mac os safari reset

How to Reset Safari to Default Settings on Your Mac

If Safari runs slow or fails to open a page on your Mac, we will show you how to reset the browser to its default state to fix those issues.

Safari helps you feel at home while browsing the web on a Mac. The latest iterations of Safari always bring improvements, but no browser is perfect. Over time, Safari tends to slow down, become sluggish, and feel unresponsive.

While Chrome and Firefox pack a reset button, this feature is missing from Safari. We will show you how you can reset Safari to default settings on your Mac.

First, Back Up Your Bookmarks

After you've used Safari for a while, you probably have a lot of sites saved in your Bookmarks and Favorites. It's a good idea to make a copy of your Bookmarks before you proceed. Since you'll remove every bit data related to Safari, you probably don't want to erase all your bookmarks.

To do this, launch Safari, select the File tab in the top menu bar, and click Export Bookmarks . You can either set a new name or let it use the default one if you don't mind it. Click Save to save a copy of those bookmarks.

You may also want to edit, organize, and manage those bookmarks that you've collected over years.

After you've reset Safari by following the methods below, you can import the HTML copy of your Bookmarks by going to File > Import From and selecting Bookmarks HTML File . Make sure to save the file somewhere safe in the meantime.

Clear the Browsing History in Safari

To start, you should run Safari's built-in history cleaner. This will remove cookies and other browsing data from everywhere you've visited. Thankfully, the process to remove your browsing history manually from Safari is quite straightforward.

Related: How to Clear Your Safari Browsing History and Data

After opening Safari, click on the Safari item in the top menu bar and select Clear History . A window will pop up; select All History from the dropdown list. Then click on the Clear History button to erase all that data from Safari.

Remove the Temporary Files and Cache

To improve your browsing efficiency, Safari stores the data for sites that you visit regularly as cache on your Mac and uses that to load elements faster than downloading them again. That cache takes up disk space and often contributes to Safari's performance woes.

It's thus a good idea to get rid of that old data when you're resetting Safari to its defaults. Here's how to clear Safari's temporary files and cache:

• While you have Safari running, open Safari > Preferences from the menu bar.
• A window will pop open. Head to the Advanced tab and select the check box for Show Develop menu in menu bar .
• The Develop menu will appear next to Bookmarks on the menu bar. Select Develop > Empty Caches or use Option + Cmd + E to quickly clear the web cache.

Delete All Cookies

Like other browsers, Safari stores site cookies whenever you visit websites. These cookies contain details about your interactions with the site, such as registration and form data, your cart contents, and similar. It's a good idea to remove those cookies when starting fresh.

Here's how you can clear all cookies from Safari:

• Launch Safari and in the menu bar at the top of the screen, go to Safari > Preferences .
• In the window that pops up, go to the Privacy tab and click the Manage Website Data button. That'll pop open a window showing the list of cookies in Safari.
• You can hold down Cmd to select cookies to remove individually, or click Remove All to delete the entire list.

Turn Off Website Access/Delete Safari Plugins

While Apple builds Safari for efficiency, some outside plugins and website access rules can cause Safari to slow down. It's best to ensure that those plugins ask you before Safari runs them. You can also confirm which sites can access your Mac's camera, microphone, and other settings.

With Safari open, go to Safari > Preferences in the menu bar on the top of the screen. Go to the Websites tab and check each item in the sidebar for website access. We recommend disabling Auto-Play , Camera , Microphone , Location , and Pop-Ups , unless you have some reason not to do so.

If you're using an older version of Safari that doesn't have these options, you can head to Safari > Preferences and click on Security > Plug-In Settings . Then set all the plugins to Ask before Safari runs them, and disable the ones you don't need.

Disable or Uninstall Safari Extensions

Unlike Chrome and Firefox, Apple allows only a handful of extensions to work with Safari. Even with this filtering, some of them might impact your browsing performance and slow everything down. Whether you use extensions for saving articles to Pocket or applying dark mode on every website, they could affect Safari.

You can disable these extensions by going to Safari > Preferences and clicking the Extensions tab. Uncheck each extension listed to disable it. To remove all of them, you'll need to select each extension and click on the Uninstall button in the adjacent pane.

You can always find and install new Safari extensions later after resetting the browser. Try to only install high-quality ones you absolutely need.

Reset Safari Using Terminal

Even after removing cookies, cache, browsing history, and extensions, Safari still has some underlying metadata. To wipe everything in a true sense, you can use the Terminal app.

Using the Terminal to reset Safari to its default state means you'll have to use a series of commands. Refer to our beginner's guide to the Mac Terminal for using it effectively.

To reset Safari using Terminal:

• Open the Terminal app (you can find it easily using Spotlight with Cmd + Space ).
• Next, open the Apple menu at the top-left corner of your screen. Click Force Quit and select Safari to completely close it.
• Enter the below commands commands, one line at a time. After you run each command, the Terminal will prompt for confirmation to delete said files. Type y to confirm, then hit Enter .

Reset Safari for a Fresh and Fast Browser Experience

Now you know how to effectively reset Safari to factory settings. It should feel faster after this—though all the sites you visit at first will take a couple of seconds to load completely, since they'll create new cookies and cache.

To get even more out of Safari, make sure you're applying the best Safari tweaks for a better experience.

How to reset all of your Safari browser's settings on a Mac, including clearing your cache and removing plugins

• Knowing how to reset your Safari browser on a Mac can help speed up the browser and fix issues. 
• However, resetting Safari will also cause you to lose browser-saved data, including login credentials and browser extensions.
• Here's what you need to know to reset the Safari browser on your Mac computer.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

Resetting your Safari browser on a Mac computer can help speed it up and get rid of any issues you may have encountered. 

But before you start, be aware that it will delete your installed extensions, as well as any auto-fill data, including saved usernames and passwords. 

So you may want to take note of those before getting started, so that you can get your browser back to the way that you're accustomed to using it.

Once that's done, here's how to reset the Safari browser on your Mac .

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Macbook pro (from $1,299 at apple), how to reset safari on a mac.

Resetting your Safari browser consists of several steps (like clearing your cache and history), rather than a simple button. So it will take a while to accomplish. Here's what you need to do:

Clear your Safari history

Keep in mind that the process is different for Safari on an iPhone or iPad , in case you want to do a reset across all of your devices.

1. Launch Safari

2. In the top toolbar, select "Safari" and then "Clear History."

3. Select "All History" in the dropdown and then click "Clear History."

Clear your Safari cache

1. With Safari open, go up to the top toolbar.

2. Select "Safari" and then "Preferences."

3. Toggle over to the "Advanced" tab and tick the box next to "Show Develop menu in menu bar" — you should see "Develop" appear in the top toolbar.

4. Click "Develop" and then select "Empty Caches."

Get rid of your Safari extensions

1. Go back into your Safari Preferences (located in that top toolbar)

2. Toggle over to the "Extensions" tab

3. Go through all of your extensions and select "Uninstall"

Turn off plugins within Safari

1. With the Safari Preferences window still open, toggle over to the "Websites" tab

2. Untick the box next to each plugin (listed at the bottom of the left sidebar)

Delete those plugins

These are stored in two separate areas, so your work will feel a bit redundant, but it's necessary to get the job done.

1. Tap your Finder to open it (it's the half-toned face icon in your bottom toolbar).

2. Under the "Go" menu of the top toolbar, select "Go to folder."

3. In the pop-up search menu, type "~/Library" and hit "Go."

4. Locate and go through the "Internet Plug-ins" folder and delete your plug-ins (you may want to keep your Safari Preferences open to "websites" so you can view your installed plugins) by dragging them over to the Trash.

5. Go up to the "Go" tab in your top toolbar and select "Go to folder".

6. Enter "/Library" in the search bar and hit "Go."

7. Locate and open the "Internet Plug-ins" folder again.

8. Select and delete or drag your undesired plugins into the Trash.

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Watch: Apple just launched a $6,000 Mac Pro, available this fall

• Main content

How To Fully Reset Safari On Mac

This article explains how you can fully reset Safari on your Mac. You might need to do this if Safari on your Mac runs very slowly, crashes often, acts bizarre, or functions incorrectly.

See also: Your System Is Infected With (3) Viruses

Safari is included with the macOS operating system.

How to reset Safari

1-Remove site history

There are two ways to do this. If you want to remove particular web sites (e.g., a web site is giving you problems whenever you visit) then try the second option. Please also note that if you are using other Apple devices (iOS devices or other Macs), if you turn on Safari in iCloud preferences with the same Apple ID, your site browsing history will be removed from all of them.

See also: How To Change Default Search Engine in Safari

When you do this, you will be removing history of web sites you visited, recent searchers, list of download items, frequently visited sites list, web sites that asked to use your located and to send you notifications.

• Open Safari
• Click Safari located in the menu bar in the top left hand corner of your screen
• Click Clear History

• Click the Clear History button
• Click Preferences
• Click the Privacy tab
• Click the manage Website Data button
• Here you can remove everything, or you can remove specific web sites. You can also search to find a specific web site.

2-Clear web caches 

Here is how you can clear Safari’s caches. Caches are images and videos, or the layouts for entire web pages you browsed.

• In the Safari app, click Safari
• Click the Advanced tab

• Close the Preferences window
• Now you will see a new menu bar item called ‘Develop’
• Click Develop

Disable Safari extensions

Extensions are small programs that extends your Safari’s functionalities. They add new features to let you enhance and customize your browsing experience. But some may have bugs and thus cause problems. And you may want to turn them off. Here is how:

• Choose Safari from the Safari menu bar
• Click the Extensions tab
• For each extension, you can use the checkbox to enable or disable that particular extension.
• You can also uninstall extensions.

Disable Safari plugins 

Please note that Safari is no longer supporting most plugins. You can however view and manage the plugins you have installed. Here is how:

• Click Safari
• Click the Websites tab

• When you are done, close the window

See also: How To See The Full Web Site Address In Safari URL Bar

Dr. Serhat Kurt worked as a Senior Technology Director specializing in Apple solutions for small and medium-sized educational institutions. He holds a doctoral degree (or doctorate) from the University of Illinois at Urbana / Champaign and a master’s degree from Purdue University. He is a former faculty member. Here is his LinkedIn profile and Google Scholar profile . Email Serhat Kurt .

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I Have been having this for about a week now. I Have tried getting rid of the Cookies and what not, restarted Safari, everything still doesn’t work. Did Apple do something to Safari? Like I Can use Chrome and everything is fine, but I go to Youtube on Safari and login and I get a blank screen. I am not logged in I Can see the page it’s only when I login is when I can’t see anything. Again not the case with Chrome. Does anyone one know what is going on?

I have the same problem

Safari 14 I cannot attach photos into facebook, its takes forever to open any websites, i have cleared the history and still takes forever, its like something is running in the background making my computer run slow. We don’t even use this computer very much as we do most surfing on our iPad, we have att wifi which shows 4 bars on the wifi icon. Can the problem be to many files on the computer or in the iCloud?

No facebook or youtube since updating to Big Sur 11.0 Safari is not working properly.

Safari not working at all…i couldn’t even open http://www.google.com

Hi, I have done all steps recommended, YouTube still does not play on MacBook Air. YouTube opens alright, but when I try playing a video, it won’t play, just that circle on the screen that keeps rotating. Can you please help me solve this problem. I am not computer savvy. Thank you, Liviu

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How to Reset Safari to Default Settings

Restoring default settings is a multistep process

What to Know

• First, remove the browser history: Select Safari in the menu bar > Clear History , then select All History > Clear History . 
• Remove cookies: Safari > Preferences . Select the Privacy tab > Manage Website Data > Remove All .
• Clear cache: Safari > Preferences . Advanced > Select Show Develop menu in menu bar . Exit. Develop > Empty Caches .

This article explains how to reset Safari to default settings by removing Safari's history and cookies, clearing the cache, and disabling extensions. Instructions apply to Safari versions 11 through 14 and iOS.

Remove Browser History

The first step when resetting Safari is to remove your browser history. When you clear your browsing history, Safari removes data such as recent searches, the frequently visited site list, web page icons, the history of web pages you've visited, and more.

From Safari's menu bar, select Safari > Clear History

In the drop-down menu, select All History .

Select Clear History to complete the process.

To clear a particular website instead, navigate to History > Show History , select the website you want to clear, and press Delete .

Remove Cookies

When you remove all cookies from Safari, you'll lose personal registration data such as your name and address, shopping cart contents, preferred web page layouts, and more.

From Safari's menu bar, select Safari > Preferences .

Select the Privacy tab.

Select Manage Website Data .

Select Remove All .

Select Remove Now .

Select Done .

Clear Safari's Cache

When you clear Safari's cache, you're removing stored website data.

Select the Advanced tab.

Place a check next to Show Develop menu in menu bar , and then exit out of Preferences.

From Safari's menu bar, select Develop > Empty Caches .

Disable or Uninstall Extensions

Safari extensions are like mini-apps that add functionality to the browser. If you're trying to reset Safari, you'll want to disable or uninstall any extensions.

Select the Extensions tab.

Select an extension, and then deselect the checkbox next to the extension to disable it.

Many extensions have several sub-extensions, so you'll need to uncheck all of them.

After you've disabled an extension, you can uninstall it. Select Uninstall .

You'll see a message that the extension is part of an application, and that you'll need to remove the application. Select Show in Finder .

Finder will open with the app selected. Right-click on the application and select Move to Trash .

Enter your password and select OK . You've deleted the extension.

Clear Website Data on Safari for iOS

To clear Safari's settings on an iPhone or iPad:

Open the iOS device's Settings app.

Scroll down and select Safari .

Under Privacy & Security , select Clear History and Website Data .

Select Clear History and Data to confirm.

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How to fully reset Safari on your Mac

Being the default browser shipped with every Mac, you are very likely using Safari as your main way of accessing the Web.

Therefore, if something goes wrong where Safari either loads and runs slowly, crashes on startup, or is otherwise not functioning correctly, then you might find yourself in a bit of a frustrating situation.

If you need to reset aspects of Safari in order to regain functionality, then even though the options for doing so are somewhat scattered, you can still use them to regain use of your browser.

Remove site history

Safari has its built-in tools for clearing temporary data that may be causing problems.

To do this, go to the Safari menu and choose the option to Clear History and Website Data.

If the problem you are experiencing only happened in the last hour or the past day, then you can try choosing the option here for encompassing that timeframe, otherwise you can remove all history data in this menu.

Alternatively, if you are finding problems happening only with one Web site you visit, then you can remove this data on a per-site basis:

• Go to the Privacy section of Safari’s preferences.
• Click the Details button that appears under the “Remove All Website Data” button.
• Search for your site, and then remove only it from the list.

Clear Safari’s Web caches

Apple has somewhat hidden the options for clearing Safari’s caches (temporary local storage for a number of different settings and configurations), but they are still available to clear.

First, go into Safari in the Apple menu bar and then select Settings.

Once you’re in Settings, go to the Privacy option. Here, you’ll find a button for Manage Website Data – press it, then choose to clear however far back you wish to go.

Disable Extensions

Extensions give additional functions to Safari, but may also cause some problems if they contain bugs.

Therefore, try going to the Extensions section of Safari’s preferences and sliding the setting to “Off.”

Alternatively, you can try disabling Extensions on an individual basis (each should have a checkbox for enabling/disabling), but first turning them off globally and then testing Safari will help indicate whether these are contributing to the problem.

Also be sure you use the Updates button in these preferences to check for and install any new versions of your extensions.

Remove the Safari Preferences File

First, go into Finder, then select ‘Go’ and ‘Go to Folder’ from the Apple menu.

Type ~/Library/Preferences/ and press Enter. Find the file named com.apple.Safari.plist and move it to the Trash. This will reset your Safari preferences to default.

Finally, restart your device

The last thing that you need to do to fully reset Safari is to shutdown your Macbook, and then restart it.

Once you do this, you should find that your Safari browser – along with history and preferences – has been reset.

How to Restart Mac (from Terminal)

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How To Reset Safari In Mac

• Software & Applications
• Browsers & Extensions

Introduction

Resetting Safari on your Mac can be a helpful solution when you encounter issues such as slow performance, unexpected crashes, or unresponsive web pages. By resetting Safari, you can clear out accumulated data, remove problematic extensions, and restore the browser to its default settings. This process can effectively resolve various browsing issues and enhance the overall performance of Safari.

Whether you're experiencing frequent crashes, encountering persistent pop-up ads, or noticing unusual behavior while browsing, resetting Safari can often provide a fresh start and resolve these issues. It's important to note that resetting Safari will clear your browsing history, cookies, and other website data, so it's essential to back up any important information before proceeding with the reset.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of resetting Safari on your Mac. By following these instructions, you can effectively troubleshoot common browsing issues and ensure that Safari functions smoothly and efficiently. Let's dive into the details and learn how to reset Safari to optimize your browsing experience.

Step 1: Open Safari Preferences

To initiate the process of resetting Safari on your Mac, the first step is to access the Safari Preferences . This can be done by launching the Safari browser and locating the "Safari" option in the top menu bar. Upon clicking on "Safari," a drop-down menu will appear, and you should select "Preferences" from the list. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut "Command + ," to directly open the Preferences window.

Upon accessing the Preferences window, you will be presented with a range of customizable settings and options for Safari. This is where you can modify various aspects of the browser, including privacy settings, security preferences, and extensions. The Preferences window is a central hub for managing Safari's behavior and appearance, making it a crucial starting point for the process of resetting the browser.

Once you have opened the Preferences window, you are ready to proceed to the next step in the process of resetting Safari. This initial step sets the stage for the subsequent actions that will ultimately lead to a refreshed and optimized browsing experience. By accessing the Preferences window, you gain access to the underlying settings and configurations that govern Safari's functionality, allowing you to make informed adjustments to enhance the browser's performance.

In the following steps, we will delve deeper into the process of resetting Safari, leveraging the options and tools available within the Preferences window to ensure a comprehensive and effective reset. By navigating through the Preferences window and making the necessary adjustments, you can pave the way for a smoother and more efficient browsing experience with Safari on your Mac.

With the first step completed, you are now prepared to move on to the subsequent stages of the reset process, each of which plays a pivotal role in restoring Safari to its default state. As we progress through the remaining steps, you will gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies involved in resetting Safari and optimizing its performance for seamless browsing.

Next, we will explore the second step in the process, which involves navigating to the Advanced tab within the Safari Preferences window. This step is essential for enabling additional options that are instrumental in the comprehensive reset of Safari on your Mac. Let's continue our journey toward resetting Safari and revitalizing your browsing experience.

Step 2: Choose the Advanced Tab

After accessing the Safari Preferences window, the next crucial step in the process of resetting Safari on your Mac is to navigate to the Advanced tab. This tab houses a range of advanced settings and options that are integral to the comprehensive reset of the browser.

Upon entering the Advanced tab within the Safari Preferences window, you gain access to a plethora of advanced configurations that govern the behavior and functionality of the browser. These settings delve into the intricacies of Safari's operations, allowing for fine-tuned adjustments that can significantly impact the browsing experience.

One of the key features within the Advanced tab is the option to enable the Develop menu. This menu provides access to a variety of developer-oriented tools and functionalities that are typically hidden from the standard Safari interface. By enabling the Develop menu, you unlock a suite of powerful tools that can aid in troubleshooting and optimizing the browser's performance.

Enabling the Develop menu is essential for the subsequent steps in the reset process, as it grants access to critical options that facilitate the comprehensive restoration of Safari to its default state. These options include the ability to clear caches, disable extensions, and reset various aspects of the browser that may be contributing to performance issues.

In addition to enabling the Develop menu, the Advanced tab also offers the option to manage website data. This feature allows you to view and remove specific data stored by websites, including cookies, cached files, and other site-specific information. By managing website data, you can effectively clear out accumulated browsing data that may be impacting Safari's performance.

Furthermore, the Advanced tab provides access to a range of other advanced settings, such as those related to security, privacy, and website permissions. These settings offer granular control over how Safari interacts with websites and handles various types of content, empowering you to tailor the browser's behavior to align with your preferences and security requirements.

By choosing the Advanced tab within the Safari Preferences window, you position yourself to leverage the advanced configurations and options that are pivotal to the comprehensive reset of Safari on your Mac. This step sets the stage for the subsequent actions that will ultimately lead to a refreshed and optimized browsing experience, ensuring that Safari functions smoothly and efficiently.

With the Advanced tab explored and its significance in the reset process elucidated, you are now prepared to proceed to the next step, where you will enable the Develop menu and unlock a suite of powerful tools that will aid in the comprehensive restoration of Safari. Let's continue our journey toward resetting Safari and revitalizing your browsing experience.

Step 3: Enable the Develop Menu

Enabling the Develop menu within Safari is a pivotal step in the process of resetting the browser on your Mac. The Develop menu unlocks a suite of powerful tools and functionalities that are instrumental in troubleshooting, optimizing, and customizing the browsing experience. By enabling this menu, you gain access to a range of developer-oriented features that are typically hidden from the standard Safari interface, empowering you to delve into the inner workings of the browser and make informed adjustments to enhance its performance.

To enable the Develop menu, you will navigate to the Advanced tab within the Safari Preferences window, as outlined in the previous step. Once in the Advanced tab, you will find the option to "Show Develop menu in menu bar." By checking this option, you effectively enable the Develop menu, causing it to appear in the Safari menu bar alongside other standard options.

The Develop menu offers a wealth of tools and functionalities that cater to developers, power users, and individuals seeking to optimize their browsing experience. One of the key features within the Develop menu is the ability to access the Web Inspector, a powerful tool that allows you to inspect, debug, and modify the structure and behavior of web pages. The Web Inspector provides invaluable insights into the underlying code and elements of web pages, enabling you to diagnose issues, optimize performance, and customize the display of content.

In addition to the Web Inspector, the Develop menu grants access to options for disabling caches, disabling extensions, and resetting various aspects of the browser. These options are instrumental in the comprehensive reset of Safari, as they allow you to clear out accumulated data, remove problematic extensions, and restore the browser to its default settings. By leveraging the functionalities within the Develop menu, you can effectively troubleshoot common browsing issues and ensure that Safari functions smoothly and efficiently.

Enabling the Develop menu within Safari empowers you to harness the full potential of the browser, providing access to advanced tools and functionalities that are essential for the comprehensive reset and optimization of Safari on your Mac. By enabling this menu, you position yourself to leverage a suite of powerful features that can aid in troubleshooting, customizing, and enhancing the browsing experience, ultimately leading to a refreshed and optimized Safari browser .

With the Develop menu enabled, you are now prepared to proceed to the next step in the reset process, where you will utilize the functionalities within the Develop menu to initiate the comprehensive reset of Safari on your Mac. Let's continue our journey toward resetting Safari and revitalizing your browsing experience.

Step 4: Reset Safari

Resetting Safari on your Mac involves a series of critical actions that collectively restore the browser to its default state, effectively clearing out accumulated data, removing problematic extensions, and optimizing its performance. This process is instrumental in troubleshooting common browsing issues and ensuring that Safari functions smoothly and efficiently. By following the steps outlined below, you can initiate the comprehensive reset of Safari and revitalize your browsing experience.

Clear Browsing History and Data

The first step in resetting Safari involves clearing the browsing history and data. This action effectively removes the record of websites visited, searches conducted, and other browsing activities. To accomplish this, you will navigate to the "History" menu in the Safari menu bar and select "Clear History." Upon doing so, a window will appear, allowing you to choose the time range for which you wish to clear the history. Selecting "Clear History" will remove the specified browsing history, contributing to the comprehensive reset of Safari.

Remove Website Data and Cookies

In addition to clearing the browsing history, it is essential to remove website data and cookies to further optimize Safari. This action involves accessing the "Privacy" tab within the Safari Preferences window and clicking on "Manage Website Data." Here, you can view and remove specific data stored by websites, including cookies and cached files. By removing this data, you effectively clear out accumulated browsing data that may be impacting Safari's performance, contributing to the comprehensive reset of the browser.

Disable Extensions and Plug-Ins

Another critical step in resetting Safari is to disable extensions and plug-ins that may be contributing to browsing issues. This action involves accessing the "Extensions" tab within the Safari Preferences window and unchecking the boxes next to each installed extension. Additionally, you can navigate to the "Security" tab to manage website plug-ins and disable any that may be causing issues. By disabling extensions and plug-ins, you eliminate potential sources of browsing problems, paving the way for a refreshed and optimized browsing experience.

Reset Safari Settings

The final step in the reset process involves resetting Safari's settings to their default configurations. This action is carried out by navigating to the "General" tab within the Safari Preferences window and clicking on "Reset Safari." A window will appear, allowing you to choose which settings to reset, including clearing the cache, removing cookies, and resetting the top sites. By selecting the desired options and proceeding with the reset, you effectively restore Safari to its default state, resolving common browsing issues and optimizing its performance.

By following these steps to reset Safari on your Mac, you can effectively troubleshoot common browsing issues and ensure that the browser functions smoothly and efficiently. This comprehensive reset clears out accumulated data, removes problematic extensions, and restores Safari to its default settings, ultimately revitalizing your browsing experience and enhancing the overall performance of the browser.

In conclusion, resetting Safari on your Mac is a valuable troubleshooting technique that can effectively address a range of browsing issues and optimize the performance of the browser. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this guide, you can initiate a comprehensive reset that clears out accumulated data, removes problematic extensions, and restores Safari to its default settings, ultimately revitalizing your browsing experience.

Through the process of resetting Safari, you gain the ability to clear browsing history and data, remove website data and cookies, disable extensions and plug-ins, and reset Safari's settings to their default configurations. These actions collectively contribute to the restoration of Safari to a pristine state, free from the clutter and issues that may have been impacting its performance.

Upon completing the reset process, you can expect to experience a smoother and more efficient browsing experience with Safari. The removal of accumulated data and cookies, coupled with the disabling of problematic extensions and the restoration of default settings, can lead to improved stability, faster page loading times, and a more responsive browsing interface.

Furthermore, the ability to access the Develop menu and leverage advanced tools within Safari empowers you to take control of the browser's behavior and optimize its performance according to your preferences. This level of customization and fine-tuning ensures that Safari aligns with your specific browsing needs, providing a tailored and optimized experience.

It's important to note that resetting Safari will clear your browsing history, cookies, and other website data, so it's essential to back up any important information before proceeding with the reset. Additionally, after completing the reset, you may need to reconfigure certain preferences and re-enable desired extensions to tailor Safari to your specific requirements.

By incorporating the insights and techniques presented in this guide, you are equipped to effectively troubleshoot common browsing issues and ensure that Safari functions smoothly and efficiently. The comprehensive reset process enables you to revitalize your browsing experience, setting the stage for seamless and enjoyable interactions with the Safari browser on your Mac.

In essence, resetting Safari serves as a valuable maintenance practice, allowing you to refresh the browser and optimize its performance, ultimately enhancing your overall browsing experience and productivity. Embracing the process of resetting Safari empowers you to take proactive steps in maintaining a smooth and efficient browsing environment, ensuring that Safari remains a reliable and effective tool for accessing the web on your Mac.

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How to Reset Safari to Default Settings on Mac and iPhone

Scratching your head to reset Safari to default settings? Don't know where to begin? Well don't worry, we have got your back!

Safari is an exceptional browser and there are no two ways about it. With Apple leading the charge against ad trackers on the internet with its anti-tracking policy, Safari has been a safe haven for users who want to protect their privacy.

That being said, while Safari might win the race when it comes to protecting its users but more often than not is not able to match up to its competitors in the game of extensible features.

However, many of us are extensively using safari on a daily basis. Some want to hold on to that last ounce of privacy on the net, and others do not want to install a 3rd party browser on their Macs or iPhones.

Whatever may be your case for using Safari. One thing is for sure, with years of use, Safari accumulates tons and tons of website data which might slow down your browser or in worst cases, your devices as well.

Reset Safari to Default Settings on Mac

To everybody’s shock, there’s no ‘Reset Safari’ button on any of the apple devices. As a result, we are bound to perform a list of steps not every user might be comfortable with. Anyways, resetting Safari consists of resetting 3 components :

• Website Data

We are going to reset the components on a first-come-first-serve basis. So let’s get started.

Reset History

First, Launch Safari from the Launchpad or from dock of your Mac.

Next, click on the ‘History’ tab from the menu bar. Next, click on the ‘Clear History…’ option from the list.

After that, choose ‘all history’ option from the drop-down. Then, click on ‘Clear History’ button.

Reset Website Data

First, Launch Safari from the Launchpad or from the dock of you Mac.

Next, click on the ‘Safari’ tab present on the menu bar. Now, click on the ‘Preferences’ option from the list.

After that, go to the ‘Privacy’ pane and click on ‘Manage Website Data’ button.

Now, click on ‘Remove All’ button from the bottom left corner of the pane.

Next, click on ‘Remove Now’ button to confirm.

Reset Cache

Next, click on the ‘Safari’ tab from the menu bar. Then, click on the ‘Preferences’ option from the list.

After that, go to the ‘Advanced’ pane. Now, check the ‘Show Develop menu in the menu bar’ option.

As a result, the ‘Develop’ tab would now be visible in the menu bar. Click on it, and then choose the ‘Empty Caches’ option from the list.

Reset Safari to Default Settings on iPhone

Resetting safari is pretty straight forward on iPhone and requires just couple of steps.

Launch the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone from the home screen.

Next, scroll down and locate ‘Safari’ from the list and tap on it.

After that, scroll down till you find the ‘Clear History and Website Data’ option on the screen and then tap on it, once located.

Now, tap ‘Clear History and Data’ from the pop-up alert menu to confirm.

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Safari is Apple’s default web browser for Mac OS. It is known for its speed and user-friendly interface. However, sometimes due to various reasons like browser crashes or bugs, the browser might perform sluggishly or behave erratically. Moreover, there may be privacy and security issues if the browser is not configured properly. In such situations, it may be necessary to reset Safari to its default settings to restore its functionality. Here are the steps to reset Safari to default settings on your Mac.

Step 1: Open Safari on your Mac

To reset Safari to its default settings, you must first open the browser on your Mac.

Step 2: Backup Your Data

Before resetting Safari, you should back up any important data like bookmarks, saved passwords, and browsing history. This will make it easier for you to get back to your previous settings and prevent any data loss.

To backup bookmarks, go to the File menu and click on “Export Bookmarks”. Choose where you want to save the exported file and click “Save”.

To backup passwords, go to System Preferences and then click on “Accounts”. Select your account and then click on “Login Items”. Choose Safari and then click on the “Add” button. Restart your Mac.

To backup browsing history, go to the History menu and then click on “Show All History”. Click on a date range and then click on “Export” to save it to your Mac.

Step 3: Reset Safari to Default Settings

Once you’ve backed up your data, you can now reset Safari to its default settings. Here’s how:

Go to the Safari menu and click on “Preferences”.

Click on “Advanced”.

Click on “Show Develop menu in menu bar”.

Go to the Develop menu and click on “Empty Caches”.

Go back to the Safari menu and click on “Reset Safari”.

Choose the checkboxes for the items you want to remove, like history, bookmarks, and saved passwords.

Click “Reset” to complete the reset process.

Step 4: Restore Your Data

Once Safari has been reset to its default settings, you can restore your backed-up data. Here’s how:

To restore bookmarks, go to the File menu and click on “Import Bookmarks”. Select the file you exported earlier and click “Import”.

To restore passwords, go to System Preferences and then click on “Accounts”. Select your account and then click on “Login Items”. Choose Safari and then click on the “Remove” button. Restart your Mac.

To restore browsing history, go to the History menu and then click on “Import”. Select the file you exported earlier and click “Import”.

