Why Inspect Element Disappears in Safari
If the Inspect Element option is missing when you right-click inside Safari on macOS, it usually means the Web Inspector is disabled. Unlike Chrome and Firefox, Safari hides developer tools until you manually turn them on.
This issue is common on macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, and even older versions. The good news: it only takes a few clicks to fix.
How to Enable Inspect Element / Web Inspector in Safari
Follow these steps to re-enable Safari's developer tools:
1. Open Safari Preferences
Go to:
Safari → Settings… (or Preferences on older macOS)
2. Go to the “Advanced” Tab
At the bottom, you’ll see a checkbox.
3. Enable the Developer Menu
Once you enable this, Safari instantly unlocks the Web Inspector.
[✓] Show features for web developers
How to Access Inspect Element in Safari
After enabling the Develop menu, you can open Inspect Element using any of these methods:
- Right-click → Inspect Element
- Develop → Show Web Inspector
- Keyboard shortcut: Option + Command + I
If Inspect Element Still Doesn’t Show
If the issue persists after enabling the Develop menu, try these extra checks:
1. Check Screen Time Restrictions
Go to System Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy. Developer tools may be blocked on some managed or child accounts.
2. Ensure You’re Not in Reader Mode
Reader Mode disables right-click menu options.
3. Disable Safari Extensions Temporarily
A privacy extension could be hiding context menu items.
4. Restart Safari Completely
Close all windows → Quit Safari → Reopen it.
Safari Web Inspector Features You Unlock
- HTML & CSS live editing
- JavaScript console
- Network request analyzer
- Responsive design mode
- Debugging WebKit-specific issues
Supported macOS Versions
This method works on:
- macOS Ventura (13)
- macOS Monterey (12)
- macOS Big Sur (11)
- Catalina & older versions
Conclusion
If Safari’s Inspect Element is missing, the Web Inspector is simply disabled. Turning on the Develop menu instantly restores the right-click “Inspect Element” option and gives you full access to Safari’s developer tools.
Whether you're debugging websites, working on CSS, or testing responsive views, enabling the Web Inspector is essential for web development on macOS.
