Key takeaways:
- Safari Power Saver mode can slow down web browsing and cause issues with Flash content
- Disabling Power Saver is easy through Safari Preferences
- Power Saver should generally be left on for improved battery life, unless you have a specific reason to turn it off
Safari is the default web browser on Mac, known for its speed, privacy features, and energy efficiency. One of the ways Safari helps conserve battery life is through its Power Saver mode, which automatically stops plug-ins like Flash from running in certain situations. While this is great for extending battery life on MacBooks, it can sometimes lead to slower performance or issues with websites that rely heavily on plug-ins. If you’re experiencing these problems, you may want to consider turning off Safari Power Saver mode.
Table of Contents
What is Safari Power Saver Mode?
Safari Power Saver is a feature introduced in recent versions of macOS that aims to improve battery life by intelligently managing plug-ins. When Power Saver is enabled, Safari will prevent plug-ins like Flash, Java, and QuickTime from automatically running on websites. Instead, you’ll see a static preview image with a “Click to start plug-in” message. Clicking the preview will load the plug-in content.
This feature is designed to strike a balance between energy efficiency and usability. By stopping plug-ins from running unnecessarily in the background, Safari can significantly reduce power consumption. However, it can also lead to a slight delay when loading plug-in content, and may cause compatibility issues with some websites.
How to Disable Safari Power Saver Mode
If you find that Power Saver is causing more problems than it’s worth, disabling it is a straightforward process:
- Open Safari and go to the Safari menu in the top left corner of your screen
- Select Preferences
- Click the Advanced tab
- Uncheck the box next to “Stop plug-ins to save power”
- Close the Preferences window
With Power Saver disabled, plug-ins will load automatically when you visit a website, without the need to click a preview image first. Keep in mind that this will likely lead to higher energy consumption and reduced battery life, especially if you frequently visit websites with a lot of plug-in content.
When to Keep Power Saver Enabled
For most users, it’s recommended to leave Safari Power Saver enabled. The energy savings can be significant, particularly on MacBooks where battery life is a top priority. In general, Power Saver won’t noticeably impact your browsing experience, and the extra click to load plug-in content is a small price to pay for longer battery life.
There are a few situations where disabling Power Saver may be necessary:
- If you regularly visit websites that heavily rely on plug-ins and find the preview images disruptive
- If you’re a web developer and need to test plug-in content without the added click
- If you’re using an older website that doesn’t work properly with Power Saver enabled
Outside of these specific cases, most users should leave Power Saver on and enjoy the battery life improvements it brings.
Tips for Maximizing Battery Life in Safari
In addition to using Power Saver, there are a few other ways you can reduce energy consumption in Safari:
- Close unused tabs: Each open tab consumes resources, so close any tabs you’re not actively using
- Block power-hungry ads: Consider using an ad blocker extension to prevent energy-draining ads from loading
- Avoid streaming high-quality video: Streaming video, especially in HD or 4K, can quickly drain your battery
- Disable auto-playing videos: Go to Safari Preferences > Websites > Auto-Play and select “Never Auto-Play”
By combining these tips with Safari Power Saver, you can significantly extend your MacBook’s battery life while browsing the web.
FAQ
What plug-ins does Safari Power Saver affect?
Safari Power Saver works with a variety of plug-ins, including Flash, Java, QuickTime, and Silverlight. Essentially, any plug-in that can consume significant energy will be managed by Power Saver.
Will disabling Power Saver make Safari faster?
Disabling Power Saver may slightly improve performance on websites that heavily use plug-ins, as the content will load automatically without needing to click a preview image first. However, the difference in speed is usually minimal, and the increased energy consumption may not be worth it for most users.
Can I selectively enable Power Saver for certain websites?
Currently, Safari Power Saver is an all-or-nothing feature – it’s either enabled for all websites or disabled entirely. There’s no built-in way to specify which websites should use Power Saver and which shouldn’t.
Is there a way to permanently allow plug-ins on specific websites?
Yes, you can manage plug-in behavior on a per-website basis in Safari Preferences. Go to Websites > Plug-ins, and you’ll see a list of websites that have loaded plug-in content. From here, you can choose to “Allow”, “Block”, or “Ask” for each website. Setting a website to “Allow” will ensure plug-ins always load on that site, even with Power Saver enabled.
Will disabling Power Saver affect my Mac’s performance outside of Safari?
No, Safari Power Saver only manages plug-ins within the Safari browser itself. Disabling it won’t have any impact on your Mac’s overall performance or energy consumption in other applications.
