Upgrade StorageExtension Zotero 9 and 10 Beta fail to install in Safari 26 on Tahoe
dstillman
Zotero Team
This discussion was created from comments split from: Workaround for Zotero Connector missing in Safari.
(2026, May 19).
Extension Zotero 9 and 10 Beta fail to install in Safari 26 on Tahoe OS Mac Mini A4 Pro 2024** [Online post].
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256299883
I... HAVE ... TRIED.... EVERYTHING...... NO SUCCESS
This is my system:
Mac mini Pro 2024
Chip Apple M4 Pro
Memory 48 GB
macOS Tahoe 26.3
Safari 26.3
In case Apple refuses my post, here is what I said
# **Extension Zotero 9 and 10 Beta fail to install in Safari 26 on Tahoe OS Mac Mini A4 Pro 2024**
I have recently switched from using Chrome to Safari for my research and writing. A key tool in my workflow is using Zotero to manage citations, referencing, webpage shots and so on.
For countless years the Zotero extension on Chrome has worked near flawlessly for me.
I have successfully installed the Zotero extension on my MacBook Air 2019 Intel. I do recall having to conduct some gymnastics such as deleting the Zotero app, and re-installing the latest Zotero version to force the extension to be recognized and available in Safari.
However, I've spent 4 hours today NOT able to install the Zotero Extension for Safari on my modern Apple Mini Mac Pro.
I have followed advice from Google AI and the Zotero Forums, detailed below
According to those sources the intermittent failure to install the Zotero extension is a longstanding, 'known bug' which the Zotero developers attribute to Apple.
I wish Apple would urgently work with Zotero to address the issue. I'm sure it's relevant to many students and researchers.
In summary, perhaps here's a clue to a solution. Google AI reports "Why this happens on M4/Tahoe: Apple's "App Extension" architecture requires a perfect match between the app's signature and Safari's security policy. On newer chips/OS versions, even a minor cache error prevents the "Zotero Connector" from appearing in the list, even if the file is present. "
**This is my system:**
Mac mini Pro 2024
Chip Apple M4 Pro
Memory 48 GB
macOS Tahoe 26.3
Safari 26.3
Below is the advice from Zotero to attempt to get the Extension Install to function. I have repeated several versions of this approach. I have tried reinstalling both the current Zotero version 9, and beta Version 10.
I have deleted the Zotero app, restarted the MiniMac, then redownloaded and reinstalled Zotero.
This is the guidance from Zotero
**Zotero Connector and Safari**
[https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/zotero_connector_and_safari](https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/zotero_connector_and_safari)
See subsection: **Extension not showing up? Save button missing or flickering?**
[https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/zotero_connector_and_safari#:~:text=Extension not showing up? Save button missing or flickering?](https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/zotero_connector_and_safari#:~:text=Extension not showing up? Save button missing or flickering?)
I have completed Fix 1, Fix 2, Fix 3 in various combination, both with Zotero 9 (current version) and Version 10 beta. I have restarted the computer between deleting and restoring the app.
**Using some Google AI, and Terminal Mode I confirmed the extension was ready and waiting for install.**
This is Zotero's community discussion, with the response from their technical expert, dstillman
[https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/125907/workaround-for-zotero-connector-missing-in-safari](https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/125907/workaround-for-zotero-connector-missing-in-safari)
You'll see a lot of frustration reported eg
'This has been driving me insane.'
None of the workarounds proposed have worked for me.
Google AI says possibly a problem caused by my having a late model, high performance machine! What a bother!
\===============================================
**Mac Terminal Response:**
1\. Terminal response =: << grep Zotero org.zotero.zotero.SafariExtension(5.0.199)A0B55346-4426-4CE1-808E-EA2CEA64781E2026-05-18 07:16:00 +0000/Applications/Zotero.app/Contents/PlugIns/ZoteroSafariExtension.appexbash-3.2$ >>
"The Terminal response confirms your Mac **physically sees the extension** file within the Zotero app. Since you are on a high-spec **[M4 Pro](https://www.google.com/search?ibp=oshop&prds=pvt:hg,pvo:29,mid:576462876434351353,imageDocid:16413069421999190487,gpcid:5318654525812039328,headlineOfferDocid:3133361098357732867,catalogid:9594651569190556980,productDocid:3131161794080254067,rds:PC_2942453351881586905|PROD_PC_2942453351881586905&q=product&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj-36S_wMSUAxVQsVYBHWXRD8IQxa4PeggIAggACCkQAg)
** Mac mini running **macOS Tahoe** (a future or beta release), the issue is likely a strict security handshake failure between Safari and the local app bundle."
high-level reset suggested by Google AI
I attempted the high-level reset suggested by Google AI, s=described here https://share.google/aimode/V01AUwq72GiST6Aud ========================
https://share.google/aimode/V01AUwq72GiST6Aud
========================
1. Force a "Path Refresh"
Sometimes macOS gets stuck looking at a "ghost" path of the app.
Open your Applications folder.
Right-click the Zotero app and select Compress "Zotero".
Move the original Zotero app (not the .zip) to the Trash and empty it.
Double-click the Zotero.zip to extract it back into the Applications folder.
Launch the newly unzipped Zotero app, then check Safari Extensions.
