Hide Safari History Automatically on iPhone
Privacy is essential for every iPhone user — especially when it comes to browsing the web. If you often use Safari and don’t want your search or visit history saved, Apple offers built-in tools to hide Safari history automatically. In this OnePlus guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to make Safari private, use automation, and protect your browsing data on iPhone.
Why You Should Hide Safari History Automatically
While manually clearing Safari history is simple, automating the process saves time and ensures nothing is left behind. Here’s why it matters:
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Prevents others from seeing your search or visit history.
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Keeps cookies, cache, and trackers from collecting personal data.
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Enhances privacy when sharing your iPhone or using public Wi-Fi.
OnePlus Tip: Automatic history hiding is ideal if you share your iPhone with family members or often browse in sensitive situations (like using work accounts).
Method 1: Use Private Browsing Mode in Safari
The simplest way to stop Safari from saving history is to enable Private Browsing Mode.
How to Turn It On
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Open Safari on your iPhone.
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Tap the tabs icon (two overlapping squares) in the bottom-right corner.
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Tap the arrow at the bottom center → choose Private.
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Tap Done to activate.
In Private Browsing, Safari won’t:
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Save search history.
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Store cookies or autofill data.
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Log visited sites.
OnePlus Tip: When you close all private tabs, Safari automatically clears temporary data — ideal for users who want hands-free privacy.
Method 2: Automate Safari History Deletion Using Shortcuts
If you prefer using the normal browsing mode but still want to delete Safari history automatically, Apple’s Shortcuts app can handle it.
Steps to Create an Automation
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Open the Shortcuts app.
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Tap Automation → Create Personal Automation.
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Choose a trigger, like:
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Time of Day: Clear history every night.
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App Closed: When Safari is closed.
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Tap Add Action → Apps → Safari → Clear History.
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Tap Next → Disable “Ask Before Running.”
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Tap Done.
Your iPhone will now clear Safari history automatically based on your chosen schedule.
OnePlus Tip: Combine this automation with Low Power Mode or Do Not Disturb schedules for efficient background cleaning.
Method 3: Restrict Safari History Saving Through Screen Time
If you’re managing a shared device or want Safari to stay private for kids, you can use Screen Time restrictions.
How to Set It Up
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Go to Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions.
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Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions.
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Tap Content Restrictions → Web Content.
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Choose Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only.
This not only filters adult content but also limits Safari’s data storage.
OnePlus Tip: Great for parents who want to hide or control Safari history automatically for family devices.
Method 4: Clear Safari History Manually (Backup Option)
Even with automations, it’s good to know how to clear Safari history manually.
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Open Settings → Safari.
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Scroll down and tap Clear History and Website Data.
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Confirm when prompted.
You can also clear data for specific sites by tapping Advanced → Website Data → Remove All Website Data.
Bonus: Use Third-Party Privacy Tools
If you want even deeper protection, you can pair Safari with privacy apps that automatically delete browsing traces.
Popular privacy tools include:
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1Blocker – blocks trackers and ads in real time.
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DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser – automatically clears history on exit.
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Lockdown Privacy – network-level protection.
OnePlus Tip: These tools integrate with iOS and Safari for a seamless experience — no extra setup needed.
Related OnePlus Guides
FAQ
1. Does Private Browsing completely hide my activity?
Private Browsing hides history and cookies locally, but your internet provider or websites can still log visits.
2. Can I hide Safari history from Family Sharing?
Yes, using Private Browsing Mode or Screen Time restrictions prevents shared reports from showing Safari history.
3. Can I delete history from one device only?
Yes. Go to Settings → Safari → Clear History, and select Clear on This Device Only if available.
Final Thoughts
With the right settings and automation, you can keep your Safari history hidden automatically without constant manual clearing. Whether you use Private Browsing Mode, Shortcuts automation, or Screen Time, Apple gives you full control over your privacy. OnePlus recommends enabling Private Mode for everyday browsing and setting a nightly automation to ensure your browsing history stays completely private — effortlessly.
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