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Private browsing option missing

When I am using my safari browser with google search the option to put the browser into privacy mode is not

I also do not have the ability to clear out the history as seen in the attached photos there is a history of searching.

private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

iPhone 8 Plus, iOS 15

Posted on Sep 24, 2021 9:56 AM

FoxFifth

Posted on Sep 24, 2021 11:44 AM

Do you have any restrictions turned on? See the "Prevent web content" section of Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

That will remove the private browsing option.

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Sep 24, 2021 11:44 AM in response to iwant97

Sep 24, 2021 10:41 AM in response to FoxFifth

Yes from picture 1, you can see when I do what you suggested it is only giving me the option to add a new tab group or a tab group from the previous three tabs.

there is no option for the privacy tab, which there previously had been once

Sep 24, 2021 10:02 AM in response to iwant97

With iOS 15 on an iPhone, open Safari, tap the the new page icon at the bottom right of the screen, tap Start Page down arrow at the bottom center of the screen, tap Private.

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Private Browsing Missing in Safari on iPhone or iPad? How to Fix It

Jignesh

The Private mode in Safari lets you browse websites without any trace in the app’s history. It’s a safe way to browse the web on your iPhone or iPad because it prevents recording your browsing history, storing cookies, website tracking, etc.

Enabling Private mode is easy but we just found out recently that sometimes, the “private” link doesn’t show up in Safari’s tab view. Given that this is the easiest way to enable private mode, it will be impossible to switch between private and normal modes without this link. Incidentally, you might also notice that the “Clear History and Website Data” option (in Settings → Safari) disabled. Fortunately, there is a fix for this. Here’s more on that.

Turns out, “Restrictions” plays a role in enabling/disabling the “Private” mode link in Safari’s tab-view. If you have website restrictions enabled, there’s a possibility that the private mode link will be hidden. Sometimes it looks like a bug too but anyway, here’s how to fix the missing Private link in Safari.

Is Private Browsing Button Grayed Out in Safari on iPhone or iPad? How to Fix It

Step #1. Open Settings → Tap on Screen Time (If you have set the passcode for Screen Time, it may ask you to enter to proceed further.)

Tap on Settings then Screen Time on iPhone or iPad

Step #2. Tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions then tap on Content Restrictions.

Tap on Content Restrictions in Screen Time Settings on iPhone or iPad

Step #3. Tap on Web Content and Select Unrestricted Access.

Tap on Web Content and Select Unrestricted Access

Step #4. If that’s selected already, tap on Limit Adult Websites and then tap on Unrestricted Access again.

Allow All Websites in Safari on iPhone or iPad

Step #5. Quit Settings and Safari (if it’s open.)

Re-open Safari and go to the tab-view (tap on +). Hopefully, you should now see the “Private mode link.

Also, within Settings → Safari, check if Clear History and Website Data is now enabled. Note that you should have visited a few websites (basically, have some history) before the link/button becomes clickable again.

That’s all, folks!

Do share your feedback with us in the comment below.

private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

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  • Entertainment

Two Ways to Enable Safari Private Browsing Mode in iOS 15 on iPhone

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Enable Private Browsing Mode in Safari on iPhone (2021)

Method 1: long-press shortcut to enable safari private browsing mode in ios 15.

  • First, open the Safari browser on your iPhone. After that, long-press the tabs icon at the bottom right corner of the screen and choose Private/ New Private Tab in the menu that pops up. 

Use a Long-Press Shortcut to Enable Private Browsing Mode in iOS 15

  • Now, the address bar will turn dark, and a Private Browsing Mode message will appear at the top. Next, go ahead and browse the web, knowing that Safari won’t remember the pages you visited.

Safari private browsing mode

Method 2: Turn on Private Browsing Mode from Safari Tab Menu in iOS 15

  • Open Safari on your iPhone and tap on the tabs icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.

tap on the tabs icon

  • Now, tap on the “ X Tabs ” option located at the bottom center and choose Private . 

 choose Private in the menu

  • Next, tap on the “+” button located on the left to open a new private tab and start browsing anonymously.

Tap on the "+" button

Use Safari Private Browsing Mode to Shield Your Browsing History

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Rajesh Mishra

An old school bibliophile who turned a tech nerd out of obsession. When he is not digging into hacks and tracking down stories that are breaking the internet, you may find him reciting poems.

Absolutely none of those options work for me.