2. Bypass Security Signing (Highly Effective)
On newer macOS versions, Safari often hides extensions it deems "unsigned" or incorrectly indexed.
Open Safari and go to Safari > Settings > Advanced.
Check Show features for web developers at the bottom.
In the top menu bar, click the new Develop menu.
Select Allow Unsigned Extensions.
Completely Quit Safari (Cmd + Q), restart it, and check Settings > Extensions.
3. Clear the macOS Extension Database
If the system database is corrupted, you can force a rebuild via Terminal:
Open Terminal.
Copy and paste this command precisely:
bash
/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain local -domain system -domain user
Use code with caution.
Restart your Mac immediately after the command finishes.
4. Test in Safe Mode
To rule out third-party security software or background processes blocking the injection:
Shut down your Mac mini.
Press and hold the Power button until "Loading startup options" appears.
Select your disk, hold the Shift key, and click Continue in Safe Mode.
Open Safari in Safe Mode to see if the extension appears. If it does, a background app (like an antivirus or cleaner) is the culprit.
Why this happens on M4/Tahoe:
Apple's "App Extension" architecture requires a perfect match between the app's signature and Safari's security policy. On newer chips/OS versions, even a minor cache error prevents the "Zotero Connector" from appearing in the list, even if the file is present.
None of the above has worked to solve my issue
Still, I can't get the Zotero connector working on my Minimac Pro under Safari
I've repeated most of the simpler fixes, eg reinstall Zotero, compress, delete Zotero, uncompressed.
I restarted in Safe mode, and flipped the 'Allow unsigned extensions' mode on/off
Current system:
Safari 26.5.2
Minimac M4 Pro Tahoe 26.5.2
Zotero 10.0 beta26+7c52e3013
Chrome connector works OK
On my Intel Macbook Air 2019, all works as expected in both Safari and Chrome
Safari 26.5.2
Intel UHD
Sonoma 14.8.7
Question. Under Safari > Extensions > should the checkbox for 'share across all devices be unchecked?
I've usually chosen checked?
I'm contacting Apple directly today.
Here's the update on my Apple Community report
MyndSurfers. (2026, August 17). How to install Zotero extension in Safari on Mac mini with Tahoe? Apple Community. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256299883
I conducted a major workout with Apple Tech support today.
Starting my Mac in Safe mode and my standard login failed to resolve my issue.
BUT SUCCESS partial. I logged in using my Admin Troubleshooter account.
I installed a new version of Zotero 10beta. Opened Zotero. Opened Safari. The Zotero Connector Extension was there! And functions OK, downloading to the Zotero app.
One difference is that I did not login through Zotero to synchronize my account before opening the Safari.
There were the prompts as for a new Zotero user about setting up syncing and connecting.
With that success, the Apple tech guy and I went back to my account. We searched for and deleted A LOT of Zotero stuff in the Library and cache. Then reinstalled Zotero 10 beta.
I also logged out of my Zotero app sync account.
Still no success on my account. So the Apple tech guy has gone to speak with engineers.
The Apple tech also installed Zotero on his Mac which is similarly configured to mine.
Safari 26.6.1
Minimac M4 Pro Tahoe 26.6.1
Zotero 10.0 beta26+7c52e3013
Chrome connector works OK
This is some problem specific to your macOS user account (as you saw by trying in the Administrator account). It's not related to the usual post-upgrade disabling bug that seem people see, which is fixed by deleting and reinstalling the app.
One possibility is that you have an extra copy of Zotero somewhere. Run these lines from Terminal:
mdfind "kMDItemCFBundleIdentifier == 'org.zotero.zotero'"mdfind "kMDItemCFBundleIdentifier == 'org.zotero.zotero-beta'"
If you see anything other than the one app in /Applications, delete it.
If that doesn't help, run this in both your account and the administrator account, paste the output somewhere (e.g., https://pastebin.com or a shared cloud doc), and provide a link:
pluginkit -mAvvv | grep -i -A 7 zoteroAnd just to note: I'm not sure what you're referring to, but this really isn't something you want to be doing. No Zotero files in ~/Library would be relevant here, and an Apple support tech wouldn't know anything about what Zotero-specific files were safe to delete. This is a system-level problem.
mdfind "kMDItemCFBundleIdentifier == 'org.zotero.zotero'"
Reveals> /Applications/Zotero.app
mdfind "kMDItemCFBundleIdentifier == 'org.zotero.zotero-beta'"
Reveals > [empty]
petermellalieu@MacMini-PeterMe Preferences % pluginkit -mAvvv | grep -i -A 7 zotero
here.
https://pastebin.com/HGLud4Ux
On User 2, where the extension registers OK on Safari - to come
In the account that's not working, are you able to install other extensions?
If you go to System Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy, are any restrictions (e.g., web content restrictions) enabled?
If not, quit Safari, open Terminal, paste this in, and press Return:
log stream --info --style compact --predicate 'eventMessage CONTAINS[c] "zotero" OR eventMessage CONTAINS[c] "extension"' > ~/Desktop/safari-ext.logThen open Safari, open Settings → Extensions, wait about 15 seconds, switch back to Terminal, and press Ctrl-C. Email safari-ext.log on your desktop to support@zotero.org with a link to this thread.