---
title: "Block Safari browser on Mac"
slug: "block-safari-browser-on-mac"
updated: 2026-02-09T11:45:01Z
published: 2026-02-09T11:45:01Z
canonical: "help.scalefusion.com/block-safari-browser-on-mac"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.scalefusion.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Block Safari browser on Mac

The following script permanently blocks Safari for the current user by force-closing it every time it starts, using a LaunchAgent that runs in the background.

- Creates a background script that continuously checks if Safari is running.
- Kills Safari immediately if it is found.
- Registers that script as a LaunchAgent.
- Ensures it starts at login and continues to run.
- Result: Safari cannot be opened at all for that user.

#### Block Safari on Mac

1. Create a file on your desktop, for example, **Block_Safari.sh**, and open it in a text editor like Notepad++.
2. Copy the contents below to the file or click [**here**](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/Block_Safari.sh) to download the file.

```bash
#!/bin/bash

# Define the LaunchAgent plist file location
LAUNCH_AGENT_DIR="$HOME/Library/LaunchAgents"
LAUNCH_AGENT_FILE="$LAUNCH_AGENT_DIR/com.user.safari.block.plist"
SCRIPT_PATH="$HOME/Library/Scripts/block_safari.sh"

# Step 1: Create the block_safari.sh script
mkdir -p "$HOME/Library/Scripts"  # Create the Scripts directory if it doesn't exist

cat > "$SCRIPT_PATH" <<EOL
#!/bin/bash
# Infinite loop to keep checking for Safari process
while true; do
    # Check if Safari is running by looking for its PID
    SAFARI_PID=\$(pgrep -x Safari)

    # If the PID exists, kill the Safari process
    if [ ! -z "\$SAFARI_PID" ]; then
        echo "Safari process found with PID: \$SAFARI_PID. Killing it..."
        kill -9 "\$SAFARI_PID"
    fi

    # Sleep for 5 seconds before checking again
    sleep 5
done
EOL

# Make the script executable
chmod +x "$SCRIPT_PATH"

# Step 2: Create the LaunchAgent plist to run the script on login
mkdir -p "$LAUNCH_AGENT_DIR"  # Create the LaunchAgents directory if it doesn't exist

cat > "$LAUNCH_AGENT_FILE" <<EOL
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
  <dict>
    <key>Label</key>
    <string>com.user.safari.block</string>
    <key>ProgramArguments</key>
    <array>
      <string>$SCRIPT_PATH</string>
    </array>
    <key>RunAtLoad</key>
    <true/>
    <key>KeepAlive</key>
    <true/>
  </dict>
</plist>
EOL

# Step 3: Load the LaunchAgent so that it starts immediately
launchctl load -w "$LAUNCH_AGENT_FILE"

# Step 4: Inform the user that the launch agent is running
echo "Safari blocking agent has been deployed and is now running."
```
3. Follow our [**guide**](/docs/execute-shell-scripts-on-macos-devices-with-scalefusion) to upload & publish the Shell script using the Scalefusion Dashboard.
  1. When uploading the script, please select **"No"** for the option "**Run script as signed-in user**".

![](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/image-6G9AY64I.png)

#### Restrict users from turning off Safari block

The following payload restricts the user to toggle off the login/background item whose Label is com.user.safari.block by going to General > Login Items & Extensions > App Background Activity.

1. Copy the contents below directly and add them to **Apple Configurations** > **Custom Configurations** for Mac, or click [**here**](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/EnforceSafariBlocking.mobileconfig) to download the file and import it.

```bash
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
	<key>PayloadContent</key>
	<array>
		<dict>
			<key>PayloadDisplayName</key>
			<string>Service Management - Managed Login Items</string>
			<key>PayloadIdentifier</key>
			<string>com.apple.servicemanagement.5C8FEBF2-EB63-43CB-A5E1-28B35FAF6725</string>
			<key>PayloadType</key>
			<string>com.apple.servicemanagement</string>
			<key>PayloadUUID</key>
			<string>5C8FEBF2-EB63-43CB-A5E1-28B35FAF6725</string>
			<key>PayloadVersion</key>
			<integer>1</integer>
			<key>Rules</key>
			<array>
				<dict>
					<key>RuleType</key>
					<string>Label</string>
					<key>RuleValue</key>
					<string>com.user.safari.block</string>
				</dict>
			</array>
		</dict>
	</array>
	<key>PayloadDescription</key>
	<string>This payload enforce Safari blocking script</string>
	<key>PayloadDisplayName</key>
	<string>Enforce Safari Script</string>
	<key>PayloadIdentifier</key>
	<string>com.promobitech.scalefusion.40E117C6-A5C4-410C-8E91-0F73286D3DEC</string>
	<key>PayloadOrganization</key>
	<string>Scalefusion</string>
	<key>PayloadType</key>
	<string>Configuration</string>
	<key>PayloadUUID</key>
	<string>40E117C6-A5C4-410C-8E91-0F73286D3DEC</string>
	<key>PayloadVersion</key>
	<integer>1</integer>
</dict>
</plist>
```
2. Follow [**our guide**](/docs/custom-configuration-ios-and-macos) on how to add the Custom Payload in the Apple Configurations & deploy it to devices.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/image-YOQYRG71.png)

> [!NOTE]
> Note:
> 
> Please note that to use the Shell scripts, the **Scalefusion MDM Client Application** must be **installed** on the device(s). Please follow our [**guide**](/docs/scalefusion-mdm-agent-application-for-mac-devices) to publish and install the Scalefusion MDM Agent Application.

> [!CAUTION]
> Notes:
> 
> 1. The Payload and its contents are sourced from various albeit authenticated Apple Developer communities and forums.
> 2. Please validate them on a test machine before deploying them on all your managed devices.
> 3. Scalefusion has tested these Payloads, however, Scalefusion will not be responsible for any loss of data or system malfunction that may arise due to the incorrect usage of these payloads.