clear google search history on safari

How to clear Safari browsing history on iPhone and iPad

Clear Safari browsing history on iPhone and iPad in a few simple steps

You'll definitely want to know how to clear Safari browsing history on iPhone and iPad . Know how to delete browsing history is part of basic user operation on all your devices, and is especially if you share devices with others. 

Luckily, deleting browsing history on Safari is easy and can be done in just a few taps, and is the same on iOS and iPadOS, so whether you're using an iPhone 15 Pro or an iPad Air , these steps will apply.

Remember, though, that deleting your browsing history only stops your activity being visible on that device. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) will still be able to see the webpages you have visited. If you want to stop that, for ultimate privacy, you'll need to use one of the best VPN services .

The following screenshots were taken on an iPhone running iOS 17 . If you aren't running the latest version of your device's OS, we can show you how to update an iPhone or how to update an iPad .

• In Safari, tap the book icon
• Go to the history tab (clock)
• Select how far back to clear

Read on to see full illustrated instructions.

1. In Safari, tap the book icon

Firstly, open Safari and tap the book icon in the bottom bar.

2. Select the history tab (clock icon) and tap Clear

Now select the history tab (clock icon) and tap Clear at the bottom.

3. Select how far back to clear and tap Delete

Now choose how far back you'd like to delete : last hour, today, today and yesterday, or all time.

If you like, you can toggle on Close All Tabs , which will close every open tab that isn't in a tab group (we can show you how to use tab groups if you aren't sure).

Finally, when you're happy, hit Delete .

As you can see in the screenshot above, if you now go back to the history tab, your history will have been deleted.

For more iPhone tutorials, check out our guides on how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone , how to clear RAM on iPhone , how to delete multiple contacts on iPhone and how to rearrange the iOS 17 Messages '+' menu .

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Peter is Editor of the How To and Camera sections at Tom's Guide. As a writer, he covers topics including tech, photography, gaming, hardware, motoring and food & drink. Outside of work, he's an avid photographer, specialising in architectural and portrait photography. When he's not snapping away on his beloved Fujifilm camera, he can usually be found telling everyone about his greyhounds, obsessively detailing his car, squeezing as many FPS as possible out of PC games, and perfecting his espresso shots. 

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How to clear browsing history on Safari on iPhone or Mac

You can clear your Safari browsing history on both iOS and Mac

As tracking goes, Safari keeping your browsing history is less about privacy-busting security and more about just being useful. It's your history that means Safari remembers where to go to when you choose forward and back within a site, for instance.

It's also how Safari is able to offer you a list of sites that you regularly go to, on account of how handy it is to be able to back to them with a click. History also does keep things you may not expect, though, such as a list of items you've downloaded.

If you don't want that, though, or you're just fed up of Safari going to site addresses you haven't looked at in years, you can wipe the whole browsing history.

On a Mac, you can also wipe, for instance, just the last hour's browsing history. So if you share Safari and it's someone's special birthday coming up, you can avoid them inadvertently finding out you plan to surprise them with dance lessons.

How to clear search history on Safari on Mac

• In Safari, choose the History menu
• Select Clear History from the very bottom of the menu
• In the dialog box that appears, choose from clearing the last hour , today , today and yesterday , or all history
• Click on Clear History

Alternatively, within Safari you can press Command-Y and the current page will be replaced by a history list. There's a Clear History... button toward the top right.

Clicking on that gives you exactly the same dialog about choosing how far back you want to clear your browsing history. But this page does also give you one extra option — the ability to delete one specific item.

How to clear one item from Safari search history on Mac

• In Safari, press Command-Y
• From the long list, click once on a history item to select it
• Right-click to bring up a menu, then choose Delete

Alternatively, if you select one, two, or more items in the history list, you can then press the Delete key to remove them all.

That kind of precision removal is only possible on your Mac, not on iOS . However, whether it's precision or wholesale clearing of your history, though, there is a way to replicate it on iOS.

If you have set iCloud to share your Safari history, then just doing this on your Mac also removes the history from your iPhone, and iPad.

Otherwise, you're stuck with going to your iOS device. And then with clearing the entire history.

How to clear search history on iPhone

• Go to Settings on your iOS device
• Tap on Safari
• Scroll down to Clear History and Website Data
• Tap that, then tap Clear History and Data to confirm

One important thing to note is that you can't selectively remove, say, today's browsing history on the iPhone or iPad . It's all or nothing, with iOS.

What you leave behind

Clearing your history like this does remove the list of sites and pages you've visited. It does mean you can't go back to that site you read last Tuesday, not without remembering what it was and going there yourself.

