how to see search history on safari iphone

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Safari Browser

2 Easy Ways to Check Your Safari Search History

Last Updated: January 17, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly . Rain Kengly is a wikiHow Technology Writer. As a storytelling enthusiast with a penchant for technology, they hope to create long-lasting connections with readers from all around the globe. Rain graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Cinema. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 151,870 times. Learn more...

Do you need to check your Safari browser history? In a few simple steps, you can easily view all the websites you accessed in the past. You can also search for specific websites in your history and clear any website data you don't want. This wikiHow will teach you how to view and delete your Safari history on iPhone, iPad, and macOS.

Things You Should Know

On iPhone and iPad, you can click the book icon, then the clock icon to find your Safari history.
On macOS, you can click the "History" tab, then "Show History".
You can search for specific websites and clear your history data.

Using iPhone and iPad

If needed, you can change your General Settings .

If you're signed in with the same Apple ID to you use to log into your Mac, your Mac's Safari history will appear in this list as well.

Step 4 Use the search bar to find specific websites.

You may have to swipe down on the History page to find it.
The results will load as you type.

Tap a time period to delete the history from just that time period. To delete the entire log, select All time .
You can also swipe left on individual websites in your history, then click Delete .

Using macOS

Be sure to update Safari.

If you're logged into the computer with the same Apple ID you use on your iPhone or iPad, you'll also see sites you've visited on those devices.

A list of matching results from your history will appear. Click a site to load it in Safari.

Select a time frame from the drop-down menu, then click Clear History .
You can also delete cookies from Safari .

Expert Q&A

↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/search-your-browsing-history-ibrw1114/mac
↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201265

About This Article

iPhone/iPad: 1. Open Safari . 2. Tap the book icon. 3. Tap the clock button. macOS: 1. Open Safari . 2. Click History . 3. Click Show All History . Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to view and clear your web browsing history in Safari on iPhone or iPad

Easily wipe your browsing history in Apple's Safari web browser in seconds.

How to find your web-browsing history

How to clear your web browsing history.

Clearing your browsing history on iPhone and iPad in Safari has been a straightforward affair for years now.

Sometimes, you may want a fresh start with your web browsing — perhaps to get rid of some history that may bring up a memory you'd rather forget as you type in a website URL in the address bar.

Apple makes this feature very easy to access on both the iPhone and iPad by offering two ways to clear your history. So with this in mind, here's how you can do just that and make a fresh start in Safari .

Viewing your web history in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 is very easy to do — and it's all done from Safari.

In Safari, tap the Bookmarks button in the toolbar that's below the address bar.
Tap the History icon in the upper right corner. Here, you can view your entire web history.

To search for bookmarks, tap the Bookmarks button in the toolbar at the bottom of the app, then select the Bookmark icon.

Use the History search bar to find previously viewed pages.

To find History, tap the History menu. Then use the search to find previously viewed information.

If the time calls to wipe most or all of your web browsing history in Safari, here's how to do it on both iPhone and iPad.

To note, the below steps will be the same if you attempt to wipe your web browsing history on an iPhone 15 Pro Max , and an iPad Mini 6 for example.

In Safari, tap the Bookmarks button.
Select the History icon in the upper right corner.
Tap Clear and select how much history you'd like to clear: the last hour, the last day, 48 hours' worth, or all recorded history.

One more thing… A feature no one talks about

Privacy on the web matters more than ever in these modern times. Websites store the pages you click on, especially when you sign into a page that can contain personal information about you.

Master your iPhone in minutes

iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!

It's great to have a feature like this in Safari — but it would be good to have this automated. To tell Apple's web browser to automatically clear history after 24 hours would be very useful, as you wouldn't leave a trail behind.

Regardless, it's still a good feature, and one you should use every week.

Daryl is iMore's Features Editor, overseeing long-form and in-depth articles and op-eds. Daryl loves using his experience as both a journalist and Apple fan to tell stories about Apple's products and its community, from the apps we use everyday to the products that have been long forgotten in the Cupertino archives.