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2022 Guide: How to Reset Safari on Mac (Catalina Supported)

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Safari is the default browser of macOS, which is vital access for Mac users to search the Web. However, once Safari went something wrong, it would be a great headache. Does your Safari often crash down, or cost a long time loading and run much slower than before? If you're encountering one or all of them, this post could help you a lot to solve these problems. Actually, it's a normal phenomenon after the bowser has worked for a long period of time, and these problems can be easily settled by resetting Safari. If you want to know how to reset Safari, just follow the guide below.

What Happens If I Reset Safari?

So what will happen if resetting Safari? Does resetting Safari clear everything? Does it delete passwords or remove bookmarks? Will it clear Safari histories thoroughly? Before resetting Safari on Mac, it's necessary to know what will be deleted. We must be clear about the things will be removed by resetting Safari to factory defaults, so we can make sure that when we clean up Safari we won't erase the data we still need. Once Safari is reset, a varity of data will be removed, including:

• All advanced settings will revert to their default configuration.
• The auto-filled user names and passwords will be cleared.
• All cached files will be deleted.
• All the bookmarks will be removexd from Safari.
• Homepage button will be hidden and the URL that you previously set will be erased.
• Default startup tabs will be cleared.
• New Tab page settings will be reset.
• Content settings will be cleaned up and reset to their installation defaults.
• Cookies and site data will be deleted.
• Extensions, themes and plugins will be disabled.

How to Reset Safari on Mac

In the past, macOS supported the one-click function to "Reset Safari". But for the latest Safari Versions 9 - 13, the one-click button has been removed. So if you want to reset Safari, there are several steps you need to follow to complete the resetting. It's worth mentioning that if you find it time-consuming to delete the data one by one or you are afraid that there is a possibility of deleting wrong files to cause system corruption, you can just turn to 5. Fullly Reset Safari on Mac Without Opening It easily and safely.

1. Clear Safari History on Mac

• 2. Clear Safari cache

3. Remove Safari Extensions

4. switch off or delete plug-ins.

From the "History" option, go to "Clear History and Website Data", click on "Clear History" from the drop-down menu and then select all the items and press "Delete".

2. Clear Safari Cache

Go to "Safari", click on "Preferences". From the "Advanced" option, click on the box in front of "Show Develop menu in menu bar" to enable it.

From the drop-down menu of the "Develop" option, click on "Empty Caches".

From "Safari", go to "Preferences" and then select each extension and click on "Uninstall" to remove or disable it.

From "Safari", go to "Preferences", click on "Websites" and deselect all the listed plug-ins from the bottom part of the window. If you want to delete the plug-ins, press and hold Cmd-A to select all the listed plug-ins and then press and hold Delete to delete all of them at once.

5. Fullly Reset Safari on Mac Without Opening It

Instead of manually deleting the above data one by one on the Safari browser, you can use a better solution for the same, which can help you easily reset Safari without opening it. All these data can be reset through iMyFone Umate Mac Cleaner .

It is an all-in-one Mac management tool which is specifically designed to remove unwanted files and data from your system and improve its performance drastically.

Advantages of using iMyFone Umate Mac Cleaner

• One-click to mass remove the extensions, browsing data, caches and other things which are needed to reset Safari browser on Mac.
• Not only can the auto-filled accounts and passwords be cleared from Mac Safari , but also all the private data on Mac can be removed with Umate Mac Cleaner.
• The scanning and deleting speed is super fast .
• A 100% reliable and effective solution - It will not cause any harm to the system's running.

How to use iMyFone Umate Mac Cleaner to Reset Safari

You can follow the steps below to know how to reset Safari by using this tool.

1. First, you should download and install the App properly.

2. After installing the program, go to "Erase Private Data", then click on "Scan" and select the "Online Traces" tab from the results. Here displayed all data from "Safari" and you can click on "Erase" after you make selections. All the data kept in Safari will be deleted.

3. As for the Safari extensions management, you can go to "Manage App & Extensions" and click on "View Items" which is below "Remove Extensions", then click on "Safari Extensions" and remove the selected data by clicking on "Remove".

With the help of this tool, it would be much easier to reset Safari. All can be done with just a few clicks instead of reseting data one by one and deleting them manually.

You may have to reset your Safari due to some improper performance issues in your Mac system. The above methods can greatly help you reset Safari settings easily.

Instead of resetting the data on Safari one by one, you can use iMyFone Umate Mac Cleaner to reset Safari at once. This is an excellent tool contained with all the functionalities that are designed to improve your Mac's performance.

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Home > Clean up Mac > 2022 Guide: How to Reset Safari on Mac (Catalina Supported)

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How to Reset Safari on Mac to Default (Completely – Sonoma)

Key Takeaway: Resetting the Safari browser on your Mac can significantly improve its performance by clearing junk files such as caches, browsing history, website data, extensions, and plug-ins. While there's no Reset button, you can achieve this by individually clearing these aspects following simple steps outlined in the article.

Safari is arguably the best web browser for MacBook and Mac computers. This may be attributed to the numerous improvements it has received over the years—especially in security and privacy. However, your Safari browser may start running slowly with time. 

IN THIS ARTICLE

This is often caused by the accumulation of junk and temporary files created by the browser over time. Resetting the browser clears such files, allowing it to run much faster. As you may be aware, the Safari browser on Mac no longer has a Reset button for this purpose. 

However, you can still reset the browser to its defaults by individually clearing the history, caches, plug-ins, and extensions on the browser. Get to know how you can reset the Safari browser on your Mac in just a few steps.

How Do I Reset Safari Browser?

Since the unveiling of the OS X Mountain Lion 10.8 , Apple no longer adds a Reset button to the Safari browser. As such, you cannot just reset the Safari browser in a single click as you would other popular browsers.

Instead, you need to clear the following aspects individually:

• The Browsing History
• Website Data
• Browser Cache 
• Extensions 
• Plug-ins 

Note : Clearing such temporary files on the Safari browser will cause you to lose important auto-fill data, including usernames and passwords. 

Here are the five things you need to do to reset the Safari browser on your Mac: 

Reset the Safari Cache 

Whenever you visit a web page, the browser saves the media files on that page as caches in a temporary folder—within the Library folder. Leveraging this saved information, Safari can reopen such web pages much faster.

While this is a beneficial functionality, these files accumulate over time and may occupy a significant amount of disk space. If not checked, this may slow or even cause the browser to crash. As such, it is advisable to clear your Safari browser cache as follows: 

Method 1: Clearing the Safari Cache from Its Preferences  

To clear the cache files from Safari preferences, proceed as follows: 

Step 1 : Launch the Safari browser from the Launchpad on your Mac. Step 2 : Click on Safari —located towards the top-left corner of the browser homepage. Step 3 : Select Settings/Preferences from the drop-down menu that comes up.

Step 4 : Now navigate to the Advanced tab, then click on the checkbox adjacent to the Show Develop menu on the menu bar to enable it. This should display a Develop tab on the menu bar.

Step 5 : Click on this Develop menu command and choose the Empty Caches for all Profiles option (macOS Sonoma added the Feature of Create Profile in Safari & Save Cache for Different Profile). 

Alternatively, you could also press the Command + E + Option key shortcut to clear the cache after enabling the Develop tab in Step 4 above. Once the Develop menu command is activated on your Safari browser, you can access it anytime you need to clear the cache. 

Method 2: Manually Clear Safari Cache  

If you are running macOS 10.14 or earlier macOS version on your Mac, you could also clear Safari Cache. These operating systems save all temporary files within the Library folder. To manually clear Safari Caches: 

Step 1 : Open Finder Using Spotlight Search on Mac.

Step 2 : From the top menu Go > Go to Folder .

Step 3: Navigate to  ~/Library/Caches hit the return and open the Caches folder.

Step 4 : Delete Only Safari Cache folders, use the search box in the finder window > Select Caches folder > Select Folders and Move to the bin .

Note : Be careful while deleting files from the Library folder, as removing essential files may end up damaging the system. 

Or, select and then remove all the unnecessary files.

Clear Safari Browsing History 

Just as is the case with other browsers, Safari keeps a history of the web pages you have visited in the recent past. To reset Safari on Mac, you need to clear this History as well. To clear the Safari browsing history on Mac: 

Method 1: Manually Clear the Browsing History on Safari  

The first option is to just wipe the history out manually, as illustrated below: 

Step 1 : From the Launchpad , open the Safari browser. Step 2 : From the Menu bar , select the History tab.

Step 3 : Choose the Clear History option from the drop-down menu that appears. Step 4 : Now select the time frame to clear, it is advisable to clear all history . 

In Addition, we can clear the safari cache for specific profiles, Options showing ‘ From ‘. Select Profile and Clear Cache for Specific Profile.

Step 5 : Finally, click on the Clear History button to initiate the process. 

Note : If you happen to have enabled Safari in iCloud settings under the same Apple ID, a change in your browser history will be reflected across your other Apple devices using the same ID. Deleting Safari’s browsing history on one device will automatically clear the browsing history on the other Apple devices logged in under the same Apple ID. 

Method 2: Configure Safari to Clear Browsing History Automatically 

You could also set up the Safari browser in such a way that it automatically deletes your browsing history after a specified period. To do this: 

Step 1: Open the Safari app on your Mac and then open Safari Settings/Preferences.

Step 2: Navigate to the General Settings tab on your Safari browser. Step 3: Select the Set up Remove history items option.

Step 4: Select your preferred clearing frequency for the automatic history removal. Step 5: Once set up, Safari will automatically be clearing your browsing history after the period you selected. 

Reset Your Safari Website Data

Having cleared the cache and browsing history, now you should reset the website data to reset the Safari browser on Mac. To clear your Safari website data, you should: 

Step 1: Launch the Safari browser on your Mac. Step 2: Click on Safari—towards the top-left corner of the Safari homepage. Step 3: Select the Settings/Preferences option and then navigate to the Privacy tab. Next, click on Manage Website Data 

Step 4: before clicking Remove All —at the bottom-left corner.

Step 5: Finally, click on the Remove Now button to confirm this operation.

Reset, Uninstall, or Disable Safari Extensions and Plug-ins 

Both extensions and plug-ins add to the functionality of the Safari browser. However, some may malfunction and affect the functioning of the browser. When that happens, you need to troubleshoot and uninstall or disable problematic extensions or plug-ins. 

To fully reset Safari, you need to get rid of the extensions and plug-ins that have been added to the browser as well. 

To Remove Extensions on Safari:  

Launch the Safari browser then click on Safari —positioned on the top-left corner. Next, select the Settings/Preferences option then open the Extensions tab. This should display a list of extensions that are currently installed on Safari. Click on any one of them then click the Extensions button. 

Follow on-screen prompts to uninstall the extension. Repeat this for each extension until you have uninstalled all the extensions on this list. 

To Remove Safari Plug-Ins:

Launch the Safari browser, then click on Safari —on the top-left corner of the homepage. Select Preferences and then navigate to the Security tab. Click on the Allow Plug-ins option to untick it. 

