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Safari Catalina stuck with Apple as homepage

I have a new MacBook Pro with Catalina. There is no malware on it. The home page is stuck with the Apple site. I have tried going into Safari > Preferences> and resetting the home page but it will not save any changes to that field. It does save other changes (e.g. how many favorites to display, etc.) but nothing I do to change the homepage works. I don't like Apple forcing me to see their website every time I open Safari. Any ideas on how to change?

MacBook Pro 16", macOS 10.15

Posted on Dec 29, 2019 6:20 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Dec 29, 2019 9:24 AM

 1. Check for adware.


     Run the latest release of Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware/adware, if installed on your Mac.

     For instructions:  Install Malwarebytes for Mac          Uninstall Malwarebytes for Mac

     Click the “Scan Now” button. Once done, quit Malwarebytes for Mac.

     Restart the computer and relaunch Safari holding the shift key down.


     Remove unknown profiles (1), unknown login items(@) unknown extensions(3), reset search engine (4)

     and reset Homepage (5 & 6)  listed under Additional steps.


2. Additional steps to take, if necessary.

  1. Remove unknown profiles.

      System Preferences > Profiles

      Open System Preferences, click the “Profiles” icon ( a checkmark on a gear) .

      When Profiles pane opens, select the unknown profile and click the minus button at the bottom.

  2. Remove unknown Login item.

       System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login items

       Authenticate and unlock the lock.


       Highlight the unknown login item and click the “-“ button at the bottom left to remove it.   


  3. Remove unknown extensions:  Safari > Preferences > Extensions

      https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/use-safari-extensions-sfri32508/mac

  4. Reset search engine:    https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/customize-your-search-ibrwe75c2a3c/mac



      Change Home Page

  5. Reset  Homepage.   https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/set-your-homepage-ibrw1020/mac  


      Section: Check other browser settings. Homepage Stuck

  6. Ref: https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/236261-how-to-remove-weknow-malware-and-others/


    7. Shutdown the computer from  menu. Start your Mac using the Power button.

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2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Dec 29, 2019 9:24 AM in response to smibula

 1. Check for adware.


     Run the latest release of Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware/adware, if installed on your Mac.

     For instructions:  Install Malwarebytes for Mac          Uninstall Malwarebytes for Mac

     Click the “Scan Now” button. Once done, quit Malwarebytes for Mac.

     Restart the computer and relaunch Safari holding the shift key down.


     Remove unknown profiles (1), unknown login items(@) unknown extensions(3), reset search engine (4)

     and reset Homepage (5 & 6)  listed under Additional steps.


2. Additional steps to take, if necessary.

  1. Remove unknown profiles.

      System Preferences > Profiles

      Open System Preferences, click the “Profiles” icon ( a checkmark on a gear) .

      When Profiles pane opens, select the unknown profile and click the minus button at the bottom.

  2. Remove unknown Login item.

       System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login items

       Authenticate and unlock the lock.


       Highlight the unknown login item and click the “-“ button at the bottom left to remove it.   


  3. Remove unknown extensions:  Safari > Preferences > Extensions

      https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/use-safari-extensions-sfri32508/mac

  4. Reset search engine:    https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/customize-your-search-ibrwe75c2a3c/mac



      Change Home Page

  5. Reset  Homepage.   https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/set-your-homepage-ibrw1020/mac  


      Section: Check other browser settings. Homepage Stuck

  6. Ref: https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/236261-how-to-remove-weknow-malware-and-others/


    7. Shutdown the computer from  menu. Start your Mac using the Power button.

Safari Catalina stuck with Apple as homepage

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