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How to Enable Reading Mode on Android

How to Enable or Disable Private Browsing on iOS 15

Private Browsing iOS 15 iPad

Private browsing aka Incognito mode on Safari lets you browse privately. This means that your browsing history isn’t saved, websites aren’t shared across devices, and Safari won’t remember the Autofill information. When Private browsing is enabled, the address bar turns black or dark instead of the regular white or gray. If you have been wondering how to get to the private browser on iOS 15 or iPadOS 15, you have arrived at the right page. We will also tell you how to disable private browsing in Safari on iPhone and iPad. Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

How to Turn on Private Browsing in iOS 15

You can enable Safari’s private browser in three ways.

1. Directly From Home Screen

One of the easiest ways to go to private browsing is to long-press the Safari app icon on the iPhone’s home screen or in the App Library. A menu will open. Select the New Private tab from the menu.

Private Browsing iPhone App Icon

You will be taken to the private browser. Open the website that you want to browse privately. Tap on the two square icons at the bottom-right corner and press the + (Add) icon to create more tabs in the private browsing mode.

Private Browsing iPhone Open More Tabs

2. From Tab Overview

1. Open the Safari browser and tap on the two square icons at the bottom. These are commonly called Tab overview or Tab switcher buttons as they take you to that particular screen.

Private Browsing iPhone Tab Icon

Tip : If the Safari address bar is at the bottom, swipe up on it to go to the Tab switcher screen quickly.

2. On the Tab overview screen, tap on the X Tabs or Start Page at the bottom. Select Private from the menu.

Private Browsing iPhone Tab Overview

3. You will be taken to the Private browsing mode where you will see the existing private tabs if any. Tap on the + (Add) icon to open a private tab.

Private Browsing iPhone Tab Open Tab

Similarly, tap on the Tab Overview icon at the bottom-right corner and press the + icon to open more private tabs. Alternatively, long-press the Tab Overview icon and select New private tab.

3. Open Private Tab Quickly

Another way to open private browsing in Safari is to long-press the Tab switcher icon. That will show a menu where you will see two options related to private browsing. Tap on the New private tab to open an incognito tab directly. Alternatively, tap the Private option to go to private browsing mode where you will see the existing incognito tabs and you can also create new tabs.

Private Browsing iPhone Open Quickly

Tip: Swipe right or left on the address bar at the bottom to quickly switch between the private tabs.

How to Disable Private Browsing on iPhone

You can turn off private browsing in iOS 15 in the following ways:

1. Using Tab Overview Button

1. Tap the Tab overview button to go to the tab overview screen.

Private Browsing iPhone Turn off Overview

2. Tap on the Private option at the bottom and select X Tabs from the menu to get rid of private browsing.

Private Browsing iPhone Disable

Alternatively, long-press the Tab overview icon and select X Tabs from the menu to get out of the private browsing. This will take you to the regular mode, which can be identified by the white background.

private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

2. Close Private Browsing Completely

The methods described above will not automatically close any open private tabs. That is, if you reopen private browsing, you will see the previous private tabs. To be on the safe side and to completely eliminate private browsing, you need to manually close all the open private pages before leaving private browsing.

To do so, follow these steps:

1. Long press the Tab overview button and select Close X tabs .

Private Browsing iPhone Close All Tabs

Tip: Alternatively, tap on the Tab overview button and press the X button on the page thumbnails to close them.

2. After you have closed all the open tabs, you will be taken to the Private browsing mode’s home page. Tap on the Private option and select X tabs from the menu.

Private Browsing iPhone Close All Tabs Completely

How to Enable Private Browsing on iPadOS 15

1. In the Safari browser, long press the Tabs button at the top.

Private Browsing iPad Button

2. Select the New Private tab option from the menu.

Private Browsing iPad New Tab

Alternatively, tap on the Tabs button to open the tab overview screen. Hit the X Tabs option at the top and select Private from the menu.

Private Browsing iPad Tabs Overview

1. Open the Safari’s side drawer by tapping on the Navigation icon at the top-left corner.

Private Browsing iPad Sidebar

2 . Choose Private from the menu.

Private Browsing iPad Sidebar Tab

How to Disable Private Browsing on iPad

To disable private browsing on iPadOS 15 , follow these steps:

1. Press the Tabs button at the top in Safari.

Private Browsing iPad Disable Tab

2 . On the Tab overview screen, tap on Private and select X tabs from the menu. That will take you to the regular browsing mode.

Private Browsing iPad Turn off

Tip : You can also open the Safari sidebar and tap on X tabs .

To wipe out all private tabs, long-press the Tabs button and select Close X tabs . Then, follow the above steps to close Private browsing mode. This will wipe out all the evidence of any website that you opened in private browsing.