How Do You Reset Safari on Mac Terminal?

If you fancy running some commands in Terminal, you can use this method to reset the Safari browser to default settings on Mac. If you’d rather use Terminal to reset Safari on Mac, here is how you should go about it: 

Step 1: Launch a new Terminal window on your Mac as follows: Applications > Utilities > Terminal  Step 2: To avoid losing data, you could save your bookmarks before resting Safari. In this regard, you need to run the following command on the new Terminal window: 

Step 3: You can now begin resetting Safari by force quitting the browser. To do this, run the following command on the Terminal: 

Step 4: With this method, you also need to clear Safari cookies, Cache, and folders to reset the browser. You can do that by running the following commands, one after the other, on your Mac Terminal: 

Press the Return key to run the command. 

Hit the Return key to run it.

Press Return to run this command. 

Step 5: Now that you’ve cleared your Safari cookies, cache, preferences, you can proceed to clear the more stubborn files. To accomplish this, run the following commands on your Mac Terminal, one after the other. 

Note : Remember to press the Return key after entering each of the commands into Terminal and them wait for it to execute before running the next command. 

These are the commands you should run to reset the Safari browser using Terminal: 

Copy and paste each of the lines onto Terminal separately and run it before entering the next line. 

Step 6: At this point, the browser should have been successfully reset to factory settings. Now you can restore the bookmarks you saved in step #2 above. However, this step is optional. If you’d like to restore your saved bookmarks, run the filling commands: 

Press Return to execute this command. Once your Mac is done running this command, copy and paste the following onto your Mac Terminal: 

You have successfully reset Safari on Mac Terminal. Launch the Safari app and start afresh as though it was newly installed onto your Mac. 

Final Verdict  

With time, the temporary files created by Safari may accumulate on your Mac or become corrupted. This may cause the browser to malfunction. For instance, it may cause the browser to become slow and sluggish, or even crash. 

To fix such issues, you need to reset the browser to its default settings. Since Safari no longer has a built-in Reset button, you just have to do it manually. In this regard, you need to clear Safari preferences, extensions, plug-ins, cookies, and cache files separately. 

This may sound painstakingly slow, but this guide includes the commands you can use to reset Safari on Mac Terminal.

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Proven Tips: How to Reset Safari Browser on Mac

Quick Navigation

• Method 1: How to reset Safari on Mac without opening it [Fast & Safe]

Method 2: How to manually restore Safari to default settings

This post will show you how to reset Safari to default on Mac. The process can sometimes fix some errors (you may fail to launch the app, for example) when trying to use the Safari browser on your Mac. Please continue to read on this guide to learn how to reset Safari on Mac without opening it.

When Safari keeps crashing, won't open or doesn't work on your Mac, how do you fix Safari on Mac? You may reset Safari to default to fix the problems. However, as Apple has removed Reset Safari button from the browser since OS X Mountain Lion 10.8, one click to reset Safari is no longer available on OS X 10.9 Mavericks, 10.10 Yosemite and latest systems. To reset Safari browser on Mac, there are two methods you can use.

Method 1: How to reset Safari on Mac without opening it [Fast & Safe]

Generally, you have to open Safari browser to reset it back to default settings. However, when Safari keeps crashing or won't open, you may need to figure out a way to reset Safari on Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra without opening the browser.

Instead of resetting Safari on the browser, you can reset Safari to factory settings with Macube Cleaner , a Mac cleaner to clear unwanted files on Mac, including Safari browsing data (caches, cookies, browsing history, autofill, preferences, etc.). Now, you can follow these steps to reset Safari on macOS Sierra:

Step 1: Download Macube Cleaner on your Mac. After installation, open the top Mac cleaner.

Free Download Free Download

Step 2: Choose System Junk and click Scan. When the scanning is done, choose App Cache > find Safari caches > click Clean to clear cache on Safari.

Step 3: Choose Privacy > Scan. From the scanning result, tick and choose Safari . Click Clean button to clean and remove all browser history all (browsing history, download history, download files, cookies and HTML5 Local Storage).

You have restored Safari to its default settings. Now you can open the browser and see if it is working right now. Also, you can use Macube Cleaner to clean up your Mac and free up space: remove duplicate files/image, clear system caches/logs, uninstall apps completely and more.

• You can also reset Safari on iMac, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro by using Terminal command. But you should not use Terminal unless you know what you are doing. Otherwise, you may mess up the macOS.

Although the Reset Safari button is gone, you can still reset Safari on Mac in the following steps.

A Manually reset Safari step-by-step [Security & Complexity]

Step 1: Clear history

Open Safari. Click History > Clear history > all history > Clear History.

Step 2: Clear cache on Safari browser

On Safari browser, navigate to the top left corner and click Safari > Preference > Advanced.

Tick Show Develop menu in menu bar. Click Develop > Empty Caches.

Step 3: Remove stored cookies and other website data

Click Safari > Preference > Privacy > Remove All Website Data.

Step 4: Delete Extension & plug-ins

A Safari plug-in or extension is a small software program that enhances the functionality of the Safari web browser. It allows users to customize their browsing experience by adding new features or modifying existing ones. Let’s take a look at how to delete it.

1. Choose Safari > Preferences > Extensions.

2. In the pop-up window, you will see a list of installed extensions. To completely reset Safari, select each extension and click Uninstall.

Then, you need to manually delete Safari plug-ins from the Library folder. Don't worry, the following method is not a complete removal of the plugin, and you can still easily restore it when you still want to download it.

• If you can't see it, try holding down the Option key as you click; or in the Go menu, select Go to Folder and enter ~/Library

2. Click the Internet Plug-ins folder and drag the plug-ins you want to delete to the Trash.

3. Open Finder > Go > Computer again.

4. Click the name of your Mac and select the Library folder or click the Go > Go to Folder, and then type /Library.

5. Click the Internet Plug-ins folder and drag the plug-ins you want to delete to the Trash.

Step 5: Delete Preferences on Safari

Click Go tab and hold down Option, click Library. Find the Preference folder and delete files named with com.apple.Safari.

Step 6: Clear Safari window state

In the Library, locate Saved Application State folder and delete files in com.apple.Safari.savedState folder.

• Safari on your iMac, MacBook should start working after the reset. If not, you may reinstall Safari by updating macOS to the latest version.

B Reset Safari on Mac using Terminal [Fast & Risky]

If you use Terminal frequently and are a professional computer user, you can run several Terminal commands to reset Safari. Please be careful, as incorrect terminal commands may cause the system to crash.

Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal > Paste the following commands. Execute the following commands sequentially in the Terminal, typing each line separately. Once you run a command, the Terminal will request confirmation to delete the specified files. Press “y” to confirm and then press Enter. mv ~/Library/Safari ~/Desktop/Safari-`date +%Y%m%d%H%M%S` rm -Rf ~/Library/Caches/Apple\ -\ Safari\ -\ Safari\ Extensions\ Gallery rm -Rf ~/Library/Caches/Metadata/Safari rm -Rf ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari rm -Rf ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.WebKit.PluginProcess rm -Rf ~/Library/Cookies/Cookies.binarycookies rm -Rf ~/Library/Preferences/Apple\ -\ Safari\ -\ Safari\ Extensions\ Gallery rm -Rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.LSSharedFileList.plist rm -Rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.RSS.plist rm -Rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.plist rm -Rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.WebFoundation.plist rm -Rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.WebKit.PluginHost.plist rm -Rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.WebKit.PluginProcess.plist rm -Rf ~/Library/PubSub/Database rm -Rf ~/Library/Saved\ Application\ State/com.apple.Safari.savedState

Using the terminal to reset Safari is fast, but it may cause risks. Therefore, this article recommends using the zero-risk and efficient Macube Cleaner to reset Safari to meet your needs.

Part 3：FAQs

Q1: can i restore my bookmarks after resetting safari.

Certainly! You can recover your bookmarks after resetting Safari on your Mac by following these steps:

• Open Safari on your Mac.
• Click on the “File” menu located in the top-left corner of the screen.
• Select “Import From” and then choose “Bookmarks HTML File”.
• Navigate to the location where you previously saved your bookmarks before resetting Safari.
• Select the HTML file containing your bookmarks.
• Click on the “Import” button, and your bookmarks should be restored.

Alternatively, if you have enabled iCloud syncing for your Safari bookmarks, you can also restore them by enabling the “Safari” option in iCloud settings on your Mac. This will sync your bookmarks from iCloud to your Safari browser.

Q2: How do I fix Safari problems on iPhone and iPad?

• Refresh the page.
• Install software updates and restart your device.
• Review Safari extensions.
• Try opening a private browsing window.
• Verify Safari settings.
• Verify iCloud Private Relay settings.
• Confirm if any VPN or security software is affecting the connection.
• Verify network settings.

I hope you have learned something about resetting Safari in this note. In order to prevent you from encountering problems that affect the use of Safari again, please remember to clean your computer regularly. Macube Cleaner can help you quickly clean software and Mac storage space. If you have more questions about Safari, you are welcome to browse other articles on our website. I believe we can answer your confusion.

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How to Reset Safari on Mac Quickly and Easily?

Written By Chloe Turner

Last updated: January 26, 2024

Technical Writing Specialist who creates different types of articles, from reviews to how-to types of articles for Mac.

If you are an avid Apple user or not, it is a known fact that the built-in browser is used in Safari. There will be instances that you may encounter crashing problems when pages are loading slowly (this happens even if there is just one tab open). If it happens on a consistent basis even with a stable internet connection then you might want to reset Safari on Mac .

How do you reset Safari on a Mac? You are in a bit of a frustrating situation already but there are easy ways to reset Safari on Mac so you can continue using it just like before, there's no need to worry about not being able to get back the set-up you already had.

Contents: Part 1. How Do I Reset Safari on My Mac? Part 2. How to Reset Safari on Mac without Opening It? Part 3. Conclusion

People Also Read : How to Speed up When Safari Slows to Load? How to Fix "Safari not Working on Mac"?

Part 1. How Do I Reset Safari on My Mac?

The one-click reset option for Safari has been removed for reasons such as it deletes your saved log-in credentials and browsing history which for some users are a bit of a hassle since it would prompt them to revisit previous websites that have been bookmarked and log back into websites they have saved their passwords for.

Although if you used the iCloud keychain you can easily retrieve your log-in credentials. Then if you have auto-fill data that have been stored you can also have it recovered using iCloud contacts. How do I get my Safari back to normal?

How to reset Safari on Mac when the Reset Safari button has now disappeared? There are several steps below for you to get the same result.

• Clear Safari History and Web Data.
• Clear Safari Cache.
• Clean up Library Folder.
• Disabling Extensions and Plug-ins.
• Un-install and Re-install Safari on Your Mac

1. Clear Safari History and Web Data

When you go and browse Safari it will store temporary data, this is due to the fact that it has built-in tools that do exactly that. This consumes virtual memory and may cause your browser to slow down.

