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

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Troubleshooting a grayed out or not working "Clear History" button

Co-authored by Darlene Antonelli, MA Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: March 19, 2025 Fact Checked

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Safari

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Google Chrome

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Microsoft Edge

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FAQ

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Is the button to clear your search history grayed 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 4:

Can't Clear Search History on Safari

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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.
- How to fix it:
  - 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.
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The search history was deleted recently. 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.
- How to fix it: You'll just need to perform a few searches to have something to clear from your history.
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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.
- How to fix it: There's no fix if you don't have permissions. You can contact the IT department to learn how to delete your search history if needed.^{[1]
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Section 2 of 4:

Can't Clear Search History on Chrome

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1
Chrome is out of date. If you're using an outdated version of Chrome, your search history may not disappear correctly.
- How to fix it: Chrome should update automatically, but if it doesn't, open the Google Play Store to update Chrome manually if there's an update available.
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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."
- How to fix it: Connect to a reliable network. Everything will be deleted once you connect to the internet via cellular data or Wi-Fi.^{[2]
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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.
- How to fix it: You can turn off search customization by opening the Google app, tapping your profile picture, and going to Settings > General > Search > Search customization.

Section 3 of 4:

Can't Clear Search History on Edge

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Sync is off. If you have sync off, Edge will only clear the search history from the device you're using. For example, if you want to clear the search history from your phone and computer, you need to leave sync on while you delete everything using your phone.
- How to fix it:
  - Go to ••• > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data > Choose what to clear.
  - Select All time from the "Time Range" menu.
  - Check the box next to "Browsing history."
  - Uncheck any other items you don't want to delete.
  - Click Clear now.^{[3]
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Section 4 of 4:

FAQ

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You may have only deleted your local browsing data instead of your Google account activity. To turn this off, go to this link > Choose the search history range to delete > Delete all time/delete range/X.^{[4]
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If you're using iPhone, iPad, or Mac, turn on Private Browsing in Safari. If you're using Chrome, Edge, or any other browser, open a Private or Incognito window.