safari clear history is greyed out

Safari Clear History and Data grayed out on iPhone? 4 Fixes!

You’ve been surfing Safari for a while, and you want to clear your history. In many cases, clearing your history data helps fix loading issues with certain websites.

But if the option “Clear History and Website Data” is grayed out in Safari, here are a few quick solutions to the problem.

Before you begin: Note that this option will be gray if there’s no current browsing history or web data. After you visit a site, the option will become blue and usable. If you regularly use Safari and still find the delete history option unusable, on the other hand, take a look at the solutions in this guide.

Why is Clear History grayed out on my iPhone?

There are a number of reasons this option may be grayed out for you. As we previously mentioned, if you haven’t browsed any sites yet, or recently cleared your data and forgot, the option will be gray.

The culprit can also be hidden somewhere in your settings, like Screen Time Restrictions. If this sounds like it may apply to you, read on for the solution.

Safari’s Clear History and Website Data may also simply be grayed out due to a bug. Go through the other main solutions first; if they don’t yield any results, it’s likely a software hiccup. If that’s the case, we have a fix ready and waiting.

Now, let’s get into the solutions.

• Disable Screen Time Restrictions
• Restart your iPhone

Other workarounds to fix Safari Clear History option grayed out

• Reset All Settings on iPhone

1. Disable Screen Time Restrictions

If you use Screen Time to enable limited web access, the option for Clear History and Website Data will be grayed out. Here’s how to disable it.

• Open Settings and tap Screen Time . Enter your passcode if asked.

• Or tap Content Restrictions .

Now, go back to the first Settings screen, tap Safari , and you will find that Clear History and Website Data is no longer grayed out. It’ll be blue, and you can tap it.

2. Restart your iPhone

The above solution fixes this issue in almost all cases. But in the rare situation, it doesn’t, and Safari’s clear history button is still grayed out (or if you didn’t have Screen Time enabled in the first place), restarting your iPhone or iPad is the next go-to fix.

Use the physical buttons on your device to turn it off. You can also do the same via Settings → General → Shut Down . After a few seconds, turn your iPhone back on.

Note : If a simple restart fails, consider force restarting the device .

Is Clear History and Website Data still grayed out? Time to move on to other workarounds.

Apart from the above two sure-fire fixes, some additional tips have worked for a small subset of iPhone users. Let’s look over them briefly, then, check if Clear History and Website Data is still grayed out. Once you’re done, you can re-enable these options.

• Turn off Safari iCloud Sync : Open Settings → your name from the top → iCloud → switch off the toggle for Safari.
• Clear Safari Reading List : We’ve covered how to clear your Safari Reading List here .
• Block Cookies : Inside Settings, tap Safari and turn on the toggle for Block All Cookies. Note : Many websites won’t work as intended when this is enabled. Make sure to turn it back off after you check the clear history button.
• Delete Website Data from Advanced pane : You can also choose to delete website history by launching Settings → Safari → Advanced → Website Data → Remove All Website Data. (Or, tap Edit and delete the data for any desired websites.)

If nothing has worked so far, it’s time to move to more involved measures.

4. Reset All Settings on iPhone

This will erase all the settings you have altered or added. This includes Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth devices, Keyboard settings, VPN configurations, etc.

However, personal data like applications, music, images, videos, etc., will remain as is. Still, it’s always wise to back up your iPhone first before a reset of this nature.

Open Settings → General → Reset → Reset All Settings → enter your iPhone passcode if asked and confirm. To read a more involved guide, see our article on the topic .

After the process completes, there’s a very good chance you’ll be able to clear your Safari history and web data.

These are the most effective ways to clear Safari History and Website Data successfully. Did any of the solutions work for you? Let us know in the comments.

In case you’re interested, we’ve put together a list of some other third-party browsers that you may want to use in place of Safari. Or, you can even look into changing the default browser on iPhone and iPad .

• How to Add Credit Cards to Safari AutoFill on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
• Safari Slow on iPhone and iPad? Here are 8 Solutions to Fix It
• How to Close All Safari Tabs at Once on iPhone and iPad
• Disappearing Safari tabs on iPhone and iPad? 10 Working fixes

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Why Can’t I Clear My History on Safari? Solutions and Answers

• Safari allows you to clear your history for a certain length of time, or you can clear the whole thing.
• You may just need to restart your device to clear your history.
• Remember that the steps for iPhone and iPad will be roughly the same. 

If you’re having issues because you can’t clear your Safari history, know that a solution isn’t too far behind. I love using Safari for a great browsing experience, but I was recently unable to clear my history, which was giving me some problems. Fortunately, I discovered a solution to my problem. Let’s take a look at some troubleshooting steps and solutions. 

Why Is My Clear History Button Grey?

If your Clear History button is grey, the most likely reason is that you do not have any History to clear. However, you may also be experiencing a grey Clear History button due to certain Content & Privacy Restrictions within Screen Time being enabled. You can check on iPhone via Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps and ensure that Safari is enabled. Note, however, that this will require your password.

On Mac, you can disable Screen Time via System Settings > Screen Time>  Content & Privacy > Content Restrictions . Ensure Access to Web Content is set to  Unrestricted.  Of course, if you didn’t set up Screen Time in the first place, this likely isn’t your issue. Keep reading for further solutions.