What it doesn't remove, though, is the information that gets used by something like AutoFill. If you have your address, for instance, and you're used to online forms being filled out with it, you've still got that feature.

You've also still got anything you downloaded. It's purely that Safari won't keep the list of downloads.

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How-To Geek

How to delete specific website history from safari on iphone or ipad.

Forgot to enable Private Browsing mode on Safari? Don't nuke your entire history, prune specific sites instead.

Quick Links

How to remove websites from safari history, how to delete specific website data, don't forget about private browsing mode.

It's not always convenient to delete your entire history, but you can instead choose to delete specific websites from your history (and the data they leave behind on your device). Here's how to do it in Safari for iPhone and iPad.

Safari will record any websites you visit unless you use Private Browsing . Once a website is in your history it will appear in the URL bar when you start typing a related term. There are all sorts of reasons you may want to prune specific websites, and it's easy to do so.

Open Safari and tap on the "Bookmarks" icon at the bottom of the screen (it looks like an open book).

A pop-up will appear with three tabs for your Bookmarks, Reading List , and History. Tap on the clock icon to see your history.

You can now swipe left on any entry in your history and tap "Delete" to remove it for good.

Rather than scrolling through your entire history of visited websites, you can also search for specific terms or URLs using the on-screen search box . But that's not the only evidence a website may have left behind on your device.

Related: How to Change the Default Search Engine in Safari on iPhone or iPad

Websites leave all sorts of data on your device including cached images and cookies . If you want to remove all signs of a website, it's important to remove website data as well.

Launch Settings and tap on Safari > Advanced > Website Data. This menu may take a little while to load as Safari fetches a full list of website data and estimates how much storage each entry takes up on your device.

You can now follow the same procedure as above by swiping left on any websites you would like to forget about and tapping the "Delete" button that appears.

You can also search for specific websites using the search bar at the top of the screen, or nuke everything using the "Remove All Website Data" button at the bottom of the list.

Note that if you do remove website data (or wipe everything) that there may be some drawbacks like having to log in again or having your shopping cart emptied.

Related: Clearing Your Cookies All the Time Makes the Web More Annoying

You can use Private Browsing mode in Safari at any point to visit a website without it being recorded to your device. To do this, tap on the tab icon in the lower right corner of the screen followed by the number of tabs you have open at the bottom of the screen. From here tap "Private" to switch to a private browsing session.

Note that all tabs in your private browsing session will remain open until you close them , so make sure you close anything that may compromise your privacy.

To get a better handle on your iPhone or iPad's privacy settings, we recommend a periodic iOS privacy check-up .

Related: How to Check and Tighten All Your iPhone's Privacy Settings

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How to Manage Your Browsing History in Safari

Revisit websites or remove them from your Safari search history

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Step-by-Step: Manage History on macOS
• Use Private Browsing in Safari
• Step-by-Step: Manage History on iOS Devices
• Use Private Browsing on iOS

The Apple Safari web browser keeps a log of your search history and the websites that you visit. Learn how to manage your browsing history in Safari and how to browse privately.

Instructions in this article apply to Safari for Mac computers with OS X Yosemite (10.10) through macOS Catalina (10.15) and Apple mobile devices with iOS 8 through iOS 14.

How to Manage Safari History on macOS

Safari has long been the standard web browser for macOS . Here's how to manage Safari's history on a Mac:

Open the Safari browser and select  History  in the menu bar located at the top of the screen.

You'll see a drop-down menu with the titles of the web pages you visited recently. Select a website to load the respective page or select one of the previous days at the bottom of the menu to see more options.

To clear your Safari browsing history and other site-specific data that's stored locally, choose  Clear History  at the bottom of the History  drop-down menu.

If you want to keep website data (like saved passwords and other autofill information), go to  History  >  Show All History . Press Cmd + A  to select everything, then press  Delete to remove your browser history while retaining website data.

Select the period you want to clear from the drop-down menu. Options include the last hour , today , today and yesterday , and all history .

Select Clear History to delete the list of sites.

If you sync your Safari data with any Apple mobile devices using iCloud , the history on those devices is cleared as well.

How to Use Private Browsing in Safari

To prevent websites from appearing in the browser history, use Private Browsing. To open a private window in Safari, go to File > New Private Window , or use the keyboard shortcut Shift + Command + N .

When you close the private window, Safari doesn't remember your search history, the web pages you visited, or any autofill information. The only distinguishing feature of the new window is that the address bar is tinted dark gray. The browsing history for all tabs in this window remains private.

In Safari for Windows , select the settings gear and choose Private Browsing from the drop-down menu.

How to Manage History in Safari on iOS Devices

The Safari app is part of the iOS operating system used in the Apple iPhone , iPad, and iPod touch . To manage the Safari browsing history on an iOS device:

Tap the  Safari app to open it.

Tap the Bookmarks  icon at the bottom of the screen. It resembles an open book.

Tap the History icon at the top of the screen that opens. It resembles a clock face.

Scroll through the screen for a website to open. Tap an entry to open the page in Safari.

To clear the browsing history, tap  Clear  at the bottom of the History screen.

Choose one of the four options:  The last hour , Today , Today and yesterday , and  All time .

Clearing your Safari history also removes cookies and other browsing data. If your iOS device is signed into your iCloud account, the browsing history is removed from other devices that are signed in.

Tap  Done  to exit the screen and return to the browser page.

If you only want to remove individual sites from your Safari history, swipe left on the entry, then tap Delete .

How to Use Private Browsing in Safari on iOS Devices

You can also use Private Browsing in iOS to prevent your Safari search history and web data from being saved:

Open the Safari app and then press and hold the tabs icon (the two overlapping boxes) at the bottom of the screen.

Tap Private .

Tap the plus sign to open a private browsing window.

When you are in private browsing, the background of the URL address bar is black instead of light gray. Enter a URL or search term as usual.

When you are ready to go back to regular browsing, tap the tabs icon and then tap Private to turn off private browsing.

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Clear your browsing history

You can remove all records that Safari keeps of where you’ve browsed during a period of time you choose. If your Mac and your other devices have the iCloud Safari feature turned on, your browsing history is removed from all of them. Clearing your browsing history in Safari doesn’t clear any browsing histories kept independently by websites you visited.

Open Safari for me

Choose History > Clear History and Website Data, then click the pop-up menu and choose how far back you want your browsing history cleared.

When you clear your history, Safari removes data it saves as a result of your browsing, including:

History of webpages you visited

The back and forward list for open webpages

Top Sites that aren’t marked as permanent

Frequently visited site list

Cookies and website data saved while visiting webpages

Recent searches

Icons for open webpages

Snapshots saved for open webpages

List of items you downloaded (downloaded files aren’t removed)

Websites added for Quick Website Search

Websites that asked to use your location

Websites that asked to send you notifications

Websites with plug-in content you started by clicking a Safari Power Saver notice

Responses to requests to let websites use WebGL

How to clear your Google search history from your Google Account and on various web browsers

• You should clear your Google search history both from your Google Account and on various browsers.
• You can clear your search history from desktop browsers and from a mobile device with these steps.
• By adjusting your Google account settings, you can control the data Google keeps in the first place.

When you delete your Google search history, you remove all sorts of information that could be used by shady characters. Beyond the funny videos, news stories, trivia, and other content, think of how many times you have searched for an address, a phone number, information about an employer, and other data that could help a hacker steal your identity, find you in person, or produce other unwanted outcomes.

From your Google Account settings, you can also control the types of searches Google saves in the first place.

Here's how to clear your Google search history from your Google Account and on web browsers like Safari and Google Chrome.

How to clear your Google search history from your Google Account on a computer

To fully delete your Google search history, you need to do so directly from your Google Account. Simply clearing your browser history won't erase all the info that Google tracks and saves to your account. Here's how to delete past search history and future search history from your Google Account.

To delete past Google search history:

1. Open any browser, go to Google.com , and log in to your account.

2. Once you're signed in, click the Google apps icon in the top-right corner of the Google home page. The icon looks like a square mosaic containing nine small squares.

3. In the drop-down menu, click Account .

4. Click Data & privacy from the sidebar menu on the left side of the screen.

5. At the bottom of the History settings section, click My activity .

6. To delete search activity one by one, click the "X" icon in the top-right corner of the activity listing, and select Delete in the pop-up.

7. To delete multiple or all search history at once, click the Delete button, located underneath the search bar.

8. In the pop-up, you can choose which content you want to delete: Last hour , Last day , Always , or Custom range .

To turn off Google's ability to track your future search history:

2. Once you're signed in, click the Google apps icon in the top-right corner of the Google homepage. The icon looks like a square mosaic containing nine small squares.

5. In the History settings section, click Web & App Activity .

6. At the top of the next page, click the blue sliding bar beside Web & App Activity to turn off tracking.

7. In the pop-up, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click "Pause."

Now the sliding bar beside Web & App Activity should be grayed out, instead of blue.

