Sync Safari Extensions Across Apple Devices in iOS 16

Starting in iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura, Apple introduced seamless Safari extension syncing via iCloud. This feature allows users to keep their web extensions consistent across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, automatically mirroring whether an extension is active and making cross-device installation straightforward.

How the Syncing Mechanism Works

Safari extension syncing relies on your Apple ID and iCloud to maintain a unified browsing configuration across supported hardware. Instead of forcing you to manually configure extensions on every separate device, the operating system synchronizes both the state of your extensions and their availability.

  • State Synchronization: When you enable or disable a Safari extension on your iPhone, that same activation state syncs to your Mac or iPad, provided the extension is installed on those devices.
  • Cross-Device Discovery: If you install an extension on a Mac or iPad that is not yet on your iPhone, iOS 16 lists it in your settings under a dedicated section, allowing you to download it directly from the App Store without searching for it manually.

Requirements for Extension Syncing

To use extension syncing, your devices must meet the following criteria:

  • Running iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13 Ventura, or later.
  • Signed in to the same Apple ID across all devices.
  • Two-factor authentication enabled for your Apple ID.
  • Safari enabled under your iCloud sync settings.

How to Enable Extension Syncing on iOS 16

The feature is managed directly within the system settings rather than inside the Safari app itself:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone running iOS 16.
  2. Scroll down and tap Safari.
  3. Under the General section, tap Extensions.
  4. Toggle on the switch labeled Share Across Devices.

To ensure full cross-platform functionality, this setting must also be turned on across your other devices (found in Settings > Safari > Extensions on iPadOS, and Safari > Settings > Extensions on macOS).

Handling Universal Purchases vs. Platform-Specific Extensions

Because iOS and macOS share modern WebExtension APIs, many developers publish universal apps that include both mobile and desktop extensions. When an extension is universal, purchasing or downloading it once makes it instantly available to sync across all your hardware.

If an extension is platform-exclusive—available only for macOS, for instance—it will not sync to or function on iOS 16. However, any extension built to support iOS will automatically align its settings and permissions as soon as it is installed and toggled on via iCloud.