Safari Extensions Gallery: Where to Find Them

The Safari Extensions Gallery is Apple’s official directory where you can browse, download, and install extensions for Safari on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. You access it directly in the Safari app through the Extensions menu, and it lists both Apple-approved extensions and links to third-party developer sites. This article explains how the gallery works, how to use it, and what to consider before installing an extension.

What Is the Safari Extensions Gallery?

The Safari Extensions Gallery is a curated collection of extensions that enhance Safari’s functionality. It replaced the older Safari Extensions page that existed before macOS Big Sur and iOS 15. The gallery is built into Safari itself, so you don’t need a separate app or website to browse it. On a Mac, you open it by choosing Safari > Settings > Extensions and clicking the gallery link. On iPhone or iPad, you go to Settings > Safari > Extensions and tap “More Extensions.”

The gallery includes categories like Ad Blockers, Privacy & Security, Productivity, and Accessibility. Each extension has a description, screenshots, a star rating, and user reviews. Apple reviews extensions before they appear in the gallery, which helps reduce the risk of malicious software, though it does not guarantee that an extension is completely safe.

How the Gallery Works

When you find an extension in the gallery, you click its icon to see details, then click “Get” or “Install.” On macOS, the extension downloads and installs automatically, and you may need to enable it in Safari’s settings. On iOS/iPadOS, the extension is installed as an app from the App Store, and you then enable it in Settings > Safari > Extensions.

Extensions in the gallery are either native Safari Web Extensions (built with the same WebExtensions API used by Chrome and Firefox) or App Extensions that come bundled with an iOS app. Native extensions can be ported from other browsers with minimal changes, which is why many popular extensions are available across platforms.

Apple’s review process for extensions is similar to the App Store review. Developers submit their extensions to Apple, and Apple checks for security, privacy, and compliance with the App Store Review Guidelines. However, the gallery also includes links to extensions hosted on developers’ own websites, which are not reviewed by Apple. Those are marked as “From the Developer’s Website” and may require additional steps to install.

Finding Extensions in the Gallery

To find an extension, you can browse by category or search by name or keyword. The gallery’s search function is basic but effective for popular extensions like “Adblock” or “Grammarly.” If you know the exact name of an extension, searching directly is faster than browsing categories.

Each extension page shows:

Name, developer, and version
Description and what the extension does
Screenshots and sometimes a video preview
User rating and number of ratings
Compatibility: which Apple devices and operating systems are supported
Privacy information, such as whether the extension collects data

You can filter by compatibility (Mac, iPhone, iPad) and by category. The gallery also highlights “Featured” and “Top” extensions on the main page, which can be a good starting point if you’re new to extensions.

How to Choose a Safe Extension

Even though Apple reviews extensions, you should still exercise caution. Here are some factors to consider:

Check the developer: Look for well-known developers or companies. A random developer with a generic name might be less trustworthy.
Read reviews: Look at the lowest-rated reviews to see common complaints, such as crashes or excessive permissions.
Review permissions: The extension page lists what data it can access. An ad blocker should not need access to your contacts or location.
Check for updates: Extensions that are not updated regularly may become incompatible with newer Safari versions or contain unpatched vulnerabilities.
Prefer open-source: If an extension is open-source, you can inspect the code yourself or rely on community audits.

A common misconception is that the gallery only contains Apple-approved extensions. In reality, the gallery has two sections: “Apple Featured” (curated) and “All Extensions” (which includes developer-hosted extensions). The latter are not reviewed by Apple, so you need to be more careful with those.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Sometimes extensions don’t work as expected. Here are typical issues and solutions:

Extension not showing up: After installing, you must enable it in Safari’s settings. On Mac, go to Settings > Extensions and check the box. On iOS, go to Settings > Safari > Extensions and toggle it on.
Extension grayed out: This usually means the extension is not compatible with your Safari version or device. Check the extension’s compatibility requirements.
Extension slows down Safari: Some extensions run on every page load. Try disabling extensions one by one to find the culprit.
Extension not working on a specific site: Some sites block extensions or use scripts that interfere. Try disabling the extension for that site or contact the developer.
Can’t uninstall: On Mac, go to Settings > Extensions, select the extension, and click “Uninstall.” On iOS, delete the app that contains the extension from your home screen.

If an extension causes Safari to crash, restart Safari and then disable the extension. If the problem persists, uninstall it and look for an alternative.

Alternatives to the Gallery

Besides the official gallery, you can install extensions directly from a developer’s website. For example, some popular extensions like “uBlock Origin” are not in the gallery but can be downloaded from the developer’s site. However, installing from outside the gallery requires extra steps: you must download the extension file, open it in Safari, and confirm that you trust the developer.

Another alternative is to use Safari’s built-in features that replace some extensions. For instance, Safari has a built-in Reader mode, a privacy report, and content blockers that don’t require a separate extension. These can reduce your reliance on third-party tools.

If you need a specific functionality that isn’t available in Safari, you might consider using a different browser like Chrome or Firefox, which have larger extension libraries. But that comes with its own trade-offs in terms of privacy and integration with Apple’s ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all Safari extensions free?

No, some extensions are paid. The gallery shows a price if the extension costs money. Free extensions may have in-app purchases or subscriptions, so check the description before installing.

How do I update a Safari extension?

On macOS, extensions update automatically through the App Store if you downloaded them from there. For developer-hosted extensions, you may need to download the new version from the developer’s website. On iOS, extensions update with their parent app through the App Store.

Can I use Chrome extensions in Safari?

Not directly, but many Chrome extensions have Safari versions because both use the WebExtensions API. You need to find the Safari version in the gallery or on the developer’s site.

Do Safari extensions work in private browsing?

By default, extensions are disabled in private browsing windows on Mac. You can enable them by going to Settings > Extensions, selecting the extension, and checking “Allow in Private Browsing.” On iOS, extensions work in private tabs if you enable them in Settings.

What happens if an extension is removed from the gallery?

If Apple removes an extension, it may stop working or be unavailable for new installs. If you already have it installed, it might continue to work until the next Safari update, but you won’t receive updates. It’s best to find an alternative.

Can I create my own Safari extension?

Yes, Apple provides a developer program for Safari Web Extensions. You can use Xcode to build and test your extension, and then submit it to the gallery or distribute it yourself. The process requires an Apple Developer account.

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