Zotero Connector and Safari

The Zotero Connector for Safari is bundled with the Zotero desktop app. (Unlike other browsers, Safari does not allow direct installation of browser extensions.) After opening Zotero for the first time, you can enable the Zotero Connector from the Extensions pane of the Safari settings (“Safari” menu → “Settings” → “Extensions”, not “Safari” menu → “Safari Extensions…”).

The Zotero Connector for Safari requires macOS 11 Big Sur or later.

Using an iPhone or iPad? You can save to the Zotero iOS app using the Share sheet in Safari and other browsers.

A macOS bug can cause the Zotero Connector to disappear from Safari or stop working after the Zotero app is updated.

If you find that the extension isn't listed in the Safari settings or the toolbar button isn't appearing or working properly, you can likely fix it using one of the options below. Your data will not be affected.

Currently, the only known way to avoid this problem altogether is to switch to a browser with a more reliable extension framework such as Firefox, Chrome, or Edge.

1. Delete the Zotero app from Applications
2. Redownload it from the download page
3. Start Zotero

It may also help to restart your computer in between deleting the app and restoring it, though this isn't usually necessary.

This option avoids redownloading the app.

1. In Finder, go to the Applications folder and compress the Zotero app (right-click → Compress “Zotero”)
2. Delete the app
3. Double-click the ZIP file
4. Delete Zotero.zip
5. Start Zotero

1. Go to Safari → Settings → Advanced
2. Enable “Show features for web developers” at the bottom
3. Click the new Developer tab that appears and toggle “Allow Unsigned Extensions” on and off. The Zotero Connector is signed, so it is not necessary to leave “Allow Unsigned Extensions” enabled.

Due to technical limitations of the Safari extension framework, some features available in Firefox, Chrome, and Edge aren't available in Safari:

• Automatic proxy redirection
• Automatic RIS/BibTeX import
• Automatic CSL installation

Other differences:

• Gated PDFs may not be saved on some sites (e.g., ScienceDirect)
• It's not possible to right-click on the toolbar button to access secondary translators. Instead, right-click on the page itself.