safari iconApple today released Safari 12 for macOS Sierra and High Sierra, introducing the same Safari improvements that are coming to macOS Mojave in the Safari 12 software bundled with that update.

Safari 12 is recommended for all macOS High Sierra users and can be downloaded from the Software Update function in the Mac App Store.

Safari 12 brings support for creating and storing strong, unique passwords, flagging reused passwords in Safari Preferences, preventing social media buttons and embedded content from tracking you across websites, and suppressing ad retargeting by limiting the amount of information available about your Mac.

Apple's full release notes for the update are below:

The Safari 12 update is recommended for all macOS High Sierra users and contains improvements to privacy, compatibility, and security. This update:

  • Adds the ability to view website icons in tabs
  • Automatically suggests and fills a strong, unique password when creating an account or changing a password
  • Flags reused passwords in Safari Preferences
  • Adds support for allowing or blocking pop-ups on specific websites
  • Prevents embedded content and social media buttons from tracking cross-site browsing without permission.
  • Suppresses ad retargeting by reducing advertisers' ability to identify Mac devices uniquely
  • Automatically turns off Safari extensions that negatively impact browsing performance
  • Improves security by only supporting legacy Safari Extensions that have been reviewed by Apple
  • Improves security by discontinuing support for most NPAPI plug-ins

The update also includes several fixes for security vulnerabilities, outlined in an Apple support document on the security content of Safari 12.

macOS Mojave with Safari 12 built in will be released to the public on Monday, September 24.

Tag: Safari

Top Rated Comments

StellarVixen Avatar
92 months ago
Favicons are disabled by default. Go to the Preferences --> Tabs and check Show Website Icons in tabs.

uBlock Origin and Ghostery got disabled, and I got the dialogue window that they are now in the App Store, like all other extensions. However, this is not true. There is high chance you are not gonna find the extension you need on the App Store.

Going to Safari Extensions also takes you to the App Store, so you cannot enable your old extensions from there. To make your old extensions work, what you need to do is go to the Preferences --> Extensions, and enable your extensions from there.

I got the first taste of this in Safari Tech Preview, so I knew this was coming.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StellarVixen Avatar
92 months ago
Well, then you have to get your hands dirty. :)

Download the extension, change the file extension from .safariextz to zip. Extract files.

Click "Show Extension Builder" in Develop menu. On the lower left corner there is a plus button. Click it. Then choose the "Add Extension".

When you get asked to, open the folder where the extracted files of your extension are. Then click "Run" in the upper right corner of Extension Builder.

Done. Now your extension shall be working like a charm.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Elmo1938 Avatar
92 months ago
tried to update. gotyhis message

“Safari” cannot be updated because its extensions are in use by “Spotlight”. Click OK and quit the application.

I did quit Safari but it seems to want more!

Attachment Image
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
92 months ago
Can Apple decide on how its updates come???

So we don't get macOS Mohave today but we get Safari 12? And why are these separate?
[doublepost=1537213530][/doublepost]
A version of uBlock is on the App Store, not sure about the developer, as it's based on open source code.
Apple has always released separate Safari updates. The main reason is for people running High Sierra on Macs that don't support Mojave. The browser is a frequent target for exploits and it's important to keep it up to date.

I for one love that Apple does this. It shows they care about people using previous versions of MacOS rather than just saying UPGRADE ALL THE THINGS RIGHT AWAY!!!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BlazednSleepy Avatar
92 months ago
Safari feels...............................happier.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
weup togo Avatar
92 months ago

uBlock Origin and Ghostery got disabled, and I got the dialogue window that they are now in the App Store, like all other extensions. However, this is not true. There is high chance you are not gonna find the extension you need on the App Store.
This also breaks JSBlocker, which is the only tool I'm aware of that prevents canvas fingerprinting. Killing these invaluable privacy protections makes this new Safari much worse for anyone who was already taking steps to protect themselves. Shame on Apple.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26 Battery Glass Feature

iPhone 16 Pro Max 80% Charge Limit: One Year Later, Was It Worth It?

