Mac, usually named as “ Install macOS Sierra.app “. if you do not see it in Application folder, download it from the App store.

1. Open Pacifist and select the first option “Open Package”. 2. Choose the original OS X installer.dmg or macOS Installer.app file from /Application folder. 3. Then browse through the contents and expand the Application folder inside the extracted .dmg or .app file to go to the Safari or you can simply type safari in the search box on the top right corner of the windows.

4. Right-Click or Control-Click the Safari.app and select install. It will install Safari to its default location /Application/Safari.app .

B.) Extract Safari from Hidden Recovery Partition on your Mac.

Recovery Partition is a small (650MB) hidden partition on your Mac’s internal hard drive which is reserved for common utilities such as Time Machine, Terminal, Disk Utility and other built in set of utilities as part of the Recovery System. It even has Safari. We can extract Safari from this partition using Pacifist , if the partition is accessible. There might be a possibility that your Mac does not have a recovery partition or the recovery partition is corrupt. You can check if your Mac has a recovery partition .

To access the Recovery Partition , you will have to first turn on the debug menu in “ Disk Utility ” as mentioned below:

defaults write com.apple.DiskUtility DUDebugMenuEnabled 1

3. This command enables the hidden Debug menu to appear in Disk Utility. Open Disk Utility and look for “ Debug ” alongside ‘ Help ’. 4. Click on the new Debug menu and select “ Show every partition “. 5. Now you should see the ‘Recovery HD’ in the left-hand pane of the Disk Utility window although it will be grayed out.

6. Select ‘ Recovery HD ’ and click the Mount icon, at the top of the Disk Utility Window, to make it active. After it is mounted, It will show up on desktop as a drive icon. 7. Now use Pacifist to extract Safari.app from Recovery Partition as mentioned below.

• Open Pacifist and click Open Package then select recovery HD.

• Once the BaseSystem.dmg is loaded you would see all of its contents. Select safari under Applications folder and then click on “ Extract To ” on the top and install it in /Application Folder.

#3. Reinstall OS X to Reinstall Safari.

If all the above steps have been tried out and it still does not fix the Safari issue. The last resort to you is Reinstall OS X to reinstall Safari, it will install a fresh copy of both your operating system and Safari and will not loose any of your files or document they will remain as is. Follow the step mentioned below for  Reinstalling OS X .

Restart your computer and hold down “Cmd+R ” together until you see gray Apple Logo. Make sure you’re connected to the Internet, select “Reinstall OS X” and click “Continue.” Follow the onscreen instructions to install OS X.

Hope you found it helpful and it helped you reinstall Safari on your Mac. In case you still have the same issue and it does not fix the Safari problem, then write to us in the comment section below.

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I am so relieved to have found this blog entry. I was about to go on a mission to beat up some Apple "Geniuses" until i got a positive result here. Thank you Nasir.

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How to reinstall macOS

There are a few reasons why you might want to reinstall macOS (or even Mac OS X). Perhaps your Mac is working erratically and you think that a clean install of the operating system might fix the issue.

Alternatively, you might be planning on selling your Mac, or passing it on to a member of the family (in which case, you need to wipe it first and return your Mac to factory settings ).

It is even possible to reinstall the version of the macOS that your Mac shipped with – which might enable you to revert to an older version of the operating system if the latest version is upsetting you.

Whatever your reason to reinstall macOS, we will show you one of the simplest ways to do so below.

Our method involves using the Recovery partition via which you can reinstall the latest version of the macOS you installed on your Mac. Because macOS is normally installed via Software Update (or previously the Mac App Store) there are no physical installation disks, therefore Apple has made it possible to install the operating system over the internet using the Recovery HD.

An alternative option would be to create a bootable macOS install on an external drive . If your Mac doesn’t boot in Recovery mode, read this: Mac can’t access Recovery mode . 

You might also find this useful: How to do a clean install of macOS using a bootable drive .

How to reinstall macOS via Recovery

• Tools required: A back up (if you will be wiping the Mac), an Internet connection, a network with WEP or WPA security

Back up your Mac

You don’t have to wipe you Mac, but if you are trying to fix a problem, or you are intending to pass on, or sell, the Mac, then you will need to wipe your Mac as part of this process. If that’s the case you should back up your important documents first.

How you do this will depend on whether you want to recover your Mac into the same version of the Mac operating system, or if you were hoping to do a clean install and start again from scratch. For example, if you want to revert to an older version of macOS you don’t want to back up using Time Machine. For more advice read: How to back up a Mac and Best Mac back up software .

Note, if you tend to use iCloud Drive to sync all your Documents and Desktop in the cloud you may find you don’t need a backup, but make sure that everything is in iCloud before you delete!

Erase your drive (M1 and M2-series Macs)

If you are planning to sell or pass on your Mac, or you want to do a clean install of macOS to solve issues with your Mac, you will want to erase your hard drive before reinstalling the operating system. (If you don’t want to erase your data skip this step).

If you are running macOS Monterey or a later version of macOS on a Mac with an M-series chip, or an Intel-powered Mac with a T2 chip (some Macs since 2018), there is a very simple way to erase your Mac that doesn’t require you to use Recovery mode and Disk Utilities. If you have an Intel Mac you will need to work through the steps below to erase your disk before you can begin.

We detail how to erase your Mac using this method in a separate article, but here is a summary:

In Ventura or later:

• Open System Settings.
• Click on General.
• Choose Transfer or Reset.
• Select Erase All Content and Settings.
• Enter your password

In Monterey:

• Open System Preferences.
• Click on System Preferences in the menu bar at the top of your screen.
• Click on Erase All Content and Settings.
• Enter your password.