How Do I Clear My Safari History and Cache?

1. how to clear your safari browser history.

If you need to clear your Safari history, you can check out our full guide here . However, note that on iOS, clearing your history is as easy as going to Settings >  Safari > Clear History and Website Data . For Mac, all you need to do is open Safari and select History > Clear History from the menu bar. With both Mac and iOS you are able to choose how much of your history you delete based on time. 

2. Disable iCloud Sync for Safari

If you’re still having issues clearing your Safari browsing history, it may just be that you need to disable iCloud sync for Safari. This default option shares your history and your reading lists across all your Apple devices. It may be the case that some history or content did not sync properly. 

Disable iCloud Sync iOS

Time needed:  2 minutes

If you need to disable iCloud Sync on iOS, follow these steps.

Disable iCloud Sync macOS

• From the Apple Menu, go to System Settings .
• Select [Your Name] .

3. Reset Network Settings (iOS Only)

If you are still looking for an effective solution to your clear history issue, you may want to consider resetting your network settings. 

• Go to the Settings app. 

4. Delete History Manually (Mac Only)

If you need to clear your Safari history on Mac and are having problems, remember you can delete your history manually. 

• While holding down the Command key, select the following items: History.db , History.db-lock , History.db.shm and History.db.wal . 

• Empty your Trash. 

Why Can’t I Clear History in Safari?

The most likely reason that you’re unable to clear your Safari history is that there is no history left to clear. However, if you’re having issues, look at basic things, such as restarting your Apple device or ensuring that Screen Time restrictions are not preventing you from clearing your history. You may also want to consider that iCloud Sync may prevent you from properly clearing your history. 

Being able to clear your entire history from Safari is incredibly useful. However, it’s only useful if it’s working correctly. Fortunately, solutions for your history clearing problems are rather easy, so there’s little to worry about. Not clearing your history can be a common issue for many users. However, a comprehensive solution is available.

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Top 6 Ways to Fix Unable to Clear History in Safari for iPhone

Like any other browser, Safari gives you the option to clear your browsing history and start with a clean slate. This is helpful as it lets you to erase your online activities, free up space, and troubleshoot temporary browser-related issues. While clearing your browsing history in Safari is typically straightforward, there may be instances where you encounter difficulties along the way.

Temporary glitches, Screen Time restrictions, and persistent cookies are just a few of the reasons you may have trouble clearing your Safari history on your iPhone. Below, we share all the possible solutions for fixing the underlying issue. So, let’s take a look.

1. Restart Your iPhone

Often, temporary iOS glitches can result in Safari’s clear history option appearing grayed out on your iPhone. In most cases, you can fix such anomalies by simply restarting your iPhone. Hence, it’s the first thing you should try.

On iPhone X or newer models, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button with one of the volume buttons and then use the slider to power off your iPhone. On older iPhones, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the slider appears and use it to shut down your iPhone.

After your iPhone shuts down completely, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears. When your iPhone restarts, try to clear your Safari browsing history again.

2. Disable Web Content Restrictions

The Screen Time feature on your iPhone lets you apply content restrictions to block inappropriate websites . If you’ve previously enabled this feature, you are likely to run into problems while clearing your Safari history. So, it’s best to remove any web content restrictions on your iPhone.

Step 1: Open the Settings app and tap on Screen Time.

Step 2: Tap ‘Content & Privacy Restrictions’ and select Content Restrictions from the following menu.

Step 3: Tap on Web Content and select the Unrestricted option.

3. Disable iCloud Sync for Safari

Enabling iCloud sync for Safari allows you to sync your browsing history, bookmarks, open tabs, and other data across all your Apple devices. This sync feature can sometimes cause conflicts with Safari and hinder your ability to clear your browsing history. You can temporarily disable iCloud sync for Safari to see if that fixes the issue.

Step 1: Open the Settings app, tap your Apple ID at the top, and select iCloud from the following menu.

Step 2: Under Apps Using iCloud, select the Show All option.

Step 3: Toggle off the switch next to Safari.

4. Clear Safari Reading List

Sometimes, webpages saved in the Safari Reading List may keep appearing in your history, even after you have cleared it. To fix this, you can try clearing your Safari Reading List by following the steps below.

Step 1: Open Safari on your iPhone.

Step 2: Tap the Book icon at the bottom.

Step 3: Tap the glasses icon to switch to the Reading List tab.

Step 4: Tap the Edit option in the bottom right corner, select all the entries, and then tap the Delete option.

After clearing Safari Reading List, check if you can clear your browsing history.

5. Temporarily Block Cookies in Safari

Safari saves cookies to remember your preferences, keep you logged in to websites, and improve your browsing experience. However, certain persistent cookies, specifically designed to remain on your device, may interfere with clearing your browsing data. To check for this possibility, you can temporarily block cookies in Safari .

Step 1: Open the Settings app and scroll down to tap on Safari.

Step 2: Under Privacy & Security, toggle on the switch next to Block All Cookies. Select Block All to confirm.

Try to clear Safari history again after this and check if the issue is still there.

6. Reset Your iPhone

If you still can’t clear your browsing history in Safari, you can try resetting your iPhone . That will restore your iPhone’s settings to default values without affecting your personal data. Here’s how you can go about it.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on General.

