Can’t Clear Your Search History? How to Fix It on Android & iPhone

PDF download Download Article
Troubleshooting a greyed-out or not working "Clear History" button
PDF download Download Article

Is the button to clear your search history greyed out, or does your history still appear after you've deleted it? If you can't clear your search history on your Android, iPhone, or iPad, there's usually an easy fix. Read on to learn the most common reasons you can't clear your search history and how to fix them.

Why You Can't Clear Your Search History

On an iPhone or iPad, Screen Time restrictions may prevent you from clearing Safari's search history and website data, or the feature was disabled by an administrator. On Android, try turning off search customization and updating Chrome.

Section 1 of 2:

Can't Clear Search History on iPhone or iPad

PDF download Download Article
  1. If a parent or guardian has set up Screen Time on your iPhone or iPad, the option to delete your search history in Safari may be greyed out.
    • If you have the Screen Time passcode, you can turn off Screen Time to clear your search history and website data. To do this, go to Settings > Screen Time > Turn Off Screen Time , enter the passcode for Screen Time, then tap Turn Off Screen Time .
    • Once you've disabled Screen Time, return to Settings > Safari and select Clear History and Website Data to clear your search history.
  2. If you or someone else cleared the search history on your iPhone or iPad, the option will be greyed out because there's nothing to delete. Rest assured that there's no search history or website data in Safari.
    Advertisement
  3. If you received your iPhone, iPad, or even a MacBook laptop from an employer, organization, or school, and they set it up, a mobile device management app (MDM) might be installed. In that case, your employer, organization, or school may want to keep tabs on your search history and website data, and you won't be able to clear your searches.
    • You can also contact the IT department to learn how to delete that information. [1]
    4. Advertisement
Section 2 of 2:

Can't Clear Search History on Android

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you're using an outdated version of Chrome, your search history may not disappear correctly.
    • Chrome should update automatically, but if it doesn't, open the Google Play Store to update Chrome manually if there's an update available.
  2. If your phone is offline or doesn't have a good internet connection when you delete your search history, you'll still be able to see everything in "My Activity."
  3. If you're on an Android and wondering why you're still seeing search history, it might be because of search customization.
    • You can turn this off by opening the Google app, tapping your profile picture, and going to Settings > General > Search > Search customization .
    4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Clear Your Web Browser Cache on Any Platform
      How to
      Download Any Video for Free: 5 Step-by-Step Methods
      How to
      Allow Pop–ups
      How to
      Enable Cookies in Your Internet Web Browser
      Clear Your Web Browser Cache and Cookies on Any Platform
      3 Simple Ways to Make the Taskbar Transparent in Windows 10/11
      How to
      Uninstall Microsoft Edge Permanently from Windows 10 or 11
      How to
      Change Your Country in Tor on Windows, Mac, & Linux
      8 Easy Ways to Fix reCAPTCHA Not Working in All Browsers
      How to
      Block Cookies in Chrome, Safari, & More
      How To Refresh a Webpage: Desktop & Mobile
      How to
      Bookmark a Website in Any Browser
      How to
      Get Around Parental Controls on the Internet
      Turn On the VPN in Opera: Android, Opera GX Browser, & More
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252577951?sortBy=rank
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/6096136?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 341 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement