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David Nield

How to Make Sure Your Browser Extensions Are Safe

Browser extensions can be hugely useful, plugging gaps in functionality, adding cool new features and options, and generally just making life on the web more convenient.

At the same time, they have the potential to be a serious security risk—many ask to see everything you see online, some change key settings inside your browser, and they can operate and communicate with their developer (or with advertisers or other parties) in the background without your knowledge.

We don't want to discourage you from using your favorite extensions, but you should definitely make sure the ones you're using are safe. 

First, all the usual rules apply: Keep your computer and its applications up to date. Run regular malware scans. That'll go a long way toward minimizing the risk posed by potentially dodgy extensions. Beyond those tips, here's how to run an audit.

Identifying a bad browser extension isn't an exact science, but there are some general pointers to follow. Always do your research before installing an add-on—check the reviews from other users and reviews on the web, if there are any. See when the extension was last updated, as really old and out-of-date tools can be less secure than newer ones, and definitely look for indications that the add-on has changed hands recently.

It's important to make sure that the extensions you install come from official repositories, such as the Chrome Web Store or the Firefox Browser Add-Ons portal. It gives you some degree of certainty that the software you're installing is legitimate and safe, so be a bit warier of extensions that you find elsewhere.

We're not saying that new, unreviewed add-ons from unknown developers are bad, but you should be extra careful of them—can you find anything out about the company or the person behind the tool? Is it clear how the extension is being funded, or is it a passion project? What clues can you get from the website linked on the extension listing page, for example?

Double-check the permissions that an add-on is asking for. In some cases (Firefox), they'll be listed on the extension page on the web; in others (Chrome), you won't see them until you're installing the software. Be on the lookout for any permission requests that seem unreasonable or strange considering what the add-on is supposed to do.

Extensions in Chrome.

To see the extensions you have installed in Chrome, click the three dots (top right), then choose More Tools and Extensions . Click Details next to any extension to reveal more information about it, including the browser permissions it needs to run and how much space it takes up on disk.

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There's also a list of websites the extension is allowed to access—this will typically be On all sites , but you can restrict it to On specific sites to limit the add-on to certain pages. To have the extension ask for permission to work its magic every time it needs access to a site, select the On click option.

Extensions that you're not 100 percent sure about can be temporarily disabled using the toggle switch at the top of its individual settings page. If you want to get rid of an extension completely, select Remove extension and then Remove .

Extensions in Firefox.

Fire up Firefox, and click the menu button (three horizontal lines, top right), then Add-ons and Themes and Extensions to get to your extensions. You'll see currently installed extensions, plus some recommended ones that Firefox thinks you'll like. Click on any extension toggle switch to disable or enable it.

Select an extension to see some details about it, including user reviews, a link to its website, and its developer. From the same screen, you can set whether or not an extension can update itself, and whether or not it can run in private (incognito) windows.

Switch to the Permissions tab to see exactly what a Firefox add-on is allowed to do on your system. If you decide an extension has overstayed its welcome, click the three dots to the top right then Remove and Remove again.

Extensions in Edge.

Microsoft Edge is based on the same code as Google Chrome, so there are some similarities in the process here. Click the three dots in the top right-hand corner of the interface, then Extensions to get to the main list.

The toggle switches let you enable and disable extensions without actually removing them—you can get rid of them by clicking Remove and then Remove again. To learn more about an extension you've installed, click on Details .

On the Details page, you're able to see the permissions granted to an extension and which sites it has access to (usually all of them, for most extensions). The same page lets you set whether or not an extension can run in Edge's InPrivate mode.

Extensions in Safari.

In Safari on macOS, open the Safari menu and select Preferences , then switch to the Extensions tab. All of your installed add-ons are listed here, and the currently active ones will have a blue tick next to them.

To discover more about a particular extension, click on it—you'll be able to see the add-on’s permissions and the sites it's allowed to access, where applicable (most extensions want access to all the sites you visit). You can adjust the sites setting, but you can't change the permissions.

If you decide that you're not comfortable with having a particular extension installed, click Uninstall . If the extension is part of a bigger macOS app, you'll be directed to Finder to get rid of the application completely.

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How to use Safari's improved extensions in macOS Big Sur

Safari positions extensions to the left of the address bar

Previously on the Safari web browser it's been a long way behind Google Chrome in its ability to have extensions. You could get third-party utilities that would slot into Safari and extend its functionality in some way, but compared to Chrome, there were few of these extensions.

Right not, there still are only few. But what Apple has done with Safari in macOS Big Sur is going to help it catch up.

We can't see very much of a difference yet, but the changes are under the hood. Developers can now use Apple tools to convert their existing libraries of Chrome extensions into ones that work with Safari.

There are some visual improvements we can see immediately, but what's could happen is that Safari extensions will become much more part of everyone's use of the browser. If you've never used extensions before — or if you're a Chrome user whose favorite extensions have just come to Safari - here's how you get and use them.

How to find and install Safari extensions

• In Safari on the Mac, choose the Safari menu, then Safari Extensions...
• The Mac App Store opens and shows popular extensions
• Browse through the categories or search for "Safari Extensions" and the name of an app you want
• Click on Get
• The click on Install
• Sign in to the Mac App Store if prompted

When you've clicked on Safari Extensions... in Safari, and the Mac App Store opens, everything you can see is an extension. Really what you're seeing is a list of apps, but each one includes an extension.