Previously Software & Downloads Writer at TechRadar, and Deputy Editor at StealthOptional, he's also written a book, ' The Making of Tomb Raider ', which tells the story of the beginnings of Lara Croft and the series' early development. He's also written for many other publications including WIRED, MacFormat, Bloody Disgusting, VGC, GamesRadar, Nintendo Life, VRV Blog, The Loop Magazine, SUPER JUMP, Gizmodo, Film Stories, TopTenReviews, Miketendo64 and Daily Star.

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How to Check Your Safari History on iPhone 12: A Step-by-Step Guide

Checking your Safari history on an iPhone 12 is a breeze. In less than a minute, you can find what websites you’ve visited, when you visited them, and how often. All you need to do is open Safari, tap the book icon, and voilà – your browsing history is at your fingertips.

Step by Step Tutorial on How to Check Your Safari History on iPhone 12

Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to note that checking your Safari history can help you find that website you forgot to bookmark or even help you keep tabs on your browsing habits. Let’s get started.

Step 1: Open Safari

Open the Safari app on your iPhone 12.

Opening Safari is as simple as tapping on the Safari icon on your home screen. It’s the one that looks like a blue compass. If you can’t find it, swipe down on your home screen and use the search bar to locate it.

Step 2: Tap the Book Icon

At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a book icon. Go ahead and tap it.

The book icon is your gateway to your bookmarks, reading list, and, most importantly, your history. It’s typically located on the bottom bar of your Safari screen. If you don’t see it, make sure you’re on the main Safari page and not in a new tab.

Step 3: Select the Clock Icon

Once you’re in the bookmarks menu, you’ll see a clock icon at the top. That’s your history tab.

The clock icon represents your browsing history. It’s where Safari keeps a record of every website you’ve visited, organized by date. Tapping on this icon will show you a list of all the sites you’ve been to on your iPhone 12.

Step 4: Browse Your History

Now, you can scroll through your history to find the websites you’ve visited.

Your browsing history will be displayed in reverse chronological order, meaning the most recent sites you’ve visited will be at the top. You can scroll down to see older entries. Tapping on any entry will take you directly to that webpage.

After completing the steps, you’ll have successfully accessed your Safari browsing history on your iPhone 12. From here, you can revisit old sites, clear your history, or keep it as a record of your browsing habits.

Tips for Checking Your Safari History on iPhone 12

If you want to clear your history, there’s an option at the bottom of the history page. Remember, once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.
You can also search your history if you’re looking for something specific. Just pull down on the history list to reveal the search bar.
If you’re concerned about privacy, consider using Private Browsing mode in the future, which doesn’t save your history.
Keep in mind that if you’re signed into iCloud, your history may be synced across your devices.
If you can’t find your history, it’s possible that the settings have been changed to clear history automatically, or someone else with access to your iPhone may have cleared it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i recover deleted safari history on iphone 12.

Once you’ve cleared your Safari history, it’s permanently deleted from your iPhone and cannot be recovered.

Can I check my Safari history from another device?

Yes, if you’re signed into the same iCloud account, your Safari history is synced across all your Apple devices.

How far back does Safari history go?

Safari keeps a record of your browsing history for at least one month. However, it may store history for up to a year depending on your settings and available space.

Does Safari history show websites visited in Private Browsing mode?

No, Private Browsing mode does not save any history, so those websites will not appear in your history.

Can I stop my Safari history from syncing across my devices?

Yes, you can stop syncing by going to your iCloud settings and turning off Safari syncing.

Open Safari.
Tap the Book Icon.
Select the Clock Icon.
Browse Your History.

Knowing how to check your Safari history on your iPhone 12 is a handy skill that allows you to keep track of your digital footprint. Whether you need to find that one website you forgot to bookmark or you’re just curious about your browsing patterns, your history can tell you a lot. Remember, your browsing history can also be a privacy concern, so make sure to manage it according to your needs, whether that’s clearing it regularly or using Private Browsing mode. Stay savvy with your browsing, and you’ll be a pro at navigating your digital world. And that’s how you check your Safari history on iPhone 12!

