Resetting Safari settings on your Mac can resolve browsing issues, remove problematic extensions, and restore default privacy behavior. This process clears site data, cookies, and cache while keeping your bookmarks and saved passwords intact when you choose the right reset option.
Use the table below to quickly compare reset methods, understand what each one clears, and choose the option that matches your current issue.
| Method | What It Clears | When to Use | Impact on Bookmarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear History and Website Data | History, cookies, cache, site data | General slowdown, privacy concerns | Preserved |
| Remove All Website Data (Settings) | All stored site data, cookies, cache | Persistent login issues, tracking problems | Preserved |
| Disable Extensions | Enabled extensions temporarily | Suspect extension causing crashes | Preserved |
| Reset Safari via Develop Menu | Page cache, confirmed issues with page logic | Debugging rendering or script problems | Preserved |
Clear History and Website Data
Accessing the Clear History Menu
Open the Safari app on your Mac and tap History in the menu bar. Choose Clear History from the bottom of the dropdown to open the time-range selector. Pick a range that covers the period when issues started and confirm to remove history and website data safely.
What Data This Removes
This action deletes browsing history, cookies, cached files, and website data from your Mac. It does not remove bookmarks, saved passwords in Keychain, or autofill information unless those items are explicitly stored as part of site data you selected to clear.
Remove All Website Data via Safari Settings
Opening Website Preferences
Launch Safari, select Preferences from the Safari menu, and click the Privacy tab. Use the Manage Website Data button to view a list of sites and decide which data to remove or keep on your Mac.
Full Removal Process
Choose Remove All to wipe all stored site data from Safari on your Mac. Confirm the action in the prompt, and Safari will delete cookies, cache, and other offline data while keeping your bookmarks and passwords untouched.
Disable and Manage Extensions
Checking Installed Extensions
Go to Safari Preferences, click the Extensions tab, and review each extension for relevance. Toggle off extensions that you do not actively need to test whether they are causing layout or performance issues on your Mac.
Safari Extension Management
To fully isolate an extension problem, remove suspicious extensions from Safari and restart the browser. You can reinstall extensions later from the official Safari Extensions Gallery if they are still required for your workflow.
Use the Develop Menu to Reset Caches
Enabling Developer Options
Open Safari Preferences, select Advanced, and check Show Develop menu in menu bar. This adds the Develop menu to your menu bar, giving you quick access to cache and rendering tools on your Mac.
Clearing Caches and Reloading
From the Develop menu, select Empty Caches to clear temporary files without affecting bookmarks or passwords. Use Reload Page to fetch fresh content and confirm that the reset has resolved rendering or scripting errors.
Recommended Actions and Key Takeaways
- Back up important passwords in Keychain before performing a full remove all website data.
- Start with the smallest reset, such as clearing history, before removing all site data.
- Disable extensions one at a time to identify any that cause instability or layout issues.
- Use the Develop menu to empty caches for debugging without affecting bookmarks or passwords.
- Review Privacy and Website Settings after reset to confirm permissions match your preferences.
- Reinstall extensions only from trusted sources to avoid security risks on your Mac.
- Schedule periodic cache clears if you work with heavy media sites or complex web apps.
FAQ
Reader questions
Will resetting Safari delete my bookmarks?
No, resetting Safari settings such as clearing history and website data does not delete bookmarks. Bookmarks are stored separately and remain available after the reset process on your Mac.
How often should I clear website data in Safari?
For routine browsing, clear website data only when you notice issues like slowness or excessive tracking. Regular weekly full clears are usually unnecessary unless you handle sensitive sites daily.
Can resetting Safari fix login problems?
Yes, removing all website data can fix login problems caused by corrupted cookies or cached credentials. After the reset, reauthentication may be required on services where sessions were previously broken.
Will disabling extensions slow down Safari?
Disabling unnecessary extensions typically speeds up Safari by reducing memory and CPU usage. Keep only essential extensions active to maintain a smooth and secure browsing experience on your Mac.