How to Remove Safari: The Foolproof Way

Are you pulling your hair out trying to figure out how to remove Safari from your iPhone or Mac? The truth is, it’s not that easy. Solving the hardest Sudoku level might even seem more attractive!

Safari is like an old mobile phone — you know there are better options out there, but you decide to stick with it anyway because it’s familiar, comfortable, and you’ve used it for the longest time. I know, the comfort zone is reassuring but not necessarily the safest, and that goes for Safari too.

In this article, you’ll learn why Safari isn’t the best choice, how to delete Safari, and what your options are for safer internet browsing.

What’s Safari?

Safari is the default web browser that comes with all Apple devices. It’s one of the pre-installed apps on iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and Mac. 

Why Remove Safari in the First Place?

Apple Collects Personal Data

Apple also develops Safari, and gathers your personal data to a certain extent. The fine print is in their Privacy Policy. While the company promises to respect users’ privacy, many people miss out on Apple’s data collection terms because they make it so easy to just click ‘Agree.’

Apple and Google Are Partners

Yup, they’re frenemies. Apple and Google are competitors, but Apple receives billions of dollars to feature Google as the preferred search engine on their devices. We know Google collects data for advertising purposes… which kind of makes you question how firm Apple’s privacy stance is.

Safari Is Closed-Source

A closed-source system does have its benefits. Without knowledge of the source code, it’s more secure and harder for cybercriminals to exploit it. The problem with this is the public can’t scrutinize it for vulnerabilities either. We’re expected to blindly trust Safari whenever we use it.

Safer Browsers Exist

Safari is secure, but not secure enough and won’t protect your privacy. There are browser options that are more privacy-friendly, which I’ll share with you in a later section. As a bonus, these browsers are just as easy to use as Safari, and some even come with Chrome integration if that’s what you want!

Is It Possible to Remove Safari from macOS, iOS, and iPadOS?

Safari isn’t just pre-installed — Apple makes it impossible to remove it and frankly, it really isn’t recommended. This is equivalent to you removing an arm from your body. Let’s take a look at each operating system (OS) to see why.

• • 💻 macOS

  • Your Mac uses a security feature called System Integrity Protection (SIP) to prevent unauthorized manipulation of its code, including deleting Safari. If you aren’t a techie, you could accidentally damage the OS, which may render your device faulty or worse, unusable.

  • It’s possible to remove Safari by using Console, a utility for developers. Using a third-party app may also work, but proceed with caution. Even the popular CleanMyMac app no longer supports removing Safari for macOS El Capitan and newer versions. Don’t worry, though. You can still protect your privacy by disabling Safari and clearing your browsing data — no risky code-cracking needed.

  •  

  • 📱 iOS

  • Safari is just as embedded in your Mac as it is in your iPhone, so there’s really no way to delete Safari on iPhone. It’s a core application of iOS. This isn’t a bad thing, though, because you can still disable the browser without the danger of inadvertently screwing up the OS.

  •  

  • 📱 iPadOS

  • Similar to iOS, iPadOS doesn’t allow you to remove Safari because it’s integrated into the operating system’s core. You do have the option to disable Safari, clear its browsing history, and remove it from your home screen.

  • Similar to iOS, iPadOS doesn’t allow you to remove Safari because it’s integrated into the operating system’s core. You do have the option to disable Safari, clear its browsing history, and remove it from your home screen.

The bottom line is, you really can’t delete Safari from Apple devices. However, it’s not a dead end from here as you can still deactivate this browser for privacy reasons. If you want to know how to disable Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, read on below. 

How to disable Safari on iOS

Step 1

Tap Settings on your home screen.

Step 2

Tap Screen Time from the menu.

Step 3

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. 

Step 4

Toggle on the Content & Privacy Restrictions setting.

Step 5

Tap Allowed Apps.

Step 6

Toggle off the Safari app.

After this, the Safari app will automatically be removed from your home screen.

How to disable Safari on iPadOS

It’s very simple — just follow the same steps above as illustrated for iOS. If you know how to disable Safari on iPhone, then you’re all set for iPad as well!

How to disable Safari on macOS

I’m assuming you’re not a developer, else you’d already be tinkering on your own. As I mentioned earlier, you can only remove Safari by disabling SIP and making changes to the code using Console. 

Another option is using a third-party utility, but even that is risky if you aren’t a computer geek. I won’t make suggestions here that could end up compromising the core of your OS.

Here’s what you can do instead: just remove Safari from your dock by dragging and dropping it out, like this:

Out of sight, out of mind. You don’t have to worry about Safari compromising your privacy or security as long as you don’t use it.

Before you disable Safari on your Apple devices, it’s important to do 2 other things:

1. Install a safer internet browser
2. Erase your Safari’s browsing history and data

How to Completely Delete Your History on Safari

Disabling Safari or removing it from your home screen or dock doesn’t automatically remove its data. This includes your history logs, saved login details, and the cookies that websites use to track you. The good thing is, it’s totally easy to wipe out your browser’s stored information.

🍎 For iOS and iPadOS

Step 1

Tap Settings on your home screen.

Step 2

Tap Safari.

Step 3

Tap Clear History and Website Data.

Step 4

Your device will ask you to confirm your choice. Tap Clear History and Data.

That’s it! All your saved browser information is deleted.

🍎 For macOS

Step 1

Open your Safari browser. On the menu bar, click History.

Step 2

In the drop-down menu, click Clear History.

Step 3

A pop-up will appear that lets you select the data scope you want to clear. Select all history.

Step 4

Click the Clear History button to confirm.

What are alternative privacy-friendly browsers?

Plenty of privacy-focused browsers exist today that each offer different features and levels of user customization to fit everyone’s needs. If you like Safari’s user-friendliness, then you might enjoy these private browser options:

Brave

Brave Browser takes the cake for simple yet heavyweight privacy. It blocks cross-site trackers, browser fingerprinting, malware, and intrusive ads that seem to follow you everywhere. It also runs 3-6x  faster than other browsers, and you can conveniently import saved data from your old browser such as plugins and bookmarks — all in a click. 

It’s a Chromium browser, so you can even install your favorite Chrome extensions. It’ll have the familiarity of your old browser, but with upgraded safety features.

✔️Available for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS

Mozilla Firefox

Here’s an oldie, but always a goodie. Mozilla Firefox is a lightweight open-source web browser, and coders within the community regularly keep it in check to guarantee that it always has up-to-date security features. 

The browser protects you from phishing, malware, and all trackers the browser detects. Since it’s not foolproof, you’ll still have to take basic precautions to protect yourself from these threats. Firefox also warns you when you’re about to visit a potentially deceptive website and it blocks possible harmful downloads.

Because it’s open-source, it can be examined by anyone wanting to look at how Firefox is built from the core. The level of transparency from this popular browser can bring you peace of mind.

✔️Available for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS

Tor

The Onion Router (Tor) is all about anonymity. Tor uses a technique called onion routing, which encrypts your internet data in multiple layers and bounces your connection around through different relays hosted by volunteers across the world. This makes it hard for anyone to identify you. 

Tor also immediately deletes your cookies when you close the browser. One downside, though, is slower loading due to the complex communication system and the distance your data has to travel. Another downside is that your government or ISP might take an interest in you because Tor is synonymous with the dark web.

✔️Available for macOS, while Tor-powered Onion Browser is available for iOS and iPadOS

DuckDuckGo

Don’t judge a browser by its adorable name. DuckDuckGo is extensively popular because it has serious privacy features. They block hidden trackers on websites even before they show up, so pages load faster. You also won’t get pesky ads based on your digital footprint because DuckDuckGo doesn’t track you. Try looking up ‘plants’ via its search engine, and you won’t get a burrito ad for viewing a Tex-Mex restaurant’s online menu two days ago.

Another cool feature is the Privacy Grade, which is a score that tells you how much you can trust the site you’re visiting. The browser also forces websites to encrypt connections when possible — how many browsers can say they do the same? This one’s definitely packed with privacy power.

✔️Available for iOS and iPadOS

What about Google Chrome?

Google constantly tracks user data — your every move online is a treasure to this company. They do have automatic updates, but that doesn’t mean your internet traffic is protected at the level you want. I know how hard it is to break away from the familiar and the convenient, so I understand why you might still want to use Chrome.

In any case, CyberGhost VPN has a Chrome browser extension you can install. It masks your IP, allowing you to browse with increased privacy, access websites securely, and deflect unwanted tracking. It also works with Firefox. If you can’t give up Chrome right now, you can at least still protect some of your data from being stolen or abused.

Why Use a VPN When Browsing

Despite the security features and updates of browsers today, they’re never enough to keep your online traffic 100% private and safe from cyber snoopers and criminal hackers. Don’t forget — your internet activity isn’t just done within a browser. You use apps to access your email, chat with friends, and send personal data. 

When you use a reliable and trusted VPN like CyberGhost VPN, you can enjoy these benefits:

Dodge unwarranted surveillance

CyberGhost VPN uses 256-bit AES encryption — that’s military-grade protection for you! We encrypt your data so anyone who tries to observe your internet activity will only see an indecipherable jumble.

Keep Your Browsing Private

When you turn on your VPN, you connect to one of its servers, which instantly masks your IP address. That means no one can pin your digital location. We also have a strict No Logs policy, which means CyberGhost VPN will never share, sell, or store your data. 

We’re also headquartered in privacy-friendly Romania, a country that doesn’t require us to keep data logs. Even when authorities ask for it, we’ve nothing to divulge. 

Access sites securely while traveling

When you go abroad, there’s a chance your local streaming subscriptions or banking apps might not work. A VPN lets you connect to your home country’s server so you can securely access its local sites and services even while traveling. Especially on public Wi-Fi, which can be dangerous to use.

Become a Ghostie today and be one of the millions of CyberGhost VPN users who enjoy a secure internet experience!

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