You can opt to completely remove all that is your browsing history or choose to pick a particular time frame to erase. If the problem arises only on some websites you visit you can also choose to delete data per site.

Here's how to reset Safari on Mac via clearing Safari history :

• Under preferences, you will see the Privacy section then click on this to bring you to the next page.
• You would now see the " Remove All Website Data " option. Click the Details button.
• This will now show you a list of websites that you have browsed. Look for the one that is causing the problem then select to have it removed.

2. Clear Safari Cache

Just like with any other browser if you are experiencing latency one of the first things to do is clear cache. How do I get my Safari back to normal? With Safari the same can be done through the following steps to reset Safari on Mac:

• Again under Preferences look for the Advanced section.
• On the next page tick the box that says "Show Develop menu in menu bar".
• This will now allow you to see that the " Develop " menu has been added and you just now need to select " Empty Caches ". (Tip: Alt+Command+E would be the easy way to go about it)

3. Clean up Library Folder

With the updates that have been made to the Mac OS it now also has the ability to store data in the library folder temporarily. You just need to go to the " Library " folder then " Caches ". Here you can delete files that are no longer useful and remove unwanted caches to reset Safari on Mac.

So if you don't know what exactly it is you are looking for and not sure if you would be able to determine the files that are needed to be erased then you would need to think twice before going this route.

4. Disabling Extensions and Plug-ins

These may add some features to your browsing capabilities using Safari but it might also cause glitches so removing these might help alleviate the problem and allow your browser to function as it used to.

Just follow these steps to disable Extensions and Plug-ins so as to reset Safari on Mac:

• Once you are on Safari go to Preferences then look for the Extensions option.
• Tick each box next to every extension that shows on the page to disable them.
• Close Safari then runs it again if it still doesn't work might as well completely remove the extensions added to your browser. To do so just tick the boxes one by one then click on Uninstall . Relaunch the browser and see if there is any improvement.

5. Un-install and Re-install Safari on Your Mac

This may be a drastic move for some but there is no harm in trying if you do reset Safari on Mac and it does't work. Just like some apps out there that have certain bugs that are fixed with removing and installing the app back you can also do this with Safari on your Mac.

There is a "But" to this though. Uninstalling would only work for earlier OS versions but if you are running a newer one i.e. OS X El Capitan (10.11) or macOS Sierra the only thing that can be done is a reset to default settings.

When you do have an older version and you would want to uninstall it keep in mind that it is not as easy as dragging it to the trash bin. Along with it comes other files that you would also need to completely remove. Although it will be a little bit complicated since you would need to be extra careful about which files you are deleting.

So how do I uninstall and reinstall Safari on Mac? We recommend you uninstall Safari on your Mac with PowerMyMac 's App Uninstaller feature in a few clicks.

Part 2. How to Reset Safari on Mac without Opening It?

None of the basic stuff mentioned above worked for you? Before concluding that it is something else other than your browser acting up might as well give the iMyMac PowerMyMac 's Browser cleanup tool " Privacy " a shot. This is going to be worth your time as it has been tagged as one of the best in terms of fixing issues with Safari among other things.

It just doesn't clean everything at one go like cookies and browsing history, it allows you to be able to keep some of them by giving you the freedom to choose especially if you have websites that you frequently visit.

It is convenient with PowerMyMac's fast scanning and easy to use features that even a novice at technical stuff can maneuver through the software without worrying about doing something wrong in the process.

Read on to know more about the steps on how to reset Safari on Mac, that is clean up Safari use the Safari cleaner (PowerMyMac):

• Download and install the PowerMyMac.
• Go to the Privacy option.
• Review and Select scanned Safari data.
• Remove Safari data.

Step 1. Download and Install the PowerMyMac

In order to reset Safari on Mac, you can download PowerMyMac firstly. Downloading is easy (you can use the trial version, free Download ). Once you have completed the installation process, launch the program.

Step 2. Go to the Privacy Option

PowerMyMac has different features but to focus on the issue with your Safari go to the " Privacy " option on the main dashboard, then click on " SCAN " to begin checking the browser data.

Step 3. Review and Select Safari Data

Once the scan has completed you will be shown a detailed list of all scanned data from Safari (if you have other browsers that you use on your Mac these will be scanned too and info will also be displayed). Select the data you want to delete so as to reset Safari on Mac.

Step 4. Remove Safari Data

Make sure of your choice on which information is saved on your browser to erase and click on the " CLEAN " button at the bottom part of the page. Wait for the cleaner to complete erasing the data then you can try to re-launch safari to see whether you have finished the process to reset Safari on Mac or not.

Part 3. Conclusion

Browsers help make finding information easier for us. But no browser is safe from issues. But there is no need to panic or worry too much. The above-mentioned basic steps to take in trying to fix or reset Safari on Mac proved to be useful to users who have gone through the same ordeal.

If ever none of them worked for you, you can put your mind at ease that iMyMac PowerMyMac will be able to save the day for you. It is a top-rated third-party tool that dozens have tried and tested to provide results. Free download it now and be one of the many satisfied users out there.

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (based on 67 ratings)

Clean up and speed up your Mac with ease

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Comment( 10 )

BaurisSuzette 2020-03-11 15:01:40

Excusez-moi de vous donner un exemple vous me dites que SAFARI. Ne pas accéder dans mon IPAD marche au ralenti Dites moi ce que doit faire je ne supporte plus d'éteindre constamment pourmettre mon code Ilya quelque chose qui me bloque merci

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macOS User Guide

• What’s in the menu bar?
• Work on the desktop
• Search with Spotlight
• Quickly change settings
• Get notifications
• Open apps from the Dock
• Organize your files in the Finder
• Connect to the internet
• Browse the web
• Preview a file
• Take a screenshot
• Change your display’s brightness
• Adjust the volume
• Use trackpad and mouse gestures
• Use Touch ID
• Print documents
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Apps on your Mac
• Work with app windows
• Use apps in full screen
• Use apps in Split View
• Use Stage Manager
• Get apps from the App Store
• Install and reinstall apps from the App Store
• Install and uninstall other apps
• Create and work with documents
• Open documents
• Mark up files
• Combine files into a PDF
• Organize files on your desktop
• Organize files with folders
• Tag files and folders
• Back up files
• Restore files
• Change System Settings
• Choose your desktop wallpaper
• Add and customize widgets
• Use a screen saver
• Add a user or group
• Add your email and other accounts
• Automate tasks with Shortcuts
• Create Memoji
• Change your login picture
• Change the system language
• Make text and other items on the screen bigger
• Set up a Focus to stay on task
• Set up Screen Time for yourself
• Use Dictation
• Send emails
• Send text messages
• Make a FaceTime video call
• Edit photos and videos
• Use Live Text to interact with text in a photo
• Start a Quick Note
• Get directions
• Work across devices using Continuity
• Use iPhone as a webcam
• Use iPhone with Desk View
• Stream audio and video with AirPlay
• Use one keyboard and mouse to control Mac and iPad
• Hand off between devices
• Unlock your Mac with Apple Watch
• Make and receive phone calls on your Mac
• Sync music, books, and more between devices
• Manage Apple ID settings
• Set your Apple ID picture
• What is iCloud?
• What is iCloud+?
• Store files in iCloud Drive
• Share and collaborate on files and folders
• Manage iCloud storage
• Use iCloud Photos
• What is Family Sharing?
• Set up Family Sharing
• Set up Screen Time for a child
• Share purchases with your family
• Watch and listen together with SharePlay
• Share a Photo Library
• Collaborate on projects
• Find content shared with you
• Find your family and friends
• Play games with your friends
• Listen to podcasts
• Watch TV shows and movies
• Read and listen to books
• Read the news
• Track stocks and the market
• Apple Music
• Apple Arcade
• Apple News+
• Podcast shows and channels
• Manage subscriptions in the App Store
• View Apple family subscriptions
• Guard your privacy
• Use Mail Privacy Protection
• Control access to your camera
• Use Sign in with Apple for apps and websites
• Set up your Mac to be secure
• Keep your data safe
• Create a passkey
• Understand passwords
• Keep your Apple ID secure
• Find a missing device
• Get started with accessibility features
• Connect an external display
• Use the built-in camera
• Connect a Bluetooth device
• Use AirPods with your Mac
• Optimize your Mac battery life
• Optimize storage space
• Burn CDs and DVDs
• Control accessories in your home
• Use Windows on your Mac
• Resources for your Mac
• Resources for your Apple devices

Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac

macOS Recovery is the built-in recovery system on your Mac.

You can use the apps in macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac to repair your internal storage device, reinstall macOS, restore your files from a Time Machine backup, set security options, and more.

Reinstalling macOS requires an internet connection. To connect to the internet, you can use a wireless or wired network connection. If you’re trying to connect to Wi-Fi through a captive portal (for example, at a coffee shop, library, or hotel) or an enterprise network, you might not be able to access the internet in macOS Recovery. See Connect to the internet using Wi-Fi .

Apps available in macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac

The following apps are available in macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac:

Recovery: The Recovery app opens when your computer starts up in macOS Recovery. See Start up your Intel-based Mac in macOS Recovery and Quit macOS Recovery .

Time Machine System Restore: Restore your data from a Time Machine backup. In the Recovery app, select “Restore from Time Machine,” then click Continue. To return to the Recovery app, choose Time Machine System Restore > Quit Time Machine System Restore. See Use Time Machine to restore your files .

Install macOS: Reinstall macOS on your computer. In the Recovery app, select Reinstall macOS [ name ], then click Continue. To return to the Recovery app, choose Install macOS [ name ] > Quit Install macOS. See Reinstall macOS .

Safari: In the Recovery app, select Safari, then click Continue. To return to the Recovery app, choose Safari > Quit Safari. If you’re connected to the internet, you can use Safari to search for more information on the Apple Support website.

Disk Utility: Repair or erase your disk. In the Recovery app, select Disk Utility, then click Continue. To return to the Recovery app, choose Disk Utility > Quit Disk Utility. See Erase and reinstall macOS .

Startup Security Utility: Set the security policies for your Mac. In the Recovery app, choose Utilities > Startup Security Utility. To return to the Recovery app, choose Startup Security Utility > Quit Startup Security Utility. See Use Startup Security Utility to set a firmware password and Use Startup Security Utility to set secure boot options .

The options available in Startup Security Utility vary depending on your Mac model. See the Apple Support articles About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip and Mac computers with the Apple T2 Security Chip .

Terminal: In the Recovery app, choose Utilities > Terminal. To return to the Recovery app, choose Terminal > Quit Terminal.