The rest of the process is the same:

• You’ll be reminded to do a backup with Time Machine before you begin deletion–but you can skip that step.
• A window will show you what will be deleted, including Apple ID, Touch ID, accessories, and Find My settings.
• Finally you will need to log out of your Mac and all related services using your Apple ID.
• Before your Mac is erased you receive a final warning, so if you have second thoughts at least you can stop at this point!
• Having clicked the second Erase All Content & Settings your Mac will restart. Eventually you will see a black screen while it restarts.
• Once your Mac restarts you can go through the steps to set it up as new, or you can leave it at this stage for the next owner to set up. Just turn the Mac off first.

Unfortunately if your Mac doesn’t have Monterey installed or doesn’t have a T2 or M-series chip then you need to use Disk Utility to delete your Mac. Follow the next two steps to do that…

If you have already erased your Mac the next step will show you how to enter Recovery mode.

Enter Recovery mode

The process for entering Recovery mode depends on the Mac you are using.

On a Mac with an Intel processor you need to press and hold the Command and R buttons during start up until you hear the startup chime and see either a spinning globe or Apple logo.

On a Mac that use Apple’s own processors, such as the M1 or M2 chip, you enter Recovery mode by pressing and holding the power button while your Mac starts up and continue to press and hold the button until you see a startup options window appear with an Options icon. Then select Options and click Continue.

A macOS Utilities window will open, like the one above, on which you will see the options to Restore From Time Machine Backup, Reinstall macOS [version], Safari (or Get Help Online in older versions) and Disk Utility. Your next step depends on whether you need to wipe the Mac before reinstalling the operating system. If you want to wipe your disk click Disk Utility (otherwise you can skip the next step).

Erase your hard drive (Intel Macs without T2 chip)

If you have a Mac with an Intel processor that doesn’t also have a T2 chip and you want to delete the data on your Mac’s hard drive you need to use Disk Utility accessed via Recovery mode (you have to access the drive via Recovery because it’s not possible to delete the drive when you are accessing it).

• Select Disk Utility from the options in Recovery mode.
• Now select the volume you wish to Erase. You may need to click on View > Show All Drives before you can see the volume. Note that the process here is slightly different if you are running macOS Catalina or Big Sur. If you aren’t running Catalina then you only need to delete the Macintosh HD volume. If you are running Catalina or later there will be two volumes probably called Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD-Data (or possibly Home and Home – Data). You’ll need to delete the Data volume first and then Macintosh HD. We cover how to do this here: How to wipe and reformat your Mac . Remember this is going to delete all your data so make sure you have your important data backed up or stored in the cloud or on an external drive. 
• The next step also depends on the version of macOS you are running. In Catalina, Mojave, Big Sur, Monterey, and potentially High Sierra (depending on your Mac) this will be APFS. But on older Macs running older macOS versions the format needs to be set to Mac OS Extended (Journaled). You will also need to have GUID Partition Table selected as the Scheme. (You won’t see the Scheme option if you only have the volume selected).
• Click Erase and wait. (There are options under Security Options that allow you to erase the disk securely).
• Now choose Disk Utility > Quit Disk Utility. Or just Command + Q.

Reinstall macOS

Follow these steps to reinstall the latest version of macOS installed on your Mac:

• In Recovery mode choose Reinstall macOS from the list of options.
• Click on Continue. 
• Enter your Apple ID if required and wait while macOS is reinstalled. Expect this to take a while.
• If you are intending to sell or pass on the Mac so that the next owner can enter their own details, when the setup wizard starts up quit. Otherwise follow the instructions to continue setting up your Mac.

How to reinstall an older version of macOS

If you want to revert to an older version of macOS, perhaps because you aren’t keen on the newest version you have installed there are a few ways to reinstall an older version. We cover them separately here: How to install older versions of macOS or OS X .

How to connect to the internet in macOS Recovery mode

To reinstall macOS using Recovery mode you have to connect to the internet. Follow these steps to connect to the internet in Recovery mode if your Mac hasn’t automatically connected:

• Click the Wi-Fi menu in the upper-right corner of the screen.
• Select a Wi-Fi network.
• Enter the Wi-Fi password (if required).

Recovery mode should now be connected to the internet and be able to download the macOS installation software.

If you are using Internet recovery you’ll need to be using a network with WEP or WPA security. This shouldn’t be an issue as most home Wi-Fi networks do, but if you’re on a proxy network or PPPoE then you will have problems.

Author: Karen Haslam , Managing Editor

Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple divide, clocking up a number of years at Apple's PR agency prior to joining Macworld more than two decades ago. Karen's career highlights include interviewing Apple's Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Having edited the U.K. print and online editions of Macworld for many years, more recently her focus has been on SEO and evergreen content as well product recommendations and buying advice on Macworld.com.

Recent stories by Karen Haslam:

• How to copy and paste on a MacBook or Mac
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How To Reinstall Safari on Mac

Are you facing an issue with the default Safari browser on your Mac? If so, you can troubleshoot the app simply by reinstalling it.

To reinstall Safari on your Mac, navigate to the “Applications” folder > “Utilities” > “Terminal” and type cd  /Applications/ I , enter your password, and type sudo rm -rf  Safari.app/ to uninstall the app. Now, open a browser, head to Apple Developers Program, sign in with your Apple ID, download the app, and click the installation file.  

Below, we have written a step-by-step guide on reinstalling Safari on Mac to help you with the entire process. 

Step #2: Renstalling the Safari App

Step #3: selecting the drive to install os, step #2: reinstalling safari, frequently asked questions, reinstalling safari on mac.

If you are wondering how to reinstall Safari on Mac, our following 3 step-by-step methods will help you do this task effortlessly.

Method #1: Using the Terminal

To reinstall the Safari application on your Mac using the Terminal, do the following steps.

Step #1: Uninstalling Safari

In the first step, open the “Applications” folder from the Finder, click “Utilities”, open Terminal, and type cd /Applications/ .

Provide your device’s password and type sudo rm -rf Safari.app/ . Now, head back to the “Applications” folder , and you will see that the Safari app is uninstalled.

