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

Download Article

Troubleshooting a greyed-out or not working "Clear History" button

Written by Stan Kats | Edited by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: October 30, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

iPhone & iPad

|

Android

|

Video

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

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

1
Screen Time restrictions. 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.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

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
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3
The admin has disabled the feature. 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]
  X
  Research source}

Section 2 of 2:

Can't Clear Search History on Android

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

1
Chrome is out of date. 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.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c2\/Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c2\/Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

2
There's a problem with your internet connection. 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."
- Everything will be deleted once you connect to the internet via cellular data or Wi-Fi . ^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Why-Can%27t-I-Clear-My-Search-History-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3
Using the Google app while signed out of a Google account. 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 .

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

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!

[1]

[2]

Log in

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

Why You Can't Clear Your Search History

Steps

Can't Clear Search History on iPhone or iPad

Can't Clear Search History on Android

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Is this article up to date?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories