How to turn off private browsing on iPhone

Safari® gives you two ways to search the internet: regular and private browsing mode. Both options give you full access to the web, but they handle your personal data differently. Knowing the difference between the two (and how to switch between them) gives you more control over your internet search activities.

Asurion Experts make sure you get the most from your favorite devices. Whether you're wondering how to set up a new iPhone® or want to use the newest Safari features, count on us for quick guidance. Here's how to turn off private browsing on iPhone, plus troubleshooting steps if you get stuck.

How private browsing affects history and cookies

Private browsing lets you surf the internet without leaving a long trail of data behind you. It won't cache website data or account logins. It also doesn't save your browsing history, so there is no option to view a list of websites you recently visited. With it turned on, you won't see targeted ads based on recent searches. 

However, regular search mode has benefits, too. It saves account autofill details, allowing you to quickly access frequently visited websites. It also accumulates a list of websites you recently visited. If you ever need to return to one, simply locate it in your browsing history to view it again.

How to check if private browsing is active

Not sure if you have private browsing enabled on your iPhone? There's an easy way to find out. Open Safari and look at the search bar. A dark grey or black bar indicates you're in private browsing mode. If you don't have any websites currently active in Safari, a dark box with the heading "Private Browsing" appears.

The search bar for regular browsing is white or light gray. Every time you initiate a new search, Safari stores a new tab, which remains accessible until you delete it. 

Turn off private browsing in Safari

After confirming your search mode status, you can turn off private browsing mode on iPhone in a few simple steps.

1. Open Safari.
2. Tap the Tabs icon. It resembles two overlapping squares.
3. Tap the option that includes a number of tabs, such as "10 Tabs." If you don't have any open tabs, tap Start Page.

Prevent access to private browsing using Screen Time

iPhone provides customized settings you can tailor to your browsing needs. If you want to prevent anyone using the device from accessing private browsing, you can set up a Screen Time filter.

1. Open Settings. Tap Screen Time. 
2. If Screen Time is not already enabled, tap App & Website Activity > Turn On App & Website Activity. Otherwise, skip this step.
3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions > App Store, Media, Web, & Games.
4. Tap Web Content > Limit Adult Websites.

To confirm that private browsing is off, take these steps:

1. Open Safari.
2. Tap the Tabs icon.
3. Verify that the Private browsing option no longer appears.

Private browsing still active? Try these fixes

If private browsing still appears in Safari, the settings change might not have transferred to the browser. Try these solutions to make it stick.

Force close and reopen Safari

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the iPhone screen to view open apps. 
2. Swipe right to locate Safari.
3. Swipe up on the Safari preview to force close the app.
4. Reopen Safari to confirm Private mode is disabled. 

Restart your iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General > Shut Down. Drag the slider to turn off your device.
3. Press the side button to restart the iPhone.
4. Reopen Safari to confirm Private mode is disabled. 

Update iOS to the latest version

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General > Software Update.
3. If an update is available, follow the prompts to download and install it. 

Set up content filtering for safer browsing

The Content & Privacy Restrictions of Screen Time allow you to restrict web access on a device. Two useful settings include:

• Limit Adult Websites: Prevents users from accessing known sites with adult content.
• Only Approved Websites: Grants access only to websites you specify.

FAQ

Can I permanently disable private browsing on my iPhone?

You can change your iPhone settings to disable private browsing on your device. Doing so won't permanently remove private browsing, but it will deactivate it until you decide to turn it back on.

What happens when private browsing is turned off?

Websites may collect information about your browsing habits and use the data for marketing purposes. Your device also stores a list of recently visited websites, which you can view anytime.

How can I use Screen Time to restrict private browsing?

Screen Time includes settings to manage browsing activity. Adjust the Content & Privacy Restrictions to turn off private browsing on iPhones.