How to Use Private Browsing on iPhone

This article explains how to use private browsing on iPhones with iOS 14 through iOS 12. It includes information on what it does and does not block, as well as a warning for iOS 8 users.

How to Turn on Private Browsing on iPhone

About to do some browsing that you don't want to be saved on your device? Here's how to turn on Private Browsing for iPhones with iOS 14 through iOS 12:

1. Tap Safari to open it.

2. Tap the new window icon in the lower-right corner (it looks like two overlapping rectangles).

3. Tap Private.

4. Tap the + button to open a new window.

While Safari is in private mode, the background of the URL field is dark gray.

How to Turn off Private Browsing on iPhone

To turn off Private Browsing and return to Safari's normal state:

1. Tap the new window icon.

2. Tap Private.

3. The Private Browsing window disappears and windows that were open in Safari before you started Private Browsing reappear.

What Private Browsing Keeps Private

Private Browsing is a feature of the iPhone's Safari web browser that prevents the browser from leaving many of the digital footprints that normally follow your movement online. While it's excellent for erasing your history, it doesn't offer complete privacy.

When you use it, the iPhone's Private Browsing mode in Safari:

• Does not save any records of your browsing history.
• Does not save passwords entered into websites.
• Does not allow autocompletion of saved usernames and passwords.
• Does not retain search history.
• Prevents some websites from adding tracking cookies to your device.

What Private Browsing Doesn't Block

The iPhone's Private Browsing feature doesn't offer total privacy. The list of things it can't block includes:

• The IP address of the device and any related data are visible.
• Bookmarks saved while in a private session are visible in normal browsing mode.
• Anyone who monitors the traffic on the network you're connected to may be able to see what pages you visit. This mostly happens at work or when using a work-issued device.
• The websites you connect to can track your device and behavior on their site.
• The servers that those websites reside on can see your device and behavior.
• Your ISP sees your device and behavior can sell that information.
• If your device includes monitoring software (which is most likely to be installed on a device supplied by your employer), Private Browsing cannot stop that software from recording your activity.

One Major Warning About iPhone Private Browsing

You use Private Browsing because you don't want people to see what you've been looking at, but if you're using iOS 8 there's a catch. If you turn on Private Browsing, view some sites, then turn off Private Browsing, the windows that were open are saved. The next time you tap Private Browsing to enter that mode, the windows that were left open during your last private session display. This means that anyone with access to your phone can see the sites you left open.

To prevent this, always close browser windows before exiting Private Browsing. To do that, tap the X in the upper-left corner of each window. Only exit Private Browsing after each window is closed.

A Smaller Warning: Third-Party Keyboards

If you use a third-party keyboard with your iPhone, pay attention when it comes to private browsing. Some of these keyboards capture the words you type and use that information to generate autocomplete and spell-check suggestions. That's useful, but these keyboards also capture words you type during Private Browsing and may suggest them in normal browsing mode. Again, not terribly private. To avoid this, use the iPhone default keyboard during Private Browsing.

Is It Possible to Disable Private Browsing?

If you're a parent, the idea of not being able to know what sites your children visit on their iPhones is worrisome. The Restrictions settings built into the iPhone do not prevent kids from using Private Browsing. Restrictions allow you to disable Safari or block explicit websites (though this doesn't work for all sites), but not to disable Private Browsing. 

To prevent your kids from keeping their browsing private, use Restrictions to disable Safari, then install a parent-controlled web browser app such as:

• Mobicip Parental Controls: Free, with subscription options. Download Mobicip Parental Controls at the App Store.
• Mobile Web Guard: Free. Download Mobile Web Guard at the App Store.
• SecureTeen Parental Control: Free. Download SecureTeen Parental Control at the App Store.

How to Delete Your Browser History on iPhone

If you forgot to turn on Private Browsing, you may have a browser history of things you don't want. Delete the iPhone browsing history by following these steps:

1. Tap Settings.

2. Tap Safari.

3. Tap Clear History and Website Data.

4. Tap Clear History and Data.

This deletes more than the browser history. This deletes cookies, some website address autocomplete suggestions, and more, from both this device and other devices linked to the same iCloud account. That may seem extreme or at least inconvenient, but it is the only way to clear the history on an iPhone.