You can also use macOS Recovery to do the following:

View the recovery log

Create a recovery diagnostics file, start up your intel-based mac in macos recovery.

Restart your Mac.

Immediately press and hold one of the following key combinations until you see the startup screen:

Command-R: Start up from the built-in macOS Recovery System. Use this key combination to reinstall the latest macOS that was installed on your system, or to use the other apps in macOS Recovery.

Option-Command-R: Start up from macOS Recovery over the internet. Use this key combination to reinstall macOS and upgrade to the latest version of macOS that’s compatible with your Mac.

Option-Shift-Command-R: Start up from macOS Recovery over the internet. Use this key combination to reinstall the version of macOS that came with your Mac or the closest version that’s still available.

If you see a lock, enter the password for your Mac.

If you have multiple volumes on your disk, select the volume you want to recover, then click Next.

If requested, choose an administrator account, click Next, enter the password for the account, then click Continue.

When the Recovery app appears in the menu bar, you can choose any of the available options in the window or the menu bar.

Connect to the internet using Wi-Fi

On your Mac, do any of the following:

Turn on Wi-Fi: Click the Wi-Fi menu icon, then choose Turn Wi-Fi On.

Turn off Wi-Fi: Click the Wi-Fi menu icon, then choose Turn Wi-Fi Off.

Join a network: Click the Wi-Fi menu icon, then choose a network. If requested, type the network’s password.

Join a closed network: Click the Wi-Fi menu icon, then choose Join Other Network. Enter the network’s name and, if requested, the network’s password.

Repair your internal storage device

If you have issues with your computer or if you started your computer and the macOS Recovery window appeared, you may need to repair your computer’s internal storage device (such as a solid-state drive (SSD)).

In the Recovery app, select Disk Utility, then click Continue.

In the Disk Utility app, choose View > Show All Devices.

In the First Aid dialog, click Run, then follow the onscreen instructions.

When the First Aid process is complete, click Done.

Repeat steps 3 through 5 for each volume on the storage device.

Repeat steps 7 through 9 for each container on the storage device.

If Disk Utility can’t repair your disk, back up as much of your information as possible, then follow the instructions in Erase and reinstall macOS .

To return to the Recovery app, choose Disk Utility > Quit Disk Utility.

Use Time Machine to restore your files

If you previously created a Time Machine backup, you can restore your files from the backup.

Important: Only use your Time Machine backup to restore information to the computer that is the source of the backup. If you want to transfer information from this Mac to a new computer, quit macOS Recovery, restart your Mac, then use the Migration Assistant app in macOS.

If your backup is on a Time Capsule, make sure you’re connected to the internet.

In the Recovery app, select “Restore from Time Machine,” then click Continue.

In the Time Machine System Restore app, follow the onscreen instructions.

Use Startup Security Utility to set a firmware password

Setting a firmware password prevents your Mac from starting up from any internal or external storage device other than the startup disk you’ve selected unless the firmware password is entered. You can turn on, turn off, or change the firmware password using Startup Security Utility.

When the firmware password is turned on, each time you start up from macOS Recovery or from a storage device other than the one selected in Startup Disk settings, you need to enter the firmware password.

After you restart your Mac, changes to the firmware password take effect.

In the Recovery app, choose Utilities > Startup Security Utility.

If requested, enter an administrator user name and password.

Do any of the following:

Turn on the firmware password: Click Turn On Firmware Password, enter a new password, reenter it to verify the password, then click Set Password.

Turn off the firmware password: Click Turn Off Firmware Password, enter the password, then click Turn Off Password.

Change the firmware password: Click Change Password, enter the old password, enter a new password and verify it, then click Change Password.

Click Quit Startup Security Utility.

Use Startup Security Utility to set secure boot options

Secure boot options are available only on Mac computers with the Apple T2 Security Chip.

After you restart your Mac, changes to the secure boot option take effect.

Enter an administrator user name and password.

Select a security option below Secure Boot.

Full Security: Ensures that only your current OS, or signed operating system software currently trusted by Apple, can run. This mode requires a network connection at software installation time.

Medium Security: Allows any version of signed operating system software ever trusted by Apple to run.

No Security: Does not enforce any requirements on the bootable operating system.

Select a boot option below Allowed Boot Media.

Disallow booting from external or removable media: Restricts the ability to boot from any device not protected by the Apple T2 Security Chip, such as USB and Thunderbolt drives or internally connected PCIe or SATA drives.

Allow booting from external or removable media: Does not restrict the ability to boot from any devices.

Choose Startup Security Utility > Quit Startup Security Utility.

Reinstall macOS

Under some circumstances, you may need to reinstall macOS. You can reinstall macOS while keeping your files and user settings intact.

Make sure you’re connected to the internet.

In the Recovery app, click Reinstall macOS [ name ], then click Continue.

Follow the onscreen instructions.

Important: When you’re asked to select a disk, select your current macOS disk (in most cases, it’s the only one available).

Erase and reinstall macOS

If you erase and reinstall macOS, your user accounts, network settings, and all of the files and folders on your Mac are deleted. Before you erase macOS, attempt to log back in to your system, then back up any files you want to keep by copying them to another storage device. Also, write down your network settings from Network settings to make it easier to get connected again after reinstalling macOS.

In the Recovery app, click Disk Utility, then click Continue.

In Disk Utility, select the volume you want to erase in the sidebar, then click the Erase button in the toolbar.

Type a name for the volume in the Name field.

Click the Format pop-up menu, choose APFS, then click Erase Volume Group.

When the erase process is complete, click Done, then choose Disk Utility > Quit Disk Utility.

In the Recovery app, click Reinstall macOS [ name ], click Continue, then follow the onscreen instructions.

The recovery log contains messages logged by macOS Recovery. You can specify the types of messages to view, filter messages to search for specific text, and save the recovery log to a file.

In the Recovery app, choose Window > Recovery Log.

Click the Detail Level pop-up menu, then choose which messages to display:

Show Errors Only: Choose this option to display only error messages.

Show Errors and Progress: Choose this option to display error messages and progress messages.

Show All Logs: Choose this option to display all messages.

To filter messages, type the text you want to search for in the Filter field.

To save the recovery log, click the Save button, choose a location for the file, then click Save.

If you file a problem report using Feedback Assistant, you may be asked to provide a recovery diagnostics file. You can create the file and save it to an external storage device.

Connect an external storage device to your Mac.

Press Control-Option-Shift-Command-Period.

After the screen flashes, wait a few moments until a dialog appears.

Use the dialog to save the recovery diagnostics file to a location on your external storage device.

Quit macOS Recovery

Your Mac restarts automatically while restoring your system from Time Machine or reinstalling macOS. In other cases, you need to quit macOS Recovery manually (for example, if you want to back up your files before reinstalling macOS, or if you just changed a setting using Startup Security Utility).

On your Mac, do one of the following:

AAPL Company

Apple users are being locked out of their apple ids with no explanation.

There appears to be an increasingly widespread Apple ID outage of some sort impacting users tonight. A number of people on social media say that they were logged out of their Apple ID across multiple devices on Friday evening and forced to reset their password before logging back in…

Have you been signed out of your Apple ID?

We received our first tip about this around 8 p.m. ET. In the hours since then, the problem has gained significant traction on social media.

Apple’s System Status webpage doesn’t indicate that any of its services are having issues this evening. Still, it’s clear based on social media reports that something wonky is going on behind the scenes at Apple. A few of us here at 9to5Mac have also been directly affected by the problem.

People are being signed out of their Apple ID across all of their devices. If you try to sign in with your original Apple ID password, you’ll be locked out of your account. You’ll then be forced to reset your password before being able to sign back in. There doesn’t appear to be any rhyme or reason as to why this is happening.

Whether what’s happening on Friday evening has any relation to the ongoing password reset attacks problem that we’ve been tracking for several weeks is unclear right now.

Additionally, if you have Stolen Device Protection enabled , being signed out of an Apple ID randomly can present an especially big headache if you’re away from a trusted location.

Another problem: if you reset your Apple ID password, any app-specific passwords you had previously set up via iCloud will be reset as well.

I’ve asked Apple for more information and will update if I hear anything back. Have you been signed out of your Apple ID on your devices tonight? Let us know down in the comments.

• Thread #1 on Mastodon
• Thread #2 on Mastodon
• Thread #3 on Mastodon
• Michael Tsai’s blog post
• More complaints on Threads
• Various responses on Twitter

I was mid FaceTime with @milesabovetech and my Apple account got locked and signed out of all of my Apple products tf is happening — Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) April 26, 2024

Hey @AppleSupport all of my Apple products suddenly decided to lock me out of my Apple ID and asked me to re-verify my account. Except my password doesn't work when I am 100% certain it is correct I get an error. What's going on? I can't even reset my password! pic.twitter.com/TN2XVMMEty — Bryan Valderrama (@bvalderrama) April 27, 2024

Seems at least some of us are experiencing issues with our iCloud/Apple ID accounts where we have to reset our passwords and re-login. Anyone else? — Dave Hamilton (@DaveHamilton) April 27, 2024

Apple just demanded I enter my AppleID password, then after doing so it requested my phone passcode, then locked my account and demanded I reset my AppleID password Bizarre pic.twitter.com/pFGazqXGP1 — Not the Droid you’re looking for (@FiveOhFour) April 27, 2024

I literally have layered @Apple Id password prompts on both my iPhone and iPad because once again, my account is locked… Why does this keep happening? @AppleSupport — Bobby Thompson (@BobbyThompson) April 26, 2024

Something must've happened with Apple ID because I just got a hard 'change your password now' warning and had to do it and re-login all my devices. Thank goodness for 2FA! — Nathan Schimpf • also @mrschimpf everywhere else (@mrschimpf) April 27, 2024

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iMac with new SSD (1TB) not restoring from backup (old drive was 3TB Fusion drive) and not accessing App Store to upgrade OS

A number of issues.

I just installed a new SSD in my late-2012 iMac (27" Intel EMC2546) because the iMac had started behaving oddly for a week and then not starting up at all....Recovery mode told me a disk error.

Anyway, new SSD is installed and screen and everything seems to work....but there are problems....firstly, I need to format and instal an OS. So, after erasing and partitioning as per Mac OS Extended (Journaled) I go back into in Recovery Mode, but:

• cannot restore from backup....it just freezes on (re)startup (which is unsurprising because the old Fusion Drive was 3TB and the new SSD is 1TB....it doesn't have room....so I erase again and start again.
• also, the only option given to reinstall OS is the original Mountain Lion OS. Before I installed the new SSD I think it had Mojave on it.
• With Mountain Lion installed, I cannot seem to connect to the App Store in order to upgrade , nor can I open Safari to do an upgrade via a browser (see pic)

4.Nor can I seem to use Migration Assistant to transfer an OS that downloaded to my M1 Mac and then transfer by wifi...the M1 Macbook Pro is not even showing up (see pic)

5. I did manage to use the backup to restore some files and applications, but none are working, as you can see in the dock in that first picture (because Mountain Lion is so darned old)

Ultimately, I just want to know how I can get Mojave back on to the machine. I'm thinking, if I can somehow get an OS onto an external harddrive, I can then plug that into the iMac...but my M1 Macbook pro won't let me. From this page, for example

How to download and install macOS – Apple Support (UK)

If I click on Mojave there it just tells me it's not compatible (with my M1 Macbook Pro) so I can't download it. Is it worth me trying to find the Mojave install dmg file on a third party site?? Safe enough?