Private Browsing iPad Close All Tabs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. how to fix safari private browsing not available.

If you do not see the Private tab or Private browsing option in Safari, it’s due to content restrictions set in Screen time settings. To fix it, go to iPhone Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Enable the toggle for Content & Privacy restrictions.

Scroll down on the same screen and tap on Content Restrictions. Go to Web content and choose Unrestricted access instead of Limit adult websites and Allowed websites only.

2. How to Fix Can’t Disable Private Browsing Issue?  

If for some reason, you are unable to turn off private browsing on your iPhone or iPad, simply restart the device. Then, try the above methods.

If that doesn’t help, try resetting settings. For that, go to iPhone Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset all settings. You will not lose any personal data or files by doing so. It will only reset your device’s settings.

Understand iOS 15

Enabling or disabling private browsing on iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 is quite easy as you saw above. Find out other privacy-related settings present in iOS 15. And the best features of iOS 15 that you should definitely know.

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Mehvish Mushtaq is a tech lover from Kashmir. With a degree in computer engineering, she's always been happy to help anyone who finds technology challenging. She's been writing about technology for over six years, and her favorite topics include how-to guides, explainers, tips and tricks for Android, iOS/iPadOS, Windows, social media, and web apps. You can also find her work on Make Tech Easier , Guiding Tech , and Nerds Chalk

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Screen Rant

How to enable private browsing on safari in ios 15.

By following these simple steps, users can easily enable private browsing on Safari for iPhones that have been updated to iOS 15 and above.

Apple   made several changes to Safari in iOS 15, and among these was the way  iPhone users can enable private browsing. Understandably, people were puzzled when the ability to switch to a private tab seemingly disappeared on their browsers. The good news is that private browsing is still easily accessible on Safari, although the option is even more hidden now than it was on iOS 14. A private or incognito tab lets users surf the internet without saving their browsing history. It also prevents the browser from saving any fields that might be filled in and is a handy feature to hide search history on a shared device.

With iOS 15, Apple completely redesigned its Safari browser . The most significant design change was the address/search bar, which was moved from its usual place at the top of a tab to the bottom. Fortunately, Apple offers the ability to go back to the old design through the settings menu. Apart from this, Safari also got new features such as customizable tab groups and the ability to swipe between tabs. Unfortunately for Apple, the release of iOS 15 was also riddled with bugs. Safari in particular was susceptible to a major security vulnerability, which allowed hackers to view users' browsing history via the browser's IndexedDB API. This issue was quickly fixed with the release of iOS 15.3.

Related:  How To Customize Safari's New Tab Start Page On iPhone

On iPhones running iOS 15 , there are two ways to enable private browsing  on Safari. The easiest way to open a new private tab is by long-pressing the Tabs button ( two overlapping square icons) located at the right end of the address bar. From the pop-up that appears, click on "New Private Tab." An alternative way to open a private tab is by tapping once on the Tabs button. On the button that says "1 Tab," click to expand the view, tap on "Private" and then "Done."

Using Private Tabs On Safari

iOS bug shares Siri recordings with apple.

When private browsing is enabled on Safari, the color of the address/search bar changes to let users know they're in incognito mode. If an iPhone has the light mode enabled, the address bar in a private tab will change from white to gray. On the other hand, if it's using dark mode, the address bar switches from gray to black. As per Apple, in Private Browsing Mode, Safari won't remember the pages visited, search history, or even any autofill information after the tab is closed. Apple also doesn't keep cross-site tracker statistics in this mode. This adds another layer of security to Safari's existing anti-tracking protection.

While private browsing on an  iPhone running iOS 15 , clicking on the Tabs button displays all of the open private tabs at a glance. After this, users can tap the "x" icon on each tab to close the ones they no longer require manually. Alternatively, long-pressing on "Done" brings up the option to close all open private tabs at once.

Next:  How To Replace Safari With Different Browser App On iPhone

Source: Apple

How to Enable Incognito Mode in Safari for iOS 15, iPadOS

Use incognito mode in iOS 15 Safari and iPadOS

We will show you how you can use Safari in incognito mode in iOS 15 and iPadOS running iPhone and iPad, respectively.

Learn to Enable Incognito Mode (Private Browsing) in Safari for iOS 15 and iPadOS in a Few Easy Steps

If you are absolutely brand new to the iPhone or iPad, then things might look a different compared to the platform you're coming from. And if you are getting yourself acquainted with Safari for iOS 15 and iPadOS, then you are obviously wondering how you can turn on incognito mode for a private browsing session.

