Curious question about options for installing Safari browser extension

Hi @donnywdavis ,

The new Safari extension is a Safari Web Extension, rather than a Safari App Extension. I realize to most people that distinction doesn’t mean much, but the rules for distribution are different. Safari Web Extensions can only be distributed through the Mac App Store at this time. This is why we have a "1Password For Safari" app in the app store - to contain the extension.

So this begs the question, "Why did 1Password implement a Safari Web Extension rather than a Safari App Extension?" The main reason is that the architecture of a Safari Web Extension is more similar to the architecture of extensions for other browsers. This allows us to streamline development and offer features (such as Privacy and FastMail alias integration, to name a couple) to all browsers much sooner.

I realize that this puts you in a predicament. At present, I can't promise that we'll be able to distribute it outside the App Store. We'll consider your feedback and will watch for any changes in the Safari Web Extension distribution rules.

Regards,
Kevin