8. You can also turn off your Location History and YouTube History. Return to the Data & privacy page and, underneath the Web & App Activity option, click Location History or YouTube History . Follow the same process above to click the blue sliding bar on each respective page to turn off tracking.

How to delete your Google search history from your Google Account on a mobile device

1. Go to Google.com in your mobile browser and make sure you're logged in to your Google account.

2. Tap the three horizontal lines at the top left of the Google homepage.

3. Tap the words Your data in Search .

4. On the next page, scroll to the bottom of the Your Search history section and select Manage your Search history.

5. On the next screen, you can delete activity listings one by one by tapping the "X" icon in the top-right corner of each listing. To mass delete your search activity, tap the blue Delete button at the top of your search history. In the pop-up, you can choose to Delete today , Delete custom range , or Delete all time or turn on Auto-delete .

How to delete your browser search history on a computer

For added security and privacy, you can also delete your browser history, which will include any Google searches tracked directly through your browser.

1. Start by opening the Safari browser. On the task bar at the top of the screen, click the word History .

2. At the bottom of the drop-down menu, hit Clear History.

3. Select the range of stored searches you wish to delete: the last hour , today , today and yesterday , or all history .

4. Click Clear History .

On Google Chrome:

1. Start by opening the Chrome browser, and at the task bar at the top of the screen, click History .

2. Click Show Full History in the drop-down menu.

3. In the web page that opens up, click Clear browsing data on the left side of the screen.

4. On the next screen, select from the Time Range menu how much of your search history you wish to expunge, and make sure to note the boxes below that allow you to customize what you remove, from browsing history to cookies to cached images.

On February 28, Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, joined 31 other media groups and filed a $2.3 billion suit against Google in Dutch court, alleging losses suffered due to the company's advertising practices.

• Main content

How To Delete Google Search History On Safari

• Software & Applications
• Browsers & Extensions

Introduction

Deleting your Google search history on Safari can be a crucial step in safeguarding your privacy and maintaining a clutter-free browsing experience. As we navigate the vast digital landscape, our search history accumulates over time, reflecting our queries, interests, and online activities. While this data can enhance our browsing convenience, it also raises concerns about privacy and security. Fortunately, Safari provides a straightforward method to manage and delete your Google search history, empowering you to take control of your online footprint.

In this guide, we will walk through the step-by-step process of deleting your Google search history on Safari. By following these instructions, you can ensure that your browsing habits remain private and secure, free from the accumulation of past searches. Whether you're seeking to protect your privacy, declutter your browsing experience, or simply maintain a clean digital slate, understanding how to delete your Google search history on Safari is an essential skill for modern internet users.

Let's embark on this journey to reclaim control over your digital footprint and explore the simple yet impactful steps to delete your Google search history on Safari.

Step 1: Open Safari and go to Google

To begin the process of deleting your Google search history on Safari, the first step is to launch the Safari web browser on your device. Once Safari is open, navigate to the Google website by entering " www.google.com " in the address bar and pressing Enter. This action will direct you to the Google search engine, where you can access your search history and manage your account settings.

Upon reaching the Google homepage, you will encounter the familiar search bar, inviting you to explore the vast realm of online information. This is where your search history is stored, reflecting your past queries and interactions with the search engine. By accessing Google through Safari, you gain the ability to review and delete your search history, thereby maintaining a level of privacy and control over your online activities.

As you arrive at the Google homepage, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the interface, which may feature elements such as the search bar, navigation links, and personalized content based on your previous interactions. This serves as the gateway to your search history, allowing you to delve into the next steps of managing and deleting the data associated with your Google account.

By opening Safari and navigating to Google, you set the stage for the subsequent actions that will enable you to take charge of your search history and ensure that your browsing activities align with your privacy preferences. This initial step lays the foundation for a seamless and effective process of managing your Google search history, empowering you to maintain a secure and personalized browsing experience tailored to your preferences and privacy concerns.

Step 2: Access your Google account

After arriving at the Google homepage on Safari, the next pivotal step in the process of deleting your Google search history involves accessing your Google account. By signing in to your Google account, you gain access to a plethora of personalized settings and features, including the ability to manage your search history and maintain control over your online activities.

To access your Google account, look for the "Sign In" button or link prominently displayed on the Google homepage. Clicking on this option will prompt you to enter your Google account credentials, typically comprising your email address and password. If you have previously signed in to your Google account on Safari, you may find your account details pre-populated, streamlining the sign-in process for added convenience.

Upon entering your credentials and signing in, you will be granted access to your Google account dashboard, which serves as the central hub for managing various aspects of your online presence. Here, you can explore a range of settings, preferences, and security features tailored to your individual needs and privacy concerns.

