Navigating the digital world creates a footprint similar to how our steps leave marks in real life. These digital traces, from sites visited to search queries, can pose privacy risks. So, it's essential to know how to clear your browsing history.

Whether you aim to clear search history on your iPhone or Mac, delete history from a specific timeframe in Safari, or fully clear your browsing history, Apple offers streamlined solutions. Let's take a look.

How to Delete Your Safari Browsing History on an iPhone or iPad

If you're looking to clear Safari's browsing history from within the Safari app on the iPhone or iPad, you're looking in the wrong place. Apple puts such options in the Settings app, and this is how to find them:

  1. Open the Settings app. Then, scroll down and tap on Safari.
  2. Scroll down to the Privacy & Security section and tap Clear History and Website Data.
  3. When a sub-window pops up, choose a timeframe and tap Clear History.

If you find yourself needing to delete your history in short timeframes, consider using private browsing (or incognito mode) in Safari instead of heading to the Settings app to do this often.

How to Clear Your Browsing History in Safari on a Mac

Unlike on an iPhone or iPad, you'll find all you need to clear Safari's history within the app. There's no need to open System Settings. Here's how to do it:

  1. Launch Safari using Spotlight search (Command + Space) or any other desired method.
  2. Once in Safari, mouse up to the menu bar and click History. Then, choose Clear History from the dropdown.
    macOS Safari's History menu
  3. A dialogue box will appear. Select the timeframe using the Clear dropdown menu and click Clear History when you've decided.
    Clear history pop-up on macOS Safari

There are still a few other things you would have to do if you want to reset Safari to default settings. But this method is all you need to delete your Safari browsing history on a Mac.

Safari Keeps Your History Private

Do not be worried if you suspect Apple is selling your browsing data; that is far from the truth. Apple has built a reputation for prioritizing privacy and security and even goes the extra mile to protect you from advertisers and third parties.

In fact, Safari might be safer to use than Google Chrome since Google doesn't offer the same commitment to privacy as Safari does. Use Private Browsing if necessary or delete your history if you still want to keep it from prying eyes.