Although not as popular as Google Chrome, Safari remains a preferred choice for many iPhone and Mac users for browsing the web. While Apple frequently improves Safari with new features and bug fixes, the default browser isn't without its problems. Sometimes, Safari fails to work، and can't find the server, It even keeps changing your search engine to Yahoo without your consent. Here are the best ways to remove Yahoo Search from Safari.
Yahoo is no longer an option for many with the presence of Google. Instead of wasting hours searching on Yahoo's search engine, use the tricks below to prevent Safari from redirecting to Yahoo. Before we begin with the troubleshooting tricks, learn why Yahoo keeps opening Safari randomly.
Why do my Google searches go to Yahoo in Safari?
Several factors can affect the default search engine in Safari on your Mac. If you frequently download files and media from unknown sources on the web, you may infect your Mac with fake and malicious files. These malicious files and apps take over your Safari search engine and redirect your queries through Yahoo.
Some unknown extensions can also hijack your Safari browser and randomly change your search engine.
How browser hijackers work on Mac
Browser hijackers take over your search engine and suggest suspicious websites containing ads and trackers. Their goal is to maximize clicks on such ads and make money. Before the situation gets out of hand, use the steps below to remove Yahoo Search from Safari.
1. Change the default search engine in Safari
Although Google is the default search engine in Safari, it's possible that an app or malware has changed it to Yahoo. Therefore, you need to change your default search engine in Safari and try again.
Step 1: Open Safari, Click on the Safari menu in the upper left corner and choose Settings from the context menu.
Step 2: Go to the tab Search And change the search engine to Google Or Bing.
2. Disable unknown extensions
An installed Safari extension may be causing problems with your browser's search engine. You should remove unnecessary extensions from Safari.
Step 1: Open Safari, click the menu safari In the upper left corner and choose Settings from the context menu.
Step 2: Click the tab Extensions Select an extension from the sidebar and uninstall it.
3. Turn off login items
An unknown app or activity running at system startup can override your preferred search engine in Safari. You should turn off irrelevant login items on your Mac.
Step 1: tap on Apple icon In the upper left corner and select system configuration from the context menu.
Step 2: Scroll to General Select login items.
Step 3: Select an unknown app or service and tap the icon. “-“.
4. Close suspicious activities
An unknown browser hijacker running in the background can take over Safari and change the search engine to Yahoo.
Step 1: Click on the apps menu in the dock and click Activity Monitor.
Step 2: When you notice an unknown process from the list, select it and click God x above.
5. Remove unfamiliar files from your MAC
You can also remove unfamiliar plist files from your Mac and try running Safari without Yahoo redirection.
Step 1: Open Finder and press the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + G.
Step 2: Go to the following path:
/ Library / LaunchAgents
Step 3: If you notice a suspicious file name, move it to Trash. Look for file names like these.
- com.pcv.hlpramc.plist
- com.updater.mcy.plist
- com.avickUpd.plist
- com.msp.agent.plist
6. Remove unnecessary folders
You need to remove irrelevant folders from your Mac and try to run Safari search without Yahoo interference.
Step 1: turn on Finder and press the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + G.
Step 2: Go to the following path:
~ / Library / Application Support
7. Clear Safari cache
A corrupted Safari cache can also cause issues with the app's default search engine. You should clear the cache and data in Safari on your Mac and try again.
Step 1: Open Safari, and click Safari menu In the upper left corner and choose Settings from the context menu.
Step 2: Click on the Privacy tab and select “Website data management.”
Step 3: Click Remove All andDelete cached data.
8. Perform an antivirus scan
If your Mac is infected with viruses and malicious files, they may change your Safari search engine to Yahoo. Since macOS doesn't come with an antivirus program, use a third-party solution to get the job done.
Malwarebytes is a popular choice for scanning and removing viruses from Macs. Download it using the link below and run it on your Mac.
9. Update MACOS
Apple frequently updates Safari with system versions that contain new features and bug fixes. You can update macOS to install the latest version of Safari on your Mac.
Step 1: Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner and select system configuration from the context menu.
Step 2: Locate General From the left sidebar, choose upgrade software from the right part.
Install any pending macOS updates. After that, Safari and Yahoo Search will no longer be bothering you.
Enjoy smooth web browsing
You can also ditch Safari for Google Chrome on Mac. However, note that Google Chrome suffers from the same issue. You can check out our dedicated guide. To remove Yahoo Search from Chrome.
If you want to continue using Safari, check the steps above and remove Yahoo Search as soon as possible.