Step 2: Scroll down to the bottom of the page and select ‘Transfer or Reset iPhone.’

Step 3: Tap on Reset and select Reset All Settings from the menu that appears.

Start With a Clean Slate

Clearing your browsing history in Safari is something you might do from time to time to maintain privacy. Occasionally, the process may not go smoothly for various reasons, but it’s nothing you can’t fix with the solutions mentioned above.

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Last updated on 08 May, 2023

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The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.

DID YOU KNOW

Pankil Shah

Pankil is a Civil Engineer turned freelance writer from Ahmedabad, India. Since his arrival at Guiding Tech in 2021, he delves into the world of how-tos, and troubleshooting guides on Android, iOS, Windows, and the Web at Guiding Tech. When time permits, he also writes at MakeUseOf and Techwiser. Besides his new-found love for mechanical keyboards, he's a disciplined footfall fan and continues to plan his international travels with his wife.

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Can’t Clear My History on Safari: Steps to Troubleshoot and Resolve

When using Safari, the browser developed by Apple, maintaining privacy is vital, and clearing browser history is a standard part of digital privacy practices. However, users may sometimes face difficulties when attempting to clear their browser history. Possible reasons for the inability to clear history could be due to settings within the device or an issue with the browser or operating system itself.

Can’t Clear My History on Safari

Additional Tips:

• Check for Safari updates:  Make sure Safari is up-to-date via the App Store.
• Reset Network Settings:  If the issue persists, try resetting network settings ( Settings  ->  General  ->  Transfer or Reset [Device]  ->  Reset  ->  Reset Network Settings )  Note:  This will reset Wi-Fi passwords.

The problem can occur across various Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers. It is essential to comprehend the settings related to Safari’s history and how they connect with iCloud account preferences and system restrictions. Effective troubleshooting necessitates a step-by-step approach to rectify issues preventing the clearance of history so that personal browsing information can be managed and deleted as the user sees fit.

Key Takeaways

• Clearing Safari history is essential for privacy, but users may encounter issues in the process.
• Correctly managing settings is crucial to resolve history deletion problems.
• A systematic approach can help users overcome issues with clearing Safari history.

Why is “Clear History and Website Data” Option Greyed Out in Safari

1. no browsing data to clear.

• The simplest explanation:  If you haven’t visited any websites or accumulated any browsing data, the option will naturally be greyed out because there’s nothing to clear.

2. Web Content Restrictions

• Go to Settings -> Screen Time -> Content & Privacy Restrictions
• If “Content & Privacy Restrictions” is enabled, check under “Web Content” to see if restrictions are in place, especially “Limit Adult Content.” These can block the ability to clear history.

3. Mobile Device Management (MDM) Restrictions

• Common on workplace devices:  If your iPhone or iPad is managed by an employer or school, they may have restrictions set up through MDM software. Contact your organization’s IT department for assistance.

4. Temporary Glitch

• Try a forced restart:  Force restarting your device can sometimes clear up minor software glitches.

Troubleshooting Steps

• Verify Browsing Activity:  Open a new tab in Safari and visit a few websites. Try the “Clear History and Website Data” option again.
• Check Restrictions:  Follow the settings path mentioned above to see if any restrictions are in place.
• Restart Device:  If the above didn’t resolve the issue, try a force restart of your device.

If None of These Help:

• Update iOS:  Ensure you’re running the latest version of iOS.
• Contact Apple Support:  Consider reaching out to Apple for further troubleshooting if the problem persists.

Understanding Safari History Settings

When using Safari, you may need to clear your history or manage website data for security or to keep your browsing private. This section provides an insight into the various Safari history settings and how to address issues when options are not available.

Navigating Safari Settings

Safari users can adjust settings to manage browsing history, website data, and cookies. On an iPhone or iPad, these settings are accessible by tapping ‘Safari’ in the device’s main ‘Settings’ menu. For Mac users, these settings can be found by opening Safari and clicking on ‘Safari’ in the menu bar, then ‘Preferences.’

Steps to access history settings on iOS:

• Open ‘Settings’
• Scroll and select ‘Safari’
• Find ‘ Clear History and Website Data ‘

Mac users can:

• Open Safari
• Click on ‘History’ in the menu bar
• Select ‘Clear History’

Interpreting Grayed-Out Options

A grayed-out ‘Clear History and Website Data’ option might cause confusion. This usually indicates that certain restrictions are set on your device. On your iPhone or iPad, this may occur due to ‘Content & Privacy Restrictions’ in ‘Screen Time.’ If these restrictions are active, you cannot clear your history unless you adjust your ‘Screen Time’ settings.

For checking restrictions on iOS:

• Go to ‘Settings’
• Tap ‘Screen Time’
• Select ‘Content & Privacy Restrictions’
• Enter your passcode if prompted
• Look for the ‘Clear History and Website Data’ toggle to change the setting

The Role of iCloud in Safari History

iCloud can sync Safari browsing history across all your devices. This feature keeps your bookmarks and history the same everywhere. If Safari history won’t clear, it could be due to iCloud syncing. Disabling this can help troubleshoot the issue.

