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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 .

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Marcus Mears III is a lifelong technology enthusiast with half a decade of experience developing prose that keeps readers in the know. With hundreds of reviews, buying guides, and how-to explainers across a number of tech and lifestyle publications like How-To Geek, MakeUseOf, and iGeeksBlog, Mears’ work helps readers around the globe learn to make the most of their devices and software. He uses a 2016 MacBook Pro as his daily driver laptop and a self-built Windows PC for gaming and productivity.

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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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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

We explain and teach technology, solve tech problems and help you make gadget buying decisions.

4 Ways to Fix Unable to Clear History in Safari for iPhone

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.

• Clearing your Safari browsing history can help erase your online activities, free up space, and troubleshoot temporary browser-related issues.
• Temporary glitches, Screen Time restrictions, and persistent cookies are among the reasons you may encounter difficulties clearing your Safari history on your iPhone.
• Consider restarting your iPhone to see if that resolves the issue.

Fix 1: Disable Web Content Restrictions

The Screen Time feature on your iPhone lets you apply content restrictions and block inappropriate websites . If you’ve previously enabled this feature, you may run into problems while clearing your Safari history. Hence, 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.

Fix 2: 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. However, this sync feature can sometimes cause conflicts with Safari and hinder your ability to clear your browsing history.

To avoid this, temporarily disable iCloud sync for Safari using these steps:

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. Toggle off the switch next to Safari .

Fix 3: 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.

Fix 4: Reset Your iPhone

If you are still unable to clear your browsing history in Safari, you can try resetting your iPhone . This 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 Reset and select Reset All Settings from the menu that appears.

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Last updated on 18 April, 2024

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Can’t Clear My History on Safari: Troubleshooting Steps

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

Find out how to delete your history, cookies and cache in Settings.

Delete your history, cache and cookies

Clear your cookies and the cache, but keep your history

Delete a website from your history, block cookies, use content blockers, delete history, cache and cookies.

Go to Settings > Safari.

Tap Clear History and Website Data.

Clearing your history, cookies and browsing data from Safari won't change your AutoFill information.

When there’s no history or website data to be cleared, the button to clear it will turn grey. The button may also be grey if you have web content restrictions set up under Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time .

To visit sites without leaving history, turn Private Browsing on .

Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data.

Tap Remove All Website Data.

When there’s no website data to be cleared, the button to clear it will turn grey. The button may also be grey if you have web content restrictions set up under Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time .

Open the Safari app.

Tap the Edit button, then select the website(s) that you want to delete from your history.

Tap the Delete button.

A cookie is a piece of data that a site puts on your device so that site can remember you when you visit again.

To block cookies:

Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced.

Turn on Block All Cookies.

If you block cookies, some web pages may not work. Here are some examples:

You'll likely not be able to sign in to a site even when using your correct user name and password.

You may see a message that cookies are required or that your browser's cookies are turned off.

Some features on a site may not work.

Content blockers are third-party apps and extensions that let Safari block cookies, images, resources, pop-ups and other content.

To get a content blocker:

Download a content blocking app from the App Store.

Tap Settings > Safari > Extensions.

Tap to turn on a listed content blocker.

You can use more than one content blocker. If you need help, contact the app developer .

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

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Contact Apple Support

Need more help? Save time by starting your support request online and we'll connect you to an expert.

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Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.

How to permit Safari clear cache option?

I am managing some corporate iPhone using Microsoft Intune.

In this moment I have a device (it is my first test) managed by Intune and this device is a "corporate device". I enrolled this phone with success using Zero Touch Enrollment (Apple Business Manager).

I created some settings for this mobile and I saw I can't clear Safari browser cache.

Settings > Safari > Delete website data and history button is greyed out.

I am using "Enterprise Mobility + Security E3" license at the moment.

Is there a way to solve it?

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@Federico Coppola, Thanks for posting in Q&A.

On my ADE enrolled device, I find the "Clear History and Website Data" is not greyed out after I browse some websites. From your description, I notice yours are greyed out. After researching, I find there are some settings can block the function to use:

https://appletoolbox.com/cant-delete-safari-history-on-iphone-ipad-fix/

Note: non-Microsoft link, just for the reference.

Given the situation, please check if any device restriction is applied to this device and if any related setting is set there: If yes, remove the policy and see if it works

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/intune/configuration/device-restrictions-ios

Hope it can help.

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@Federico Coppola, How's everything going? I am writing to see if there's any update on our issue. If there's anything we can help, feel free to let us know.

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Setting locked: Clear history and website data for Safari

Mitch Lauer Sun December 22, 2019 09:14 AM

Matt Shaver Mon December 23, 2019 12:14 PM

Mitch Lauer Tue December 24, 2019 08:44 AM

1.  setting locked: clear history and website data for safari.

I have enrolled iPhone XS Max's in MaaS which are tied to the customer's Apple Business Manager Account.   I can't sort out how to enable the feature to clear history and website data for Safari in the app settings on the device.   This is currently greyed out.   Anybody have some ideas?

Happy Holidays!!

Mitch Lauer

connec Tel  Wireless   

159 Perry Highway, Suite 200

Pittsburgh, PA 15229

216-970-6981 | Cell

412-339-5775 | Help Desk

412-339-5765 | Direct Dial

2.  RE: Setting locked: Clear history and website data for Safari

3.  RE: Setting locked: Clear history and website data for Safari

Thanks Matt.   This is helpful and I was able to resolve the issue.

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Safari on iOS Clear History and Website Data greyed out

Device management.

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Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Safari 'Clear history & Website Data' perpetually greyed out on Child account

This seems to be a common issue and I'm wondering if it is linked somehow to Child Apple ID accounts? This account is a Child account (I have the Parent account).

On multiple IOS devices (including a breand new one), I find Safari's 'Clear history & Website Data' option completely greyed out. I've done all the recommended steps including:

1) Completely disabled the Content & Privacy restrictions

2) Disabled iCloud sync

3) Enabled Block all cookies

4) Cleared the Reading List

5) Deleted Safari web data from Adveanced settings

6) Deleted Safari data from Apple ID storage

Also, as mentioned I've setup a whole new IOS device from fresh which has the same problem.

It's also worth noting I can't open a Private (Incognito) Tab in Safari either.

Chrome and other Browsers are unaffected.

This leads me to suspect it is an inherited setting via the iCloud 'child' account. However, I could not find any documentation supporting this. Does anyone have any ideas?

Posted on Oct 9, 2022 12:50 PM

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Oct 9, 2022 1:08 PM in response to K_Lye

Also.. just in case: Yes, there is Browser History detail.