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Why Is Safari Running Slow on Mac? 15 Ways to Fix

Hashir Ibrahim

Reviewed by

Last updated: September 25, 2023

Expert verified

Safari may run slowly on Mac due to opening too many tabs, using too many extensions, cache build-up, outdated Safari version, outdated macOS, slow internet connection, hardware limitations, and malware or adware.

Fixing these issues through updating software, managing tabs, clearing cache, and removing unnecessary extensions can improve Safari’s speed and performance on a Mac.

• Managing open tabs and removing unnecessary extensions can free up valuable resources and enhance Safari’s performance.
• Regularly updating Safari and macOS ensures optimal compatibility and access to performance improvements.
• Clearing accumulated cache, cookies, and browsing history can give Safari a fresh start and improve loading times.
• Advanced solutions like switching DNS providers and booting in Safe Mode can address more complex issues affecting Safari’s speed.

Ever found yourself drumming your fingers in frustration as Safari lags on your Mac? A slow browser can turn even the most basic online tasks into a tedious affair.

If Safari is running slow on your Mac, I’ve got your back. Dive into this guide to uncover the mysteries behind Safari running slow on Mac and explore practical solutions to get you back in the fast lane. Ready to turbocharge your browsing experience? Let’s get started!

Before We Begin

If you want to make Safari run faster on your Mac, download MacKeeper. This tool clears up RAM, removes unnecessary Safari extensions, deletes unneeded files, and more. All these features help speed up a slow-running Safari.

Why Is Safari Running Slow on Mac?

Safari running slow on Mac can be due to various reasons. Below, I’ve shared the most common reasons for Safari’s sluggishness on your Mac:

• 🖥️ Too Many Tabs or Windows Open : Having numerous tabs or windows open can consume a lot of memory and slow down Safari.
• 🧩 Heavy Use of Extensions : Some Safari extensions can use a lot of resources, causing the browser to slow down.
• 🍪 Cache and Browsing Data : Accumulated cache, cookies, and browsing history can impact Safari’s performance.
• ⌛ Outdated Safari Version : Running an outdated version of Safari can lead to performance issues.
• 🍎 Outdated macOS : An outdated operating system can cause compatibility issues and slow down Safari.
• 🌐 Internet Connection Issues : An unstable or slow internet connection on Mac can affect browsing speed.
• 💻 Hardware Limitations : Older Mac models with limited RAM and processing power may struggle to run Safari efficiently.
• 🦠 Malware or Adware : Malicious software can significantly degrade the performance of Safari.

Addressing these issues through updating software, managing tabs, clearing cache, and removing unnecessary extensions can improve Safari’s speed and performance on a Mac.

How to Fix Safari Running Slow on Mac

A sluggish Safari on your Mac can be quite a bottleneck, especially during important online tasks. The good news is, there’s no need to let a slow browser rain on your parade. In this section, I’ll walk you through various solutions to bring Safari back to its optimal speed.

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of boosting your Safari browser’s performance on your Mac.

1. Check Your Internet Speed

Before diving into more complex solutions, ensuring that your internet connection isn’t the culprit behind Safari’s sluggishness is essential. A slow or unstable internet connection can significantly impact your browsing experience.

To test your internet connection, follow these steps:

• Open Safari on your Mac.

• Navigate to an online speed test tool like Speedtest.net .
• Click the Go button to start the test.

• This will give you an idea of your current internet speed.
• Pay attention to the download and upload speeds. If they are significantly lower than what your Internet plan promises, there might be an issue with your connection.
• If your internet speed is slow, reset your router. Unplug it from the power source, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait for it to restart and retest your internet speed.
• If resetting doesn’t help, try moving closer to the router or removing any obstacles interfering with the signal.
• If the above steps don’t improve your internet speed, it might be time to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for further assistance.

2. Force Close and Relaunch Safari

At times, Safari or any of its tabs might encounter errors or issues that consume excessive system resources, leading to slowdowns. Force closing and re-launching Safari can terminate these problematic processes and give the browser a fresh start.

Here’s how to force quit Safari and relaunch it on your Mac:

• Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select Force Quit from the drop-down menu.

• In the new window, select Safari and click the Force Quit button.

• Click Force Quit on the pop-up.

• After force-closing Safari, wait for a few moments to let the system properly terminate all processes related to the browser.
• Find the Safari icon in your Dock and click it to re-launch the browser.
• Check if the performance has improved.

3. Close Unwanted Tabs

Each open tab in Safari consumes your Mac’s memory and processing power. Having multiple tabs open, especially those with heavy content or active scripts, can significantly slow down the browser and even the entire system.

Closing unnecessary tabs can free up valuable resources and enhance Safari’s performance. Here’s how to go about it:

• Take a look at all the tabs you have open in Safari. Identify which ones are not currently needed or are consuming significant resources.
• Click the small x icon on the left of each tab you wish to close.

• Alternatively, you can close an active tab using a Mac keyboard shortcut : Command ⌘ + W .

• You can also right-click a tab and select Close Tab from the context menu.
• After closing unwanted tabs, check if Safari’s performance has improved.

4. Clear Safari History

Over time, Safari accumulates a history of the websites you’ve visited, cached files, and cookies. While these elements are designed to speed up page loading times, they can also clutter your browser and consume system resources, leading to slowdowns.

Clearing your browsing history can give Safari a fresh start and potentially improve its performance. Here’s how to delete Safari’s history on Mac :

• If not already open, launch the Safari browser on your Mac.
• Click the Safari menu item at the top left of your screen. From the drop-down menu, select Settings .

• Select the Advanced tab and check the box next to the Show Develop menu in menu bar if it is unchecked.

• Return to the menu bar, click Develop , and select Empty Caches from this drop-down list.

• After clearing the history, navigate through various websites to check if there is an improvement in Safari’s speed and responsiveness.