Once inside your Google account, take a moment to navigate to the "My Account" or "Account Settings" section, where you will find a comprehensive array of options for customizing and managing your account. This is where the power to control your search history resides, allowing you to review, edit, and delete the data associated with your past searches.

By accessing your Google account on Safari, you unlock the gateway to a wealth of personalized features and controls, empowering you to tailor your browsing experience to align with your privacy preferences. This pivotal step sets the stage for the subsequent actions that will enable you to delve into the intricacies of managing your search history, ultimately ensuring that your online activities remain private, secure, and reflective of your individual preferences.

As you access your Google account on Safari, you embark on a journey of empowerment and control, leveraging the platform's robust features to curate a browsing experience that aligns with your privacy and security priorities. With your Google account at your fingertips, you are poised to navigate the next steps of managing your search history with confidence and ease, setting the stage for a streamlined and personalized online experience.

Step 3: Go to your Google Account settings

Upon successfully accessing your Google account on Safari, the next crucial step in the process of deleting your Google search history involves navigating to your Google Account settings. These settings serve as the control center for managing various aspects of your account, including privacy, security, and personalized preferences.

To proceed, locate and click on your profile picture or initial, typically displayed in the upper-right corner of the Google homepage. This action will reveal a dropdown menu containing a range of options related to your Google account. Look for and select the "Google Account" or "Manage your Google Account" option from the menu, which will direct you to the dedicated settings interface designed to empower you with control over your account's features and data.

Upon entering your Google Account settings, you will be greeted by a comprehensive dashboard that encapsulates the various facets of your account, ranging from security and privacy to personalization and data management. Here, you can explore a multitude of options tailored to your individual needs, providing you with the tools to customize your browsing experience and safeguard your privacy.

Within the Google Account settings, navigate to the "Data & personalization" section, which houses a wealth of controls related to your data, including your search history. This section serves as the focal point for managing and deleting your search history, offering a range of options to review, edit, and remove the data associated with your past searches.

As you delve into the "Data & personalization" section, take a moment to explore the subsections dedicated to managing your activity on Google, such as "Activity controls" and "My Activity." These areas provide granular control over the data generated through your interactions with Google services, allowing you to tailor your privacy settings and delete specific elements of your search history with precision.

By navigating to your Google Account settings on Safari , you gain access to a robust suite of tools and controls designed to empower you with the ability to manage your search history and personalize your browsing experience. This pivotal step sets the stage for the subsequent actions that will enable you to take charge of your digital footprint, ensuring that your online activities align with your privacy preferences and security priorities.

In summary, accessing your Google Account settings on Safari unlocks a world of customization and control, allowing you to navigate the intricacies of managing your search history with confidence and ease. With the power of your account settings at your disposal, you are poised to embark on the next steps of deleting your Google search history, ultimately shaping a browsing experience that reflects your individual preferences and privacy concerns.

Step 4: Access your data and personalization settings

Upon successfully navigating to your Google Account settings on Safari, the pivotal next step in the process of deleting your Google search history involves accessing the "Data & personalization" settings. This section serves as the central hub for managing a wide array of data-related aspects, including search history, activity controls, and personalized preferences.

As you delve into the "Data & personalization" settings, you are presented with a comprehensive array of options designed to empower you with control over your data and browsing experience. This section encapsulates the essence of personalization and privacy, offering a range of tools to tailor your interactions with Google services and ensure that your online activities align with your individual preferences.

Within the "Data & personalization" settings, you will encounter a series of subsections dedicated to different facets of your online presence. One of the key areas to explore is the "Activity controls," which allows you to fine-tune the data generated through your interactions with Google. Here, you can manage settings related to your web & app activity, location history, device information, and YouTube history, among others. By customizing these controls, you can curate a browsing experience that reflects your privacy and personalization preferences, ensuring that your data is managed in alignment with your individual needs.

In addition to the "Activity controls," the "My Activity" section within the "Data & personalization" settings provides a detailed overview of your interactions with Google services. This includes a chronological record of your past searches, website visits, and other activities performed while signed in to your Google account. By exploring the "My Activity" section, you gain insight into the data associated with your browsing habits, empowering you to review and delete specific entries from your search history with precision and ease.

Furthermore, the "Ad personalization" subsection within the "Data & personalization" settings offers the ability to manage your ad preferences based on your interactions with Google services. Here, you can review and adjust the information used to personalize ads, providing you with granular control over the advertisements you encounter during your online sessions.

