How to Disable Google Safe Search on Mobile and Desktop

Is Google censoring your search results? Google's SafeSearch protection prevents explicit content from appearing in search results, including porn, violence, and gore. While SafeSearch is enforced by law in some regions, most Google users ages 18 and older can easily switch off SafeSearch in Google's settings. This wikiHow article will teach you how to disable SafeSearch in Google on your Android, iPhone, iPad, and computer, and give you alternative search engine options if SafeSearch is required in your area.

Quick Steps

Open the Google app or website.
Select your profile picture.
Select Settings.
Select SafeSearch.
Select Off.

Section 1 of 5:

Using iPhone or iPad

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Open the Google app. This looks like a multicolored G. This will open the Google search engine.
- If you use Google in a mobile browser, go to google.com/safesearch instead.
- If you aren't already logged in, do so now. Make sure you're using the account that is being blocked by SafeSearch.
This is in the top-right corner. If you don't have a profile picture, you'll see your initials instead.

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This is in the drop-down menu.
You'll be redirected to your SafeSearch settings.
This will turn off your SafeSearch restrictions. If you see a lock in the top-right, this means the SafeSearch setting cannot be toggled off. For reasons why your settings may be locked, see this section.
6
Conduct a search. Search for your preferred term or phrase to determine whether or not SafeSearch has been disabled. If you see explicit (or even different) results than before, you've successfully disabled SafeSearch for Google.
- If you still aren't seeing explicit content, your ISP or region may be blocking explicit results. You can contact your ISP to inquire, or you can use a VPN or proxy to view blocked content on a computer.

Section 2 of 5:

Using Android

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1
Open the Google app. This looks like a multicolored G. This will open the Google search engine.
- If you use Google in a mobile browser, go to google.com/safesearch instead.^{[1]
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- If you aren't already logged in, do so now. Make sure you're using the account that is being blocked by SafeSearch.
This is in the top-right corner. If you don't have a profile picture, you'll see your initials instead.
This is in the drop-down menu.
You'll be redirected to your SafeSearch settings.
This will turn off your SafeSearch restrictions. If you see a lock in the top-right, this means the SafeSearch setting cannot be toggled off. For reasons why your settings may be locked, see this section.
6
Conduct a search. Tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen, then search for your preferred term or phrase to determine whether or not SafeSearch has been disabled. If you see explicit (or even different) results than before, you've successfully disabled SafeSearch for Google.
- If you still aren't seeing explicit content, your ISP or region may be blocking explicit results. You can contact your ISP to inquire, or you can use a VPN or proxy to view blocked content on a computer.

Section 3 of 5:

Using Desktop

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Go to google.com/safesearch in a web browser. This opens your Google account's SafeSearch settings. If you aren't already logged into your Google account, do so now.
This will turn off your SafeSearch restrictions. If you see a lock in the top-right, this means the SafeSearch setting cannot be toggled off. For reasons why your settings may be locked, see this section.
3
Conduct a search. Search for your preferred term or phrase to determine whether or not SafeSearch has been disabled. If you see explicit (or even different) results than before, you've successfully disabled SafeSearch for Google.
- If you still aren't seeing explicit content, your ISP or region may be blocking explicit results. You can contact your ISP to inquire, or you can use a VPN or proxy to view blocked content.

Section 4 of 5:

Why is SafeSearch locked?

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If you're using public Wi-Fi or a device given to you by a school or work, you may be unable to toggle SafeSearch off. In this case, you'll need to ask your internet company or contact your work's tech department for help.^{[2]
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If your account or device is linked to an app such as Family Link, your parent or guardian can set restrictions on your browsing activity and settings.
Some antivirus programs have built-in protections that may need SafeSearch active for better protection. Check your active programs and look for any settings that may prevent you from disabling SafeSearch.

Section 5 of 5:

Using Alternative Browsers/Websites

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Search on Bing instead. Ever since the change to Google SafeSearch, many people have switched to Bing to find explicit content. You can disable SafeSearch in Bing by doing the following:^{[3]
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- Go to bing.com/
- Click ☰ in the upper-right.
- Click SafeSearch
- Check the "Off" box.
- Click Save
- Click Agree
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Use DuckDuckGo to avoid trackers. DuckDuckGo is a private search engine that doesn't track your browsing history. You can disable SafeSearch in DuckDuckGo by doing the following:
- Go to duckduckgo.com/
- Click ☰ in the upper-right.
- Click Other Settings
- Click the "Safe Search" drop-down box.
- Click Off
- Scroll down and click Save and Exit
DeviantArt may be a good option if you're looking for images of naked people in non-erotic poses, or of naked people with a variety of body types; however, you will have to sign up using an email address before you can turn off the Mature Content setting.^{[4]
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Community Q&A

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Question

How do I turn off safesearch?

Community Answer

If it's on your computer, go to "images." In the right top corner, you'll see safesearch. If it has a check mark, it is enabled; click on it.

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Question

What if it says 'We've set SafeSearch to strict because your browser communicated your preference for a safe web browsing experience'?

Community Answer

Conduct a search. Search for your preferred term or phrase to determine whether or not SafeSearch has been disabled. If you see explicit (or even different) results than before, you've successfully disabled SafeSearch for Google.

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Why can't I disable Safesearch on my school computer?

Community Answer

School computers have installed software like iboss in order to show only non-explicit content. Those computers are not yours to disable.

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Google users in many countries can no longer disable SafeSearch entirely for all searches. While it used to be possible to circumvent this by searching on another country's Google page, Google now appears to detect this and turn on SafeSearch.

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Some ISPs will force the filter on if you have "scam protection" enabled in their account control panel. This can be verified by using an international VPN service to connect to google.com and test if it is possible to disable SafeSearch that way. If you can disable SafeSearch using a VPN to connect to google.com, that strongly suggests your ISP is automatically redirecting your searches through Google's filtering service.

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