5. Clear Safari Cache and Cookies

The cache stores temporary files from websites to help pages load faster in future visits, while cookies save small pieces of information like login details. Over time, these stored files can accumulate and cause Safari to slow down.

Clearing the browser cache on your Mac can free up storage and improve browser speed. Here’s how to clear Safari cache on your Mac :

• Launch Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar, then select Settings from the drop-down menu.
• In the Settings window, select the Privacy tab and click Manage Website Data .

• A new window will open, showing a list of websites storing data.
• Click Remove All to clear all cookies and cached data. Confirm the action when prompted.

• After completing these steps, browse through different websites and assess whether Safari’s performance has improved.

6. Delete Unwanted Extensions

Extensions are additional features or functionalities added to Safari to enhance user experience. However, some extensions can be resource-intensive, causing the browser to slow down. Removing unnecessary or problematic extensions can help in optimizing Safari’s speed.

Here’s how you can delete unwanted extensions on Mac :

• Open Safari on your Mac, click the Safari menu in the menu bar and select Settings .
• Click the Extensions tab to view all the installed extensions.

• Find the extension you want to remove and click it.

• Click the Uninstall button to confirm that you want to remove the extension.

Alternatively, you can use MacKeeper to remove unwanted extensions from Safari. Here are the steps to follow:

• Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac.
• Open MacKeeper and click the Smart Uninstaller option in the left sidebar.

• Click the Start Scan button to scan your computer for installed browser extensions.

• Once the scan is complete, click Browser Extensions in the left sidebar and locate the extension you want to remove from the list.

• Click the checkbox next to the extension you want to remove and tap Remove Selected .

• Confirm the action by clicking the Remove button in the confirmation dialog box.

• Wait for the uninstallation process to complete.
• Restart your browser to ensure the extension has been completely removed.

7. Disable Search Engine Suggestions

Search engine suggestions are generated in real-time as you type into the search bar, which can sometimes slow down Safari, especially on slower internet connections or older Mac models. Disabling this feature can reduce the load on Safari and potentially improve its speed.

Here’s how you can disable search engine suggestions on Safari:

• Launch Safari, click Safari in the menu bar and select Settings from the drop-down menu.
• In the Settings window, click the Search tab.
• Uncheck the box next to Include search engine suggestions to disable the feature.

• Close the Settings window and test Safari by typing into the search bar to see if there is an improvement in responsiveness.

8. Disable Autofill

Autofill automatically completes forms using stored information, which, while convenient, can sometimes cause Safari to lag, especially if there’s a lot of data stored. Disabling this feature can help Safari run more smoothly.

Here’s how you can disable Autofill on Safari:

• In the Settings window, click the Autofill tab.
• You will see several options for different types of information that Safari can autofill. Uncheck the boxes next to the types of information you don’t want Safari to autofill.

• After making the changes, close the window and restart Safari to apply the adjustments.
• With Autofill disabled, navigate to various websites with forms and assess whether there’s an improvement in Safari’s speed and responsiveness.

9. Update Safari

Running an outdated version of Safari can lead to performance issues, as updates often include optimizations and fixes for known bugs. Ensuring Safari is up-to-date can help resolve slowdowns and enhance browser stability.

Here’s how you can update Safari on Mac:

• Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select App Store from the drop-down menu.

• In the App Store, click the Updates tab to view available app updates.

• Scroll through the list of updates and look for Safari. If an update is available, it will be listed here.
• Click the Update button next to Safari to download and install the latest version.

• Once the update is complete, close and restart Safari to apply the changes.
• After updating Safari, navigate different websites and assess whether the browser’s performance has improved.

10. Disable DNS Prefetching

DNS prefetching is a feature that pre-resolves domain names before you click a link, aiming to improve page load times. However, this feature can cause Safari to slow down or become unresponsive on some networks. Disabling it can help alleviate these issues.

Here’s how you can disable DNS prefetching:

• Navigate to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal to open the Terminal application on your Mac.

• In the Terminal window, type the following command and press Enter :

• Close open Safari windows and relaunch the browser to apply the changes.
• Navigate through various websites and evaluate whether disabling DNS prefetching has improved Safari’s speed and responsiveness.

11. Switch DNS Provider

The Domain Name System (DNS) translates website names to IP addresses. Sometimes, the default DNS servers provided by your ISP may be slow or overloaded, affecting your browsing speed. Switching to a faster, more reliable DNS provider can enhance your internet speed and Safari’s performance.

Here’s how you can switch your DNS provider:

• Click the Apple logo and select System Settings from the drop-down menu.

• In the System Settings window, click Network to access your network settings.

• In the Network settings window, click Wi-Fi and tap the Details button next to your active Internet connection.

• Click the DNS tab in the Advanced Settings window.

• Click the + button below the DNS Servers box.

• IPv4 addresses: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
• IPv6 addresses (if your network supports it): 2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844
• If there are existing DNS servers listed, make sure the Google DNS addresses are at the top of the list. You can click and drag the entries to reorder them.
• Click the OK button in the DNS Servers window to save the changes.

• After switching the DNS provider, open Safari and browse through different websites to check if there’s an improvement in speed and responsiveness.

12. Kill Resource-intensive Processes

Some processes running on your Mac can consume a significant amount of system resources, affecting the overall performance of your computer and, consequently, Safari. Identifying and terminating these resource-intensive processes can free up system resources and improve Safari’s responsiveness.

Here’s how you can kill resource-intensive processes on your Mac :

• Open Activity Monitor by going to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor .

• In Activity Monitor, you’ll see a list of active processes sorted by their usage of system resources such as CPU, Memory, Energy, Disk, Network, or Cache .
• Identify the background process you want to terminate by browsing the list or using the search box at the top-right corner.

• Select the process you want to terminate to highlight it, and click the X button in the top toolbar.

• Click the Quit button in the confirmation window to terminate the selected process.

