Something is Launching Safari

Question

Level 1

109 points

Something is Launching Safari

Hi folks.

For some reason, I'm finding Safari launched for some reason. No window, just launched and in my dock. Could be some other process, could be Safari itself.

I tried making a Shortcut/Automation that would notify me when it started up (much like how iOS has), but Shortcuts isn't as robust as on iOS. Couldn't get that done. I was hoping it would notify me as to what I was doing when it launched.

Not sure what to look for in console.

Anybody know why it's launching? It's not in login as my box is always logged in. No scripts. It's happening more often over the last month.

Any idea how I can monitor or chase this one?

Cheers

Mac mini, macOS 12.1

Posted on Jan 25, 2022 10:53 AM

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Answer 1

Erin_B11

Community Specialist

Jan 26, 2022 2:00 PM in response to BioRich

Hello BioRich,

Thank you for posting in the Apple Support Communities. We're here to offer our support with Safari on your Mac.

To be sure, you've checked Login Items? If you add Safari, then remove it, does that help?

Change Users & Groups Login Items preferences on Mac

Also, does this happen in another user account? This step can help further determine that something in your user settings is causing Safari to launch unexpectedly.

Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac

From there, you can try using your Mac in safe mode to see if it happens again. The section "If the issue continues in safe mode" in the support article below has additional steps to further rule out a software issue.

Start up your Mac in safe mode

Kind regards.

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Answer 2

Erin_B11

Community Specialist

Jan 26, 2022 5:58 PM in response to BioRich

BioRich,

Thanks for sharing those additional details with us.

We can understand the value in having the app announce the activity. However, we suggest continuing to test in safe mode and in a new user account to isolate the issue to something in your user settings or to a more wide-spread issue.

Next, try force quitting Safari to see if it happens again.

How to force an app to quit on your Mac

Also, see if updating to macOS 12.2 helps, since fixes are often included with each update. Before updating, we recommend backing up your Mac.

Back up your Mac

Update macOS on Mac

Is this Mac owned or managed by a company? If applicable, you might want to check with the company administrators. If it's not managed by a company, or if further help is needed, please contact Apple Support directly. Depending on your region, you may be able to reach them here:

Get Support

Have a great rest of your day or evening.

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Answer 3

BioRich Author

Level 1

109 points

Jan 26, 2022 5:08 PM in response to Erin_B11

Yes. First thing.
I have no other user accounts.
Safe Mode I have not tried. The frequency at which I see this (maybe twice a day) means my computer needs to be used for a day, which I can't do. I don't see this stuff happening overnight, so only when I am at this computer, which is a workstation. Something is triggering it while I'm using it. I don't remember this happening overnight unannounced.

Any suggestions as to how to announce its activity? That would give me full idea as to when it happens. At the moment, I'm working and even finding it open, meaning "since last time I saw the dock" sort of thing.

Cheers

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Answer 4

BioRich Author

Level 1

109 points

Jan 26, 2022 6:32 PM in response to Erin_B11

Probable scenario: Leaving my computer on in Safe Mode for days..with either the problem or not, shows nothing

New account: It only complicates things by creating a non-workable environment. Nor does it tell me anything about what's launching it. Misbehaviour is different than something that's launching Safari. Nor do I have time/space and long-term problem avoidance on creating such a thing.

My point: My default browser is not Safari. Hasn't been that way in years. Something is calling Safari to open.

My Mac is my Mac. In my home. Nobody else is here. It's a desktop computer. Nobody else on it. Nobody else lives with me. I own no ghosts. This is a brand new Mac Mini. I have been writing software on the Mac environment since the beginning of the Mac, and then some. I back my Mac up daily. Since the day I got this. Previous Macs (I've owned several) often in a comprehensive backup plan. Backing up doesn't launch Safari.

I've been on Apple computers since 77. Yes, 77. I live on my current Mac and even the Console doesn't mention what's launching one of Apple's biggest apps.

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