Related Story Apple Cancels Next-Gen MicroLED Apple Watch Ultra as The Display Cost is Too High Compared to The Added Value

In today's tutorial we will walk you through how you can enable the feature and even turn it off so you can return browsing back to normal.

There are two ways you can jump into incognito mode. Either you can open up a tab quickly right from the Home Screen or by opening up a new private browsing session from inside Safari. Let's start with the Home Screen method.

Find the Safari icon and then tap and hold on it until you see a list of options. Simply tap on New Private Tab and you'll jump straight into a new tab and browse completely privately.

private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

Second method involves going into incognito mode from inside Safari. Here's how it goes:

Step 1. Launch the Safari app from the Home Screen.

Step 2. Now tap on the tabs icon as shown below. The icon can be found on the top right if you're using iPadOS.

private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

Step 3. You'll see an option that says Start Page . Tap on it to open.

private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

Step 4. Tap on Private .

private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

Step 5. Now tap on the + sign to open a new private browsing tab.

private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

Once you're done with incognito mode, tap on the tabs button , tap on Private and then select Start Page . Remember, Safari will keep your private tabs in memory if you do not close them. But of course, it won't record anything in history. Therefore it is highly recommended that you close all your private tabs before ending your private browsing session.

If you're coming from Chrome in Android to Safari then you have to re-learn a few things to get into incognito browsing mode in iOS 15 and iPadOS. But interestingly, Chrome for iOS and iPadOS works in the same way as its Android counterpart.

Which browser you end up using it entirely your choice though. Both offer similar functionality but you get more cross-platform syncing features especially if you stick with Chrome.

For more helpful guides and tutorials, head over to this section .

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How to Do Private Browsing on iPhone 15: A Step-by-Step Guide

Private browsing on an iPhone 15 is quite simple. Just open Safari, tap the two-square icon at the bottom right of the screen, then tap ‘Private’ to switch to private browsing mode. After completing these steps, your browsing history will not be saved, and websites won’t be able to track your online activities.

After you’ve enabled private browsing, your Safari browser will prevent your search history, cookies, and site data from being saved. This means that if someone else picks up your iPhone, they won’t see which websites you’ve visited during your private browsing session.

You can also check out this video about how to do private browsing on iPhone 15 for more on this subject.

Introduction

In the digital age, privacy is a concern for many of us. With the constant threat of data breaches, online tracking, and personal information being shared without consent, it’s essential to know how to protect your online activity. This is where private browsing comes in. Private browsing, also known as incognito mode in some browsers, is a feature that allows you to browse the internet without leaving a trace of your activity on your device.

This is particularly important for iPhone users who value their privacy and want to keep their internet browsing to themselves. Whether it’s searching for a surprise gift, planning a secret getaway, or simply wanting to keep your browsing habits private, the iPhone 15’s private browsing feature is designed to help you maintain your privacy. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to enable private browsing on your iPhone 15 and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using this feature.

Related: iPhone 15: How to Clear Safari History Quickly and Easily

Step by Step Tutorial on How to Do Private Browsing on iPhone 15

Before you begin, it’s important to understand that private browsing will not make you invisible online. However, it will prevent your iPhone from keeping a record of your browsing activity.

Step 1: Open Safari

The first step is to open the Safari browser on your iPhone 15.

Opening Safari is as simple as tapping on the Safari icon, which is usually found on the bottom dock of your iPhone’s home screen. Safari is the default web browser for all iOS devices, so you won’t need to download anything extra.

Step 2: Access the Tab View

Next, tap on the two-square icon at the bottom right of the screen to access the Tab view.

The Tab view icon looks like two overlapping squares and it’s located in the bottom right corner of the Safari browser. Tapping this will show all the open tabs in a grid or a cascade, depending on your settings.

Step 3: Switch to Private Browsing Mode

After accessing the Tab view, tap ‘Private’ to switch to private browsing mode.

Once in the Tab view, look at the bottom left of the screen. You’ll see the word ‘Private’—tap it. Your browser will likely change appearance, often featuring a darker color scheme to indicate that you’re now in private browsing mode.

Video About Private Browsing

Additional Information

When using private browsing on iPhone 15, it’s important to remember that while your device won’t keep a record of your activity, this doesn’t mean you’re anonymous to the outside world. Your internet service provider (ISP), websites you visit, and even some government entities can still track your online behavior. Additionally, any downloads or bookmarks you save while in private browsing will remain on your device, even after you close the session.