Alternatively, you can use MacKeeper’s Memory Cleaner to free up RAM on your Mac and kill background processes. Here’s how:

• Open MacKeeper and click Memory Cleaner under the Performance tab.

• Click Open .

• Click Clean Memory .

• It will clean your Mac and free up available memory. You can see how much memory it freed under Last Cleanup .

13. Reset Safari to Factory Defaults

Resetting Safari to factory defaults will remove all your settings, history, bookmarks, and other data. It’s like starting fresh with Safari, which can be helpful if the browser’s performance is severely affected by configurations or corrupted data.

Here’s how you can reset Safari to factory defaults:

• Before resetting, backup your bookmarks, saved passwords, and any other important data from Safari.
• Navigate to the Extensions tab and uninstall all extensions.
• Then, go to the Privacy tab and click Manage Website Data to remove all website data.
• Close Safari.
• Open Finder, click Go , and select Go to Folder .

• Type the following path and press Enter :

• Locate the file named com.apple.Safari.plist and move it to the Bin.

• Open Safari again. It should now be reset to its factory defaults.

14. Scan Your Mac for Virus

Malware and viruses can significantly degrade the performance of your Mac and affect Safari’s functionality. Running a thorough virus scan can identify and remove malicious software, potentially resolving any slowdowns in Safari.

Here’s how to run a virus scan on your Mac using MacKeeper:

• Download and install MacKeeper.
• Launch MacKeeper and navigate to the Antivirus tab in the left sidebar.

• Initiate an instant virus scan by clicking the Start Scan button.

• If any viruses are detected during the scan, click the Fix Items button to resolve the issues.
• If your system is threat-free, you’ll see a No threats found message. You can tap the Restart button to run the scan again.

• Enable real-time antivirus protection to safeguard your Mac from future threats by clicking the Enable button.

Once you have configured your security settings, MacKeeper will continue to operate in the background, diligently scanning for threats and actively blocking any malicious activity.

What Else Can MacKeeper Do?  

Besides removing browser extensions from Mac and scanning it for viruses, MacKeeper can remove junk files , uninstall applications , and optimize Mac storage . Check out my in-depth MacKeeper review to learn about all its features.

15. Boot Your Mac Into Safe Mode

Safe Mode starts your Mac in a basic state with only the essential system software. It checks for issues and deletes certain system caches, potentially resolving Safari’s performance problems.

Here’s how to boot your Mac in Safe Mode :

Apple Silicon Macs

• Click the Apple icon and choose Shut Down from the drop-down menu.

• Wait for your Mac to shut down completely, and press the Power button to turn it on.

• Keep holding the Power button until you see the Loading startup options screen.

• Select a volume from the options.

• Press and hold the Shift ⇧ key and click Continue in Safe Mode .

• Your Mac will restart automatically, and you will see Safe Boot in the menu bar when the login screen appears.

Intel-Based Macs

• Restart or turn on your Mac and press and hold the Shift ⇧ key immediately.
• Keep holding the Shift ⇧ key until you see the login screen.
• Release the Shift ⇧ key and log in to your Mac.
• You may be asked to log in again.
• You’ll see Safe Boot in the menu bar on your first or second login window.

Open Safari and navigate through various websites to assess whether the browser’s performance has improved in Safe Mode. After checking Safari’s performance, restart your Mac normally without holding any keys. This will exit Safe Mode.

Speed Up Safari on Your Mac

Navigating through a sluggish Safari can be a test of patience, but armed with the solutions outlined in this guide, you’re well-equipped to tackle any slowdowns head-on. To improve your Safai experience further, here are some more tips for you:

• If your Safari bookmarks disappeared on Mac , many ways exist to restore them without panicking.
• If you don’t want Safari to keep your browsing history, go incognito on a Mac in Safari browser .
• Some pop-ups can be a nuisance and slow down your browser. So, disable unnecessary pop-ups on Safari and improve its speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will i lose important data by resetting safari to factory defaults.

Yes, you will lose data by resetting Safari to factory defaults. It erases all your settings, history, bookmarks, and saved passwords, so back up important data like bookmarks and passwords before resetting to avoid losing valuable information. After the reset, you can restore the backed-up data as needed.

Is it safe to switch to a different DNS provider?

Yes, it is safe to switch to a different DNS provider like Google DNS or OpenDNS. It can even improve your internet speed and security. However, it’s crucial to ensure the DNS addresses are correct and from a trustworthy source to avoid any connectivity or security issues.

How often should I scan my Mac for viruses to maintain Safari’s performance?

You should regularly scan your Mac for viruses to maintain Safari’s performance. Ideally, once a week or monthly is advisable, but the frequency can vary based on your internet habits, the websites you frequent, and the types of files you download. Regular scans detect and remove malicious software promptly.

I'm Hashir, a tech journalist with a decade of experience. My work has been featured in some of the top tech publications like MakeUseOf and MakeTechEasier. I have a bachelor's degree in IT, a master's in cybersecurity, and extensive knowledge of Apple hardware, specifically MacBooks. As the senior writer at MacBook Journal, I write in depth guides that help you solve any issues you have with your mac and unbiased reviews that help you make the right buying decisions.

Hi there! I'm Ojash, a tech journalist with over a decade of experience in the industry. I've had the privilege of contributing to some of the world's largest tech publications, making my mark as a respected Mac expert. My passion lies in exploring, using, and writing about MacBooks, and I enjoy sharing my expertise to help others make informed decisions and get the most out of their MacBook experience. Join me as we delve into the fascinating world of MacBooks together!

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Safari Too Slow on Your iPhone? 4 Ways to Speed It Up

Are webpages taking forever to load in Safari? Follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve your speed-related issues.

Safari is the native browser on Apple devices. While it's usually fast, sometimes Safari can be slow or laggy. When this happens, it can be bothersome, and some might even download another third-party browser.