To disable iCloud Safari sync on an iPhone or iPad:

• Tap ‘Settings’
• Click your Apple ID at the top
• Choose ‘iCloud’
• Toggle off ‘Safari’

On a Mac, these options are in ‘System Preferences’ under ‘Apple ID’ for macOS Catalina or later and under ‘iCloud’ for High Sierra or earlier. Remember, turning this off will stop Safari data from syncing across your devices.

Troubleshooting History Deletion Issues

If Safari users find they can’t delete their browsing history, it could be due to various reasons, from software glitches to settings being locked. The following steps outline effective methods to resolve these issues.

Common Solutions to Clear History

Restart the Device: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve minor glitches. Users can turn off their iPhone or Mac, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on to see if the clear history function works.

Check Restrictions: On iOS 12 or later, users should verify if Screen Time restrictions are set up, as these might prevent history deletion. They can go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions to make necessary changes.

Advanced Troubleshooting Steps

Update Software: Ensuring the device is running the latest software version can fix bugs preventing history clearance. Users can check for updates in the device settings and install them if available.

Disable iCloud Safari Syncing: If history won’t clear, users should consider turning off iCloud Safari syncing. On a Mac, they can do this through System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud, unchecking Safari.

When to Reset Safari Settings

Reset Network Settings: If Safari’s problems persist, it might help to reset the network settings. This is done by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. It’s important to note that this will erase all saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords.

Delete History Manually on Mac: Users can attempt to manually delete history on their Mac by opening Safari, selecting History in the menu bar, and clicking ‘Clear History’.

Restore iPhone or iPad: As a last resort, backing up the device and then restoring it to factory settings may be necessary. This will erase all content, so users should ensure they have a backup. They can restore their device through Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

These steps can help users clear their browsing history in Safari and troubleshoot issues that might be preventing this from happening.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we address common issues iPhone, iPad, or Mac users may encounter when they cannot clear their Safari browsing history.

Why is ‘Clear History and Website Data’ grayed out in Safari on my iPhone?

This problem typically arises when restrictions are set to prevent the deletion of history. These settings might be found under Screen Time or Restrictions in your device’s Settings. Parents often use it to keep tabs on their children’s web usage.

What steps should I follow to delete Safari browsing history on my iPhone when it is not working?

First, try a soft reset of your device. If that fails, check for any restrictions enabled that might prevent history deletion. Lastly, you can try deleting website data manually in Safari’s settings or from the Advanced section under Website Data.

What could be preventing Safari on my iPad from clearing the browsing history?

Restrictions in your device’s settings can carry over from iCloud if your iPad syncs with other devices. It could also be due to a temporary software glitch or a problem with the update process, where a restart of the device might resolve the issue.

How do I resolve issues with Safari history not deleting on my iPhone?

To fix this, disable Website Restrictions in Screen Time, try a force-restart of your iPhone, or check for a software update. If there’s widespread trouble, it may require more complex solutions like restoring the device from a backup.

Is there a way to disable the feature that stops the clearing of Safari browsing history on an iPhone?

Yes, you can disable this by turning off Content & Privacy Restrictions in the Screen Time settings. Sometimes, this might require the Screen Time passcode, which should be entered to adjust these settings.

What are the reasons Safari might not allow me to delete my browsing history?

Several factors could be causing this issue, including: restrictions set intentionally for parental control, a glitch after an iOS update, corrupt data within Safari, issues with sync settings, or simply a need to reboot the device.

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Greyed Out ‘Clear History’ Button

I have an iPhone 13 pro, my clear history button has been greyedout for a while now. I have no restrictions, I have reset the ‘Settings’ app, blocked cookies, etc. Any other suggestions?

iPhone 13, iOS 15

Posted on Dec 8, 2021 2:27 AM

Posted on Dec 9, 2021 6:39 AM

Greetings emkab,

I understand you're looking for assistance with clearing your browsing history, so let's check into a few things to see what could be occurring.

For starters, let's be sure you're updated to the latest iOS version to rule out this being a possibility of what you're noticing. If you do see that an update is available, let's be sure you have a recent backup of your information prior to installing the update. If you need help with either of these steps, check out the following resources:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Once you've confirmed that you're up to date with iOS, let's confirm the steps taken to clear the history to be sure they're the same steps. Take a look at the following resource to confirm you're using the same method:

Clear the history and cookies from Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

If you see that the same steps have been taken, let's check to see if you may be using Private Browsing. If you are using Private Browsing, you likely wouldn't have any history to delete as it's not recording your browsing history. To check this, take a look at the following resource:

Turn Private Browsing on or off on your iPhone or iPod touch

If none of these resources have cleared up what you're seeing, it may be best to Contact Apple Support to look into this in more detail.

Have a great day!

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Dec 9, 2021 6:39 AM in response to emkab

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[9 Methods] How to Fix “Clear Safari History Greyed Out”

How to do when clear history greyed out in safari on iOS devices. Some effective methods are recommended to you to troubleshoot this problem.

Turn Off Screen Time Restrictions

Restart your device, stop syncing safari over icloud, update your devices, reset network settings (only for ios devices).

• Clear Safari history with restrictions (only for iOS devices)

Delete via Finder (only for Mac)

Automatically clear history in safari (only for mac), why is clear history greyed out in safari.

After surfing Safari for a while, you may need to clear browsing history on iPhone . The clearing usually helps fix loading issues with certain websites. But there are times “clear Safari history greyed out” occurs, why does it happen?

