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User profile for user: Ronix hsu
Ronix hsu Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Mac safari homepage preference got locked (greyed out) !

hi guys

my MacBook Air 2019 just got upgraded to Big Sur but safari homepage preference got locked (greyed out). the homepage now goes to "safe finder" search page which no one feel "safe" at all.

I tried some threads online but there is no profile found in system preference, no extension in safari's preference, no luck with restarting in safe mode and cleaning some suspicious caches in library/lauchagents..... I've done everything I could and now I have to ask for some help.there is an uninstall option but ironically when you click it, it tells you to reset the homepage preference ,as shown below, which leads you back to the locked settings by it as the first snapshot I post.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Nov 24, 2020 1:35 PM

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User profile for user: cp from OH
cp from OH
User level: Community Specialist

Dec 2, 2020 2:51 PM in response to Ronix hsu

Hello Ronix hsu, 


Welcome to the Apple Support Communities! We understand that you're trying to change the Homepage in Safari on your MacBook Air. 


Selecting Uninstall is a great first step to take. While the General tab has the Homepage URL greyed out, have you check the Extensions tab to see if there is an extension for Safe Finder Search which may need removed?  Follow the steps under, "How to turn off or uninstall extensions," from this article: How to install Safari extensions on your Mac. 


Once the extension is turned off, see if there is any change to the General tab to change your Homepage. 


All the best.

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User profile for user: Eric Root
Eric Root
User level: Level 10
684,723 points

Dec 2, 2020 6:50 PM in response to Ronix hsu

You have adware/malware installed. Use  Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac. It may be necessary to run more than one scan. After scanning a couple of times, restart the computer and test. If necessary, follow the manual instructions.  Do not download any other programs that are listed in the articles.  


Safe Finder Uninstall


Safe Finder Uninstall (2)


Safe Finder Uninstall (3)

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Mac safari homepage preference got locked (greyed out) !

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