In the final step, launch a browser on your Mac, visit the Apple Developers Program website, use your Apple ID to sign in, and get the Safari installation file.

Locate the installation file in the “Download” folder and click it to install Safari on your Mac.

Method #2: Reinstalling macOS 

You can also reinstall the Safari app on your Mac by reinstalling the macOS X in the following way.

Step #1: Backing Up Your Data

In the first step, ensure you have backed up all your data. Next, power off your Mac and back on while holding the Command + R keys on your keyboard and release them when the Apple logo appears on the screen.

Step #2: Accessing the Utilities Menu

In the next step, type in the admin password on the prompt, click “Next”, and the “macOS Utilities” folder will appear on the screen. 

Now, select the “Reinstall macOS” option from the menu, click “Continue”, and follow the on-screen prompt.

In the final step, choose the partition you want to install the macOS and wait for the installation process to complete. Next, log into the system after the final boot, and the Safari browser will now be reinstalled along with the new macOS. 

Method #3: Using Third-Party Tools

CleanMyMac 2 is a third-party tool that can help you reinstall the Safari application on your Mac in the following way.

Step #1: Installing the Software

In the first step, open a browser on your Mac, head to the MacPaw website , download the CleanMyMac 2 , and install it. Launch the software and select “Uninstaller” from the left menu panel. 

In the next step, launch the Finder and drag the Safari app into the CleanMyMac 2. Click “Select” in the pop-up window and choose the “Uninstall” option.

Finally, download Safari from the Apple Developer Program website, and browse for “Safari”. Download the installation file, access it in the “Download” folder, and install the app on your Mac.

Summary 

In this short guide, we’ve discussed how to reinstall Safari on your Mac by uninstalling it from the Terminal, getting it back from App Store, reinstalling macOS, and using a third-party tool. 

Hopefully, your issue is resolved, and you can now use the default browser again with full functionalities and features. 

To clean the Safari app cache on your Mac, launch the application from Dock and click the “Safari” option in the file menu. Select “Preferences”, go to the “ Advanced” tab, and checkmark “Show Develop Menu in Menu Bar”.  

Close the “ Preferences” menu, click the “Developer” menu and click “Empty Cache” from the Developer menu. Click “Empty” to confirm the action and restart Safari afterward.

To clear Safari browser history on Mac, launch the app, tap the “Safari” option in the toolbar, and click “Clear History”. Now, select “All History” and click “Clear History”.

The latest Safari version for macOS 10.15 Catalina is 15.6.1 , for macOS 10.14 Mojave is 14.1.2, and for macOS 10.13 High Sierra is 13.1.2 .

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How Do You Reinstall Safari On A Mac

• Software & Applications
• Browsers & Extensions

Check if Safari is Deleted

If you're unable to find Safari on your Mac, it's essential to confirm whether it has been deleted or simply hidden. Here's how you can check if Safari is still present on your system:

Spotlight Search : Utilize the Spotlight search feature by clicking on the magnifying glass icon in the top-right corner of your screen. Then, type "Safari" into the search bar and see if the application appears in the search results. If it does, Safari is likely still installed on your Mac.

Applications Folder : Navigate to the "Applications" folder on your Mac. You can access this by clicking on the "Go" menu in the Finder and selecting "Applications." Look for Safari in the list of applications. If it's there, Safari has not been deleted.

Launchpad : Check your Launchpad for the Safari icon. You can access Launchpad by clicking on the rocket ship icon in your dock or by using a multitouch gesture on your trackpad . If Safari is present in Launchpad, it has not been deleted.

By following these simple steps, you can quickly determine whether Safari has been deleted from your Mac. If you find that Safari is indeed missing, you can proceed with the necessary steps to reinstall it and restore seamless browsing capabilities to your Mac.

Reinstall Safari from the App Store

If you've discovered that Safari is no longer present on your Mac, reinstalling it from the App Store is a straightforward and effective solution. Follow these steps to restore Safari using the App Store:

Open the App Store : Launch the App Store application on your Mac. You can do this by clicking on the App Store icon in your dock or by using Spotlight search to locate and open the App Store.

Search for Safari : Once the App Store is open, use the search bar located in the top-right corner of the window to search for "Safari." Press Enter or click on the magnifying glass icon to initiate the search.

Locate Safari : After performing the search, the App Store will display the search results. Look for the official Safari app developed by Apple. It should be accompanied by the familiar compass icon and the word "Safari" beneath it.

Download and Install : Click on the Safari app to view its details. If Safari is not currently installed on your Mac, you will see an option to download and install it. Click on the "Get" or "Download" button, and the installation process will commence.

Authenticate if Necessary : Depending on your App Store settings, you may be prompted to enter your Apple ID and password to authorize the download and installation of Safari. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete this step.

Wait for Installation : Once you've initiated the download, the App Store will begin installing Safari on your Mac. The time required for the installation may vary based on your internet connection speed and the size of the Safari app.

Access Safari : After the installation is complete, you can access Safari from your Applications folder, Launchpad, or by using Spotlight search. Simply click on the Safari icon to launch the browser and start enjoying its features.

By following these steps, you can effortlessly reinstall Safari from the App Store, ensuring that you have access to Apple's native web browser for seamless and secure internet browsing on your Mac. This method is convenient and reliable, allowing you to restore Safari to your system with ease.

Reinstall Safari using Terminal

If you encounter challenges with reinstalling Safari from the App Store or prefer a more direct approach, utilizing Terminal to reinstall Safari is a viable option. Terminal provides a command-line interface to interact with the macOS operating system, enabling users to execute various commands, including the reinstallation of system applications such as Safari.

To reinstall Safari using Terminal, follow these steps:

Open Terminal : Launch Terminal on your Mac. You can access it by navigating to Applications > Utilities > Terminal, or by using Spotlight search to locate and open the Terminal application.