If you separately search for the phrase "Safari Extensions," then everything you find probably has one — but conceivably it won't. Perhaps a developer has written something like "Safari extension coming" in the description, and that was enough to turn it up in a search.

So that original page with the categories is the safest, fastest way to find what you want. It would be great if you could limit the searches to within that curated section, but at least you can browse through them.

Beside each section, there is also a See All option. And if you scroll to the bottom, there's a chart of the top free and paid apps with extensions.

As these extensions come with apps, installing them is going to be very familiar. However, then running them is less so because you have to enable them first.

How to then enable Safari extensions

• Open the Safari menu and choose Preferences
• Click on Extensions
• Tick an app extension in the list to the left to enable it

Note that an app may include several extensions. It's up to the developer to decide how to describe the extensions so it may not always be clear which one is which.

Rather than ticking to select an extension, though, you can click on the name to open up more details on the right. The panel that opens will include the title, which app it comes from, and explains what it does.

That section will also include an Uninstall button.

How to use Safari extensions

Safari places the extensions in a row to the left of the address bar. Click on any to use the extension.

Some will present drop down choices — which may include privacy options or limitations on what you want the extension to do. Other extensions will simply open the extension's app. But in each case they will then act on whatever the current Safari page is.

So if it's a login page, the 1Password extension will fill in password on it. An RSS newsreader app will take the page's URL and subscribe to it, for instance.

In every case, what it does is provide quick access to a useful function that you might otherwise have gone off to a separate app. So it's not really adding anything you couldn't do before, but the ability to have it right there under a single button is tremendously useful.

And it's only going to get more useful as developers take advantage of Safari in macOS Big Sur and bring more Chrome extensions over.

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How-To Geek

7 iphone and ipad safari extensions worth installing.

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

Quick Links

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related: What Is a Browser Cookie?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Four iOS Safari Extensions to Make the Web Less Annoying

Constant pop-ups, annoying forms, and frustrating website behaviors can make browsing and using the web an unpleasant experience. Thankfully on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, several Safari extensions help turn the experience around.

No More Cookies

Super Agent for Safari is an extension that automatically fills out the cookies consent form on each website you visit, meaning you'll no longer see those annoying pop-ups. The Super Agent for Safari app lets you customize how you would like websites to use cookies.

Users can choose whether they want to accept or reject advertising, functional, performance, and other cookies. The settings are applied universally to all websites.

Super Agent for Safari is free with no in-app subscription and can be found in the App Store .

'Open in App?' No Thanks.

Banish, a relatively new Safari extension on the ‌App Store‌ gets rid of such website notifications . Banish is a one-time purchase of $2 with no in-app subscription and can be found in the App Store .

StopTheMadness, Literally

• Bypassing Google's AMP webpages
• Protects the ability to copy, cut, and paste on websites
• Gets rid of link trackers and clickjacking in Google search results, and others
• Stop autoplaying videos
• Stop all audio and video on websites

StopTheMadness is a one-time purchase of $7.99 with no in-app subscription and can be found in the App Store .

Dark Mode For All

Noir is a Safari extension that automatically turns a website into dark mode, even if it doesn’t support it. Noir only kicks in if the website doesn’t have a native dark mode theme built-in. This can be especially helpful when your phone is in dark mode, but a website isn’t and you’re suddenly blinded by a bright white webpage.

Noir is a $2.99 purchase with no in-app subscription and can be found in the App Store .

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Our Favorite Ad Blockers and Browser Extensions to Protect Privacy

By Thorin Klosowski

Everything you do online—from browsing to shopping to using social networks—is tracked, typically as behavioral or advertising data. But browser extensions are simple, generally free add-ons that you can use to slow down or break this type of data collection, without completely ruining your experience of using the internet.

Browser extensions, also called add-ons, are tiny bits of software you can download to add new features to your web browser. They are sometimes created by developers as a hobby project to solve a problem for themselves, but are also developed by larger companies as part of their own suite of software.

Not all browsers offer the exact same extensions, but Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are the two most popular browsers, and the ones I focus on here. (Most Chrome extensions will also work with Microsoft Edge , Brave , Opera , and Vivaldi , though we haven’t fully tested them.) Of the two, I recommend Firefox if you prioritize privacy, as it’s much more focused on privacy out of the box compared with Chrome. Regardless of which browser you use, a pack of extensions can increase your privacy by decreasing your exposure to trackers, as well as have the welcome side effect of boosting your security. I’ve included links for both Chrome and Firefox, along with alternatives to our favorites, if they exist.

As for other browsers, Apple’s Safari isn’t bad when it comes to privacy, but it lacks wide support for popular browser extensions. Edge is based on Chromium and will work with the bulk of the Chrome extensions in this article, we haven’t tested it thoroughly. Brave is one of the more popular privacy-first browsers, but even it isn’t free of privacy-related controversies . The Tor Browser is the go-to for anonymity, especially in censored countries, but it’s unusable for most people as a daily browser. Dozens of other lower-profile browsers exist, but few get the security updates and support that most of us need in the software we use all day.

