How To Uninstall Browser Extensions On Your Mac

To browse the web, we use web browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and others. And to personalize browsing experience, we use browser extensions. But when too many browser extensions are installed, web browser slows down, and Mac becomes sluggish. Therefore, identifying and uninstalling unwanted browser extensions from Mac is required.

Alongside, when browser extensions that you never installed are added, we need to remove them because such extensions can be malware or bloatware.

Fortunately, there are ways to remove installed browser extensions easily.

Now, we know what else can be done to optimize Mac and boost performance. Let’s learn how to uninstall browser extensions from Chrome, Safari, and Firefox.

But before that, let’s understand the difference between extensions, plugins, and addons.

What Is The Difference Between Plugins, Extensions, And Add-Ons?

Plugins, extensions, and addons these terms are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Indeed, all of them extend browser functionality, but they work differently.

Plugins can neither install a toolbar, nor can they add a menu. They can only change things that you see on web pages.

Extensions are the same as addons, and they help perform different tasks. Extensions can have plugins but not the opposite.

A browser extension expands functionality and makes browsing smoother. Using an addon, you can view office documents, check email automatically, and much more.

But a large number of extensions slow down the browser hence removing extras is important.

The Need for Uninstalling Extra Browser Extensions

• Slows down browsers and Mac
• Plugins can change browser behavior
• Generally, browser extensions are used for tracking. To avoid that, we need to remove the extras
• They can be malicious thus slow down Mac and browsing
• Plugins can alter the way websites look

How To Remove Extension From Chrome Via Settings

To use this method, no need to install any third-party software. Simply launch Google Chrome and follow the steps given below:

Remember, since this is a manual method, it might take a bit longer. 

1. Open Google Chrome browser.

2. Click the Chrome tab and select Preferences.

3. This will open a new window. Here click Extensions from the right pane.

4. You will now see all installed Extensions.

5. Look for the extensions that you don’t use or are not aware of and click Remove to uninstall the extension.

6. In addition to this, if you want to learn about the extension before uninstalling it, click Details. This will give you all the information about the extension you are using. From this window, you can click Remove to uninstall browser extension.

However, if you are unable to remove, click Report Abuse and then try to delete the browser extension.

7. This will help rid of unwanted browser extensions.

Alternatively, you can type chrome://extensions into the address bar. This will take you directly to the Extensions page, and then you can follow the steps as explained above.

Removing Chrome Extensions Via Finder

If for some reason using the above steps, you are unable to uninstall the extension from Chrome. Follow the steps below:

Note: This process is a bit complicated as you will have to search for the extension in Finder. If you use a single Google account, things will be easy. But those who use multiple Google accounts be careful when you use this step.

Those using a single Google account type:

~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Extensions in Finder and press enter.

If you are using more than one Google account,

~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome//Extensions

Here is the username of your Google account.

After hitting the enter key, you will get to a folder with 32-characters identifiers. From here, you can delete it. However, if you want to be sure about the extension you are deleting, head back to Chrome, and open the extension page. Here, at the top right corner, toggle Developer mode.

This will show the extension with 32-character IDs. Note the IDs for the extension you wish to remove and return to the folder we just opened.

Search for extensions with the IDs you’ve got and drag them to Trash/Bin.

This will help remove Chrome extensions.

How To Remove Extensions From Firefox?

1. Launch Firefox.

2. Hit Firefox and select Preferences.

3. This will open a new window, click Extensions and Themes from the left pane.

4. Again, click Extensions.

Alternatively, you can type: about: addons in the address and click Extensions from there.

5. You’ll now see all installed Firefox Extensions. To uninstall them, click three dots > Remove.

To get more information, click Manage. In case you are unable to remove it, click Report and then try to remove the Firefox browser extension.

How To Remove Browser Extension From Safari?

Apple’s default web browser doesn’t offer a wide range of extensions like Chrome and Firefox. However, when multiple extensions are installed on it, Safari slows down. To uninstall these unwanted Safari extensions, follow the steps below:

Steps to delete Safari browser extension from macOS 10.12- 10.14

1. Open Safari browser

2. Click Safari > Preferences

3. Head to Extension tab > select the ones that are not required > click Uninstall button.

Steps to Remove Safari from MacOS 10.15

Note: Safari extensions on macOS 10.15 are located in the Applications folder. Therefore, you need to take an extra step.

1. Open Safari > click Safari > Preferences
2. Hit Extensions tab
3. Choose the extension that you wish to remove > Uninstall
4. To delete Extension, you will need to click Show in Finder when asked

5. From here, select the extension and move to Trash Bin.

This way you can remove browser extensions from Safari also.

In addition to this, if you are unable to delete browser extensions due to program errors or any other issue, follow the steps below.

To remove from Safari browser, follow the steps:

Note: Before following these steps exit Safari

1. Press Command+Shift+G to open Finder

2. Here click Go and enter ~/Library/Safari/Extensions.

3. Select extension you wish to remove and move to Trash/Bin

Tip: Here are the locations to find extensions for each browser.

~/Library/Applications Support/Google/Chrome/External Extensions
~/Library/Applications Support/com.operasoftware.Opera/Extensions
~/Library/Applications Support/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/[/current].default/extensions

If using macOS 10.15 look for Firefox browser’s extensions at the following path: ~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/[/current].default-release/extensions

The above steps should only be followed if you face any problem in uninstalling web browser extensions.  Also, remember since these are manual steps, leftovers might remain. Hence, to clean all junk data and leftovers, the best Mac optimizer tool is required.

Conclusion

That’s all. Using the steps explained above, you can easily uninstall browser extensions from popular web browsers. After removing all unnecessary extensions, removing junk data, useless files, leftovers you can use Cleanup My System. This tool will surely help you to remove all the unwanted browser elements like cache, cookies, logs, junk files, etc.

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