How to Stop Form AutoFill and Search Suggestions in Safari Mac?

Apple Safari browser comes with a default AutoFill feature on all the devices like iPhone, iPad and Mac. This is a useful feature that the browser will remember form fields and fill up the details when you click on similar fields later. Though useful, it may create annoyance and privacy problems when sharing devices with others. Fortunately, it is easy to disable AutoFill in Safari Mac. In addition to AutoFill, there are also search suggestions to show automatic results when you use the address bar (called Smart Search Field). You can disable this feature as well if that disturbs you.

Safari AutoFill and Search Suggestions Example

Let’s say, you are on the contact form of a website. When you click the “Name” field and start typing the name, Safari will automatically suggest people names from your contact list.

You can select your name or anyone from your contact list to fill the form details. Safari will automatically fill the name, email, phone and other personal details in the corresponding form fields.

It’s not just a contact forms, Safari will try to AutoFill details in login prompts, credit card fields and address data. Likewise, you can type a word or phrase in the Smart Search Filed and see the automatic suggestions are shown from your default search engine.

If you hate these automatic stuffs in Safari Mac, follow the below instructions to disable form AutoFill, password AutoFill and search suggestions.

1. Stop Form AutoFill in Safari Mac

• Launch Safari browser and go to “Safari > Settings…” menu. Alternatively, press “Command and Comma” shortcut keys.
• This will open Safari settings and go to “AutoFill” section.
• Uncheck all checkboxes against “AutoFill web forms” heading.

• You can enable or disable the options independently to use only selected AutoFill instead of all the options. Click the “Edit” button against the options will take you to different sections for managing the stuff which does not affect AutoFill feature as such.
  • Using information from my contacts – this will take you to contact section where you can edit your personal details.
  • User names and passwords – click the “Edit” button against this option to go to “Passwords” section in Safari to manage login passwords.
  • Credit cards – view, add or delete credit card details.
• Other forms – manage form details stored for individual websites. If you want to remove auto filling form details on a specific site, then click on the “Edit” button and remove the site from the list.

2. Stop Search Suggestions in Safari Mac

When you are in Safari settings page, go to “Search” section.

• If required, change the search engine and uncheck “Include search engine suggestions” option.
• Also disable “Include Safari Suggestions” option against “Smart Search Filed”. If you do not want to preload the top hits, then disable that option as well.

That’s all!!! Safari will not show automatic suggestions when you type keywords in the address bar. Remember, you will still see an option to search with the default search engine but no more automatic suggestions.

3. Disable Passwords AutoFill in Mac Safari

The above settings will not stop AutoFilling of passwords in Mac Safari. You need to disable this option separately in Settings app.

• Click Apple menu in menu bar and navigate to “System Settings…”.
• Go to “Passwords” section and click “Password Options”. You need to unlock the settings with Touch ID or admin password.

• On the next page, turn off “AutoFill Passwords” option to get rid of automatic password filling in all login prompts.

Note: Mac will store all Safari passwords in Keychain Access. When you enable iCloud sync for passwords, all the items will be synchronized in iCloud server and accessible across your devices. If you do not want to share passwords across devices, go to “Apple menu > System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud” and turn off “Password & Keychain” option.