By accessing the "Data & personalization" settings on Safari, you unlock a wealth of tools and controls tailored to your data management and personalization needs. This pivotal step sets the stage for the subsequent actions that will enable you to take charge of your search history, ensuring that your browsing experience remains private, secure, and reflective of your individual preferences.

Step 5: Delete your search history

After navigating to the "Data & personalization" settings and gaining insight into the intricacies of your online activities, the pivotal next step involves deleting your search history to ensure that your browsing experience aligns with your privacy preferences and security priorities.

Within the "Data & personalization" settings, specifically the "My Activity" section, you will encounter a comprehensive record of your past searches, website visits, and interactions with Google services. This chronological overview serves as a window into your digital footprint, providing valuable insights into the data associated with your browsing habits.

To delete specific entries from your search history, navigate to the "My Activity" section and review the list of recorded interactions. Here, you can browse through your past searches and identify individual entries that you wish to remove from your search history. By clicking on the three-dot menu icon next to each entry, you can access the option to delete the specific activity, thereby ensuring that it no longer contributes to your search history.

In addition to deleting individual entries, you also have the option to manage your search history through broader time-based controls. By accessing the "Delete activity by" feature within the "My Activity" section, you can specify a custom date range or choose from predefined time intervals to remove a batch of activities from your search history. This streamlined approach empowers you to maintain a clean and privacy-conscious browsing experience, free from the accumulation of outdated or irrelevant search data.

Furthermore, within the "Activity controls" subsection of the "Data & personalization" settings, you can fine-tune your web & app activity settings to exert greater control over the data generated through your interactions with Google services. By adjusting these controls, you can curate a browsing experience that aligns with your privacy preferences, ensuring that your search history reflects your individual needs and browsing habits.

By deleting your search history through the intuitive controls provided within the "Data & personalization" settings, you reclaim ownership of your digital footprint and maintain a secure and personalized browsing experience. This proactive approach empowers you to curate a clean and privacy-conscious online presence, ensuring that your interactions with Google services remain reflective of your individual preferences and privacy priorities.

In conclusion, the ability to delete your Google search history on Safari represents a pivotal step in taking control of your online privacy and maintaining a clutter-free browsing experience. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this guide, you have gained valuable insights into managing and curating your search history, empowering you to shape a browsing experience that aligns with your individual preferences and security priorities.

Through the seamless navigation of Safari to access Google, sign in to your Google account, and delve into the intricacies of the "Data & personalization" settings, you have embarked on a journey of empowerment and control. These actions have equipped you with the tools and knowledge to review, edit, and delete your search history with precision and ease, ensuring that your online activities remain private, secure, and reflective of your individual preferences.

As you explored the "My Activity" section within the "Data & personalization" settings, you gained valuable insights into the data associated with your browsing habits, enabling you to delete specific entries and manage your search history with granular control. This proactive approach empowers you to maintain a clean and privacy-conscious browsing experience, free from the accumulation of outdated or irrelevant search data.

By leveraging the intuitive controls provided within the "Data & personalization" settings, you have reclaimed ownership of your digital footprint, ensuring that your interactions with Google services remain reflective of your individual preferences and privacy priorities. This proactive approach empowers you to curate a clean and privacy-conscious online presence, aligning your search history with your individual needs and browsing habits.

In essence, the process of deleting your Google search history on Safari transcends mere data management; it embodies a proactive stance toward safeguarding your privacy and shaping a personalized browsing experience. By embracing these steps, you have demonstrated a commitment to maintaining control over your digital footprint, ensuring that your online activities align with your privacy preferences and security priorities.

As you navigate the digital landscape, armed with the knowledge and tools to manage your search history on Safari, you are poised to curate a browsing experience that reflects your individual preferences and privacy concerns. This proactive approach not only enhances your online privacy but also empowers you to navigate the digital realm with confidence and peace of mind, knowing that your browsing activities are aligned with your personal values and security standards.

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2 Easy Ways to Check Your Safari Search History

Last Updated: January 17, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly . Rain Kengly is a wikiHow Technology Writer. As a storytelling enthusiast with a penchant for technology, they hope to create long-lasting connections with readers from all around the globe. Rain graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Cinema. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 151,501 times. Learn more...

Do you need to check your Safari browser history? In a few simple steps, you can easily view all the websites you accessed in the past. You can also search for specific websites in your history and clear any website data you don't want. This wikiHow will teach you how to view and delete your Safari history on iPhone, iPad, and macOS.

Things You Should Know

• On iPhone and iPad, you can click the book icon, then the clock icon to find your Safari history.
• On macOS, you can click the "History" tab, then "Show History".
• You can search for specific websites and clear your history data.