Like apps and desktop software, extensions are useful, but they can be a privacy nightmare . It’s rare for researchers to bother looking closely at extensions to make sure they’re above board. In the last few years, we’ve seen a number of popular extensions turn out to be malware , and one very popular tab management extension was flagged and removed from the Chrome Web Store after the extension’s development changed hands. So, while often useful, it’s best to avoid extensions unless you know exactly what they’re up to. The ones included here are widely scrutinized, or created by reputable companies.

Privacy almost always comes at the cost of usability. Sometimes a browser extension might cause a website to display text strangely, prevent embedded images or tweets from loading on a page, or remove the little social media buttons that make it easy to share an article. But in exchange for the occasional slight headache, companies will have a harder time tracking what you do online.

Ad blocker: uBlock Origin

Chrome / Firefox

Ad blockers are browser extensions that block intrusive pop-ups, invasive trackers, and malicious ads. You have a lot of options for different ad blockers, but I’ve always found that uBlock Origin doesn’t hog system resources (an assumption others have confirmed ), nor does it block so much that it ruins a site’s layout and functionality. I also like how easy it is to disable uBlock Origin on a case-by-case basis, either to allow ads on sites that aren’t annoying or to temporarily enable features uBlock tends to break, like comments sections.

Alternatives: I’ve found that AdBlock , AdBlock Plus , and Ghostery all have steep learning curves or poor performance, but some people prefer them to uBlock Origin. If you want to go hard on ad blockers and kill every ad from every device on your home network, you can build a tiny computer dedicated to just that using Pi-hole software.

Tracking blocker: Privacy Badger

In conjunction with uBlock Origin, consider also running Privacy Badger, an extension designed to block tracking tools , the scripts that tend to record your visits and build profiles based on the websites you view. If you want to learn more about these types of trackers, type an address of a site into The Markup’s Blacklight tool, which lists the trackers it finds on a website and details what that tracking company does.

Alternatives: If you want to learn more about the trackers on the sites you visit, Disconnect can provide more detailed information, but it can be a bit overwhelming. Firefox has a built-in feature (powered by Disconnect) to block trackers, but some may get through, so we still recommend an extra add-on.

Local resources: Decentraleyes

When a website loads resources—such as the sort of JavaScript libraries that add basic animations to a web page, or a date-picker pop-up when you book a hotel room—it often pulls those resources from a third-party host such as Google. Decentraleyes packs a number of the most popular of these libraries so your browser can use them right from your computer instead of fetching them from a third party. It prevents sites from breaking due to settings in an ad or tracking blocker, and works as a useful complement to either.

Alternatives: LocalCDN does the same thing as Decentraleyes, but has less reviews than Decentraleyes.

Login protection: Use a password manager

A password manager is the first step to protecting your online accounts. Password managers are usually accessed through a browser extension that generates, stores, and fills your passwords as you browse the internet. This makes it easier, faster, and more secure to log in to websites. We like 1Password and Bitwarden . Most browsers can also save and fill passwords without a dedicated password manager, but they tend to lock you into that specific browser, or don’t provide tools for password sharing. A dedicated password manager is better at warning you about weak or compromised passwords.

Firefox Multi-Account Containers

As the name suggests, Firefox Multi-Account Containers is a Firefox-only extension, but I’ve found it useful while working from home on my personal computer full time. Essentially, Multi-Account Containers lets you create separate storage containers for different types of browsing—such as work, personal, social media, and shopping—so your web-browsing behavior doesn’t get tracked across sites as easily. In my case, my Google Account for work is siloed off from everything else I do. This prevents me from being accidentally logged in to work email or bombarded by ads for bear canisters because I’m researching the VPN provider TunnelBear. I used to do this by running different browsers—one for work and one for personal stuff—but now I can do it all in Firefox.

Alternatives: Temporary Containers works similarly to Multi-Account Containers but offers more ways to customize how the containers function. Facebook Container is essentially a streamlined version that isolates only Facebook, typically the worst offender for tracking your browsing. If you don’t want to futz around with a bunch of different settings, Facebook Container is a great option for cutting off only your Facebook use.

Extra-credit tools

Regardless of which browser you use, you should enable its HTTPS-preferred mode. This ensures the browser will always attempt to go to the secure version of a web page. You might have to opt into this feature in your browser:

• Chrome : Click the three-dot icon, then Settings > Privacy and security, and enable “Always use secure connections.”
• Firefox : Click the three-line icon, then open Settings > Privacy & Security > Enable HTTPS-Only Mode.
• Safari : Safari automatically updates any site to HTTPS when possible, but doesn’t have an option to block sites that aren’t secure.

There are also a few options that aren’t for everyone:

• Use a VPN: The browser extensions above hide the bulk of your activity while browsing, but a virtual private network (VPN) can add another layer of privacy by routing your traffic through a secure, encrypted connection. This prevents your internet service provider from seeing your online activities. VPNs can also change your location and IP address, making it more difficult for other parties to track you over time (though an untrustworthy company may still leak or monitor that same data ).
• Enable DNS over HTTPS (DoH): Web browsers are rolling out support for DoH, a protocol that increases privacy by encrypting DNS , which makes it much more difficult for someone—your internet service provider included—to snoop on your web browsing. MUO has a guide for enabling DoH in most modern browsers. (Although, if you use a trustworthy VPN, it’s redundant to have DoH enabled in your browser.)
• Change your default search engine: It’s no secret Google tracks everything you do and then uses that information to serve up ads. Alternatives like DuckDuckGo and Startpage work well, and they don’t store your personal information or search data. Here’s how to change your search engine on Chrome or Firefox . You may still need to visit Google for some searches, but the less you use it, the better. If you can’t peel yourself away from Google, Simple Search cuts the advertising cruft from Google search results to show you just the results for what you searched for.