If you're noticing that Safari is running slow on your iPhone, there are several things you can do to speed it up again. Give these tips a try, and hopefully, Safari will be at full speed in no time.

Check Your Internet Speed

Before passing the blame on Safari, it might be a good idea to check your internet speed. That way, you can make sure Safari is the issue and rule out anything else before continuing.

If you're connected to Wi-Fi, open another computer or device on the same Wi-Fi network, then head to Speedtest's site and check your internet speed. You won't want to do this on your iPhone, as Safari issues can slow your connection time, giving you a false negative.

If your internet speed is fast, then Safari is the issue, and it's time to fix it.

1. Close All Your Safari Tabs

Safari can usually handle a lot of bandwidth and keep many pages open. However, some websites drain Safari data. By closing all the currently open tabs, you can confirm if one of the open websites was using too much data.

To close all the tabs on Safari, open Safari and hold the Tab button in the bottom right-hand corner. A prompt will appear for you to close all the tabs. Once this appears, hit Close All Tabs . Then, give Safari a try again.

2. Clear Your Browsing History and Data

If clearing the tabs didn't fix the issue, you can reset Safari and clear up the cache, speeding it up in the process. To clear Safari, head to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Data .

Once you do this, relaunch Safari and see if it's loading up pages quickly enough. If it's faster for a little while but begins to slow down again, proceed to the next tip.

3. Check Your iPhone's Storage

If your iPhone storage is almost full, that means it can't handle much else. Safari, like most apps, uses device storage to store data from the app. And low storage means Safari won't have enough memory to work.

This is why some users find Safari temporarily faster once they clear their browsing history and data. However, some users might have used so much storage that Safari might not even speed up when you clear the cache.

Luckily, it's easy to check if this is an issue. All you need to do is head to Settings > General > Storage and see how much space your iPhone has used. And if it's almost full, you might have to delete some large files.

However, if you don't want to lose precious data, consider signing up for a paid iCloud plan .

4. Reset Network Settings

When all else fails, you can reset your iPhone's Network Settings. Doing this will reset all network-related connections on your iPhone, hopefully speeding up Safari in the process. Head to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings to do this.

Once you do this, you'll need to set up your network connections again. This means re-entering your Wi-Fi passwords. However, it can clear up a lot of bugs, so it is worth a try if all else fails. You can also reset your iPhone to factory settings as a last resort.

Browse Seamlessly in Safari

Safari comes pre-installed on all Apple devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. And since it's the native browser, it works seamlessly across all your apps and Apple devices.

While switching to a third-party browser like Chrome might seem tempting when Safari is slow or lagging, you'll miss out on a seamless experience. So, it's worth taking the time to fix whatever issue you're facing.

How to Speed up Safari on Your Mac

In this article you will find the following:

Safari is the fastest browser on the Mac, but it isn't immune from slowdowns and performance issues. If web pages take longer to load or site navigation doesn't feel responsive, read on to learn how to speed up Safari on Mac.

• How to speed up Safari on Mac

Is Safari running slow on your MacBook, iMac, or Mac mini? Connectivity issues, unoptimized extensions, cache corruption, and a host of other reasons often cause that. Try the suggestions in our guide to get Safari running smoothly on Mac again.

Before you start   If you want to speed up Safari on Mac quickly, download MacKeeper . It's an Apple-notarized maintenance utility that helps prevent browser slowdowns and other Mac-related issues.     MacKeeper lets you free up the RAM, delete unwanted Safari extensions, get rid of junk files, and more with considerably less hassle than manual maintenance. You get one fix for free, so don't hesitate to check if it works for you.

Check if your internet's slow

If webpages in Safari take too long to load or fail, it's a good idea to begin by figuring out if it's just a matter of your internet being slow. The best way to do that is to use an online speed checker like Fast.com or SpeedTest.net .

Restart your router if you find that your internet isn't uploading or downloading at a decent rate. If that doesn't speed it up, learn what else you can do to fix a slow internet connection on Mac .

Also, don't discount server-side issues. If the problem is limited to a specific site, use a website monitoring tool such as Downdetector to determine if you're dealing with a server outage.

• Close unnecessary tabs in Safari

Although Safari is adept at handling dozens of tabs, having too many open simultaneously will eventually take its toll on your Mac's memory. That creates delays while loading new pages, and the performance hit could also result in erratic browser behavior.

The quickest way to speed up Safari on Mac is to shut down unnecessary tabs as soon as you notice any slowdowns. Getting used to moving between and closing tabs using the Ctrl + Tab and Command + W keyboard shortcuts can make the process even faster.

• Shut down apps and resource-intensive processes

Tabs aside, Safari will run slowly on the Mac if you have too many applications open. Check your Mac's Dock and quit anything you aren't actively using. Try force-quitting troublesome programs if you can't close them normally.

On the other hand, various apps and related processes can spin out of control and consume too much processing power and memory. Use the Activity Monitor to locate and stop them.

• Open the Launchpad and select Other > Activity Monitor
• Sort your Mac's activity using the % CPU column and shut down any third-party processes that use a significant amount of CPU
• Switch to the Memory tab and stop third-party items that use lots of RAM.

If you always end up pushing the hardware on your Mac to its limits, consider using MacKeeper's Memory Cleaner feature to keep things under control.

• Disable unnecessary Safari extensions

Running Safari with multiple extensions increases the load on the CPU and RAM. That translates to slower browser performance, so review your list of browser add-ons and disable any items you don't regularly use.

• Open Safari and select Safari > Preferences on the menu bar
• Switch to the Extensions tab
• Clear the boxes next to any extensions you want to disable.

Our team highly recommends you update Safari extensions periodically via the Mac's App Store to ensure they run in top shape. If you notice anything suspicious, learn how to remove malicious browser extensions and toolbars from your Mac.

