Safari freezes on MacBook Pro running macOS 27.0.1

Troubleshooting Safari Freezes on Your MacBook Pro

Since Safari started freezing after upgrading to macOS 27.0.1, and the problem has become more frequent, the cause may be related to the macOS update, a Safari extension, or a particular website. I recommend trying the following checks one at a time.

A - Check System Settings > General > Software Update and install macOS Golden Gate 27.2, released October 27, 2026, if it is available. Software updates can include important bug fixes and compatibility improvements.

Apple update information: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/127257

B - Open Safari and select Safari > Settings > Extensions. Turn off all extensions and use Safari normally for a while. If the freezing stops, turn the extensions back on one at a time to identify whether one is responsible.

Apple's guide: https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/sfri32508/mac

C - Quit Safari completely. Hold down Shift while reopening it. This can prevent the previous windows and tabs from reopening. If Safari now works normally, one of the previously open websites or tabs may be contributing to the problem.

D - In Safari, select File > New Private Window and browse normally. If Safari works in Private Browsing but freezes in a regular window, stored website data, cookies, or browsing information may be involved.

Apple's troubleshooting guide: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102564

E - Go to Safari > Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data. Search for websites you suspect may be causing trouble and remove their stored data. You may need to sign in again to those websites afterward.

Apple's guide: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/safari/sfri11471/mac

F - When Safari freezes, open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities. Check the CPU and Memory tabs for Safari processes using unusually high resources. A process consuming excessive CPU or memory may help identify a problematic tab or website.

Apple guides:

https://support.apple.com/guide/activity-monitor/view-cpu-activity-actmntr43452/mac

https://support.apple.com/guide/activity-monitor/view-memory-usage-actmntr1004/mac

G - Shut down your Mac. Press and hold the power button until startup options appear. Select your startup disk, hold Shift, then click Continue in Safe Mode. Once started, test Safari. If it works normally, a background process or software component may be contributing to the issue.

Apple's instructions: https://support.apple.com/en-us/101603

H - Try Chrome or Firefox for a while. If those browsers remain stable while Safari freezes, the issue is more likely specific to Safari or its interaction with macOS. If they also freeze, a broader system issue may be involved.

Before force-quitting Safari, open Activity Monitor, select the Safari process, click the More (•••) button, and choose Sample Process, if available. Save the report for possible review by Apple Support.

I - To force-quit Safari, press Option + Command + Esc.

Apple's instructions: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102586

J - Contact Apple Support if Safari keeps freezing after these checks. Since the issue began after the macOS upgrade and is becoming more frequent, Apple may be able to investigate a possible software issue.

https://support.apple.com/contact

My recommendation

Start by updating macOS, disabling Safari extensions, and testing Safari without restoring your previous tabs. Then try Private Browsing. These initial checks should help narrow down whether the problem is related to the update, an extension, or stored website data. If the freezing continues, Activity Monitor may provide useful clues.

Apparently I'm the only one experiencing this. Apparently this doesn't matter to Apple enough to comment, even.

Nope, you're definitely not the only one experiencing this... Things like this make me regret using Apple in the first place.

thanks. there was a time Apple didn't release a new OS without regressive testing...

now it's all just joining the race to the bottom.