There are many layers of privacy protection, and how deep you want to go with it depends on what’s important to you. If you’re interested in more advanced privacy protections because you want to keep your data out of the hands of government or law enforcement, I recommend reading the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s guide to using the Tor Browser or checking out the Tails operating system . Plenty of other extensions exist if you want to take things further, including NoScript , Cookie AutoDelete , uMatrix , and CanvasBlocker . They tend to make general web browsing a pain, though, so I recommend them only for advanced users.

Meet your guide

Thorin Klosowski

Thorin Klosowski is the former editor of privacy and security topics at Wirecutter. He has been writing about technology for over a decade, with an emphasis on learning by doing—which is to say, breaking things as often as possible to see how they work. For better or worse, he applies that same DIY approach to his reporting.

Mentioned above

• Everyone should use a password manager, and after researching dozens and testing six, we recommend 1Password because it’s secure and easy to use. The Best Password Managers  
• A virtual private network (VPN) is a useful way to improve security or privacy in certain situations, but it’s difficult to find one that’s trustworthy. The Best VPN Service  
• A VPN can secure a public Wi-Fi connection and reduce some types of online tracking, but is it reliable to access video sites or limit tracking? Read on to see. What Is a VPN and What Can (and Can’t) It Do?  

Further reading

Step 9 to Simple Online Security: Secure Your Web Browser

by Thorin Klosowski

You can block malicious ads and invasive trackers with a few safe, free add-ons for most web browsers.

Back Up and Secure Your Digital Life

by Haley Perry

From password managers to backup software, here are the apps and services everyone needs to protect themselves from security breaches and data loss.

The Best Internet Security: Layers of Protection, and Good Habits

by Kevin Purdy

Experts told us that to stay safe online, you should keep your OS and software updated, use an anti-malware app, and practice good browsing habits.

7 Simple Ways to Protect Your Digital Privacy

Follow these simple steps to lock down your devices and accounts and take back some control over who has access to your data.

• Irresistible Tech Gifts for That Special Dad
• Killer Smartphone Deals We Love

9 Best Safari Extensions of 2024

Add more functionality to Safari

• Swansea University, Staffordshire University

Like Chrome , Safari isn't just a stagnant web browser, it also has additional functionality via its Safari Extension plugins which take seconds to install . A form of add-on, Safari extensions now come bundled with relevant Mac apps, as well as via the App Store. 

Whether you're looking for productivity hacks, easy ways of saving money on your shopping, or ways to make your browsing experience more pleasant, there's a Safari extension for you.

Looking for great Chrome extensions? There are plenty out there.

Grammar Checker: Grammarly

Simple and clear writing suggestions.

You need a subscription to get the most from it.

Grammarly is there for those times when you're not quite sure if your spelling or grammar is up to scratch. It highlights issues via a red line underneath a word and allows you to easily correct them, whether you happen to be typing a Facebook status or a blog post. It's a useful service that's like a little nudge in the right direction when trying to improve your writing ability. 

Cinema Style Lighting Effect: Turn Off the Lights

Neat atmospheric lighting effect.

Need to load the separate app to change settings.

One of the most effective things at the cinema is how the lights go down and you can focus solely on the cinema screen. Turn Off the Lights offers that same kind of effect on your laptop or desktop.

When on YouTube or another video based site, click the lightbulb icon on Safari, and the lights around the video playing are immediately dimmed. You can focus on the screen itself rather than everything going on around it. To get the full effect, you need to tweak some settings, but it's a neat way of adding some atmosphere when watching a video.

Price Comparer: PriceBlink

Easy to compare prices.

Only works in the U.S. and U.K.

PriceBlink keeps an eye on prices so you don't have to. Go to somewhere like Amazon or eBay, and the moment you load an item, PriceBlink pops up with its price elsewhere. You can instantly see if Amazon really is offering the best price or if there's somewhere cheaper you could switch to. If a better alternative is listed, click the site, and PriceBlink loads the alternate option in a separate tab. This simple extension could save you a lot of money over time. 

Password Management: LastPass

Extra layer of protection for passwords.

Little convoluted to setup.

Safari has built-in password management, but LastPass is much better at the job. It works across multiple devices and also gives you somewhere to store files and notes securely.

A lot of the time, you'll need to delve into the separate app to use it fully, but the Safari extension gives you the ability to generate secure passwords, quickly fill in forms, or add notes, all directly from your browser. It's a real game changer for security and privacy concerns.

Easy Coupon Codes: Honey

Easy to browse.

Most coupons are for the U.S. only.

Online, you can find thousands of coupon codes and offers, but it's likely that you forget to look them up until you've already ordered something. At the touch of a button, you can open Honey to the side of Safari, and check out the coupons available to you.