• Switch DNS servers for Wi-Fi and Ethernet

DNS (short for Domain Name System) is a cataloging system that matches domain names with IP addresses. Not all DNS providers are fast, so changing your Wi-Fi or Ethernet's DNS settings to a popular service like Google DNS can speed up Safari on Mac. For best results, clear the DNS cache on your Mac before you begin .

• Open the Apple menu and select System Preferences
• Select the Network category
• Select Wi-Fi/Ethernet > Advanced
• Switch to the DNS tab
• Select OK > Apply to save your changes.
• Clear the Safari cache and cookies

Like most web browsers, Safari caches various forms of site data — images, HTML files, and JavaScript code — to improve load times in subsequent visits. However, a bloated or corrupt cache can adversely impact performance and result in Safari running slow on the Mac. You can clear the Safari cache after activating its hidden Develop menu .

• Switch to the Advanced tab and check the box next to Show Develop menu in menu bar
• Select Develop on the menu bar and pick the Empty Caches option.

Corrupt, outdated, or privacy-invasive browser cookies can also slow down Safari. If deleting the Safari cache didn't make much difference, try deleting its cookies next.

• Select Safari > Clear History on the menu bar
• Set Clear to All history
• Select Clear .

Update the Safari browser

Safari receives occasional bug fixes and performance enhancements from Apple, and these arrive alongside regular macOS updates .  

To update your Mac:

• Select Software Update
• Wait until the Software Update tool checks for newer macOS updates and select Update Now to install any pending updates.

Even if a new macOS update doesn't include anything Safari-related, installing it will still improve general performance across native apps. Make it a point to install macOS updates as soon as possible.

• Reset Safari to factory defaults

Corrupt browser preferences and other underlying issues can also play a factor, so sometimes, the only way to fix a slow instance of Safari on Mac is to reset it to factory defaults.

A Safari reset deactivates all extensions and reverts each browser setting to its defaults, allowing you to start over with a clean slate. You will not lose your bookmarks or passwords during the process.

• Save your work and exit Safari
• Open Finder, select Go > Go to Folder on the menu bar, and visit the ~/Library/Preferences/ directory
• Search for com.apple.Safari.plist file and delete it
• Reopen the Go to Folder box and visit ~/Library/Safari/ . Then, delete each item within the folder except the Bookmarks.plist file
• Visit ~/Library/Containers/ , search for Safari, and delete all files and folders that appear among the search results
• Open Safari and visit its Preferences pane to reactivate any essential extensions. Also, move between tabs and modify your browser settings the way you want.
• Boot your Mac into Safe Mode

If none of the fixes above help speed up Safari, try booting your Mac into and out of Safe Mode. That helps flush out various forms of temporary data that can interfere with Apple's browser.

On an Intel Mac, you can get to Safe Mode while holding down the Shift key during the reboot phase. However, if you use an Apple Silicon Mac, you should:

• Shut down your Mac
• Turn it on but keep holding the Power button until you get to the Startup Options screen
• Hold the Shift key and select Macintosh HD > Safe Mode .

In Safe Mode, repeat the fixes above if you could not complete them earlier. Then, restart your Mac normally. To delete additional forms of temporary data that can slow down Safari, learn how to delete your Mac's application and system caches .

• Full steam ahead

Keeping Safari in top shape is crucial for a great web browsing experience. Avoiding too many open tabs, shutting down unwanted apps and processes, and cutting down on the number of active extensions can go a long way toward making that happen. Occasionally clearing the Safari cache and keeping your Mac up-to-date will significantly minimize browser slowdowns and other issues. If manual Mac maintenance feels like a drag, don't forget to download MacKeeper .

• How to Clear Cookies on Mac in Safari, Chrome & Firefox
• How to Easily Remove Bookmarks on Mac
• How to Clear Purgeable Space on Mac

You’ll love exploring your Mac with us.

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• Check if your internet's slow

• Delete unnecessary system files and caches
• Free up GBs of storage space
• Easily find and delete duplicate files

Safari running slow on Mac? Speed it up with MacKeeper.

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Safari slow opening new tabs

After a fresh install of yosemite I noticed that safari is really slow (about a 3-5 seconds lag) opening new tabs, not everytime but most of the time (around 50%). This behavior also occurs when I focus the url bar.

It happens using the mouse and also using the keyboard shorcuts ( ⌘ +T and ⌘ +L respectively).

First thing I tried was disabling Safari Sharing on the iCloud settings but it didn't work. I also tried all of the usual suspects: deleting caches, cookies, reset safari, etc... As I said it happened from the first minute after a clean install of yosemite.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Oct 29, 2014 2:56 AM

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Oct 18, 2017 10:00 AM in response to leanhkhoa

I had AdBlock Plus as the only extension in Safari. Disabling it solved the lagging issue with both opening tabs and clicking in the address bar (which drops down my list of favorites). Have to figure out how to keep AdBlock Plus in such a way so that it won't interfere with dropping down the favorites and opening new tabs. Maybe have to try another ad blocker.

I'm guessing that the ad blocker was checking the links in my favorites list. And since I have a few favorites in my address bar dropdown, somehow when you open a new tab, your fav list will be checked by the ad blocker. But this is just an assumption.

Using El Crapitan 10.11.6 with Safari 11.0.

BTW, I had this issue with Yosemite as well when using AdBlock Plus.

Oct 30, 2014 1:20 PM in response to bertez

I have the exact same problem and it kills usability. I filed a bug with Apple on bugreport.apple.com (problem ID 1882855) . Hopefully we'll hear from them.

Dec 3, 2014 9:52 PM in response to bertez

Turning off iCloud for Safari fixed this for me.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=20022661&postcount=11

Oct 15, 2015 6:34 AM in response to bertez

This issue is still present in Safari 9 in El Capitan.

It is very frustrating and, like bertez said, occurs also when using the keyboard shortcuts ⌘ +T and ⌘ +L.