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.

Way 1. How to Check Safari History on iPhone in Settings

Way 2. how to view iphone safari history by searching history, way 3. how to view browser history on iphone from icloud backup, way 4. how to look at safari history on iphone from itunes backup.

Way 5. How to View Safari History on iPhone with Assistant for iOS [HOT!]

FAQs on Safari History on iPhone

Your iPhone's Safari browser keeps track of the websites you visit, making it convenient to revisit recently accessed pages or to find information you've looked up before. This browsing history is accessible through the Safari app itself, but you can also view it within the Settings app. Here's how to check history on iPhone in settings:

Launch the "Settings" app on your iPhone.
Scroll down until you find and tap on "Safari" to access its settings.
Scroll down within the Safari settings until you reach the "Advanced" section.
Inside the "Advanced" section, tap on "Website Data" to view any deleted history that's still stored on your device.

how to check history on iphone in settings

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In the latest version of Safari for iOS, browsing history is now searchable, making it easier than ever to find previously visited websites. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to find search history on iPhone:

Launch the Safari app on your iPhone or iPad. The icon looks like an open book.
Tap on the "Bookmarks" button, which is the icon at the bottom of the screen that looks like an open book.
Select the "History" tab from the list of options.
At the top of the History section, you'll see a search box labeled "Search History." Tap on it.
Type in the search term for the history you're trying to find. Safari will automatically start filtering your history as you type.
As you type, Safari will populate the search results below. Each result will show the website's title, URL, and a snippet of text from the page.
To open one of the search results, simply tap on it. Safari will immediately load that webpage.
When you're done, tap the "x" button in the search box or tap "Cancel" to return to your browsing history.

iCloud serves as a digital locker for your iPhone data, safeguarding it in the cloud. One of its features, iCloud Backup, routinely stores all your iPhone content. Therefore, if you unintentionally erase your Safari history, you can retrieve it from iCloud Backup .

However, bear in mind that this process necessitates erasing all current data on your iPhone. Here's how to find browsing history on iPhone using iCloud Backup:

Open "Settings" on your iPhone, then tap "General."
Select "Reset" and opt for "Erase All Content and Settings."

Follow the on-screen instructions. During the 'Apps & Data' phase, tap "Restore from iCloud Backup."
Log in to your iCloud account, and select the backup containing the deleted Safari history. Your deleted data will be restored, allowing you to peruse your former records. This is how you access your history using iCloud Web.

view browser history on iphone from icloud backup

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There are iPhone users who opt to use iTunes to back up their devices. This approach allows them to access their iPhone's browsing history within the iTunes backup. iTunes is able to cover nearly all aspects of your iPhone, including browser history. This means that if you mistakenly delete your browsing history , you have the option to restore it from your iTunes backup.

However, it's important to note that when you restore old data from iTunes, any new data added to your iPhone since the last backup will be overwritten and lost. ( How to recover deleted Safari history on iPhone without data loss ?)

Here's how to find search history on iPhone from an iTunes backup:

Connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC using a USB cable. If you're using a Mac, use the Finder app. If you're on a PC, open iTunes.
Click on your iPhone's icon to select your device.
Next, choose "Restore Backup" from the list of options.

how to look at safari history on iphone from itunes backup

Then, select the backup that contains the browser history you want to recover.
Finally, click "Restore" and wait for the process to complete.