When the button greyed out, probably because you have web content restrictions set up under Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time.

Many users block access to some websites in Safari by enabling the “ Restrictions ” tab under “ General ” in the “ Settings ” app. The most likely option that may have been selected is the “ Limit Adult Content ” button within the “ Restrictions ”.

The option means to keep children from being able to gain access to certain sites when the content is not suitable. Why is clear history greyed out in Safari? This may be the main reason for the vast majority of iOS users.

Sometimes, there may be another reason cause clear history button greyed out in Safari on Mac and iOS devices, that’s Screen Time. Therefore, you must make sure that Screen Time isn’t preventing you from clearing your Safari history and web page data first.

What to do when iPhone/Mac clear Safari history greyed out?

For the said issue, we will give you some tips to tackle the problem. And you can choose the most suitable way according to your preference.

Screen Time is a feature on iOS and macOS that allows you to monitor and control your device usage habits. It also offers content restrictions that can keep from clearing the browser’s history.

How to disable screen time restrictions on iPhone/iPad/Mac when the button greyed out? Let’s read on!

Disable Screen Time Restrictions on iPhone & iPad

Step 1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone and tap  Screen Time .

Step 2. Hit Content & Privacy Restrictions .

Step 3. Choose  Content Restrictions .

Step 4. Key in your Screen Time passcode if your iPhone or iPad asks you for one.

Step 5. Select  Web Content .

Step 6. Choose the  Unrestricted  option.

Disable Screen Time Restrictions on Mac

Step 1. Go to the  Apple menu  and select System Settings/System Preferences .

Step 2. Choose  Screen Time  and tap the  Content & Privacy  category.

Step 3. Select  Content Restrictions .

Step 4. Enter the Screen Time passcode if your Mac asks. Then, open the pull-down menu next to  Access to Web Content  and choose  Unrestricted Access .

Step 5. Select  Done .

Then you can see whether the issue “clear Safari history greyed out” is fixed. If not, try to restart your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. That helps clear any temporary problems or glitches with the system software interfering with Safari’s ability to erase its history.

Restart Your iPhone or iPad

Step 1. Launch the Settings app and choose  General .

Step 2. Scroll down and tap the option labeled  Shutdown .

Step 3. Drag the Power icon to the right.

Step 4. Wait 30 seconds after the screen darkens.

Step 5. Press and hold the  Side  button until you see the Apple logo.

Restart Your Mac

Step 1. Go to the Apple Menu  and choose Restart .

Step 2. Uncheck the box next to  Reopen Windows when logging back in .

Step 3. Select  Restart  to confirm.

If you still can’t delete your Safari history, then you can check your iCloud sync settings. If you use iCloud, it syncs your bookmarks, reading list, and browsing history across all your Apple devices. It won’t make any difference, but iCloud sync occasionally leads to items reappearing in your iPhone or iPad browsing history.

Disable iCloud Syncing for Safari on iPhone & iPad

Step 1. Go to  Settings > Apple ID Profile > iCloud > Toggle Safari Off .

Step 2. If Safari has already been toggled off, then  turn on > click merge > turn off  again.

Step 3. Perform the same for all iCloud-connected devices.

Step 4. Now delete Safari history for all devices.

Disable iCloud Syncing for Safari on Mac

Step 1. Open the  Apple menu  and choose  System Settings/System Preferences .

Step 2. Select iCloud.

Step 3. Turn off the button next to Safari.

Updating your iOS devices or Mac can also help resolve the said issue by fixing bugs or glitches that may have been creating the problem.

For example, early iterations of major iOS and macOS releases—like iOS 16.0 and macOS Ventura 13.0 — often have severe problems that affect how native apps run. And installing newer updates may be the solution to the problem. Also, it can solve other Safari errors, like fixing Safari cannot open the page on iPhone .

Update Your iPhone & iPad

Step 1. Open the Settings  app.

Step 2. Choose  General > Software Update .

Step 3. Click  Download and Install  next to pending updates.

Update Your Mac

Step 1. Hit the  Apple menu  and select  System Settings .

Step 2. Go to  General > Software Update .

Step 3. Click  Update Now  on the window’s top right if new updates are available.

Safari’s history-clearing issues can stem from network settings and configuration mistakes. Reset them to their defaults and check if that fixes the problem. Do the following steps:

Step 1. Go to Setting > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad .

Step 2. Tap  Reset .

Step 3. Select  Reset Network Settings .

Step 4. Enter your device passcode.

Step 5. Hit  Reset Network Settings  again to confirm.

If the resetting doesn’t help, try to  reset your iPhone to factory settings . If you need to do that, repeat the previous steps but pick the  Reset All Settings  option and make sure to back up your iPhone /iPad.

  Clear Safari history with restrictions (only for iOS devices)

For iPhone/iPad users, you should launch the Settings  app and go to General .

Step 1. Go to the second option and tap on  Restrictions .

Step 2. Enter your Restrictions passcode.

Step 3. Under the  Allowed Content  option, scroll down to  Websites  and tap on that.

Step 4. Within the Websites section, you’ll find three tabs. You must deselect the option if you have chosen Limit Adult Content or Specific Websites and select  All Websites  as your current option.

