Remove Safari Extensions & Plugins on macOS Sierra

This guide shows you how to remove Safari extensions and plugins on macOS Sierra (10.12). Extensions add features to Safari, while plugins (like Adobe Flash or Java) provide media support. Removing them can fix browser slowdowns, privacy concerns, or unwanted toolbars. You’ll need your admin password if you’re removing a plugin from the system-wide Library folder.

What You’ll Need

• Your macOS Sierra user account (admin privileges for system-wide plugin removal)
• Finder and Safari apps
• Optional: a list of extensions you want to keep (to avoid removing something you use)

Step-by-Step

Remove Safari Extensions

1. Open Safari. From the menu bar at the top, click Safari and then Preferences (or press Command + ,).
2. Click the Extensions tab at the top of the Preferences window. You’ll see a list of all installed extensions on the left side.
3. Select the extension you want to remove from the list on the left.
4. Click the Uninstall button on the right side of the window. Confirm if prompted.
5. Repeat for each extension you want to delete. Close Preferences when done.

Remove Safari Plugins (like Flash, Java, or Silverlight)

Plugins are not managed from Safari’s Preferences. You must delete them from your Mac’s file system. There are two locations where plugins can live:

1. Quit Safari completely (press Command + Q).
2. Open Finder. From the menu bar, click Go and then Go to Folder… (or press Shift + Command + G).
3. Type ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/ (the tilde ~ means your home folder) and press Go. This is where plugins installed for your user account are stored.
4. Look for the plugin you want to remove. Common names include Flash Player.plugin, JavaAppletPlugin.plugin, or Silverlight.plugin. If you see it, drag it to the Trash. You may need to enter your password.
5. If you don’t see the plugin there, it might be installed system-wide. Go to Go > Go to Folder… again and enter /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/ (without the tilde).
6. Drag the plugin file to the Trash. You will likely be asked for your admin password.
7. Empty the Trash (right-click Trash and select Empty Trash) to complete the removal.

Remove Leftover Preference Files (Optional)

1. While in Finder, go to Go > Go to Folder… and type ~/Library/Preferences/.
2. Look for files that start with the extension or plugin name (e.g., com.apple.Safari.LSSharedFileList.plist or com.macromedia.Flash Player.plist). These are preference files.
3. Drag them to the Trash as well. This step is optional but can help if you’re having issues after removal.

Common Mistakes

• Deleting the wrong folder: Typing /Library instead of ~/Library can lead you to system files. Always double-check the path.
• Removing Apple’s built-in plugins: Safari has a few system plugins (like QuickTime) that are not in the Internet Plug-Ins folder. Don’t go looking for them there.
• Not quitting Safari first: If Safari is running, it may re-create the plugin or extension files when you quit. Always quit Safari before removing plugins.
• Forgetting to empty the Trash: Dragging to Trash doesn’t free up space or fully disable the plugin until you empty the Trash.

Tips

• Keep a list: Before removing extensions, note which ones you actually use. You can reinstall them later from the App Store or the developer’s website.
• Use the Extensions tab to disable: If you’re unsure, you can uncheck the box next to an extension to disable it temporarily, rather than uninstalling.
• Check for helper apps: Some plugins (like Flash) install a separate system preference pane or helper app. You can remove those from System Preferences > Other if they appear.
• Restart Safari after removal: This ensures all changes take effect.

Troubleshooting

Extension won’t uninstall: If the Uninstall button is grayed out, the extension may be managed by a profile (e.g., from your employer). Check System Preferences > Profiles for a configuration profile that forces the extension. If you’re not in a managed environment, try restarting Safari and trying again.

Plugin still appears in Safari: You may have removed the plugin but Safari still shows it in Preferences > Websites or Security. This is normal; Safari lists plugins even if they’re not installed. To confirm, go to Safari > Preferences > Security and click Manage Website Settings. If the plugin is listed but shows “Not Installed,” you’re fine.

You can’t find the plugin file: Some plugins are bundled inside other apps. For example, Flash might be installed via a package that also adds a preference pane. Search your Mac using Spotlight (press Command + Space) for the plugin name (e.g., “Flash Player”) to locate all related files.

After removal, Safari crashes: This is rare, but if it happens, you may have removed a plugin that a website expects. Reinstall the plugin from the official vendor, then try removing it again after checking for updates to Safari.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if an extension is safe to remove?

If you don’t recognize the name or haven’t used it recently, it’s safe to remove. You can always reinstall it later.

Will removing a plugin break websites?

Some older websites may not work without Flash or Java. But most modern sites use HTML5, so you’ll likely not notice any difference.

Can I remove Safari extensions from the command line?

Yes, but it’s not recommended. Extensions are stored in ~/Library/Safari/Extensions/ as .safariextz files. You can delete them with Terminal, but using the Preferences method is safer and avoids corrupting Safari’s state.

Why do some plugins require a password to delete?

Plugins installed in the system-wide /Library folder affect all users, so macOS requires admin privileges to modify them.

What’s the difference between an extension and a plugin?

Extensions add features to Safari’s interface (like ad blockers). Plugins handle media content inside web pages (like Flash or Java). They are managed differently.

Will removing extensions speed up Safari?

Often, yes. Extensions can consume memory and slow page loads, especially if they run on every page. Removing unused ones can improve performance.

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