The extension offers up plenty of popular retailers such as Macy's, Bloomingdale's, eBay, and Sears. Just tap on the name of the retailer, and you can look up coupons, as well as details on how long ago they worked correctly. Honey also has a reward scheme for extra bonuses. 

Link Saving: Pocket

Great for storing links for later reference.

You need to sign up first.

How often do you find yourself looking at a great long-form article and realizing you don't have the time to read it right now? With Pocket, you just need to click the "Save to Pocket" button, and the link saves to your account so you can easily consult it later on. It works across multiple devices and you can tag and label articles so that everything is neatly organized. 

Ad blocker: Adblock Plus

Easy to set up.

Settings can be a little tricky.

No one likes obtrusive ads when trying to read an interesting article online. Adblock Plus makes it simple to block ads and tracking ads that bug you, while "safelisting" websites that you want to see all the ads for. Adblock Plus takes a responsible approach to ads with an option allowing for "acceptable ads," appreciating that website owners still need to generate revenue, while saving you the hassle of the worst kind of adverts.

Picture in Picture: PiPer

Supports many different video sites.

Liable to dent your productivity.

Being able to multitask is always a valuable skill. While you can switch between windows and tabs, it hasn't been possible to have YouTube or Netflix running alongside what you're working on in Safari.

PiPer changes all that. Via its extension, you can easily place a video in the corner of your screen, allowing you to continue working while the video plays to the side. It's a great tool for juggling multiple things together.

Translation: Translate

Translates from dozens of languages.

You need to poke around in settings to gain full benefits.

One of the best things about Chrome is its ability to translate websites for you. Translate brings that functionality to Safari. Simply go to a website, tap the translate button, and Translate converts everything to English via Google Translate or Bing Translate. It takes a moment or two but you can see it being converted before your eyes which is neat. Translations are reasonably accurate too.

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Why Noir is my all-time favorite Safari extension [Awesome Apps]

By Joe White • 6:00 am, May 30, 2022

• Top stories

Here’s why you should download it immediately.

Safari extensions

First, a little background. Following the launch of iOS and iPadOS 15 last year, Safari web extensions quickly started populating the App Store. While iOS and iPadOS 15 adoption may have been slower than in previous years, Safari extensions are one of the update’s best features.

They allow users to modify Safari, enhancing and extending the functionality of Apple’s built-in mobile web browser. For both casual and power users alike, extensions have a lot to offer. And whenever a friend talks to me about Safari, I tell them to download Noir.

Noir brings Dark Mode to every website

If – like me – you use Dark Mode on your device, you’ll have no doubt noticed that when browsing Safari after hours, countless sites don’t offer their own Dark Mode. This can make browsing the web in a low-lit room, or in bed before falling asleep, an uncomfortable experience. Some pages load with bright, white backgrounds, appearing unreadable and jolting the senses.

Noir puts an end to that jarring experience by implementing Dark Mode universally.

After enabling the extension, Noir forces every website to conform to Dark Mode, even if they don’t natively support it. It works incredibly well. Once up and running, you’ll forget Noir is even there. It feels like something Apple shipped with Safari. On both iPhone and iPad, the experience is stellar.

More Awesome Apps

Even more on offer.

By default, Noir gets websites to mirror your device’s system-wide settings. So, when your iPhone or iPad switches over to Dark Mode (which usually happens after sunset), Noir will do the same. Although this can be changed in the app’s settings, I’ve stuck with the default option.

It’s also possible to tweak Noir’s theme for a better experience. Although the default theme is set to “Dark,” I’d recommend switching to “Black.” This latter mode works great with Apple’s OLED devices ( from the iPhone X onward ), prompting the display to light up fewer pixels when producing the darkest shades of black. The reduced backlight from your iPhone results in a more comfortable browsing experience – especially when using your handset in the dark.

I’m also a big fan of Noir’s “Dim Images” toggle – it’s worth noting here that this can be adjusted using a slider in the app’s advanced settings. And Noir also offers custom settings on a per-website basis, which is another excellent and well-thought-out addition.

My favorite Safari extension

Made by a solo developer and priced at the one-time, buy-once-use-forever fee of $3, Noir is the Safari extension everyone should download and install.

Price: $3 Available from: iOS and iPadOS App Store

Awesome Apps  is a  Cult of Mac  series highlighting the best apps around. We will feature our favorite apps as well as new and notable ones. Apps are transformative, and these are the best. 

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

Make Reddit bearable again.

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

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

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

What does Sink It for Reddit do?

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to use Sink It for Reddit

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

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

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The best ad blockers in 2024

Say goodbye to intrusive online advertising with the best ad blockers

Best in-browser ad blockers

Best ad-blocking apps, best ad-blocking mobile apps, other privacy-focused extensions and apps.

The best ad blockers are crucial to survive on the modern internet. Not matter where you go, you're at risk of being harassed by pop-ups, tracker cookies, malvertising and countless other digital nasties that seem hell-bent on ruining your online experience. Even if all your browsing is above board, you're still at risk.

Thankfully there's no shortage of apps and browser extensions that can block ads and keep you safer when you're online. Combined with the best antivirus software and the best VPNs , a good ad-blocker gives you a perfect arsenal of tools to offer as much protection as possible. Even the FBI recommends using an ad-blocker for protection.