Enter the Command : Once Terminal is open, type the following command and press Enter:

sudo rm -rf /Applications/Safari.app

This command removes the existing Safari application from the /Applications directory on your Mac.

Authenticate : After entering the command, you will be prompted to enter your administrator password. This is necessary as the command requires superuser privileges to execute. Type your password and press Enter. Note that when entering the password, the characters will not be visible for security purposes.

Reinstall Safari : With the previous command executed, you can now reinstall Safari using the following command:

sudo /usr/sbin/installer -pkg /System/Installation/Packages/OSInstall.mpkg -target /

This command initiates the reinstallation of Safari on your Mac.

Wait for Completion : The Terminal will begin the reinstallation process, and you may see various messages indicating the progress of the installation. Allow the process to complete, which may take some time depending on your system's speed and the size of the Safari application.

Access Safari : Once the reinstallation is finished, you can access Safari from your Applications folder, Launchpad, or by using Spotlight search. Click on the Safari icon to launch the browser and resume your web browsing activities.

By following these steps, you can effectively reinstall Safari using Terminal, providing a direct and efficient method to restore the browser to your Mac. This approach leverages the power of Terminal to manage system applications, offering users a more hands-on solution for reinstalling Safari when traditional methods may not suffice.

Reinstalling Safari using Terminal can be particularly useful for users familiar with command-line interfaces and those seeking a direct method to address issues related to Safari's installation or functionality.

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How To Uninstall And Reinstall Safari On A Mac

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How to uninstall, reinstall, or reset Safari on Mac

Are you constantly trying to fix Safari on Mac?

Users who are plagued by Safari issues usually want to uninstall and reinstall the app to resolve them. While this might work for a lot of apps out there, it doesn’t quite solve Safari problems. In fact, you can’t simply click and delete the app since it is an in-built feature of the macOS and a permanent part of it.

Try Kingpin Private Browser for Free »

How do I uninstall and reinstall Safari?

If you are keen on fixing Safari just get the latest version of macOS and reinstall it on your computer to get rid of Safari bugs. If you are working with the newest edition of your macOS, you are automatically using the most recent version of Safari. This also ensures that user data like passwords and extensions are protected. Of course, if all else fails, you might consider using a different browser like Kingpin for high browsing speeds and incognito browsing .

How do I fix Safari on my Mac?

The very basic thing you can do is force quit the browser and hold the shift key when Safari is starting. This will make it start in safe boot. The safe mode is more stable than the regular one.

But this doesn’t always work. So you might need to tweak Safari settings to fit your usage . Resetting Safari on Mac clears the pile of cookies, caches, redirects, ad preferences, and a lot more. As we wrote in the previous article, it is possible to reset Safari browser even without opening . On the other hand, changing the settings may also cause you to permanently lose any data that does not have a back-up.

You can modify the settings easily after you’ve launched the browser on Mac. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you improve browser performance:

1. Delete Safari cache

Cache files weigh down your system like nothing else. You can find the ‘Delete’ option in the Preferences section of the Safari toolbar. Then go to the ‘Advanced’ tab and scroll down to the ‘Show Develop menu in the menu bar. Check the box in front of it. This will display the ‘Develop’ tab on the toolbar. Click on ‘Develop’ and then click on ‘Empty Caches’.

In short, here are the steps:

Safari > Preferences > Advanced > Show Develop menu in menu bar > Develop > Empty Caches

2. Delete website data

Every website you visit leaves some amount of data on your system. And all users visit a huge number of websites over some time. So, you can imagine the total data load that gets stored on your Mac.  It is easy to adjust the browser in such a way that all this data is removed and the browser malfunctions are removed.

Detailed steps:

• Launch Safari
• Click on Preferences to open a new window and then click on Privacy.
• Select the button named ‘Manage Website Data’.
• Click on the ‘Remove All’ button. You will be asked to confirm your choice.
• Click on ‘Remove Now’.

Safari > Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data > Remove All > Remove Now

Erasing website data from all websites you’ve ever visited might check the tracking issue. However, there is a potential problem of sites loading slower. Prioritize your needs and change the settings accordingly.

3. Delete Safari history

Safari settings on Mac make it easy to delete history files from the Safari toolbar.

Just do the following things. Launch Safari and click on the ‘Safari’ tab in the toolbar. Now click on ‘Clear History’. When the drop-down menu opens, choose ‘All History’ and finally, click on ‘Clear History’.

Like so: Safari > Clear History > All History > Clear History

4. Delete Safari extensions and plug-ins

To restore Safari settings and fix performance issues it is sometimes best to remove all extensions and plug-ins from the browser.

What to do:

• Open Safari on your system.
• Click on Preferences
• Head over to the ‘Extensions’ tab on the menu
• Here you will find the full list of active Extensions on the browser. You can choose to delete either a few selected ones or the entire list all at once.
• Click on ‘Uninstall’ to finish deleting them.

This is what it looks like:

Safari > Preferences > Extensions > Uninstall

Deleting plug-ins may be more tiresome than you think. They get saved in two separate places. Use your Finder window to locate them.

Here’s the outline:

• Launch Finder and move to the ‘Go’ option and select ‘Go to folder’
• In the search list that gets displayed, type ‘ ˜ /Library’ and click on ‘Go’.
• The Library folder opens and now it’s time to look for Internet Plug-ins saved in a different folder.
• Drag and drop them in the Trash.
• Next, go back to the ‘Go’ icon and type ‘Go to folder’ once again.
• This time you type ‘/Library’ and click on Go.
• Now you can look for the Internet Plug-ins folder once again.
• Drag and drop plug-ins in the Trash one final time to remove them from Safari.

Finder > Go > Go to folder > ˜ /Library > Go > Internet Plug-Ins > Trash > Go > Go to folder > Library > Internet Plug-Ins > Trash

With all such small modifications, you can reset Safari whenever you want. Once the browser is free of all this weight, it will not only become faster and lighter but also more secure than before. Some website data or extensions often download malware in your system.