Another essential tip is always to ensure you’ve closed all your private tabs after you’ve finished your session. Just because you’ve switched back to regular browsing doesn’t mean your private tabs have closed—they remain open until you close them manually. Lastly, while private browsing is a great tool for keeping your browsing history on the down-low, it’s not a substitute for robust security measures like using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or regularly clearing your cache and cookies.

  • Open Safari on your iPhone 15.
  • Tap the two-square icon to access the Tab view.
  • Tap ‘Private’ to switch to private browsing mode.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does private browsing on iphone 15 hide my activity from my employer or isp.

No, private browsing only prevents your iPhone from saving your browsing history. Your ISP or employer can still track your online activity.

Can I use bookmarks in private browsing mode?

Yes, you can use bookmarks in private browsing mode, and they will be saved to your device.

Will my search history be saved in private browsing mode?

No, your search history will not be recorded while you’re in private browsing mode.

Can I save passwords in private browsing mode?

No, Safari will not save any new passwords nor autofill any previously saved passwords while you’re in private browsing mode.

Is private browsing on iPhone 15 the same as using a VPN?

No, private browsing and VPNs serve different purposes. Private browsing prevents local storage of your history, while a VPN encrypts your online activity and hides it from external observers.

In conclusion, private browsing on the iPhone 15 is a handy feature for anyone looking to keep their online activity away from prying eyes. Whether it’s for personal reasons or heightened privacy concerns, understanding how to navigate this feature can make a significant difference in your digital footprint.

Remember that while private browsing on iPhone 15 offers increased privacy from local snooping, it’s not a silver bullet against all forms of online tracking. Always pair it with other privacy tools and practices, such as using a VPN or regularly clearing your cache, to ensure a comprehensive privacy strategy. Happy browsing, and may your digital trails be ever private!

Matthew Burleigh Solve Your Tech

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.

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5 Ways to Fix Safari Private Browsing Not Available on iPhone or iPad

Private Browsing , aka, the incognito mode allows you to surf the internet without leaving a trace of your online activities. Whether you want to surf the web anonymously or avoid targeted advertising, it is a useful asset. Although what if Safari Private Browsing is not available on your iPhone or iPad? Well, read along for some quick, easy, and effective solutions.

Safari_Private_Browsing_Option_Missing_on_iPhone_or_iPad

There can be a few reasons behind your Private Browsing option is missing, greyed out, or not functioning as expected. This article explores the potential reason and offers solutions to restore the Private Browsing option on Safari for iOS devices. So, let’s get going.

Best Ways to Fix Incognito Mode Not Working On iPhone

1. unlock private browsing in safari on ios 17.

Do you see a ‘Private Browsing Is Locked’ message when accessing the incognito mode. This is because the latest iOS security features introduced with iOS 17 . The feature allows you to lock Private Browsing with Face ID.

private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

Although, it should not prevent you from using Private Browsing, a glitch might be causing the issue. To test the theory and disable the lock, open the Settings app → Safari → Privacy & Security → toggle off ‘Require Face ID to Unlock Private Browsing’.

private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

2. Check Screen Time Restriction

While it could be caused due to a bug or a minor settings error, the key reason behind the Private Browsing option missing from your device could be content restrictions . To check it out,

Step 1 : Go to Settings → Screen Time.

Step 2 : Select ‘Content and Privacy Restrictions’.

Open Screen Time and select Content and Privacy Restrictions

Step 3 : Enter your Screen Time passcode when prompted.

Step 4 : Here, you have two options,

  • Toggle off Content Restrictions – However, this will completely disable all content restrictions, if you don’t want that, choose the next option.

Toggle off Content Restrictions

  • To just disable the block on Private Browsing, go to Content Restrictions → Web Content → Unrestricted.

Disable the block on Private Browsing

Tip : If you’ve forgotten the Screen Time password , you can remove it or reset it from the attached link.

Turn off Screen Time Restriction From Parent’s Device

If your device is monitored by your parent or guardian, the Screen Time restriction can only be turned off from their device.

Step 1 : On the Screen Time settings screen, tap the name of a family member under the Family section.

Open Screen Time for you child

Step 2 : Tap the Content & Privacy Restrictions option.

Open Content Privacy Restriction for your Child

Step 3 : Here, select Web Content and select Unrestricted Access.

Unlock Private Browsing from screen time

Afterward, the family member should be able to surf anonymously in Safari. Of course, you can re-impose the restrictions at any time by following the above steps to select the Limit Adult Content option instead.

3. Restart Safari

Sometimes, minor glitches in Safari can cause the Private Browsing option to disappear. And restarting the Safari browser may effectively fix the issue.

