When we search the internet, we expect images! So when Safari (or any other browser) stops showing images on websites, it’s a massive problem.

Recently, a few of our readers complained that they are unable to see images while browsing on their Macs using Safari. So let’s dive right in and discover a few ways to fix this Safari issue now!

Assumptions: In this post, we assume the problem happens all the time–irrespective of the website.

Quick Tips

Follow These Quick Tips To Get Safari Showing Images Again

• Clear Safari’s history
• Empty Safari’s Cache and restart
• Check in Safari’s Develop Menu that both Disable Images and Disable Javascript are not ticked
• Move Safari’s Cache and Website Preview Data to the trash
• For older Safari version, verify that you enabled Display images when the page opens in Safari’s preferences

Related Articles

How To Get Safari To Show Images on Your Mac

Option #1 Empty Safari’s Cache And Clear History

1. Open Safari
2. Choose History > Clear History 
3. Choose the timeframe to clear. For recent problems, pick the last hour or day. For longer issues, choose all history 
4. Go to Safari > Preferences or use the keyboard shortcut of Command + Comma
5. Choose the Advanced Tab
6. Tick the box for Show Develop Menu in Menu Bar
7. Once you turn on this option, your Safari sports a new menu item called Develop 
8. Drop down the Develop Menu and choose Empty Cache 
9. Verify that Disable Images and Disable Javascript is NOT checked
   1. When Disable Images is checked on, you will not see any images in Safari
10. Click on Safari > Preferences > Privacy
11. Click on  Manage Website Data (for older Safari versions this is also shown as More or Remove All Website Data) 
12. Tap Remove All (not shown on all Safari versions) 

Sync and Save Your Safari Bookmarks and Reading List

Before proceeding with the options below, sync your reading list and bookmarks to iCloud, so you have a backup in place.

How To Sync iCloud Bookmarks & Reading List

• Choose Apple Menu > System Preferences > iCloud and tap Safari, so it’s enabled 

If bookmarks are really important, it’s a good idea to export them for extra safety!

How To Export Safari Bookmarks

1. Open Safari
2. Choose File > Export Bookmarks 
3. Choose where you want to export the file, then click Save 
4. By default, the file’s name is Safari Bookmarks.html. You can change the name if you wish to–consider adding the date at the end (like 03312019)

There is a chance you may delete them with the options below, especially option # 3.

Show Images in Safari On Your Mac

Option # 1

If option #1 did not work, let’s try changing some of Safari’s preference and cache files.

1. Close your Safari
2. Click on your Finder app on your Mac and open up a session
3. Click on GO on the menu and choose Go To Folder 
4. Type in the following file path ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari/Cache.db
5. Once located, drag that file to the trash or right-click and choose Move to Trash 
6. Return to Go To Folder and type in ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari/Webpage Previews
7. If that file exists, move it to the trash as well
8. Restart your Mac
9. Open Safari again to see if it works for you
10. If it works, empty the trash to remove those files

Option # 2

If neither option #1 or #2 helped Safari regain access to images, take a look at this article for detailed steps to fix Safari problems. 

Using an Older Version of Safari?

Check what version of Safari your Mac uses.

For earlier versions of Safari (versions 8 and below), go to Preferences and choose Appearance and then choose to Display images when the page opens. 

Reader Tips 

• Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions and turn all extensions off. Then test Safari. If it’s working again, turn the extensions on one by one until you figure out which particular extension causes the problem. Leave the one off until an update is available
• Go to Safari > Preferences > Advanced and deselect the box next to Internet plug-ins: Stop plug-ons to save power
• Restart in Safe Mode
• Set up another admin user account and try Safari using that account. If it works, the problem is your original user account

Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.

Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.

In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.