Choosing an additional browser

Of course changing settings over and over again gets tedious. You might want to pick another browser like Kingpin that doesn’t store cookies or other site data . This saves you from having to tinker with its settings. Kingpin also forgets your browsing history and caches once your session is over. Moreover, the browser lets you access restricted content in private.

Having an alternate browser doesn’t hurt, especially when you can use it to perform highly-sensitive online activities like bank transactions or shopping for gifs without worrying about data leakage to other sites. Its tabs are PIN protected so no one can spy on you. With this browser, the chances of being tracked are minimized, which is a great thing since your browsing session won’t be broken up with ads.

Summing it all up

Safari is part of the MacOS and hence can’t be uninstalled or reinstalled. To get the maximum efficiency out of it what you can do is change Safari setting to suit your purpose. Remove extensions, caches, cookies, history, and all such files of little use. Keep your OS updated to enjoy the benefits of the newest version of Safari for Mac . As an alternative, switch to a safer, faster, private browser like Kingpin to fix all browsing issues once and for all. It is available for Mac and makes for an uninterrupted browsing experience.

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How to Get Safari Back on Your Mac: Troubleshooting and Alternative Options

Introduction.

Safari is a widely-used web browser among Mac users, known for its speed, security, and seamless integration with Apple devices. However, it can be frustrating when Safari goes missing from your Mac. In this article, we will explore various troubleshooting methods to help you retrieve Safari and ensure its smooth functioning on your Mac. We will also discuss alternative browser options for Mac users. So, if you're wondering how to get Safari back on your Mac, you've come to the right place!

Troubleshooting Safari's Absence on Mac

Checking the applications folder.

First, let's start by checking the Applications folder on your Mac. Safari might have been accidentally moved or misplaced. To do this, follow these simple steps:

• Open a Finder window.
• Click on “Applications” in the sidebar.
• Look for Safari in the list of applications. If you find it, drag it back to your Dock for easy access.

Restoring Safari from Trash

If Safari is not found in the Applications folder, it might have been deleted and moved to the Trash. Here's how you can restore it:

• Open the Trash folder by clicking on its icon in the Dock.
• Locate Safari in the Trash.
• Right-click on Safari and select “Put Back” or drag it back to the Applications folder.

Resetting Safari Settings

Sometimes, Safari's absence can be due to corrupted settings. Resetting Safari can help resolve this issue. Follow these steps:

• Open Safar2. Click on “Safari” in the menu bar and select “Preferences.”
• Go to the “Privacy” tab.
• Click on “Manage Website Data.”
• In the new window, click “Remove All.”
• Confirm the action by clicking “Remove Now.”
• Restart Safari and check if it reappears.

Updating macOS to Restore Safari

Updating your macOS can fix compatibility issues and ensure that Safari is restored. Follow these steps to update your macOS:

• Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
• Select “System Preferences” and click on “Software Update.”
• If an update is available, click on “Update Now” to install it.
• Once the update is complete, restart your Mac and check if Safari is back.

Reinstalling Safari Using Terminal Commands

If none of the above methods work, reinstalling Safari using Terminal commands can be an effective solution. Here's how:

• Open the Terminal app on your Mac. You can find it in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder.
• Type the following command and press Enter: sudo rm -rf /Applications/Safari.app/ (Note: You will need to enter your administrator password.)
• Once the command executes, type: sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Safari/ and press Enter.
• Finally, type: sudo rm -rf /Library/Safari/ and press Enter.

Alternative Browser Options for Mac

While Safari is the default browser on Mac, there are several excellent alternatives available. Let's explore some popular options:

Google Chrome

Google Chrome is one of the most widely used browsers across various platforms, including Mac. It offers a user-friendly interface, extensive extension library, and seamless synchronization with your Google account. To install Chrome on your Mac, follow these steps:

• Visit the official Google Chrome website.
• Click on the “Download Chrome” button.
• Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox

Another popular choice for Mac users is Mozilla FirefoIt is known for its speed, privacy features, and customization options. To install Firefox on your Mac, follow these steps:

• Visit the official Mozilla Firefox website.
• Click on the “Download Firefox” button.
• Open the downloaded file and drag the Firefox icon to your Applications folder.

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge, the successor to Internet Explorer, is now available for Mac users. It offers a clean and intuitive interface, excellent performance, and seamless integration with Windows devices. To install Microsoft Edge on your Mac, follow these steps:

• Visit the official Microsoft Edge website.
• Click on the “Download for macOS” button.
• Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install Edge.

Utilizing Time Machine Backups

If you have been regularly backing up your Mac using Time Machine, you can restore Safari from a previous backup. Here's how:

• Connect your Time Machine backup drive to your Mac.
• Click on the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and select “Enter Time Machine.”
• Navigate to the date and time when Safari was present on your Mac.
• Locate Safari in the Finder window and click on “Restore” to bring it back.

Seeking Support from Apple

If you have exhausted all troubleshooting methods and still cannot retrieve Safari on your Mac, it's time to seek support from Apple. Here are some options:

Contacting Apple Support

You can reach out to Apple Support for personalized assistance. Visit the official Apple Support website and choose the appropriate contact method, such as phone, chat, or email.

Exploring Apple's Online Resources and Forums

Apple provides an extensive range of online resources, including support articles, user guides, and discussion forums. These resources can help you find solutions to common issues or connect with other Mac users facing similar problems.

Submitting a Support Ticket

If you prefer written communication, you can submit a support ticket directly through the Apple Support website. Provide detailed information about your issue, and Apple's support team will assist you accordingly.

Preventative Measures

To prevent Safari from disappearing on your Mac in the future, consider implementing the following measures:

• Regularly update your macOS and Safari browser to ensure you have the latest security patches and bug fixes.
• Create regular backups using Time Machine or other backup solutions to safeguard your data, including Safari settings.
• Avoid downloading and installing third-party applications from untrusted sources, as they may interfere with Safari's functioning.
• Be cautious while modifying system files or using Terminal commands, as incorrect usage can lead to unintended consequences.