Step 1 : Bring upon the app switcher,

  • On iPhone with Face ID : Swipe up from the bottom edge and pause in the center of the screen.
  • On iPhone with Touch ID : Double-click the Home button.

Step 2 : Here, swipe right or left to find the app.

Step 3 : Then swipe up the app, to close it.

Restart Safari

4. Restart iPhone

Another easy to fix any bug or glitch-related problem is to restart the iPhone or iPad. To do so,

  • On iPhone with Face ID : Press and hold either the volume button or the side button until the power-off slider appears.
  • On iPhone with Touch ID : Press and hold the side button until the power-off slider appears

To switch off iPhone, drag the slider.

Shut down your iPhone

5. Update Safari and iOS

If restarting the device isn’t working for you, the next logical solution is to update Safari. An updated Safari could resolve the bug by itself. However, updating Safari is not that easy, it’s automatically done when you update the iOS software.

So, check if a software update is available for your device and then update. Go to Settings → General → Software Update. If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

Update iOS

FAQs Regarding Getting Private Tabs Back

Yes, Private Browsing works as any other Safari tab and you can open multiple private browsing tabs or windows. Notably, each private browsing session is isolated from the others, allowing you to perform different tasks simultaneously without them affecting each other.

Using private browsing should not significantly impact internet speed or performance. However, if you have many open tabs or windows, that consume a lot of system resources, the device will potentially slow down regardless of the browsing mode.

Private browsing does not offer protection against malware and viruses. It only deals with local data storage during the browsing session.

Private browsing may help bypass certain paywalls or restrictions imposed by websites that use cookies or cached data to track user visits. However, many websites have more sophisticated methods to detect and prevent paywall circumvention.

How to Restore Private Tabs on Safari

Private Browsing is an essential security feature for iOS and you should exercise the feature as regularly as possible. But if you can’t access the Private Browsing, all of this becomes a moo point. So, follow the guide and get your incognito mode fixes as soon as possible.

Last updated on 01 August, 2023

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

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private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

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Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer specializing in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Microsoft Windows, and Google web apps. Besides Guiding Tech, you can read his work at iPhone Hacks, Online Tech Tips, Help Desk Geek, MakeUseOf, and Switching to Mac.

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iOS 15 Safari private browsing has changed – here’s what you need to know

private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

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When Apple unveiled iOS 15 back in June, the new Safari seemed like one of the operating system’s most exciting features. In practice, it turned out to be the most controversial, causing plenty of headaches for Apple. All the backlash that followed forced Apple to make several significant changes to its initial Safari redesign plan. The newest Safari version seems to be the best design yet, allowing users to choose their preferred user interface for Apple’s internet browser. But all those changes mean you have to relearn what browsing the web on iPhone via Safari means. And that includes using private browsing where appropriate.

iOS 15 Safari controversies

Finally! We got the URL bar at the bottom, which is a more natural placement given how we interact with phones. But the bar’s button layout was confusing, which mean you had to retrain yourself on Safari. Also, the floating bar covered content on the pages you were visiting, including elements you might have wanted to interact with. That was a huge problem.

iOS 15 Safari

It’s not necessarily as elegant as Apple first wanted it to be, but it’s a significant step forward. And I am referring to having the URL tab on the bottom in a way that doesn’t impact a website’s functionality.

How to enable private browsing

Whether you place the URL bar at the top or bottom, you should never forget browsing the web in private mode. Safari already has anti-tracking protection built-in, but the private browsing mode adds another layer of privacy.

You’ll want to look for the two-square icon that sits in the bottom right corner. Once you locate the target, you have two ways of enabling private browsing. The fastest one is long-pressing the icon and then selecting New Private Tab from the list of options.

iOS 15 Safari

In either case, you’ll be browsing the web privately in Safari. You can always switch back to regular mode. The color of the URL bar will tell you whether you’re in standard or private browsing mode. It’s going to be gray (light mode) or black (dark mode).

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Safari private browsing button missing on iPhone or iPad? Here’s how to get it back

You decide you want to use private browsing in Safari on your iPhone or iPad. So, you open Safari, tap the button to open a new tab, and the Private button is gone. Where did it go?

If this is happening to you, it’s a simple fix. You made some changes to your settings and probably didn’t realize that it would take that Private button away from Safari. Here’s how to solve the case of the missing Safari Private browsing button.