Step 5. You can now open the Safari app under the Settings list, and you will see that the issue “iOS Safari clear history greyed out” has been settled.

If all fixes didn’t work on your computer, there are also some methods to clear your Safari data when clear history greyed out in Safari Mac devices.

For Mac users, you can delete your Safari history manually through Finder. Here’s how:

Step 1. Quit Safari.

Step 2. Open Finder and select  Go > Go to Folder  on the menu bar.

Step 3. Key in the following path and press  Return: ~/Library/Safari .

Step 4. Hold down the  Command  key and select the following files:

History.db-lock

History.db.shm

History.db.wal

Step 5. Control-click and select  Move to Trash .

And according to your personal preference, you can either manually clear your browsing history on Mac or set up Safari browser to automatically clear your browsing history daily.

Follow the steps below to clear your entire Safari browsing history on Mac.

Step 1. Launch the  Safari  browser on your Mac.

Step 2. Click on the  Safari  tab in the top-menu bar and choose  Preferences  in the drop-down menu.

Step 3. On the Safari Preferences page, go to  General  tab > click on  Remove History Items  down-arrow and select the  Daily  option.

Step 4. On the same screen, click on  Remove downloaded list  items down arrow and select  After one day .

How to force delete Safari history easily

If you think all methods above are too difficult, here we would like to introduce a professional application “ FoneTool ” to erase data simply. It can help you erase much private data, including photos, messages, Safari history, etc. And it offers Deep Erase technology enabling you completely and permanently clear Safari history to avoid data recovery.

You can hit the download button and then follow the steps below to clear your Safari history.

Steps on how to clear Safari history:

Step 1. Run FoneTool on your PC > Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable > Tap  Trust  on your iPhone.

Step 2. Go to Toolbox  > Choose Erase private data  > Click Get Started .

Step 3. Select Safari History  and if you want to completely delete the history, check Enable Deep Erase Technology , then hit Start Erase .

Clearing your Safari browsing history is simple, but it can be frustrating when clear Safari history greyed out. And FoneTool is highly recommended to fix the issue. In addition to clearing private data, it can also help you to transfer contacts from iPhone to Pixel after setup  quickly. Why not give the all-in-one iPhone data management tool a try?

FoneTool - All-in-one iPhone Data Manager

Transfer, backup and manage data on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch in an easy way.

100% Secure

Kathy is an editor of FoneTool, who prefers to help more users address a series of iOS-related problems. She likes traveling and being close to nature makes her relax. She is also keen to engage in social activities and spend much free time with her friends.

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Technology Simplified.

Clear History & Data Grayed Out in Safari on iPhone

By: Waseem Patwegar | Filed Under: iOS

It can be perplexing not being able to clear browsing history on iPhone due to “Clear History and Website Data” option being grayed-out on iPhone.

When this issue was reported by a user in a popular forum, some people responded by asking “What were you browsing last night”?

I spent over 2 hrs. last night trying to delete my browser history in safari, how can I delete it?? The clear history option in settings is grayed out and will not function, anyone? Help? – David126 on Macrumours

The frustration expressed by this user is understandable, considering the fact that in certain cases the solution to this issue lies in the most unlikely place.

Reason for Clear History & Website Data Being Grayed Out on iPhone

While it is possible for Clear History Option on iPhone to be greyed out due to a bug in Safari browser or other reasons, the most common reason for this issue is due to certain Web content being restricted on your iPhone.

Yes you heard it right, the mind boggling reason for iPhone preventing you from clearing your browsing history is due to certain type of web content being bocked on your device.

Who would assume, guess or imagine that blocking Adult Content or blocking certain websites could make the option to “Delete Website History and Data” greyed out or inaccessible on your iPhone?

Hence, disabling Web Content Restrictions should fix the problem in most cases. If this does not help, you can move to the next step as provided below.

1. Disable Web Content Restrictions on iPhone

In most cases, all that is required to enable the option to Clear History and Website Data on iPhone is to remove the restrictions placed on Adult Content or certain websites on your iPhone.

1. Open Settings > scroll down a bit and tap on Screen Time .

2. Enter Password (if prompted) > On the next screen, scroll down and tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions .

3. From the Restrictions screen, go to Content Restrictions > Web Content > select Unrestricted Access option on the next screen.

After this, go back to Settings > Safari > scroll down to to end of “Privacy & Security” section and you will find “ Clear History and Website Data ” option enabled back on your device.

Once the option to Clear History & Website Data is available, you will be able to Clear your browsing history at any time on your device by tapping on this option.

After clearing browsing history, you can go back and enable the restrictions on Adult Content and block websites on your device (as it was before).

2. Reset All Settings

If the above method did not help, Reset all the Settings on your device to Factory Default Settings and this should fix the problem.

1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > select the Reset option.

2. On the pop-up, select Reset All Settings option.

3. Patiently wait for the Reset process to be completed.

Note: The Reset process does not delete any data from your device, it removes all the current Settings on your device.

• How to Delete “Documents and Data” on iPhone and iPad
• How to Automatically Clear History in Safari on Mac

Fixed: Can’t Clear History in Safari on iPhone & iPad

Clearing your browsing history in Safari has many benefits, such as protecting your personal information and freeing up space to keep the browser running smoothly. However, you might have noticed that the Clear History and Website Data button is grayed out or that some websites are still there after your attempt. If you are wondering why you can't delete your Safari history, don't worry! We will explain why and provide solutions to fix the problem.

Disable Content & Privacy Restrictions

Unsync safari over icloud, delete all items in safari reading list, block cookies, restart, reset, or restore.

Content & Privacy Restrictions is a feature that sets up age limits and protects children from inappropriate content. This feature can prevent you from deleting your browsing data in Safari. Please read our article about Content & Privacy Restrictions . 

With iCloud, your browsing history is synced across all your Apple devices. As a result, it can occasionally lead to items reappearing in the browsing history of your iPhone or iPad. Here's how to stop Safari from syncing over iCloud.

If the tips mentioned above don't solve the issue, you will need to use basic troubleshooting solutions. First, restart your device. If that fails, reset your settings, and if that also fails, restore the device to factory settings. For reference, read our article that will guide you on how to do these basic troubleshooting solutions . 

If you found this article helpful, you may enjoy other troubleshooting articles, like what to do if your Apple Watch steps are not accurate , and what to do when iPhone calls are going straight to voicemail . 

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How to clear Safari browsing history on iPhone and iPad

Clear Safari browsing history on iPhone and iPad in a few simple steps

You'll definitely want to know how to clear Safari browsing history on iPhone and iPad . Know how to delete browsing history is part of basic user operation on all your devices, and is especially if you share devices with others. 

Luckily, deleting browsing history on Safari is easy and can be done in just a few taps, and is the same on iOS and iPadOS, so whether you're using an iPhone 15 Pro or an iPad Air , these steps will apply.

Remember, though, that deleting your browsing history only stops your activity being visible on that device. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) will still be able to see the webpages you have visited. If you want to stop that, for ultimate privacy, you'll need to use one of the best VPN services .

The following screenshots were taken on an iPhone running iOS 17 . If you aren't running the latest version of your device's OS, we can show you how to update an iPhone or how to update an iPad .

• In Safari, tap the book icon
• Go to the history tab (clock)
• Select how far back to clear

Read on to see full illustrated instructions.

1. In Safari, tap the book icon

Firstly, open Safari and tap the book icon in the bottom bar.

2. Select the history tab (clock icon) and tap Clear

Now select the history tab (clock icon) and tap Clear at the bottom.

3. Select how far back to clear and tap Delete

Now choose how far back you'd like to delete : last hour, today, today and yesterday, or all time.

If you like, you can toggle on Close All Tabs , which will close every open tab that isn't in a tab group (we can show you how to use tab groups if you aren't sure).

Finally, when you're happy, hit Delete .

As you can see in the screenshot above, if you now go back to the history tab, your history will have been deleted.

For more iPhone tutorials, check out our guides on how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone , how to clear RAM on iPhone , how to delete multiple contacts on iPhone and how to rearrange the iOS 17 Messages '+' menu .

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Peter is Reviews Editor at Tom's Guide. As a writer, he covers topics including tech, photography, gaming, hardware, motoring and food & drink. Outside of work, he's an avid photographer, specialising in architectural and portrait photography. When he's not snapping away on his beloved Fujifilm camera, he can usually be found telling everyone about his greyhounds, riding his motorcycle, squeezing as many FPS as possible out of PC games, and perfecting his espresso shots. 

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Safari User Guide

• Change your homepage
• Import bookmarks, history, and passwords
• Make Safari your default web browser
• Go to websites
• Find what you’re looking for
• Bookmark webpages that you want to revisit
• See your favorite websites
• Use tabs for webpages
• Pin frequently visited websites
• Play web videos
• Mute audio in tabs
• Pay with Apple Pay
• Autofill credit card info
• Autofill contact info
• Keep a Reading List
• Hide ads when reading articles
• Translate a webpage
• Download items from the web
• Share or post webpages
• Add passes to Wallet
• Save part or all of a webpage
• Print or create a PDF of a webpage
• Customize a start page
• Customize the Safari window
• Customize settings per website
• Zoom in on webpages
• Get extensions
• Manage cookies and website data
• Block pop-ups
• Clear your browsing history
• Browse privately
• Autofill user name and password info
• Prevent cross-site tracking
• View a Privacy Report
• Change Safari preferences
• Keyboard and other shortcuts
• Troubleshooting

Clear your browsing history in Safari on Mac

You can remove all records that Safari keeps of where you’ve browsed during a period of time you choose. If your Mac and your other devices have Safari turned on in iCloud preferences , your browsing history is removed from all of them. Clearing your browsing history in Safari doesn’t clear any browsing histories kept independently by websites you visited.

Open Safari for me

Choose how far back you want your browsing history cleared.

When you clear your history, Safari removes data it saves as a result of your browsing, including:

History of webpages you visited

The back and forward list for open webpages

Frequently visited site list

Recent searches

Icons for webpages

Snapshots saved for open webpages

List of items you downloaded (downloaded files aren’t removed)

Websites added for Quick Website Search

Websites that asked to use your location

Websites that asked to send you notifications

Why is Clear History Greyed Out in Safari?