Nov 25, 2015 5:53 AM in response to tuneout

Turning off iCloud did not fix this for me. I still get a 2-3 second delay when opening new tabs.

Dec 8, 2015 11:12 AM in response to bertez

+1, opening new tabs can be painfully slow

Dec 21, 2015 2:18 PM in response to bertez

I have the same problem.

It is really annoying.. and they told me, buy Apple and all your problems will disappear.. dooh. :-/

Jan 28, 2016 2:47 AM in response to Alistaar

(in reply to original question)

I've resolved the problem by doing the following:

• Disable Safari in iCloud settings
• Remove all bookmarks
• Remove all shared links subscriptions
• Clear Reading List
• Re-enabled Safari in iCloud settings

I'm not sure if all the steps are required, or if the lag will return, so fingers crossed.

Jun 8, 2016 10:45 AM in response to bertez

Try uninstalling any Safari Extensions you have. It seems to fix the problem for me.

Aug 18, 2017 1:18 AM in response to BoukeH

it doesn't work with me?

How To : Make New Tabs & Windows in Safari Faster So You Can Type in Searches & URLs Without Any Lag or Missing Keystrokes

If your Safari browser is lagging when opening new tabs or windows on your Mac, there's an easy fix that will speed things back up to how they're supposed to be.

In Google Chrome , when you open a new tab or window, you can start typing right away without having to click anywhere first, and your keystrokes are registered immediately in the omnibox (more commonly referred to as the address bar, URL bar, or even search bar). For Safari on macOS, it could also be like that, but chances are it lags, misses keystrokes, or makes you click a field first.

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Why Safari Could Be Lagging for You

When it lags, there's a significant delay when trying to enter URLs or search queries right after opening a new tab or window with Command-T or Command-N , respectively. In some cases, it might be so slow that it won't register the first few characters or even words that you type. It could also not be giving you a search field to type in immediately after loading, forcing you to click somewhere first.

Out of the box, Safari should be fast like Chrome when it comes to typing keystrokes in after opening a new tab or window. So if you're experiencing any of the issues above, chances are you've changed some settings for Safari and forgot about it. I changed these settings many years ago, something you might have done too, and those settings persisted after computer migrations and Safari updates.

Check Your New Tab & New Window Options

To check your settings, go to "Safari" in your menu bar and select "Preferences," or you could just use the Command-, keyboard shortcut to go right there. In the "General" tab, you'll see three possible culprits for your problems:

• New windows open with
• New tabs open with

On a fresh macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or older system, which would be using Safari 12 or older, the defaults are:

• New windows open with : Favorites
• New tabs open with : Favorites
• Homepage : apple.com/startpage

On a fresh macOS 10.14 (Mojave), 10.15 (Catalina), or macOS 11 (Big Sur) install, which would be using Safari 13 or higher, the defaults are:

• New windows open with : Start Page
• New tabs open with : Start Page

New Tab & Window Configurations to Avoid

If you have new tabs and windows opening to "Homepage" and keep the default homepage URL, it'll load Apple's site in a new page with no fields selected. That's obviously an issue for speedy searches on Google or whatever you set as your default search engine since you have to click in the URL bar to start typing.

• New windows open with : Homepage
• New tabs open with : Homepage

If you changed the homepage URL, it might behave differently, but it would still be slow. As an example, let's use google.com instead. Google's site opens, and anything you type goes into the search bar on the site, not in the address bar, but it takes a moment for Google's site to load, so the first few keystrokes you type in right after opening a new tab or window will be omitted.

• Homepage : google.com

You'll also want to avoid opening new tabs and windows to the "Same Page," which just reloads the current webpage you were on in a new tab or window, likely with no fields selected for typing.

And don't use "Tabs for Favorites" for new windows because that will load all of your bookmarks in one window. If you have a lot, that could slow down Safari considerably or even crash it. You can pick "Choose tabs folders" to select only important tabs to open from your favorites, but you still might not be able to type anything after opening the window.

The Speedier New Tab & Window Settings

To increase your productivity so that you can begin typing as soon as you open a new tab or window, you'll want to use one of the following configurations. Keep in mind that it's the Safari version that counts, not necessarily the macOS version since older systems can run newer Safari versions.

• Safari 13 ships with macOS 10.15 (Catalina); it's also available for macOS 10.14 (Mojave) and 10.13 (High Sierra).
• Safari 14 ships with macOS 11 (Big Sur); it's also available for macOS 10.15 (Catalina) and 10.14 (Mojave).

Option 1: Start Page (Safari 13 & Newer)

"Start Page" includes links to your favorite websites, your most frequently visited webpages, the latest Privacy Report for the last week of Safari usage, webpages that Siri suggests, things you've added to your Reading List, and open tabs on your other connected devices.

• Homepage : Any website you choose

While the Start Page page itself may load slowly, all your keystrokes show up in the address bar, so you shouldn't have any issues Safari trying to catch up to you.

Option 2: Favorites (Safari 12.1 & Older)

"Favorites" is similar to Start Page in Big Sur but with a lot less content. It pretty much just shows all your bookmarked favorites. If you have a lot of bookmarks, the page may load slowly, but again, your keystrokes are immediately sent to the address bar.

Option 3: Empty Page (Safari 13 & Newer)

"Empty Page" opens a blank page and immediately sends your keystrokes to the address bar.

• New windows open with : Empty Page
• New tabs open with : Empty Page

Option 4: Top Sites (Safari 12.1 & Older)

"Top Sites" loads links to popular websites in your region. It loads really fast, and your keystrokes are immediately sent to the address bar.

• New windows open with : Top Sites
• New tabs open with : Top Sites

Just updated your iPhone? You'll find new emoji, enhanced security, podcast transcripts, Apple Cash virtual numbers, and other useful features. There are even new additions hidden within Safari. Find out what's new and changed on your iPhone with the iOS 17.4 update.