Safari Private Browsing Button Missing iPhone

Related: 4 quick ways to open Safari Private Tab on iPhone

Get back the Private browsing button in Safari on iPhone or iPad

If you’ve adjusted your Screen Time settings to restrict content, then this is also what removed your Private browsing button. Follow these steps to put it back:

1) Open the Settings app and select Screen Time .

2) Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions .

3) Choose Content Restrictions .

Screen Time Content Restriction Settings iPhone

4) Look down at your setting for Web Content . Does it show Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only ? There’s the problem. If you change it to Unrestricted or  Unrestricted Access , you’ll get your Private browsing button back. If not, restart your iPhone .

Screen Time Content Restriction Unrestricted iPhone

Now, if you don’t want to make this change, then you’ll have to forgo the Private browsing feature in Safari. After all, the point of private browsing is that the sites you visit aren’t tracked. So, it makes sense that if you put restrictions on the web content, you wouldn’t be able to use private browsing.

Safari Private Browsing Button on iPhone

You can always change that setting temporarily, and when you finish your private browsing, put the restriction back. But at least the case is solved, and you know why your Private browsing button went missing.

Now that you know where your Safari private browsing button went, are you going to put it back? If so, will you do it temporarily or not? Let us know!

More on Safari:

  • How to manage bookmarks in Safari on iOS and Mac
  • How to always open Safari in a private window
  • How to bypass paywalls and read articles for free in Safari for iPhone

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

These hidden iOS features and settings might change the way you use your iPhone.

nelson-aguilar-6397-2

iOS 17 has been out for nearly half a year, releasing in September 2023, and while that's plenty of time to explore Apple's latest mobile OS update, there's always something new to discover.

If you want to take a closer look at some of the lesser-known features and settings on iOS 17 right now, here's what you need to know.

 width=

Automatically delete all those verification codes in Messages and Mail

The verification codes you receive when attempting to sign in to your various accounts can quickly clutter up your text messages and email. Sure, you can always manually delete each code, but that takes too much time. iOS 17 now has a setting that automatically deletes your verification codes after you've entered them.

 width=

Use Apple Maps even if you don't have internet service

It took a while for this feature to pop up, but Apple now lets you download and use offline maps on the Maps application on iOS 17. Now you can more easily navigate roads, highways and tunnels -- even if you don't have internet.

 width=

iPhone widgets are now interactive

If you tap on a widget on iOS 16 , you'll be transported to the corresponding application. For example, if you tap on the weather widget, you go to the weather app. That makes sense.

With iOS 17, however, a few widgets -- including for Apple Music and Home -- are interactive, meaning you can control the app directly from the widget. In the Apple Music widget, you can pause and play songs as well as browse through your recently played music. 

Once iOS 17 is released to the general public, you can expect third-party developers to integrate interactive widgets into their apps as well.

 width=

Listen to songs seamlessly in Apple Music

Instead of a jarring or silent jump from one song to another, you can now enable a cross-fade effect between songs in Apple Music on iOS 17. If you're on aux duty, this feature is a must-have.

 width=

Use Visual Look Up to identify laundry codes...

The laundry codes on your clothes are there to guide you when it comes to washing and drying, but if you have no idea what these symbols mean, they might as well be hieroglyphics.

iOS 17 brings a new feature that allows you to quickly decipher laundry codes. All you need to do is take a photo of the tag and use Visual Look Up , a built-in Photos tool that can identify words, plants, monuments and other objects and provide you with information about them.

 width=

...and figure out what all those lights on your car dashboard mean

Visual Look Up doesn't only identify laundry codes. It also can analyze any possible warning lights on the dashboard of your car. Again, all you need to do is take a photo and check out what Visual Look Up has to say about your warning lights. Maybe it's time to get those brakes checked.

 width=

Don't read articles -- listen to them

Over the last decade, podcasts have steadily risen in popularity, and for good reason. They're easy to digest, and you can listen to a podcast anywhere, even while driving.

If you're a fan of podcasts, you'll probably enjoy a new iOS 17 feature that lets you ask Siri to read news articles, informational sites or anything else in Safari out loud. No reading required.

 width=

Siri has a few more tricks up its sleeve

Siri has gotten a slight makeover on iOS 17, including two new features that will definitely change how you interact with the personal voice assistant.

For starters, you no longer need to say, "Hey, Siri" to trigger Siri. You can just say, "Siri." And you can ask Siri for back-to-back requests. For example, you could say something like, "Siri, give me directions to the gym and play my gym playlist."

 width=

If you forget your new iPhone passcode, don't sweat it

If you make a password change to one of your accounts, your new password is most likely stored in the cloud so that you don't have to remember it. You can't do the same with your iPhone passcode.

