Customize toolbar in safari not working

I am also having this issue.

• I have no extensions.
• I am on the latest version Safari 16.4.
• I logged out, restarted, and shut down.
• I removed all cache and cookies from websites.

I can customize my toolbar in "Compact Layout" but I cannot customize my toolbar in "Separate Layout", which is my preference.

How can I reset/restore the original settings for Safari toolbar?

You may try to remove every single element/button in the toolbar as well as two buttons in the sidebar (The tool gallery does not appear but you can still drag and remove them). Then deselect all extensions in the Safari setting. Your toolbar should be blank now. Finally customize the toolbar and hopefully the gallery may be shown again.

I followed all of the steps above and I am still experiencing the issue.

Fixed this issue. Open toolbar customizer, right click on the toolbar in the customize window and return to default.

Hi 33C33,

Thanks for contacting Apple Support Communities!

We understand that you're unable to customize your Safari toolbar.

Do you experience the same behavior after you restart your Mac? If you need help to restart your Mac, this article will guide you: Shut down or restart your Mac - Apple Support

If you're still experiencing the same behavior after restarting, check out the steps outlined here which explain how to troubleshoot Safari such as checking extensions and updating: If Safari doesn't open a page or work as expected on your Mac - Apple Support

"Install software updates and restart

Update macOS, which can include updates for Safari. If your Mac didn't restart automatically, choose Apple menu  > Restart. Some important background updates take effect only after restarting.

Check Safari extensions

If you installed any Safari extensions, turn extensions off. From the menu bar in Safari, choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences). Click Extensions, then deselect each extension to turn it off. Learn more about Safari extensions.

If you find that an extension is causing the issue, make sure that the extension is up to date.

Test with a private window 

A website can store cookies, caches, and other data on your Mac, and issues with that data can affect your use of the website. To prevent the website from using that data, view it in a private window: From the menu bar in Safari, choose File > New Private Window, or press Shift-Command-N.

If that works, use the following steps to remove the website's data, including its caches and cookies. The website can then create new data as needed. If it's a website that you sign in to, make sure that you know your sign-in information before continuing.

1. Choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences), then click Privacy.
2. Click Manage Website Data.
3. Select the affected website from the list shown.
4. Click Remove.
5. Click Done.
6. Open the website again in a non-private browser window.

Check Safari settings

The webpage might not be compatible with one or more browser settings, which you can turn on or off as needed. From the menu bar in Safari, choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences). Then click Websites, Privacy, or Security to access these settings:

• Privacy settings. These settings apply to all websites. For example, a website might require that you allow cross-site tracking, show your IP address, or allow cookies.
• Security settings. These settings apply to all websites. For example, a website might require that you enable JavaScript.
• Websites settings. These settings can be configured for specific websites. For example, a website might require that you allow pop-up windows, allow downloads, allow access to your camera or microphone, or turn off content blockers.

Check iCloud Private Relay

If you subscribe to iCloud+ and are using its Private Relay feature, try reloading the page without Private Relay: From the menu bar in Safari, choose View > Reload and Show IP Address. This menu item appears only when Private Relay is turned on for your network. Learn more about iCloud Private Relay.

Check VPN or other security software

If you installed VPN or other software that monitors or interacts with your network connections, that software could affect your use of the website or the internet. Learn about network issues related to VPN and other software. 

Check network settings

Certain network settings, such as custom proxy settings or custom DNS settings, can affect access to content on the internet. Even if you haven't changed these or other network settings yourself, you might have installed software that changed them for you. 

To find out whether the issue is with the network settings on your Mac, try viewing the page from a different web browser or different device on the same network. Or reset your network settings by setting up a new network location on your Mac.

If the issue affects other devices and web browsers on the same network, the issue is probably with the website, and you should contact the website developer for help."

This is also a great resource which will show you different ways to customize the toolbar in Safari: Customize the Safari browser window on Mac - Apple Support

If you still aren't able to customize your toolbar in Safari, we'd suggest that you create a new user account and attempt to customize the toolbar to help isolate this behavior to the one account or to help determine if it's system wide: Add a user or group on Mac - Apple Support

We hope this helps.

Cheers!