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How to master Safari tabs in MacOS Monterey

There are a lot of useful ways you can use and manage tabs in the Safari web browser on MacOS. With a few settings hidden in preference panes and right-click menus, you can make your web browser much more effective and efficient in day-to-day use.

Step 1: Change tab appearance

Step 2: create a new tab group, step 3: manage your tab groups.

• Step 4: Get a bird’s eye view

Step 5: Move and reorder tabs

Step 6: reopen closed tabs and windows.

Things get interesting when you start using Safari’s Tab Groups , which were introduced with MacOS Monterey . These let you organize your tabs into related groups and then switch between them. For instance, you might have one group containing a few tabs for work, then a second group for news sites that you read during your lunch break. Switch from your news group to your work group, and all the news tabs are hidden. It’s like moving between two different Safari windows, but with less hassle. And even better, all your Tab Groups sync between your other Apple devices that are using the same Apple ID.

Of course, there is far more to Safari tabs than just Tab Groups and plenty more useful tips and tricks to learn along the way. We will cover these as well in this guide, helping you get much more from the humble web browser tab.

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By default, Safari keeps the URL bar above the row of tabs you have open. However, you can merge the two so that clicking the active tab lets you enter a new web address directly into the tab.

To do so, click Safari > Preferences in your Mac menu bar. In the Preferences pane, click Tabs , then click Compact next to Tab Layout .

Don’t forget to check the other settings while you’re there. You can change how tabs behave, including whether new pages open in tabs or windows and whether the focus switches to a new tab as soon as you open it.

In most browsers, all your tabs are grouped together into one long stream. In situations like that, it can be easy to lose track of the different things you were working on in different tabs. Safari does things a little differently with its Tab Groups feature, which lets you create named groups of tabs and switch between them with ease.

To create a Tab Group, click the sidebar button in the top-left corner, then click the New Tab G roup button on the right of the sidebar. Next, choose whether you want the Tab Group to comprise your currently open tabs or to create a new, blank group. Give it a name, and you’re done.

Alternatively, you can create a Tab Group by right-clicking on any tab and clicking Move to Tab Group > New Tab Group . Or open the sidebar, right-click the X Tabs button (where X is the number of tabs you have open), then click New Tab Group with X Tabs .

When you switch between Tab Groups, the tabs in your previous group will be replaced by those in the new group. Don’t worry, they still exist, they’re just hidden. To move between Tab Groups, click the downward arrow next to the name of the group in the top-left corner, then click the name of a different Tab Group. Or simply click a different Tab Group in the sidebar.

You can add a tab to an existing Tab Group at any time by right-clicking it and clicking Move to Tab Group , then clicking the name of the destination group. Alternatively, open the sidebar, then drag and drop a tab from the main window into your desired Tab Group.

To remove a tab from a Tab Group (but still keep it open), right-click it and click Move to Tab Group > X Tabs , where X is the number of tabs this group contains. This will put the tab in an unnamed group of tabs located at the top of the sidebar.

You can rename a Tab Group by double-clicking its name in the sidebar or by right-clicking it and selecting Rename . Note that this only works with groups you have created, not the X Tabs Group at the top of the sidebar. To remove a group entirely, right-click it and click Delete . This will close all tabs contained in the group.

Step 4: Get a bird’s eye view

If you use a lot of tabs at once, it can be hard to find the one you want because tabs shrink in size the more you have open. However, there’s a quick way to get a bird’s eye view of your tabs. Just press Shift + Command , click View > Show Tab Overview  or click the Tab Overview button in the top-right corner of the Safari window (it looks like four squares arranged into a larger square). This will show all your tabs as large tiles. Just click one to make it the active tab.

Additionally, you can add a new tab to a Tab Group using the overview feature. Open the overview, then click the large Plus tile, and a new tab will open. And if you need to find a specific tab, open the overview and start typing. You will notice the cursor is active in a Search Tabs box in the top-right, and results will appear as you type.

Reordering your tabs is as easy as clicking and dragging one to a new place in the tab bar. There is another, more ordered way to do it, though. Right-click any tab, then click Arrange Tabs By and choose either Title or Website . This will arrange the tabs alphabetically either by tab name (the website title that’s shown in the tab) or by the website address.

Accidentally closed a tab? Not to worry — you can instantly reopen it by pressing Command + Z . Keep pressing it to keep reopening other tabs.

If there’s a specific tab you want to reopen, click History in the menu bar to see recently visited websites. Or click History > Recently Closed for a long list of recently closed tabs. You can even reopen tabs from days prior by clicking History , then choosing a date from the bottom of the menu and picking a tab.

To reopen a closed window, just press Shift + Command + T , or click History > Reopen Last Closed Window .

Want a quick way to switch between tabs? Just press Command + Shift + Right Arrow or Command + Shift + Left Arrow to move along the row of tabs. Alternatively, use Command + 1 to Command + 9 to switch to the tab that corresponds to each number. Both are great  Mac keyboard shortcuts that will save you time.

And if you have several Tab Groups open when you close Safari, the likelihood is you will want them open again when you next launch your web browser. To ensure they load when Safari opens, click Safari > Preferences in the menu bar, then click the General tab. Under Safari Opens With , click All Windows From Last Session .

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As part of a deal to be the default search engine on Apple devices, Google pays the tech giant 36% of the revenue earned via search ad activity on Apple's Safari browser.

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Opening new tab slow in safari

• Thread starter coldwaves
• Start date Oct 25, 2013
• Sort by reaction score
• Older macOS Versions
• OS X Mavericks (10.9)

macrumors 6502

• Oct 25, 2013

I upgraded to Mavericks. In Safari, when I click on a link and safari opens the link in a new tab, it is slow. There is a little lag when a new tag shows up in the tag bar. If I right click on the link and choose "open in new tab", there is no lag and the new tab opens immediately. I tried this on my friend's new 13 rMBP, it seems to be the same way. If the new link is opened in a new tab, there is always this small amount of lag. Do you have the same experience? I have a early 2010 15 MBP with 2.0GHz CPU, 8GB RAM and 128G SSD.  

macrumors newbie

• Oct 27, 2013

I'm experiencing the same with my MacBook Air with Mavericks. Because the tab isn't responding immediately, Safari opens two or three tabs after each other ... very annoying! It feels like a bug in Safari ...  

