How to Manage Safari Extension Permissions and Per-Site Access in macOS

Browser extensions—such as password managers, grammar checkers, ad blockers, and shopping assistants—enhance web productivity. However, extensions often require extensive access to webpage DOM trees, clipboard buffers, and browsing history. A compromised or poorly designed extension with unrestricted access can read private login sessions, capture credit card data, or track your movements across the web.

Apple’s Safari browser on macOS includes a rigorous, multi-tiered security framework for extensions. Safari does not grant global read-and-write permissions by default. Instead, users can audit, restrict, and configure extension permissions on a granular per-site basis, determine whether extensions run in Private Browsing windows, and revoke access instantly.

Accessing the Safari Extensions Manager

To inspect and configure all installed extensions on your Mac:

1. Launch Safari on macOS.
2. Click Safari in the top menu bar and select Settings… (or press Cmd + ,).
3. Click the Extensions tab at the top of the settings window.

The left sidebar lists every active and disabled extension. Selecting an extension reveals its developer identity, version, and primary access categories.

Configuring Granular Per-Site Permissions

Many extensions request permission to “Read and alter webpages”. Rather than granting an extension blanket access to every website you visit, Safari allows you to confine it only to specific domains:

1. In Safari > Settings > Extensions, click on the target extension in the left sidebar.
2. In the right pane, locate the Websites permissions table.
3. Safari presents configured websites alongside a dropdown menu featuring three security levels:
   • Ask: The extension cannot read the page until you explicitly click its icon in the Safari toolbar and grant temporary access.
   • Deny: The extension is completely blocked from reading or injecting scripts on that domain.
   • Allow: The extension automatically runs on that specific website.
4. At the bottom of the table, locate For other websites: set this to Ask or Deny to ensure the extension never silently executes on unfamiliar domains.

Managing Permissions Live from the Safari Toolbar

You can adjust per-site permissions dynamically while browsing without opening Settings:

1. Navigate to any webpage (e.g. https://github.com).
2. If an extension requires access, its toolbar icon displays a small notification badge.
3. Click the extension icon in the Safari toolbar.
4. Safari displays a native security sheet with immediate access options:
   • Always Allow on This Website: Grants persistent access to the active domain only.
   • Always Allow on Every Website: Grants global unrestricted access (use with caution).
   • Allow for One Day: Grants temporary access that automatically expires at midnight.

Restricting Extensions in Private Browsing

By default, Safari automatically disables all third-party extensions inside Private Browsing windows to prevent tracking cookies or script injection from linking private sessions to personal identities. If you require a trusted extension (like a password manager) in private tabs:

1. Open Safari > Settings > Extensions.
2. Select the trusted extension from the left sidebar.
3. Check the box labelled Allow in Private Browsing.

Leave untrusted or shopping extensions unchecked to preserve private browsing isolation.

Configuring Extensions Across Safari Profiles

If you utilize Safari Profiles in macOS Sonoma or Sequoia (such as Work and Personal):

1. In Safari > Settings > Profiles, select your target profile.
2. Click the Extensions tab within that profile.
3. Toggle individual extensions on or off per profile.

This ensures enterprise development extensions remain isolated inside your Work space without executing during personal browsing sessions.