How to Turn Off Recent Searches in Safari on iPhone/ iPad

Tapping Safari’s address bar on your iPhone now shows recent searches by default in iOS 18.4. While handy, this feature could expose your browsing history to others. Here’s how to turn off recent searches in Safari and keep your privacy intact.

Why Recent Searches in Safari Matter

With iOS 18.4, Safari automatically displays your last few searches when you tap the address bar—even in regular tabs. This happens when:

• You open a new tab and click the search bar.
• You delete the current URL in an existing tab.

Though designed to save time, this poses privacy risks if someone borrows your iPhone. Let’s fix it!

Step-by-Step: Turn Off Safari Recent Searches

Disabling this feature takes seconds. Follow these steps:

1. Open Settings → Scroll to Safari.
2. Find the “Show Recent Searches” toggle.
3. Turn it OFF (switch turns gray).

Done! Safari will no longer display your search history in the address bar.

Check Also – How to Free up Mac storage Without Losing Files

How to Clear Recent Searches Instantly

Prefer to keep the feature but erase history occasionally? Here’s how:

1. Open Safari → Tap the address bar.
2. When recent searches appear, tap “Clear All” at the top.

⚠️ Warning: No confirmation pop-up—your history vanishes immediately.

Why Update to iOS 18.4?

This feature works on:

• iPhones and iPads running iOS 18.4/iPadOS 18.4 or newer.
• Normal browsing tabs only (Private tabs remain unaffected).

If you haven’t updated yet, head to Settings → General → Software Update to stay secure.

Extra Privacy Tips for Safari Users

1. Use Private Browsing: Tap the Tabs icon → “Private” to hide all searches.
2. Clear History Regularly: Go to Settings → Safari → Clear History and Website Data.
3. Enable Face/Touch ID: Protect Safari with biometric security under Settings → Safari → Require Password.

FAQs

❓ Will disabling recent searches affect autofill?
No! Safari will still suggest websites and autofill saved passwords.

❓ Can I recover cleared searches?
No—once cleared, they’re gone forever.

❓ Does this work on Mac?
This guide focuses on iPhone/iPad. Mac settings differ slightly.

Final Tip: For maximum privacy, pair this fix with Private Browsing Mode and regular history cleanups.

By disabling recent searches in Safari, you take control of your digital footprint. Share this guide with friends to help them stay private too!