Spie2 said: I'm experiencing the same with my MacBook Air with Mavericks. Because the tab isn't responding immediately, Safari opens two or three tabs after each other ... very annoying! It feels like a bug in Safari ... Click to expand...

macrumors 65816

coldwaves said: I upgraded to Mavericks. In Safari, when I click on a link and safari opens the link in a new tab, it is slow. There is a little lag when a new tag shows up in the tag bar. If I right click on the link and choose "open in new tab", there is no lag and the new tab opens immediately. I tried this on my friend's new 13 rMBP, it seems to be the same way. If the new link is opened in a new tab, there is always this small amount of lag. Do you have the same experience? I have a early 2010 15 MBP with 2.0GHz CPU, 8GB RAM and 128G SSD. Click to expand...

closet geek

Macrumors member.

• Oct 28, 2013

closet geek said: I see this as well. It happens with any link that has target="blank" and there is a noticeable pause/lag/delay before the new tab appears and loads the content. This can be worked around by holding down the cmd key when clicking the link or right clicking on the link and selecting "Open in New Tab" as you say. I would love to know what is causing this or if there are any workarounds. Click to expand...

• Oct 30, 2013

I'm experiencing this as well, but in a slightly different way. I normally hit command-t to open a new tab, and immediately begin typing the URL or search phrase I want to go to. The lag in Safari is making it drop the first few letters I type, so instead of "iPad pre order date", i'll end up going to "d pre order date". So frustrating to have to slow down for a cutting edge laptop. :/  

macrumors regular

me too!!! i was switching to safari just for the icloud keychain... but now i'm missing the flexibility and security of lastpass anyhow, so maybe who cares.  

• Oct 31, 2013

I'm having the same problem. My MBP has 10 gb of ram, so it definitely shouldn't be lagging. Must be an unfortunate bug.  

• Nov 1, 2013

Problem seems to be with Shared Links in the Side Bar hit ⌘⇧L that will hide the side bar and fix slow tab opening.  

• Oct 6, 2014

Guys, here's the solution: turn off iCloud Safari sync, because tab syncing makes it slow (System Preferences > iCloud > Safari).  

• Oct 18, 2017

Interesting that I still find posts today (October 2017) where people complain about this issue. I'm one of them. I'm running El Crapitan 10.11.6 with Safari 11.0. I had this lag on Yosemite and El Crapitan as well. Turning off iCloud, etc did not solve it for me. What it was/is the AdBlock Pro extension. That's the only extension I have in Safari but seems to somehw interfering with opening new tabs. I also have my favorites listed in the dropdown list when you click in the address bar. That was slow as well. Took 2-3 seconds to have them drop down. All this issue has disappeared when I disabled AdBlock Plus. Will have to figure out a strategy to keep ABP but so that it will not interfere with tabs and favorite dropdown.  

• Oct 23, 2017

pentool said: Will have to figure out a strategy to keep ABP but so that it will not interfere with tabs and favorite dropdown. Click to expand...

Safari User Guide

• Change your homepage
• Import bookmarks, history, and passwords
• Make Safari your default web browser
• Go to websites
• Find what you’re looking for
• Bookmark webpages that you want to revisit
• See your favorite websites
• Use tabs for webpages
• Pin frequently visited websites
• Play web videos
• Mute audio in tabs
• Pay with Apple Pay
• Autofill credit card info
• Autofill contact info
• Keep a Reading List
• Hide ads when reading articles
• Translate a webpage
• Download items from the web
• Share or post webpages
• Add passes to Wallet
• Save part or all of a webpage
• Print or create a PDF of a webpage
• Customize a start page
• Customize the Safari window
• Customize settings per website
• Zoom in on webpages
• Get extensions
• Manage cookies and website data
• Block pop-ups
• Clear your browsing history
• Browse privately
• Autofill user name and password info
• Prevent cross-site tracking
• View a Privacy Report
• Change Safari preferences
• Keyboard and other shortcuts
• Troubleshooting

Change Tabs preferences in Safari on Mac

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How-To Geek

How to switch to compact tabs in safari on mac.

Browse the web in a leaner-looking Safari.

Quick Links

Tired of Safari's default tab layout? Here's how you can switch to compact tabs in Safari on your Mac to conserve the screen space and give it a leaner, more streamlined look.

Unlike Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, Safari's tabs appear by default under the address bar, called the "Separate" layout. Switching to the "Compact" tabs layout aligns the address bar with the tabs to allow more area for websites. Also, you'll only see the favicon along with the website's domain, not the full page URL . So, for example, no matter where you are on our website, you'll only see

in the address bar.

Related: How to See a Web Page's Full URL in Safari

After updating Safari to Safari 15 or later on your Mac, open all your favorite sites in different tabs.

Click the "Safari" menu in the top-left corner of the menu bar

Select "Preferences" from the context menu that opens.

Select "Tabs" next to the "General" section.

Next, select the "Compact" option. The change will instantly apply to all the tabs open in Safari.

Unchecking the box for "Automatically Collapse Tab Titles into Icons" will cause tabs to be stacked when you have too many. You can also use Command+Tab to move to the next tab and Command+Shift+Tab to move to the previous tab, along with many other Safari keyboard shortcuts .

If you change your mind later, you can revisit the "Tabs" section in Safari's Preferences to switch to the "Separate" tab layout.

That's it! Ready to level up your skills and learn to  master Safari Tabs  on your Mac.

Related: The Complete Guide to Mastering Tabs in Safari