Using iPhone and iPad

• If needed, you can change your General Settings .

• If you're signed in with the same Apple ID to you use to log into your Mac, your Mac's Safari history will appear in this list as well.

• You may have to swipe down on the History page to find it.
• The results will load as you type.

• Tap a time period to delete the history from just that time period. To delete the entire log, select All time .
• You can also swipe left on individual websites in your history, then click Delete .

Using macOS

• Be sure to update Safari.

• If you're logged into the computer with the same Apple ID you use on your iPhone or iPad, you'll also see sites you've visited on those devices.

• A list of matching results from your history will appear. Click a site to load it in Safari.

• Select a time frame from the drop-down menu, then click Clear History .
• You can also delete cookies from Safari .

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/search-your-browsing-history-ibrw1114/mac
• ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201265

About This Article

iPhone/iPad: 1. Open Safari . 2. Tap the book icon. 3. Tap the clock button. macOS: 1. Open Safari . 2. Click History . 3. Click Show All History . Did this summary help you? Yes No

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If you want to request removal of search results from Google, go to Remove web results from Google Search .

Manage & delete your Search history

When you search on Google with Web & App Activity turned on, Google saves activity like your Search history to your Google Account. Web & App Activity saves data about the things you do across Google services, including associated info like locations, in your account to make your experience more personalized. We use your saved activity to give you more personalized experiences, like app and content recommendations.

In My Activity , you can:

• Delete Search history saved to your Google Account.
• Manage Search settings like what activity Google saves and when Google auto-deletes your history.

Your Search history can also be saved to your device, like when you use the Google app while signed out of your Google Account. Learn how to manage your on-device Search history .

Manage & delete Search history

Manage Search history saved to your Google Account

Delete search history.

Important: If you delete Search history that’s saved to your Google Account, you can’t get it back.

You can delete a specific activity, or delete your Search history from a specific day, a custom date range, or all time.

• On your computer, go to your Search history in My Activity .

Control your Search history

• On the left or at the top, click Controls .
• If you find “Auto-delete (On), ” Google automatically deletes your Web & App Activity, which includes your Search history, after a specific time period. To change the time period or turn it off, click Auto-delete (On) .
• Follow the on-screen instructions.

To pause saving your history:

• Under "Web & App Activity," click Turn off .
• Click Turn off or Turn off and delete activity .
• If you choose “Turn off and delete activity,” to select and confirm what activity you want to delete, follow the additional steps.

Manage Search history saved on your device

Even if your Search history isn’t saved to your Google Account, or you delete it from My Activity, your browser might still store it.

You can delete your browser history:

• In Chrome: Learn how to delete browsing history and other browsing data .
• In other browsers: Check your browser’s instructions.

If you’re signed out from your Google Account when you search on Google, you may find recommendations related to your recent search. If you don’t want to get these, turn off Search customization.

• On your computer, go to google.com .
• Turn off Search customization .

How Google deletes your history in your Google Account

When you choose to delete activity manually or activity is deleted automatically based on your auto-delete setting, we immediately start the process of removing it from the product and our systems.

First, we aim to immediately remove it from view and the data may no longer be used to personalize your Google experience.

We then begin a process designed to safely and completely delete the data from our storage systems. 

Related articles

• Delete your activity
• View & control your Web & App Activity
• Manage your audio recordings in your Web & App Activity
• Change your Google app settings
• Search & browse privately

How Search works with your activity

Was this helpful?

Need more help, try these next steps:.

Safari User Guide

• Change your home page
• Import bookmarks, history and passwords
• Make Safari your default web browser
• Go to websites
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• Bookmark web pages that you want to revisit
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Search your web browsing history in Safari on Mac

You can search your browsing history to quickly find web pages you visited.

Open Safari for me

Type in the Search field at the top-right corner of the window.

Safari uses iCloud to keep your browsing history the same on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac computers that have Safari turned on in iCloud preferences . On your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, go to Settings > [ your name ] > iCloud, then make sure Safari is turned on. Your Mac can keep your browsing history for as long as a year, while some iPhone, iPad and iPod touch models keep browsing history for a month. To change how often your Mac removes history items, see Change General preferences in Safari .

How to clear the cache on your iPhone (and why you should)

How many tabs are open on your mobile browser right now? Go ahead, check -- you might be surprised by what you find.

Americans spend over five hours a day on their smartphones. That's over five hours of your phone potentially accessing, retrieving, and saving cache and cookies, which can negatively impact your iPhone's storage space .

What is cache?

Cache is the temporary storage of some data, like parts of a website from the last time you visited it, for example. Browser cache is content from a website that is stored on your phone during a browser session to help the browser execute faster the next time you visit that page.