The only thing you need to figure out is which ad-blocker is right for you. There are so many to choose from, and whether you are willing to live with the downsides. Most free sites rely on advertising revenue to survive, including Tom's Guide. But if you're happy with the trade-off, we've got a thorough list of the best ad blockers and privacy tools — with options for every browser and platform.

The best ad blockers you can get today

1. adblock plus (chrome, edge, firefox, opera, safari, android, ios).

AdBlock Plus (ABP) is among the most popular ad blockers, with extensions available for Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Edge and Opera. ABP features a quick setup, loading preset filter lists that allow users to quickly block most ads, as well as the option to filter malware and social media buttons. 

Savvy users can chose additional block lists as well as set custom filters or whitelist their favorite sites to keep their ad revenue in the black. AdBlock Plus allows what it calls "non-intrusive advertising" through filters; that may irk some users, though this feature can be disabled in settings. 

On Android, the AdBlock Browser provides a Firefox-based browser that blocks incoming advertising, while on iOS, the AdBlock Plus app integrates with the content blocker system to seamlessly block advertising on Safari with minimal setup.

Download AdBlock Plus: Firefox , Chrome , Safari , Opera , Edge

2. AdBlock (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)

AdBlock (no relation to AdBlock Plus) is the other best ad-blocking browser extension of note, available for users of Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari. AdBlock uses a series of filter lists to automatically block ad content coming from known ad servers and providers. Users can stick with the default block lists, subscribe to additional ones, or even create their own, as well as whitelist their favorite websites. 

As one of the most downloaded Chrome and Safari extensions, AdBlock has the trust of many users worldwide.

Download AdBlock: Chrome , Firefox , Safari , Edge

3. uBlock Origin (Chrome, Firefox)

Ublock Origin is a browser-based ad blocker that focuses on simple, efficient blocking with a low resource overhead. The extension comes loaded with a number of filter lists for known advertising and malware sources, with extra filter lists available and the option to read and create your own custom filters from hosts files.

Download Ublock Origin: Chrome , Firefox

4. Poper Blocker (Chrome)

Rather than be an all-in one blocking solution, Poper Blocker (aka Pop Up Blocker For Chrome), is designed to complement other adblockers. 

In this case, Poper Blocker focuses on blocking pop-ups, pop-unders, overlays, timed and scroll pop-ups, and other varieties that might slip past other ad-blocking extensions. Small notifications tell you when pop-ups are blocked. You also can view your blocking stats, but otherwise, you can generally just keep Poper Blocker running in the background with minimal impact alongside other adblocker extensions.

Download Poper Blocker: Chrome

5. Stands Fair AdBlocker (Chrome)

For a fast and light ad-blocking plugin, Chrome users can turn to Stands Fair AdBlocker. The extension does precisely what it promises, blocking ads and pop-ups from cluttering up your browser view while also preventing any tracking from going on. 

Stand's Fair AdBlocker gives you control over the type of ads you can block, specifying everything from autoplay video ads, YouTube ads, expanding ads and more. It can even block Facebook ads if you want.

The "Fair" part of AdBlocker comes into play by giving you the ability to allow certain types of ads or even whitelist ad-supported websites you don't want to shortchange of badly needed revenue. This is one ad blocker that doesn't take a scorched earth approach to its stated purpose.

Download Stands Fair AdBlocker: Chrome

6. Ghostery (Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Edge)

Like the other extensions on our list of the best ad blockers, Ghostery can remove ads from webpages, so you can focus on content and browse more efficiently. But the real value in Ghostery lies in its privacy protection features. You can use Ghostery to view trackers, which lets you see who's trying to collect data on you. With Ghostery, you can also stop that tracking from taking place. If you really want to safeguard your privacy, you can turn to Ghostery's Enhanced Anti Tracking to anonymize your data.

Ghostery's a free download that offers basic web protection. More advanced protection starts at $4.99 a month and the $11.99 monthly tier comes with a built-in VPN. There are also versions of Ghostery that work with Android and iOS devices.

Download Ghostery: Chrome , Firefox , Opera , Safari , Edge

7. Adblocker for YouTube (Chrome, Firefox)

YouTube has gotten more aggressive with ads, so the makers of ad-blocking extensions have followed suit. Adblocker for YouTube is a Chrome extension that promises to automatically block YouTube ads, whether we're talking about the pre-roll ad appearing before your video or any text and banner ads that appear on the video itself.

If you prefer Firefox to Chrome, there's also an AdBlocker for YouTube extension that works on that browser. Same name, different developer apparently, but the functionality of stripping out video and display ads remains. This version works on Android devices too.

Download Adblocker for YouTube: Chrome , Firefox

1. AdGuard (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS)

Uses looking for a more robust experience can try out the subscription-based AdGuard, which provides desktop and mobile options to reduce the ads you see when surfing online. 

AdGuard on Windows and Mac covers popular browsers, with highly configurable options for ads, content, and tracker blocking, as well as a parental controls module for restricting adult content. AdGuard for Android is a no-root ad-blocker that blocks advertising on apps and games, though you’ll have to install it from AdGuard’s site instead of through Google Play. AdGuard for iOS works with Safari to effectively filter ads on the default browser.

Download AdGuard: Windows , Mac , Android , iOS

2. AdLock ($33 per year)

AdLock avoids the browser-based route, instead opting to run as a separate program to be able to block not only browser-based ads, but also advertising in other programs like Skype or games. 

