How to clear Safari history and website data on iPhone
2 min read · 4 steps · Updated 2 October 2026
Open Settings, tap Apps, then Safari, and tap Clear History and Website Data. Choose how far back to clear and confirm. You stay signed out of websites afterwards, so have your passwords ready.
Clearing Safari removes the list of pages you visited, cookies and cached files. It can fix websites that load wrongly, free some storage, and tidy up before you lend someone your phone.
Menu names are from iOS 26. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the screen, not screenshots.
Step by step
Open Settings and tap Apps
Apps is near the bottom of the main Settings list. On iOS 17 and earlier, Safari is in the main list itself.
Tap Safari
The apps are in alphabetical order. Use the search field at the top if the list is long.
Tap Clear History and Website Data
Scroll down to find it, in blue text.
Choose a time range and confirm
Pick Last hour, Today, Today and yesterday or All history. Switch on Close All Tabs if you want a completely fresh start, then tap Clear History.
Good to know
Saved passwords and bookmarks are not deleted.
To remove data for one website only, go to Safari, Advanced, Website Data, swipe left on the site and tap Delete.
To browse without leaving history in the first place, open Safari, tap the tabs button and switch to Private.
History syncs through iCloud, so clearing it here also clears it on your other devices signed in to the same Apple Account.
In short: Settings, Apps, Safari, Clear History and Website Data.
- Apple Support: Clear the history, cache and cookies from Safari on your iPhone
Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.