1. What are Extensions?

Apple recently released the newest version of its web browser, Safari. One of the major new features that Apple has introduced is the ability to add extensions. What are extensions, you might ask? Extensions are a way for software developers to add their own features to the browser. For example, a developer could write an extension that would automatically remove Google Ads from web pages you visit. All you, as a normal computer user, would need to do is install that extension – and bam! No more Google Ads cluttering up your web browsing experience.

However, there is one catch: Apple wants to launch the feature to the public with a large gallery of tested and approved extensions ready for public consumption. So, Apple has hidden the ability to use them, while they give developers time to create and test their extensions. Don’t worry, it’s dead easy to flip that hidden switch and enjoy your own extension-goodness ahead of the crowd!

2. How do I enable extensions?

Enabling extensions is a simple two-step process, that only takes a few mouse clicks. The first step is to turn on the Develop menu. To do this, open your Safari Prefences (“?,”, or under “Safari -> Prefences”). Then, open the “Advanced” tab and click the “Show Develop menu in menu bar” checkbox at the bottom of the window.

Enabling the Develop menu

Now, go to that freshly revealed “Develop” menu, and select “Enable Extensions”.

Enabling Extensions

There you go, extensions are now enabled! Wasn’t that easy?

3. Okay, I have Extensions enabled. Now what?

Safari Extensions Blog

Obviously, having extensions enabled won’t help you much if you don’t have any extensions to use. Luckily, until Apple unveils its own collections of extensions, Jonas Wisser has stepped up and is running a blog called Safari Extensions. Wisser takes submissions of extensions from developers, and does a quick write-up on what each extension does, before posting it with links to where you download your own copy. Installing the downloaded extension is easy, just double click the “.safariextz” file, and Safari will pop-up a windows asking you if you want to install it – tell Safari that yes, you would like to install the extension in question, and you’re set.