Way 5. How to View Safari History on iPhone with Assistant for iOS

MobiKin Assistant for iOS stands out as an intelligent iOS data exporting tool. Not only does it facilitate the effortless exportation of Safari history from iOS devices to computers, but it also enables users to access this crucial history at any time, even when their iOS device is unavailable. However, this iPhone data exporter boasts a plethora of other functionalities that users may find invaluable. Here are its standout features:

Main Features of MobiKin Assistant for iOS:

Facilitates the transfer of data between iPads/iPhones/iPod touches and computers, supporting both directions.
Provides the option to selectively or comprehensively back up data, offering enhanced flexibility.
Enables users to preview data before exporting, ensuring they select only the files they need.
Can seamlessly export over 18 types or versions of files, including contacts, messages, notes, calendars, bookmarks, music, and photos, among others.
Compatible with almost all models of iPhone, iPad, and iPod, including the latest iPhone 15 and 14 series.

Here's the simplest and most effective way to transfer and view your iPhone's Safari history on your computer using MobiKin Assistant for iOS, along with its advanced features:

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to the computer

Download and Launch MobiKin Assistant for iOS on your computer. Connect your iPhone to the computer via a USB data cable.

Step 2: Select the Safari bookmarks you need

Once your device is detected by Assistant for iOS, navigate to the left sidebar. Select the file types you wish to export. In this case, click on "Safari History," or any other files you want to transfer.

how to view safari history on iphone with assistant for ios

Step 3: Export and view Safari bookmarks on computer

After selecting the Safari history you want to export, click on "Export" and choose a location on your computer to save them.

Now, you have successfully transferred all your Safari history to your computer. You can freely browse and use them on your computer at any time.

Video guide on how to transfer bookmarks from iPhone to computer:

Q1: How to clear Safari browser history on iPhone?

If you're experiencing sluggish performance on your iPhone or simply wish to clear your website data for privacy reasons, follow these steps to clear cookies and browser history:

Launch Safari and tap on the "Bookmarks" icon located in the toolbar.
Select the clock icon situated in the top right corner.
Choose "Clear" to erase all your browsing history.

Q2: How long does the iPhone Safari history last?

The Safari history on your iPhone can last for an extended period, depending on your browsing habits and storage capacity. By default, Safari saves your browsing history indefinitely. However, you can manually delete it at any time.

If you have iCloud enabled, your Safari history might also be included in your iCloud backup, preserving it as long as the backup is maintained. The "Clear History and Website Data" option under "Settings" > "Safari" > "Clear History and Website Data" can also affect this. If set to "Never," your history remains until you manually clear it or restore your iPhone. In summary, your Safari history can last indefinitely unless deleted or overwritten during a backup or restore process.

Wrapping Up

Learning how to go to history on iPhone can greatly enhance your browsing experience. With Safari being the default browser for iOS devices, it's essential to understand how to access this feature for efficient browsing. This tutorial provides five different methods to view your Safari bookmarks, ensuring you can choose the one that works best for you.

Furthermore, if you want to access your Safari browsing history without a backup, MobiKin Assistant for iOS is a reliable option. This iPhone Data Exporter offers a comprehensive solution to extract, view, and export all your iDevice data, including Safari browsing history. This comprehensive summary underscores the importance of learning how to view Safari bookmarks on your iPhone, and the versatile solutions available to do so.

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COMMENTS

How to view and clear your web browsing history in Safari on
In Safari, tap the Bookmarks button. Select the History icon in the upper right corner. Tap Clear and select how much history you'd like to clear: the last hour, the last day, 48 hours' worth, or all recorded history. To clear History, tap the Bookmarks button, then choose the History icon.
How to Check Your Safari History on iPhone 12: A Step-by-Step
Step 2: Tap the Book Icon. At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a book icon. Go ahead and tap it. The book icon is your gateway to your bookmarks, reading list, and, most importantly, your history. It’s typically located on the bottom bar of your Safari screen. If you don’t see it, make sure you’re on the main Safari page and not in ...
[Top 5 Ways] How to View Safari History on iPhone
Seeing the Safari history on an iPhone is a straightforward process. Just open the Safari app, tap the book icon at the bottom of the screen, and then tap the clock icon to view your browsing history. You’ll be able to see a list of all the websites you’ve visited, sorted by date. After completing this action, you’ll have access to the ...