The app runs in the background, using filters to block ads, popups, and autoplaying videos, speeding up loading times and applying Safe Browsing features to automatically block sites that are known to be unsafe. 

For obvious reasons, the mobile version is unavailable on the Google Play Store, so you'll need to sideload the app if you want to get AdLock into your Android device. iOS users can download AdLock directly from Apple's App Store.

Download AdLock: Windows , Chrome ,  Android , Mac , iOS

3. Wipr (macOS, iOS; $1.99)

If you’re a Safari fan, Wipr may be the best ad blocker for both your Mac and iPhone. The app is available for both iOS and macOS — costing $1.99 from either Apple App Store — and it promises to work with Safari as well as apps that use Safari for displaying web pages.

You’ll find a full array of features with Wipr, which not only blocks apps and trackers, but cryptocurrency miners, EU cookie and GDPR notices and anything else that gets in your way of surfing the web. Its blocklist gets updated twice a week, and there’s little configuration; the idea is that you load Wipr and forget that it’s there while it does its job in the background.

With Wipr, pages should load faster in Safari, which will be particularly welcome if you’re surfing from an iPhone, where ads and trackers can bog down your browser’s speed.

Download Wipr: macOS , iOS

1. 1Blocker (iOS)

1Blocker was one of the first really good ad blockers on iOS when Apple opened up that functionality on iPhones and iPads; the apps has since been optimized for Safari. 

The app is designed to make browsing faster and more secure by blocking ads, popups, trackers and other online cruft. Rather than blocking content of a downloaded page, 1Blocker works with Safari's content blocker API to tell the browser what to block in advance, saving time and resources. 

1Blocker features more than 115,000 blocker rules, custom regional adblocking settings, and easy-to-use custom rules settings. The app is a free download, with premium features available as in-app purchases.

Download 1Blocker: iOS

2. Firefox Focus (Android, iOS)

Firefox Focus is another addition to Mozilla's family of browsers. This one's a privacy-oriented version of Firefox that bakes in ad-blocking and anti-tracking into a light and functional package. Firefox Focus blocks ads and speeds up browsing, while also working in privacy-friendly features like automatic history and cookie clearing. 

Users can selectively block ads, analytics, content and social trackers with easy toggles, turn on a "stealth" mode, and set a default search engine.

Our look at the best Android browsers has more on the various flavors of Firefox.

Download Firefox Focus: Android , iOS

3. AdClear (Android, iOS)

AdClear — or AdClear Plus if you're searching for the iOS version — offers the kind of mobile ad blocking in browsers that similar apps provide. But AdClear takes it one step farther by also blocking ads in apps. 

AdClear achieves this through a DNS changer feature that routes traffic through a VPN. AdClear doesn't catch everything in all apps, and in our experience, some apps ran a little slower. But this free download can put a stop to ads interrupting what you're trying to do whether in an app or a browser.

Download AdClear: Android , iOS

1. Decentraleyes (Chrome, Firefox)

Some times, blocking ads can also prevent websites fromn pulling needed resoruces and libraries from third-party sources, breaking web pages in the process. Decentraleyes tries to stop that from happening by acting as a local content delivery network emulator to serve up the files that websites need. By doing so, this extension can stop websites from sending out requests to the likes of Google Hosted Libraries.

Think of Decentraleyes as a complement to ad blockers. In fact, the extension specifically says it can work with uBlock Origin and AdBlock Plus, both of which we recommend up above.

Download Decentraleyes: Chrome , Firefox

2. Opera (Desktop, Android, iOS)

The Opera browser bakes in ad-blocking features into the browser without the need for an extra add-on, while also offering privacy-friendly tools such as an unlimited, built-in VPN service, incognito mode, fraud and malware warnings for suspicious links and pages, and more. In addition, you can further customize Opera's capabilities with a wide array of extensions. 

Mobile users need not fret, as the Android version comes with just about everything the desktop version has but built for touch-screen interfaces. On iOS, the mobile version of Opera is listed in Apple's App Store as Opera Touch. (Incidentally, we've got a guide on how you can use Opera to block ads on the iPhone .)

Download Opera: Mac or Windows , Android , iOS

3. Privacy Badger (Chrome, Firefox, Opera)

The Electronic Frontier Foundation's Privacy Badger browser extension was born from the EFF's concerns about the business models of some privacy tools and ad blockers. 

Privacy Badger functions similarly to extensions like AdBlock Plus (on which it was based), observing the various tracking tools that advertisers and other third parties might use to track your online activities and selectively blocking them from executing. Built-in learning algorithms adapt to the sites you visit and take any new tracking tools discovered into account. 

While not explicitly an ad blocker, Privacy Badger does also block some advertising, depending on how aggressively the ads track you across websites.

Download Privacy Badger: Chrome , Firefox , Opera

4. Tor Browser (Desktop, Android)

The Tor network helps anonymize your internet activity by bouncing the data you send and receive through a distributed anonymous network of routers to foil a common online surveillance technique called traffic analysis, which can reveal the sites you visit or who you're communicating with. 

The Tor Browser is an all-in-one package that includes everything you need to surf the net through the Tor network in an easy-to-install portable package. The package includes a modified version of Firefox with privacy aids such as NoScript baked in, and an automatic setup aid that makes it easy to connect to and create new Tor circuits. 

