If you use a different browser instead of Safari, it is reasonable to assume that you will want to remove it. But to do this just by dragging the app into the basket (like any other app) will not work out. The system simply will not allow this to be done in such a way. But you can get rid of Safari if you are a little more patient.
How to uninstall Safari on Mac: feel yourself like a hacker a little
Let’s look at how to delete Safari on Mac using the MacBookAir as an example. In essence, the method is suitable for other Apple devices with different versions of the operating system.
At the same time, we will not use any third-party applications, so as not to harm the computer. You never know which malicious code can be picked up by installing such a program…
Safari, like other pre-installed programs, is protected from uninstallation by ordinary users. And for good reason. MacOS uses data from these applications to operate properly. And removing them can lead to failures in the OS.
So, if you still decide to remove this browser, you should understand that everything is done at your own risk.
Don’t you change your mind? Moving right along.
Step 1: Put the computer in the Recovery mode
This is a very important point in solving the problem of how to remove Safari from Mac. You cannot delete the browser without it.
To put the computer in the Recovery mode, follow these steps:
01. Reboot the device by selecting: Apple menu -> “Restart”.
02. After the screen goes blank, hold down the “CMD” and “R” keys on the keyboard.
IMPORTANT. You may have to wait a long time and hold the keys for several minutes. This is normal – do not panic.
03. If everything is ok, you will see something like this window.
04. Select “Utilities” in the top menu and then “Terminal” in the drop-down menu.
05. When the Terminal window appears, enter the following command into it: csrutil disable and press “Return”.
If everything is ok, you will see a message about disabling the system integrity management.
07. After that, restart your computer: Apple menu -> Restart.
The system integrity management is disabled, and now, you can uninstall Safari.
But before this, you need to perform a few more steps:
After that, a window with information about the application will appear.
In the lower right corner, click on the golden lock. The system will ask you to enter a password.
There is a “Sharing & Permissions” section at the bottom of this window. Find the “everyone” item there. You should click opposite it and select “Read & Write”.
IMPORTANT. In some cases, you may have 2 items called “everyone”. So, you need to select “Read & Write” in both of them.
Step 2: Remove Safari from Mac
Now, everything is ready to remove Safari.
Depending on the system, this can be done by simply dragging the browser icon from the Finder to the basket, or through the terminal.
If you succeeded to delete it by dragging it to the basket, congratulations!
If it doesn’t work, start the terminal (for example: Launchpad -> Others -> Terminal).
In the window appeared, type cd /Applications/ and press “Return”.
Then, to remove the browser, type: sudorm -rfSafari.app/ (you can type it manually, or copy directly from here and paste it).
After entering, press “Return”.
Next, the system will ask you to enter the Administrator’s password.
IMPORTANT. When entering the password, no characters appear on the screen. It may seem that nothing is happening. But this is not so, and the system reads your actions.
No deletion messages will appear. Don’t worry, everything is ok.
Just go to “Applications” and make sure you are able to uninstall Safari on Mac.
If the browser still remains, follow all the steps above carefully once more.
IMPORTANT POINT!!! Do not leave the operating system unprotected.
We disabled the system integrity management above. After removing Safari, you should enable it. For this purpose, you need to enter the Recovery mode again. Follow these steps:
01. Restart your Mac by selecting: Aplle menu-> Restart.
02. After the screen goes blank, hold down the “CMD” and “R” keys on the keyboard.
03. If everything is ok, you will see a familiar window.
04. Select “Utilities” in the top menu and then “Terminal” in the drop-down menu.
05. Enter the command: csrutil enable in the terminal window and press “Return”.
If everything is ok, you will see a message about enabling the system integrity management.
After that, restart the Mac again: Apple menu -> Restart.
All is done. You can use your Mac without Safari.
