How to Update Safari on Mac to the Latest Version

No matter how fast and enjoyable Safari is, Apple always tries to streamline it. And there’s a good reason for that: over time, software incompatibilities inevitably arise. On top of that, Apple security experts regularly discover loopholes that can be exploited by cybercriminals. The latest version of Safari might then fix those security issues, as well as resolving other bugs.

You might also want to run the latest version of Safari because it has new features. A case in point is Safari 14 in Big Sur, which came with speed gains of up to 50%, a revamped start page, favicons and instant translation, among other things.

Now you know the reasons to download a Safari update, let’s look at how to do it.

How to update Safari on your Mac

Here’s how to upgrade Safari on Mac for macOS Mojave or later:

1. Go to System Preferences and select Software Update
2. Wait for your Mac to check for updates
3. If there’s an available update, click Upgrade Now
4. To automatically receive macOS and Safari updates, check the box that says Automatically keep my Mac up to date
5. Wait for your Mac to install any updates

How to update Safari via the App Store

If you use macOS High Sierra or earlier, you can update Safari by simply upgrading macOS via the App Store. Note, however, that it’s not always possible to upgrade older Macs to the latest version of macOS. You can check the compatibility of your device with the latest version of macOS here.

Follow these steps to install Safari updates for macOS High Sierra or earlier:

1. Open the App Store, and select the Updates tab
2. Find the latest macOS version, and click Download
3. Enter your Apple ID information
4. When the download is complete, go to the Applications folder
5. Open the macOS installation file you just downloaded
6. In the window that opens, click Continue
7. Accept the terms of the software license agreement
8. Select the installation destination, and click Install
9. When prompted, click Restart
10. Wait for the upgrade to complete. That might require several restart cycles

Update all apps with MacKeeper

If you want to update not only Safari but all your apps, use MacKeeper. This intuitive Mac security and optimization tool allows you to update all your apps in just one click.

How to keep your apps up to date with MacKeeper:
 

1. Download and launch MacKeeper
2. Select Update Tracker on the left

3. Click Scan for Updates

4. Click Update All

That’s it. With a single click, you can take care of Safari and any other apps that need updating.

FAQ

What is the latest version of Safari browser for Mac?

At the time of writing, the latest version of the Safari browser for Mac is 14.0.3.

How to check the current version of your Safari browser:

1. Open Safari
2. In the Safari menu at the top of your screen, click About Safari
3. In the window that opens, check the Safari version

Why is my Safari not updating?

With newer versions of macOS, your Safari isn’t updating because Apple has removed browser updates via the App Store. Now you can simply update macOS instead of manually updating Safari.

If you’re using macOS High Sierra or earlier and don’t want to upgrade macOS, you can update Safari in the App Store. Sometimes, though, that’s not possible, because the App Store preferences have become corrupted.

How to fix App Store preferences and update Safari:

1. In Finder, click Go and select Go to Folder
2. Enter ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.appstore.plist and click Go
3. Select the com.apple.appstore.plist file and move it to the Trash
4. Quit Safari
5. Go to the App Store, and click Update next to Safari

Can I install an older version of Safari?

No, you can’t install an older version of Safari. However, you can downgrade your macOS, thereby downgrading Safari too. This isn’t recommended, though, because older versions may have unpatched security holes in them.

Can I update Safari without updating macOS?

Yes, you can update Safari without the need to update a Mac. It can be done by manually updating the browser from the App Store. Keep in mind that manual Safari updates are only available for older versions of macOS.

To download Safari update without updating macOS, do the following:

1. Quit Safari
2. From the Apple menu, open App Store
3. In the window that opens, click Update next to Safari

Read more guides:

• How to Clear Safari History on a Mac in 4 Simple Steps
• Why Is Safari So Slow on My Mac, and How Do I Fix It?
• Safari Bookmarks Disappeared: What to Do?
• How to Use Incognito Mode in Safari
• Safari 11: Block Autoplay Videos and Website Tracking