Also:  How to clear Google search cache on Android

Cache data can slow down your phone's overall browsing performance, however, since it takes up storage space on your device, so it's good to clear it out regularly. In this article, we mainly focus on clearing web browser cache on an iPhone, but you should know that other types of cache include mobile app cache and CPU cache.

How to clear cache on iPhone

What you'll need: Everything you need to clear your browser cache is within the iPhone's settings app or the Safari app, so grab your iPhone to get started.

Keep in mind that clearing the cache can clear private data, which can close all open tabs in Safari. This is also likely to log you out of all your websites, prompting you to sign in again the next time you open them. 

How do I clear the cache from Chrome on iPhone?

If Google Chrome is your preferred browser, it may have a substantial amount of data stored on your device, which could also slow down performance. 

To clear the cache in Chrome, open the Google Chrome app and follow these steps:

• Tap  Settings .
• Go to  Privacy and Security .
• Select  Clear Browsing Data .
• Select the time from which to delete the data (if you want to delete all your browsing history, choose All Time ).
• Go through the items you'd like to delete, like your Browsing History, Cookies and Site Data, Cached Images and Files, Saved Passwords , and Autofill Data.
• Confirm by tapping  Clear Browsing Data  at the bottom of the screen.
• Tap Done when you've deleted the Chrome cache.

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Clearing the browsing and cache data in Google Chrome doesn't close all open tabs, but it will refresh each tab and log you out of websites. Once you tap on one of the tabs you want to access, you'll have to log back in.

How can I browse on Safari without history?

If you're learning how to clear cache on an iPhone, you may also be wondering if there's a way to use Safari without saving any browsing history. You can turn on Private Browsing by following these steps:

• Open  Safari .
• Tap on  Tabs .
• Choose Private .

You can also enable private browsing by going to your iPhone Settings, finding Safari, and toggling on the private option. 

How do I clear my app cache on my iPhone?

To clear the app cache from your iPhone Settings app, you can either delete the app and reinstall it, offload it, or try to clear the cache from within the app. Unfortunately, iOS apps don't have consistent settings across the board that would allow you to clear the cache of every app.

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Apps like TikTok and CapCut, for example, have options to Clear Cache within their respective settings. Amazon lets users delete their browsing history, while the Reddit app can clear local history. It all depends on what the app's settings let you do. 

Is "clear cache" the same as offloading?

Not exactly, though app offloading can help if your phone is slowed down by low storage. To offload an app  means to uninstall an app without deleting any documents or data associated with it. 

Also: Apple secures iMessage against threats from the future

To offload an app, go to  Settings , then  General , choose  iPhone Storage  and select the app to offload, then tap  Offload App . If you ever download it again, you'll pick up where you left off for that app.

Are cookies and cache the same thing?

Cookies and cache are not the same. Cookies are data files that websites send to your phone, including things like saved passwords to keep you logged into an account or even the website preferences from the previous time you visited. 

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Though they do sound harmless, cookies can also track how you browse the internet. They monitor patterns in your browsing and search history, even seeing what you clicked on or what your mouse hovered over. Ever made an innocuous search on Amazon only to find ads for it on all the apps you use? Cookies likely made that possible.

Can I block cookies on my iPhone?

While you can block cookies on Safari, the ranks are divided on whether you should. Blocking cookies entirely means that websites won't be able to get information from you, but it also means that some websites may not even work correctly on your browser. A lot of users actually enjoy a more personalized browsing experience, so cookies are a good thing for them.

 If you'd like to block cookies in Safari, follow these steps:

• Go to  Settings  and select  Safari .
• Tap on the toggle next to  Block All Cookies .

There are also third-party extensions that help you block cookies and trackers in Google Chrome, like Ghostery and Disconnect .

How do I check iPhone storage?

On an iPhone, Settings can show you what's taking up most of your media storage, like photos, videos, and music. You can also see what each particular app's storage consumption is, which includes temporary data. To view the details of your iPhone's storage space, follow these steps:

• Go to the iPhone Settings .
• Tap on General .
• Select iPhone Storage .
• Scroll through to find the app you're looking for.
• Tap on the app to view storage status and options.

Unfortunately, you can't clear your iPhone cache for third-party apps by going into your Settings app, but this gives you a visual of your iPhone's storage and the option to delete or offload apps.

Also: Here's the fastest way to declutter your iPhone and free up Gigabytes of space

When you look at your device's storage space, you'll probably see recommended steps you can take to optimize your iPhone's storage, like offloading unused apps.

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