Wednesday September 24, 2025 3:58 pm PDT by
With the iPhone 15 series, I did an experiment and kept my iPhone's Charge Limit set at 80 percent for an entire year. It provided an interesting look at the impact of charge limits on battery longevity, so I decided to repeat it for the iPhone 16 line. Since September 2024, my iPhone 16 Pro Max has been limited to an 80 percent charge, with no cheating. As of today, my battery's maximum...
AirPods Pro 3 Newsroom

Apple's 'Back to School' Offer Ends Soon, Now Applies to AirPods Pro 3

Wednesday September 24, 2025 7:20 am PDT by
Apple's annual "Back to School" promotion for students ends soon, so act fast if you want to score free AirPods with the purchase of an eligible new Mac or iPad. Until Tuesday, September 30, college students and qualifying educational staff in the U.S. can receive free AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation when they purchase an eligible new Mac or iPad from Apple. This is a $179 value. ...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

Apple Blames In-Store MagSafe Chargers for iPhone 17 Pro Display Model Scratches

Wednesday September 24, 2025 10:22 am PDT by
The marks on the iPhone 17 Pro models that people have noticed at Apple retail stores are caused by the chargers that Apple uses, Apple confirmed today. Apple told 9to5Mac that worn MagSafe charging stands in stores are causing marks on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Apple says that the marks are not scratches, and are instead material transfer from the stand to the phone. The...
iPhone 17 Pro Colors

Skipped the iPhone 17 Pro? Here's What is Rumored for iPhone 18 Pro

Tuesday September 23, 2025 8:55 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still a year away, there are already a few rumors about the devices that offer an early look ahead. Below, we have recapped some of the early iPhone 18 Pro rumors so far. This story was published previously, and it has been updated to reflect the latest rumors. Many early rumors prove to be true, but nothing is confirmed yet, and Apple's...
Home Hub Command Center with Dome Base Feature

Apple Working on All-New Operating System

Thursday September 25, 2025 1:11 pm PDT by
Apple is developing an all-new operating system codenamed "Charismatic," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple smart home hub concept based on rumors This is likely Apple's long-rumored "homeOS" operating system. In a report last month, Gurman said both Apple's rumored smart home hub in 2026 and tabletop robot in 2027 will run the new operating system. He said the software platform ...
iOS 26

Everything New in iOS 26.1 Beta 1

Monday September 22, 2025 12:44 pm PDT by
Apple released the first beta of iOS 26.1 today, just a week after launching iOS 26. iOS 26.1 mainly adds new languages to Apple Intelligence, but there are a few other features that are worth knowing about. New Apple Intelligence Languages Apple Intelligence is now available in Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese. AirPo...
ios 26 digital id passport wallet

Apple Confirms iOS 26 Wallet Passport Feature is Coming in 2025

Tuesday September 23, 2025 1:06 pm PDT by
Digital ID, the iOS 26 feature that lets U.S. passport holders add their passports to the Wallet app, is coming later in 2025, Apple confirmed today. Apple updated the release timing wording of Digital ID on its iOS 26 features page. "Digital ID will be coming later this year with US passports only," it reads. Prior to today, the footnote for the feature said "Digital ID will be available ...
apple tv 4k new orange

Next Apple TV Expected to Launch This Year With These New Features

Monday September 22, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
The next Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Likely Features N1 Chip With Wi-Fi 7 Last year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the next Apple TV would be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, which is...
iPhone 17 Pro USB C Port

iPhone 17 Pro Max's USB-C Charging Speeds Tested With Apple Chargers

Monday September 22, 2025 7:29 am PDT by
The website ChargerLAB has tested the iPhone 17 Pro Max's USB-C charging speeds with a variety of Apple's chargers, from 18W to 140W. The device reached a peak charging speed of around 36W with the following Apple chargers:40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max 61W USB-C Power Adapter 67W USB-C Power Adapter 70W USB-C Power Adapter 96W USB-C Power Adapter 140W USB-C Power AdapterFor...