How to stop Apple storing your searches on an iPhone

2 min read · 4 steps · Updated 4 October 2026

Device

iPhone

Shown on

iOS 26.5 (iPhone 17)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Search

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

When you search on an iPhone, in Spotlight, in Safari or by looking something up, the phone sends the search and some context to Apple to fetch suggestions. Apple says this uses an identifier that changes every 15 minutes and is not linked to you. A second, separate setting lets Apple keep your searches to improve its search. Both can be switched off on one page.

The screenshots show iOS 26.5 on an iPhone 17. On older versions the rows have the same names, with a slightly different look.

Step by step

1. 

   Open Settings and tap Search

   It is in the first group of the main Settings list, below Home Screen & App Library.

   Done

2. 

   Switch off Help Apple Improve Search

   The text below the switch explains it: Apple stores the searches you enter into Safari, Siri and Spotlight, in a way that is not linked to you. In the picture it is still on.

   Done

3. 

   Switch off Show Related Content if you want less sent

   With this on, content from Apple and its partners appears when you search or look up text or objects in photos.

   Done

4. 

   Decide about Show Recent Searches

   Apple does not describe this switch further. By its name, it controls whether your recent searches are listed when you open Search. It is on at first.

   Done

Good to know

What you say to Siri is handled by another switch: Settings, Privacy & Security, Analytics & Improvements, Improve Siri & Dictation.

The list of apps further down the Search page decides which apps appear in search results and suggestions.

Related: how to stop sharing analytics with Apple on an iPhone.

In short: Settings, Search, Help Apple Improve Search off. Show Related Content off for less.