Browsers

How to Completely Uninstall Safari on Mac

The app is part of macOS and cannot be uninstalled. Only its associated data and caches, typically between 200 MB – 2 GB, can be cleared.

Last updated: October 31, 20263 min read

Remove Safari and everything it leaves behind

Safari data usually takes 200 MB – 2 GB on a Mac. The free scan shows the exact size on your Mac before you change anything.

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Free scan · No account · Nothing is deleted without your OK · Moves to the Trash first · macOS 14+

Application: Safari
Typical data size: 200 MB – 2 GB
Category: Browsers
File Location: ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari

Safari has its own uninstaller

Quit the app completely (⌘+Q in the menu bar).
Safari is part of macOS and cannot be uninstalled; only its data can be cleared.
Remove the folders Safari left behind, listed in the table below.
Empty the Trash to free up the space.

Everything Safari keeps on your Mac

5 locations. Tick each one as you remove it; back up anything marked as your data first.

~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari Cache · web page and image cache Yes, rebuilt automatically~/Library/Safari App data · history, bookmarks, Reading List and per-site settings Back up first: your data~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Safari Sandbox container · Safari sandbox data and extension data Yes, once the app is gone~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing Cache · Safe Browsing lookup data Yes, rebuilt automatically~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.plist Settings · Safari settings Yes, settings reset~/Library/Safari/Favicon Cache Cache · website icons shown in tabs and bookmarks Yes, rebuilt automatically~/Library/Safari/Touch Icons Cache Cache · large website icons for Favorites and Top Sites Yes, rebuilt automatically~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Safari/Data/Library/WebKit Web data · website data such as local storage, databases and logins Yes, once the app is gone

Locations checked on a Mac with Safari installed.

What Safari leaves behind

Specific to Safari

Since the app resides on a protected system volume, it cannot be dragged to the Trash. Even if you remove individual data folders, some items like web page caches and favicon stores are rebuilt automatically. Other elements, including sandbox data, preferences, and site logins, remain in the Library until removed separately.

Account and sync: With Safari turned on in iCloud settings, bookmarks, Reading List, tabs and history sync across your Apple devices; passwords are kept in iCloud Keychain.

Preparing Safari for removal

Before manually deleting files, ensure all personal information is synced via iCloud settings to back up bookmarks and reading lists. Passwords should be saved in iCloud Keychain. You should clear internal data through the app menus rather than deleting folders by hand to avoid errors.

Enable iCloud settings to sync bookmarks and Reading ListRemove unused extensions by deleting their host appsUse History > Clear History to remove cookies and website dataQuit the app before removing any files from ~/Library

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See it working

OptiClear — Scan overview — every category on one screen — Scan overview — every category on one screen

OptiClear — Privacy audit: what each app has been allowed to reach — Privacy audit: what each app has been allowed to reach

OptiClear — Large and aging files, ranked by what they cost you — Large and aging files, ranked by what they cost you

Try it without risk

Download and scan for freeSee every Safari file and its size. No account needed.
Clean free for 7 daysStart the 7-day free trial of the yearly plan inside the app.
Keep it or cancelCancel in your App Store settings at least 24 hours before the trial ends and you won't be charged.

Download free and scan

After the free trial, Pro costs $39.99 per year in your country's App Store; cancel any time.

Frequently asked questions

Not all of them. Folders marked “Back up first: your data” hold your own Safari data: back them up before removing them. Folders marked “Yes, rebuilt automatically” are rebuilt automatically; removing them only makes the next start slower. Folders marked “Yes, settings reset” hold settings, which return to their defaults. Items marked “Yes, once the app is gone” only matter while Safari is installed, so remove them after the app.

Why can't I move Safari to the Trash?

It is integrated into macOS on a protected system volume and cannot be deleted.

Does clearing the cache remove my bookmarks?

No, because history and bookmarks are stored separately from the Caches folder.