Troubleshooting an iPhone or Android’s Clear History Feature

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Is the button to clear your search history greyed out or does your history still appear after you've reset it? These are both issues regarding clearing search history on Android and iOS, but they can be easily fixed. Read on to learn more.

Clearing Search History & Website Data

Clear History & Website Data Greyed Out on iPhone & iPad

Screen Time restrictions. If a parent or guardian has set up Screen Time on your iPhone or iPad, you may not have the ability to clear your search history or website data. With the Screen Time passcode, you can turn it off and clear 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. Return to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.

The data 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.

MDM apps preventing that action. If you received your iPhone, iPad, or even MacBook laptop from an employer, organization, or school, and they set it up, there might be a mobile device management app installed. In that case, your employer, organization, or school may want to keep tabs on your search history and website data. You can also contact the IT department to learn how to delete that information.

Clearing Google Search History on Android

Chrome is out of date. If you're using an outdated version of Chrome, your search history may not disappear correctly.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 open the Google Play Store to update it manually if there's an update available.

Using the Google app while signed out of a Google account. If you're on your 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.

Connect to the internet. 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 a network.