By following these preventative measures, you can minimize the chances of encountering issues with Safari on your Mac.

In conclusion, if you find Safari missing on your Mac, there are several troubleshooting methods you can try. Checking the Applications folder, restoring from Trash, resetting Safari settings, updating macOS, and reinstalling Safari using Terminal commands are some effective techniques. Alternatively, you can explore alternative browser options such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. Additionally, utilizing Time Machine backups and seeking support from Apple can help restore SafarBy implementing preventative measures, you can ensure a smooth browsing experience on your Mac. Remember, Safari plays a vital role in your web surfing, so it's crucial to keep it accessible and up-to-date on your Mac.

Tabletmonkeys is a tablet computer media company focusing solely on tablet computers. iPad & tablet news, tablet leaks, November tablet deals, tablet sales, tablet prices, tablet launches, tablet apps, tablet comparison, 2-in-1 tablets, and tablet accessories, is otherwise the focus of Tabletmonkeys.com.

How to Easily Remove & Reinstall Safari on Mac OS

Safari is the default web browser for Mac users. It’s fast, secure, and easy to use. But sometimes you may want to uninstall Safari from your Mac and reinstall it. This can be due to performance issues, or you may simply want a clean slate. Whatever the reason, here’s how to remove Safari from your Mac and reinstall it.

First, make sure you have a backup of all your data before you start making any changes. Deleting Safari can cause damage to your operating system and could lead to data loss if something goes wrong.

To delete Safari from your Mac, open the Terminal app by searching for it in Spotlight or navigating to Applications/Utilities folder. In the Terminal window, type cd /Applications/. You will be asked for your device password; enter it and then type sudo rm -rf Safari.app/. This command will delete all files related to Safari from your Mac.

Once you have deleted Safari, you can reinstall it by going to the App Store on your Mac and downloading the latest version of Safari from there. Make sure that the version being downloaded is compatible with the OS version currently installed on your Mac.

That’s it! You have successfully removed Safari from your Mac and reinstalled it with the latest version available in the App Store. If at any point during this process, you come across an issue or error message don’t hesitate to contact Apple Support for help resolving it quickly and safely so that you can continue using your favorite web browser without any issues.

Reinstalling Safari

To uninstall Safari and install it again, you will need to use your Mac’s Terminal. First, launch Terminal from the Spotlight or Applications/Utilities folder. Once in the terminal window, type in “cd /Applications/” followed by your device password when prompted. Then enter “sudo rm -rf Safari.app/” to remove the Safari application from your system. After that, visit Apple’s website at https://www.apple.com/safari/ and download the latest version of Safari for Mac OS X. Once downloaded, double-click on the disk image (.dmg) file and follow the instructions provided to complete installation on your machine.

Consequences of Deleting Safari From Mac

If you delete Safari from your Mac, it could cause serious damage to the operating system and the overall stability of your device. It is not recommended to delete Safari, as it is deeply embedded in the OS, and deleting it could lead to unexpected errors and performance issues. Additionally, without Safari, you will not be able to browse the web or access any websites. If you are having trouble with Safari, it is recommended that you reset it or reinstall the app instead of deleting it.

Resetting Safari on a Mac

To completely reset Safari on your Mac, you will need to follow these steps: 1. First, open Safari and click the Safari menu in the upper left corner of your screen. 2. Select Preferences from the dropdown menu to open the Preferences window. 3. In the General tab, click the Reset button at the bottom of the window. 4. A confirmation dialog box will appear – make sure to select Remove All Website Data and then click Reset in this dialog box to confirm that you want to reset Safari on your Mac. 5. Finally, close out all Safari windows and reopen them for your reset changes to take effect.

Reinstalling Safari on Mac

Yes, you can reinstall Safari on Mac. To do this, go to the App Store and search for “Safari” in the search bar. Select the latest version of Safari and then click “Get” or “Download” to install it. Once the installation is complete, open Safari from the Launchpad or Finder to start using it. Alternatively, you can also use Software Update (in System Preferences) to update Safari if you already have it installed.

Can Safari Be Uninstalled From a Mac?

Yes, Safari can be uninstalled on Mac, but it’s not as straightforward as uninstalling other applications. To do so, you must first disable System Integrity Protection which is a security feature built into the macOS operating system. This can be done through the Console or with the help of third-party apps. However, we don’t recommend disabling System Integrity Protection unless you have a good understanding of computer systems and are confident in making these changes.

Reinstalling macOS to Start Fresh

Yes, you can wipe your Mac and start over. To do so, open the System Settings by selecting it from the Apple menu. in the corner of your screen. Click General in the sidebar and then click Transfer or Reset on the right. Finally, click Erase All Content and Settings to begin wiping your Mac and starting over. Please note that this will erase all content, settings, and apps from your computer, so please be sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

Troubleshooting Safari Issues on Mac

It’s possible that Safari isn’t working on your Mac because your version of Safari or macOS is out of date. To check for available updates, go to Apple menu > System Preferences, click General in the sidebar, then click Software Update on the right. If there are updates available, install them and then restart your Mac.

Another possibility is that a system file related to Safari has become corrupted and needs to be replaced. You can try repairing disk permissions using Disk Utility (located in Applications/Utilities). If this doesn’t help, you may need to reinstall Safari from the App Store or from an installation disc.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may have a more serious hardware or software problem on your Mac that needs to be addressed. Consider taking it to an Apple Store or authorized service provider for additional assistance.

In conclusion, Safari is a powerful and versatile web browser that is an essential part of the Apple OS. It is highly secure, with built-in privacy features and a range of customization options to make sure your browsing experience is as safe and efficient as possible. It also offers a rich suite of tools for developers, including support for the latest web technologies and tools for creating modern web applications. While it can’t be deleted or individually installed, Safari is an important part of the Apple OS experience, so it’s best to keep it updated to get the most out of your experience.

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Sanjeev Singh

We do not use any AI writing tools. All our content is written by humans, not robots. See our editorial process .

How to Uninstall Safari on Mac

Uninstalling Safari can seem necessary if you are encountering browser issues , slowdowns, or crashing . However, unless you have an older Mac, it might be more trouble than it is worth. So, is it even possible?

Safari is one of the applications that come preinstalled on your Mac. It is also one of the applications that is managed and updated through macOS.  

This means that it is subject to protection from what Apple calls the System Integrity Protection (SIP) . SIP is one of the security features implemented on your Mac to protect from unauthorized alterations to the software or unauthorized executions of new codes that could damage your existing software.  

SIP is one of the security features that we all know and love. We may not understand how they do it exactly, but this is one of the many reasons why Macs are considered so secure.

But if you’re keen on uninstalling Safari on your Mac, let’s get into it and see what we can do!

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

What you need to know first, uninstall or turn off extensions, delete all data – clear history, delete all data – clear cache.

Disable SIP

Delete Safari Application and Associated Files

Re-enable sip, reinstalling macos (big sur and previous macos), switching to a different web browser, final thoughts.

• Macs that still have macOS Big Sur and earlier installed can uninstall Safari on Mac. However, this requires disabling System Integrity Protection (SIP) . SIP is designed to keep your Mac safe from malware or other changes to software.
• Macs with more recent software, such as the latest Sonoma , Ventura , or Monterey , are not able to uninstall Safari at all, even with disabling SIP. 
• There are still options to help clear the storage space taken up by Safari and to increase the speed, such as disabling extensions and clearing browsing data.
• Oftentimes, switching to another browser, such as Google Chrome or Firefox , is a better idea than trying to uninstall Safari completely.

Some of the older macOS do allow you to uninstall Safari, but even if you have the ability, I would recommend proceeding with caution. However, if Safari has become corrupted, then trying to uninstall it may be the correct course of action for you. 

Note : Even if you have Big Sur or previous macOS on your computer, removing any application that is under protection from SIP can be detrimental to your Mac. For the best results, you should try to clean up Safari first, by removing extensions and clearing your browsing data.

For Ventura, Monterey, or Newer macOS

Apple changed Ventura, Monterey, and their newer macOS to no longer allow you to uninstall Safari and other applications that are preinstalled on your Mac even if you disable SIP . 

If you have one of these macOS’ or you find yourself (rightfully) hesitant to fully uninstall Safari, these are items that may help you to speed up Safari or still clear some storage that is related to Safari.

Extensions, while they can be fun and helpful, can significantly slow down the speed of your web browser. If you are finding that Safari is running extremely slowly, and that is why you were originally thinking about uninstalling it, then I would suggest trying this method! 

Step 1: With Safari Open, click the Safari Menu and Settings… .

Step 2: Click the Extensions tab at the top. Use the checkboxes on the left to enable or disable each extension (mine are all disabled – when they are enabled, you will see a checkmark in the box). Or, if you would like to uninstall the extension completely, click uninstall under the individual extension.

Disabling the extensions will prevent them from running in the background, which will help the speed of your Safari, especially if you have a lot of extensions or have some that may have some that require a lot of processing power or RAM to run properly. 

If you were looking to save storage space on your Mac by uninstalling Safari, then this might help. Safari itself does not require a lot of storage on your Mac. The related data, however, is where you begin to start to see that storage build-up. 

By deleting all of your data, you are deleting history, Cookies, saved passwords, and other saved information on Safari. These items will be over the next few sections.

With Safari open, click the Safari menu at the top of your screen and select Clear History from the drop-down menu .

Choose Clear All History (or only more recent history if you prefer) and hit Clear History again to confirm.

Under Safari settings (reachable using the same steps as above), in the Advanced Tab, make sure Show features for web developers is checked.

With the above checked, you should see a Develop menu. Click Empty Caches from the drop-down .

For Big Sur and Previous macOS

Just because you have Big Sur or older macOS, doesn’t mean that you should immediately decide to uninstall Safari. The other options above may be more worthwhile if you are only seeing performance problems with Safari. 

If there is some sort of corruption with your Safari, then this may be a valid option. Either way, be sure to backup your Mac prior to following these steps . Although losing data is unlikely if all goes correctly, there is a possibility of damaging your OS through these steps. Please proceed with caution. 

First, you’ll need to disable SIP. To do so, take the following steps:

Boot in Recovery Mode – Apple Silicon Macs only

• Start with your Mac turned off completely.
• Press and Hold the power button until the startup options appear
• Enter your administrator password as required and follow the onscreen instructions 

Boot in Recovery Mode – Intel Macs only

• Turn off or restart your Mac
• When your Mac is turning back on, press and hold the Command-R keys. 
• When your Mac starts, you can release the keys and enter the administrator password as required. 
• Open the terminal in Recovery Mode
• Enter the Command: csrutil disable
• Press Enter
• Restart your Mac as Normal

In Finder, find the Safari application, and drag and drop it into the trash.

Delete the Safari system files by using Finder to navigate through the folders and find any files that have Safari in the name. Be sure to check the following folders (and others):

/Users/ YourUsername /Library/

/Users/ YourUsername /Library/ApplicationSupport/

/Users/ YourUsername /Library/Caches/

/Users/ YourUsername /Library/Preferences/

/Users/ YourUsername /Library/Saved Application State/

/var/folders/

• Boot in Recovery Mode as described above
• Open Terminal
• Enter the Following Command: csrutil enable
• Restart your Mac

If you find yourself running into problems after uninstalling Safari or deciding that you would like to reinstall it, then you will need to completely reinstall macOS. 

We recommend backing up the information on your Mac prior to a reinstall of macOS. While data loss is rare, it can occur, and it is better to be on the safe side than accidentally lose all of your information. 