The Clear History feature in Safari is an essential tool for maintaining privacy while browsing the internet. It allows users to delete their browsing history, cookies, and site data, providing a fresh start and ensuring their online activities remain confidential. However, some users have encountered an issue where the Clear History option appears greyed out, preventing them from utilizing this privacy-enhancing feature. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this problem and provide solutions to enable the Clear History option in Safar

Clear History Feature in Safari

The Clear History feature in Safari serves as an effective way to erase your browsing footsteps. By using this option, you can remove all the stored data related to your online activities, such as visited websites, search history, and cookies. Clearing history not only enhances privacy but also helps in improving browser performance and resolving certain website issues.

Accessing the Clear History option in Safari is usually straightforward. You can find it by opening the Safari menu and selecting “Clear History” from the drop-down list. However, some users have reported that this option appears greyed out, making it inaccessible. Let's delve into the possible reasons behind this issue and explore potential solutions.

Why is Clear History Greyed Out?

Understanding why the Clear History option is greyed out in Safari is crucial in resolving the problem effectively. Several factors can contribute to this issue:

Browser Restrictions : In some cases, restrictions or limitations imposed by the browser settings or parental controls can prevent users from accessing the Clear History option. These restrictions are put in place to ensure the safety and privacy of users, especially in shared or supervised environments.

Outdated Safari Version : Using an outdated version of Safari can sometimes lead to the Clear History option being greyed out. Developers regularly release updates to address security vulnerabilities, add new features, and fix bugs. Therefore, it is essential to keep Safari up to date to avoid compatibility issues.

Insufficient Storage Space : If your device has limited storage space available, Safari may disable the Clear History option. Clearing history requires temporary storage to process and delete the data, and if there isn't enough space, Safari may restrict the option to prevent any potential issues.

Network Connection Issues : A weak or unstable network connection can also cause the Clear History option to appear greyed out. Safari may need a stable connection to perform certain tasks, including clearing history. Therefore, ensuring a reliable internet connection is essential.

Possible Solutions to Enable Clear History

Now that we have identified the possible reasons behind the greyed out Clear History option, let's explore some solutions to enable it:

Check for Software Updates : Start by checking if there are any available updates for SafarUpdating to the latest version can resolve compatibility issues and ensure that all the necessary features, including Clear History, are accessible.

Disable Restrictions : If you have enabled restrictions or parental controls on your device, navigate to the settings and disable them temporarily. This will allow you to access and utilize the Clear History option in Safar

Clear Cache and Temporary Files : Clearing cache and temporary files can free up storage space and potentially resolve the greyed out Clear History issue. To do this, open Safari Preferences, go to the Advanced tab, and click on “Show Develop menu in the menu bar.” Then, from the Develop menu, select “Empty Caches” to clear the cache.

Reset Safari Settings : Resetting Safari settings can often fix various issues, including the greyed out Clear History problem. To reset Safari, go to Safari Preferences, select the “Privacy” tab, and click on “Manage Website Data.” Remove all the website data and restart SafarAdditionally, you can also reset Safari by going to the Safari menu and choosing “Reset Safari.”

Troubleshooting Tips for Clear History Greyed Out Issue

If the above solutions don't resolve the greyed out Clear History issue, consider the following troubleshooting tips:

Ensure Sufficient Storage Space : Check the available storage space on your device and make sure it is not running low. Deleting unnecessary files or apps can free up space and potentially enable the Clear History option.

Verify Network Connection : Ensure that you have a stable and reliable network connection. If you are experiencing connectivity issues, try restarting your router or connecting to a different network to see if it resolves the problem.

Disable Extensions and Add-ons : Some browser extensions or add-ons can interfere with Safari's functionality, including the Clear History option. Disable any recently installed extensions and see if it restores the option. You can do this by going to Safari Preferences and selecting the “Extensions” tab.

Contact Apple Support : If all else fails, it is recommended to reach out to Apple Support for further assistance. They can provide personalized guidance and help troubleshoot the issue specific to your device and software configuration.

Alternative Privacy Measures in Safari

While resolving the Clear History greyed out issue is crucial for maintaining privacy, there are alternative privacy measures you can implement in Safari:

Private Browsing Mode : Safari offers a Private Browsing mode that allows you to browse without saving your history, cookies, or other site data. You can activate this mode by going to the Safari menu and selecting “Private Browsing.”

Managing Website Data and Cookies : Safari provides options to manage website data and cookies manually. By navigating to Safari Preferences and selecting the “Privacy” tab, you can choose to block or allow cookies from specific websites or remove stored website data selectively.

By following these alternative privacy measures, you can still ensure a certain level of privacy even if the Clear History option remains inaccessible.

In conclusion, the greyed out Clear History issue in Safari can be frustrating, but it can be resolved by implementing the solutions mentioned in this article. Whether it's due to browser restrictions, outdated software, insufficient storage, or network connectivity issues, there are steps you can take to regain control over your browsing privacy. Remember to keep your Safari browser updated, check for any limitations or restrictions, and troubleshoot any potential network or storage issues. By doing so, you can enjoy a more secure and private browsing experience.

Tabletmonkeys is a tablet computer media company focusing solely on tablet computers. iPad & tablet news, tablet leaks, November tablet deals, tablet sales, tablet prices, tablet launches, tablet apps, tablet comparison, 2-in-1 tablets, and tablet accessories, is otherwise the focus of Tabletmonkeys.com.