On the desktop, you can grab a version of Tor Browser for Windows, macOS or Linux. There's also a version of Tor Browser for Android, which replaces the previous OrBot + OrFox combination recommended for browsing Tor on Android.

Download Tor Browser: Desktop , Android

5. Onion Browser (iOS)

iOS users aren’t left out when it comes to browsing the Tor anonymizer network, with the Onion Browser among the more popular options on Apple’s mobile OS. 

Previously a premium app, Onion Browser has since moved to a donation model, opening up access to everyone who wants to download the app, without compromising security or features. The usual caveats apply: Browsing through Tor will slow down the web experience, and some features, like video streams and video files won’t work in order to preserve anonymity.

Download Onion Browser: iOS

How to choose the best ad blocker for you

Many of the best ad blockers are available for free, either as extensions or as standalone apps, though a few, like AdLock, charge a fee. Determine if the free services provide enough ad-blocking to meet your needs or whether a paid app delivers more for your money. You should also figure out if a browser extension will take care of your ad-blocking needs or whether you should consider switching browsers to one with more built-in privacy features.

You can narrow down your choice in ad blockers by deciding specifically what you're looking to accomplish with such an app or extension. Do you just want to stop annoying pop-up ads from appearing or do you want the full range of services, including privacy features and an end to ad-tracking? Grab the ad blocker that ticks off all the boxes on your wishlist.

Some ad blockers, such as AdBlock Plus include filters and the ability to let in non-obtrusive advertising. Others, like AdBlocker Ultimate, take a more aggressive approach. Find out which one best suits your needs and comfort level.

As we noted at the outset, there's also an ethical component to ad blockers. Do you feel comfortable keeping ad revenue out of the hands of sites you enjoy and use for free? As good as the best ad blockers are, that's still a trade-off you need to consider when deciding whether to install one as a browser extension or as a standalone app. 

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• kep55 I'm waiting for an ad blocker that will spoof the websites into thinking there is no ad blocker in place. More and more sites are incorporating code that disables the site entirely or many of the features if an adblocker is in use. Reply

kep55 said: I'm waiting for an ad blocker that will spoof the websites into thinking there is no ad blocker in place. More and more sites are incorporating code that disables the site entirely or many of the features if an adblocker is in use.

• View All 2 Comments

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Safari 17 extensions are poof.... gone.

• Thread starter macintologist
• Start date Sep 30, 2023
• Sort by reaction score
• macOS Sonoma (14)

macintologist

Macrumors 6502a.

• Sep 30, 2023

I upgraded to Sonoma and all of my extensions in Safari disappeared. I cannot add any new extensions as well. When I open the Wipr app, it says to enable the extension in Safari but nothing is there. The left hand pane in the extensions window is completely empty.  

DinkThifferent

• Oct 1, 2023
• Extensions are turned off by default. Browser extensions can be turned on by going to Safari > Settings > Extensions and selecting the extension in the left column. Then in the main section, look for a setting checkbox for Allow in Private Browsing and check the box.

Like I said. Poof. Gone.  

Attachments

And this is Safari Technology Preview. All the extensions are there.  

• Oct 2, 2023

Hmm that’s weird indeed. Sorry I have no idea.  

macrumors regular

Bash: /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Support/lsregister -f -R /Applications/Safari.app Pasting that into terminal should re-register the extensions  

KibJ said: Bash: /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Support/lsregister -f -R /Applications/Safari.app Pasting that into terminal should re-register the extensions Click to expand...

default 20:29:17.314034-0400 lsregister lsregister (args: <private>) started with UID: 501, EUID: 501 default 20:29:17.314613-0400 lsregister [0x139a04e50] activating connection: mach=true listener=false peer=false name=com.apple.lsd.mapdb default 20:29:17.320092-0400 lsregister bundle 0xd9c being forced to re-register default 20:29:17.320753-0400 lsregister [0x6000024a40f0] activating connection: mach=true listener=false peer=false name=com.apple.cfprefsd.daemon default 20:29:17.322134-0400 lsregister [0x6000024bc000] activating connection: mach=true listener=false peer=false name=com.apple.cfprefsd.agent default 20:29:17.325495-0400 lsregister bundle 0xd9c being forced to re-register default 20:29:17.326822-0400 lsregister [0x139a07840] activating connection: mach=true listener=false peer=false name=com.apple.lsd.modifydb default 20:29:17.358942-0400 lsregister NotifyToken::RegisterDispatch(user.uid.501.com.apple.LaunchServices.database) fired for session key <private> error 20:29:17.600225-0400 lsregister Failed to get unit 3488 from store <private>  

• Oct 3, 2023

DinkThifferent said: Hmm that’s weird indeed. Sorry I have no idea. Click to expand...

Steve Ballmer

Macrumors 6502.

macintologist said: I upgraded to Sonoma and all of my extensions in Safari disappeared. I cannot add any new extensions as well. When I open the Wipr app, it says to enable the extension in Safari but nothing is there. The left hand pane in the extensions window is completely empty. Click to expand...

Steve Ballmer said: As an aside, how do you like Wipr? Right now I'm using a combination of AdBlock and AdGuard, but even combined they don't remove all ads. Click to expand...