Boot in Recovery Mode as described above.

Choose the Reinstall macOS option. Follow the instructions onscreen.

If Safari is not working properly, you can skip the hassle of uninstalling it and simply switch to an alternative web browser. If you don’t use Safari, you can leave it alone, untouched in your Applications folder. The good news is that there are plenty of options for different browsers.

Google Chrome is an extremely popular browser, and it is the one I use personally. You can download it for free and connect it to your Google account to sync your favorites, contacts, calendar, and other Google apps. The sync feature allows you to use the same bookmarks and saved information across multiple computers.

Conversely, Firefox is another popular browser. You can download it for free, and it offers much the same functionality as Safari and Google Chrome. 

No matter which browser you choose, switching away from Safari is much easier and less time-consuming than uninstalling it entirely.

This article explained why Safari is a difficult application to uninstall from Mac, if it is even possible at all. The latest macOS releases protect you from altering the software and don’t allow you to uninstall Safari at all. The others, allow you to do so when you disable SIP. 

Disabling SIP can be very dangerous, so be careful if this is the path that you ultimately decide to take. Be sure to have your computer backed up to prevent any problems. 

Ultimately, it is typically easier to just switch to using another web browser like Google Chrome or Firefox. 

Did you uninstall Safari on your Mac? How did it go? Let us know in the comments below!

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how do I reinstall safari?

Safari not opening - for three weeks now! How do I delete / reinstall safari as my browser?

MacBook Pro (2020 and later)

Posted on Feb 11, 2022 9:42 AM

Posted on Feb 23, 2022 10:39 AM

Dominic23 did not answer the question. I have read and tried everything in the link regarding webpages not opening or working as expected.

Can someone please answer "How do I delete & reinstall Safari"? Surely there is a way to get a fresh install of Safari.

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Feb 23, 2022 10:39 AM in response to Brenda Gail

Feb 23, 2022 10:52 AM in response to Ronasara

Thank you Ronasara, it is helpful to know that the only way to install a fresh install of Safari is to reinstall the OS. I would like to use Safari, but I will resort to using Google's browser since Apple's browser does not work on my Apple computer.

Feb 23, 2022 12:03 PM in response to free2worship

It is true that Safari is problematic for some computers. That is why many of us use alternative browsers as needed. There are a number of very good ones out there to choose from.

Feb 11, 2022 11:42 AM in response to Brenda Gail

If Safari doesn't open a webpage or isn’t working as expected

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204098

Feb 23, 2022 10:47 AM in response to dominic23

I can answer your question.The way Safari is updated is by upgrading your computer's software. An  upgrade  is when you install a  newer OS version , such as upgrading from Catalina to Big Sur. An  update  is to install a newer version of the  same  operating system. The reason for this is because Safari is installed as part of the operating system. It cannot be deleted or individually installed. Incidentally, a newer version of Safari does not always work with every web site. Sometimes it is necessary to install another browser such as Firefox or one of the many browsers available from the Apple App Store to use with certain web sites. They are individually installed and upgraded.

So, you can consider upgrading your operating system or reinstalling the OS to reinstall Safari.

Release Notes for Safari Technology Preview 193

Apr 24, 2024

by Jon Davis

Safari Technology Preview Release 193 is now available for download for macOS Sonoma and macOS Ventura. If you already have Safari Technology Preview installed, you can update it in System Settings under General → Software Update.

This release includes WebKit changes between: 276610@main…277149@main .

Accessibility

Resolved issues.

• Fixed hidden elements targeted by aria-labelledby to expose their entire subtree text, not just their direct child text. ( 276864@main ) (125634439)
• Fixed accessible name computation for elements with visibility: visible inside a container with visibility: hidden . ( 277004@main ) (125738704)
• Fixed the Grid track sizing algorithm logical height computation avoid unnecessary grid item updates. ( 276633@main ) (124713418)
• Fixed the style adjuster for @starting-style incorrectly invoking with a null element. ( 276993@main ) (125837628)
• Fixed the value attribute not getting displayed in an input element with type="email" and the multiple attribute. ( 276895@main ) (125221858)
• Fixed inconsistent output of Function.prototype.toString for accessor properties. ( 276904@main ) (125739577)
• Fixed intrinsic inline size calculators to account for whitespace before an empty child with nonzero margins. ( 276875@main ) (122586712)
• Fixed overlapping elements with flex box when height: 100% is applied on nested content. ( 276880@main ) (125572851)
• Fixed block containers that are scroll containers to default to unsafe alignment. ( 276929@main ) (125742095)

New Features

• Added support for PopStateEvent’s hasUAVisualTransition . ( 277001@main ) (125849073)
• Fixed cloning of ShadowRoot nodes following a DOM Standard clarification. ( 277066@main ) (125917138)

Web Inspector

• Fixed Console and code editor completion not auto-scrolling the suggestion into view. ( 277034@main ) (124979790)
• Fixed search in the DOM tree view unexpectedly chaning the text display. ( 277073@main ) (125797803)

Update to the latest version of Safari

If a Safari update is available for your device, you can get it by updating or upgrading macOS, iOS, iPadOS, or visionOS.

Get Safari updates for Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro

The most up-to-date version of Safari is included with the latest version of the operating system for your Apple device.

To update Safari on Mac, update macOS .

To update Safari on iPhone or iPad, update iOS or iPadOS .

To update Safari on Apple Vision Pro, update visionOS .

Get Safari updates for Windows

Apple no longer offers Safari updates for Windows or other PC operating systems. Safari 5.1.7 for Windows, released in 2010 and now outdated, was the last version made for Windows.

If a website says your browser is out of date

If a website says that Safari is out of date even though you're already using the latest version of macOS, iOS, iPadOS, or visionOS, there could be an issue with the website. If you’re sure that you want to use the website, contact the website owner or developer for guidance about how to best use their website.

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