Any other advice?? I've been at this since 3pm (well, the taking apart of the iMac started then) and it's now 9.30pm...it's so tedious.

Any help much appreciated.

Posted on May 1, 2024 1:31 PM

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May 2, 2024 9:29 AM in response to gkmach1ne

Either try booting into Internet Recovery Mode using Command + Option + R to attempt to access the online Catalina installer, or you will need to upgrade in steps by next downloading & installing macOS 10.11 El Capitan, then upgrading to Mojave. The choice is yours. If you cannot download the macOS 10.11 installer while booted from Mountain Lion, then you will need to download the El Capitan installer using any other computer/OS which can access the Internet, then transfer the .dmg file to the iMac followed by running the .pkg file within the mounted .dmg file to extract the real installer into the Applications folder where you then need to launch it.

If you want Mojave instead of Catalina, then once you have Catalina installed through Internet Recovery Mode you can create a bootable macOS 10.14 Mojave USB installer, then boot the Mojave USB installer to perform a final clean install.

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

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Apple Seeds Third Beta of macOS Sonoma 14.5 to Developers

Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming macOS Sonoma 14.5 update to developers, with the software coming a week after Apple released the second beta .

We don't yet know what might be included in ‌macOS Sonoma‌ 14.5, and no new features were found in the first two developer betas.

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There's no such thing as audioOS, it's just tvOS and has been for like years now. Look at build numbers

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

Safari getting new AI tools in iOS 18

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

Intelligent Search - AI-enhanced browsing and text summarization

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

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

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

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

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

Web Eraser for better content-blocking

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

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

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

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

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

Updated UI will move key tools into one easy location

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

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

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

AI-enhanced Visual Lookup feature could be available in 2025

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

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

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

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

Another big year for Safari

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

36 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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Safari to get an AI boost in iOS 18, macOS 15 with smarter search, web page ‘eraser’

Much of the noise being made about Apple’s efforts into AI has been focused on general improvements to iOS 18 and Siri as well as the upcoming M4 chip for the Mac. However, as we get closer to WWDC, more reports about the AI software that Apple will create are coming out, with the most recent one covering Apple’s efforts to enhance the next major version of Safari.

AppleInsider reports that the company is working on a new “Intelligent Search” feature that uses on-device AI to summarize a web page. The language learning model that Apple has developed can identify key phrases and topics that give an idea of what a web page’s content is about and create a summary for the user.

Other features that Apple is working on include:

• A Web Eraser that gives users the option to remove parts of a web page. This includes ads, text, and images. Safari will remember the parts that have been removed when the page is closed, and if the page is revisited, Safari alerts the user that the page has been modified.
• A new page controls menu that appears in the address bar. This menu essentially collects user controls that are spread throughout Safari (text size, zoom, Reader mode, Privacy Report, and more).
• An AI enhancement to Visual Lookup that gives users product information. This feature could also be implemented system-wide, not just in Safari.

Apple plans to implement the new Safari 18 features in both iOS 18 and macOS 15, which will be announced at WWDC24 on June 10. The report claims some features, such as the AI Visual Lookup, may not be available until 2025. That tracks with previous rumors that have suggested AI features will be rolled out in waves. AppleInsider also reported recently on Apple’s plans to update the Notes and Calculator apps.

For the latest news and rumors, check out our iOS 18 and macOS 15 superguides. And learn more about WWDC24 in June.

Author: Roman Loyola , Senior Editor

Roman has covered technology since the early 1990s. His career started at MacUser, and he's worked for MacAddict, Mac|Life, and TechTV.

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More From Forbes

Ios 18—new apple overhaul reveals exciting iphone ai privacy feature.

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Apple’s soon-to-launch iOS 18 software could include an exciting AI-based privacy feature as part of an overhaul of the Safari browser. The new iPhone feature, dubbed Web Eraser, allows you to browse the web while removing portions of the page, such as ads or other content you don’t want to see.

Web Eraser comes as part of a wider AI-based browser overhaul in iOS 18, according to Apple-focused website Apple Insider , which first reported the news.

Apple’s soon-to-launch iOS 18 software could include an exciting AI based privacy feature as part of ... [+] an overhaul of the Safari browser.

Currently being tested by the iPhone maker, the overhaul includes the advanced content blocking features enabled by Web Eraser, as well as UI tweaks and AI-powered Intelligent Search. The changes to Safari will be included in iOS 18 and macOS 15, according to the report, which cites “people familiar with the matter.”

What Web Eraser Does In iOS 18

From the looks of it, Web Eraser in iOS 18 is a pretty cool feature, building on privacy tools already built into the iPhone maker’s Safari browser. Specifically, it's “designed to allow users to remove, or erase, specific portions of web pages,” including banner ads, images, text or entire page sections.

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Apparently, Safari will remember your preferences so they aren’t limited to one specific browsing session. “When visiting a web page with previously erased content, Safari will inform the user that the page has been modified to reflect their desired changes. The browser will also give the user the option to revert changes and restore the webpage to its initial, unaltered state,” Apple Insider writes.

The new controls will be easy to access in the Safari Settings menu.

Exciting New iOS 18 Features Coming Soon

Web Eraser comes alongside multiple new AI-based iOS 18 features for your iPhone, most of which will be processed on the device , at least initially.

It looks like Intelligent Search will use Apple’s large language model Ajax to identify topics and key phrases within a web page.

Essentially, Web Eraser in iOS 18 is an ad blocking feature as offered by many companies, but it’s built into the Safari browser. It’s a great move for privacy—and ease of use since it’s ready made. However, it could create problems for publishers, who rely on web ads for their business revenue.

Apple of course, values privacy as one of its key marketing messages and iOS 18 seems to embrace that ethos wholeheartedly. Apple’s new iPhone operating system will launch in just over a month at its Worldwide Developers Conference and there’s a lot to look forward to for privacy-conscious users.

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re CAPTCHA is broken for [some|most|all] Windows users

(web compatibility :: site reports, defect, p1), (firefox-esr115 affected, firefox125 affected, firefox126 affected, firefox127 affected), (reporter: marc_ragusa, unassigned).

(Keywords: site-compat)

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User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:125.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/125.0

Steps to reproduce:

Go to: https://phishing.eset.com/en-us/report and click on the reCaptcha

Actual results:

reCaptcha spins indefinitely and does not work.

Expected results:

reCaptcha should work.

Broken at all reCaptcha sites, including these: https://safebrowsing.google.com/safebrowsing/report_phish/?hl=en https://phishing.eset.com/en-us/report

Also See Report: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1894590

UA spoofing general.useragent.override = "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/124.0.0.0 Safari/537.36" seems workaround.

We reached out to Google about this, this doesn't seem to be something we did.

Resolved under Bug 1894590 https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1894590

When will a new release fix be released for this serious bug??? Firefox will not work on ANY site that has a reCAPTCHA. Is that not an critical emergency?

Workaround Solution until this is Fixed:

• In the Firefox address bar, type: about:config
• Search for: general.useragent.override
• Select "String" and then the + button
• Copy and Paste this into the field: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/124.0.0.0 Safari/537.36
• Click the Checkmark Blue button to save. You're done.
• Now Bookmark this setting so you can delete it when this issue is fixed! Don't forget.

(In reply to Intrepid from comment #11 )

As you may know from following the threads and conducting your own testing, this problem is specific to the way Firefox/Windows identifies itself to websites:

• Firefox/Windows: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:125.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/125.0

The reCAPTCHA script runs correctly if you have Firefox transmit these other "user agent" strings (either by creating a preference or by using an add-on):

• Firefox/Mac: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10.15; rv:125.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/125.0
• Firefox/Linux: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Linux x86_64; rv:125.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/125.0
• Frankensteined: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:125.0) AppleWebKit Gecko/20100101 Firefox/125.0

The best case scenario is that Google fixes its script ASAP, but I agree with you that the product managers also need to consider the damage done to user confidence by this problem which, based on forum posts, many users blame on the Firefox 125.0.3 update.

Usually site-specific user agent overrides are handled by the "Web Compatibility Interventions" system add-on. I don't know whether that can be updated out-of-cycle from Firefox itself or how much testing is required. Maybe Normandy can help? I don't think anyone wants to see rushing cause more or other problems.

Agreed. Here is the correction to my Workaround Solution above:

• Copy and Paste this into the field: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:125.0) AppleWebKit Gecko/20100101 Firefox/125.0

The culprit is a dark-mode detection logic for Firefox Windows:

which reads:

However, since the script is in the head, document.body is not available. I cannot think of easy way of shimming this on the Firefox side.

All that matters is that Firefox doesn't work and Chromium does. You can not use Firefox if you can not use reCaptcha on websites. Most people are not going to change their user agent. So most people are just going to leave Firefox. As much as I like Firefox, these constant compatibility issues are getting old. I believe the end is near for Firefox. Sad.

We're treating this as an incident internally, reflecting this bug to match that. Here are a couple of key points:

• This is not a regression in Firefox - reCAPTCHA is also broken in old Firefox releases like v120. So this is also not something we can simply fix with a revert and a dot-release.
• Comment 15 is correct, this appears to be a broken implementation of something that's only affecting Firefox on Windows. Thanks for the diagnosis, Young Min Kim!
• If you spoof as Chrome (or Firefox for Linux) in Firefox on Windows, it works because that codepath is avoided.
• If you spoof as Firefox for Windows in Chrome, it breaks exactly the same way, so there is no interop issue here.

For everyone else, please let's not post "I'm also affected by this"-style comments, so we can keep the information density in this bug high. We know that this is affecting lots of people, and we're working on resolving it.

W're also affected by this and all our web site users.

Apparently G has rolled back to https://www.gstatic.com/recaptcha/releases/V6_85qpc2Xf2sbe3xTnRte7m/recaptcha__en.js

Yes, Google is rolling out a fix. It seems to work in several of our internal tests on multiple continents, but we'll keep this bug open until we're sure it's fixed for everyone.

Google confirmed that this was mitigated, so I'll go ahead and close this bug as fixed.

If someone is still seeing issues, please give it another hour or two, clear your caches, and test again. If this persists, leave a comment here and we'll investigate.

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