Before iOS 17, if you forgot your passcode, your only way back in was to completely wipe your iPhone. Now, if you forget your passcode, you can use your old passcode to get in -- but only for 48 hours after you create a new passcode. So act fast.

 width=

You can now share passwords easily

If you're tired of copying and pasting passwords in your text messages to share with your loved ones, iOS 17 has a new feature that allows you to create a group to quickly share passwords and passkeys, across their devices.

 width=

Searching through your text messages gets much easier

You need to find a specific message, in a thread filled with thousands of messages -- on a phone with hundreds of message threads. Sure, you could scroll and scroll and scroll, but iOS 17 has made searching in the Messages app way more powerful.

You can now filter your searches by contact, link, photo, location and more, to quickly find what you're looking for.

 width=

Keep your private browsing private

If you lend your phone to a family member, particularly a kid, you may well want to see what they've been browsing. Really sneaky kids might know that private browsing doesn't record a history.

On iOS 17, you can now enable a setting to require Face ID or a passcode to access private browsing in Safari.

 width=

If you're always losing your Apple Watch, you'll love this new feature

The Control Center on your iPhone is a hub where you can quickly take various actions with a single tap, like turning on your flashlight or enabling dark mode. With iOS 17, you'll now also be able to ping your Apple Watch .

 width=

Stop getting distracted by GIFs in Safari

GIFs can be wildly distracting when you're browsing through your phone -- browse through an article (even ours sometimes) and sometimes you'll be attacked with animations from all sides.

If you're looking to minimize the madness on your iPhone, iOS 17 now has a setting that allows you to stop GIFs from autoplaying in Safari.

 width=

Zoom in to quickly crop photos

Cropping a photo or video is relatively simple on the iPhone -- but the process is getting easier thanks to iOS 17. Instead of going into edit mode, you can now simply zoom into a photo and then hit the new Crop button that appears to resize an image to exactly what you see on your screen.

 width=

Quickly access your photos in Messages

There's a new way to access your applications directly from Messages, with a + icon that quickly brings up options like camera, stickers, location and more. However, if you're only interested in accessing your photos, to send via text, you can just press and hold down on the + to quickly access your most recent photos.

 width=

You can autofill email verification codes

The same way that you can autofill text verification codes now from your keyboard, with iOS 17 you can also do that but with email verification codes. You must set up your email with the Mail app for this to work.

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How to clear Safari browsing history on iPhone and iPad

Clear Safari browsing history on iPhone and iPad in a few simple steps

iPhone screen showing the Safari app icon in the center

You'll definitely want to know how to clear Safari browsing history on iPhone and iPad . Know how to delete browsing history is part of basic user operation on all your devices, and is especially if you share devices with others. 

Luckily, deleting browsing history on Safari is easy and can be done in just a few taps, and is the same on iOS and iPadOS, so whether you're using an iPhone 15 Pro or an iPad Air , these steps will apply.

Remember, though, that deleting your browsing history only stops your activity being visible on that device. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) will still be able to see the webpages you have visited. If you want to stop that, for ultimate privacy, you'll need to use one of the best VPN services .

The following screenshots were taken on an iPhone running iOS 17 . If you aren't running the latest version of your device's OS, we can show you how to update an iPhone or how to update an iPad .

  • In Safari, tap the book icon
  • Go to the history tab (clock)
  • Select how far back to clear

Read on to see full illustrated instructions.

1. In Safari, tap the book icon

Firstly, open Safari and tap the book icon in the bottom bar.

2. Select the history tab (clock icon) and tap Clear

Now select the history tab (clock icon) and tap Clear at the bottom.

3. Select how far back to clear and tap Delete

Now choose how far back you'd like to delete : last hour, today, today and yesterday, or all time.

If you like, you can toggle on Close All Tabs , which will close every open tab that isn't in a tab group (we can show you how to use tab groups if you aren't sure).

Finally, when you're happy, hit Delete .

As you can see in the screenshot above, if you now go back to the history tab, your history will have been deleted.

For more iPhone tutorials, check out our guides on how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone , how to clear RAM on iPhone , how to delete multiple contacts on iPhone and how to rearrange the iOS 17 Messages '+' menu .

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Peter Wolinski

Peter is Editor of the How To and Camera sections at Tom's Guide. As a writer, he covers topics including tech, photography, gaming, hardware, motoring and food & drink. Outside of work, he's an avid photographer, specialising in architectural and portrait photography. When he's not snapping away on his beloved Fujifilm camera, he can usually be found telling everyone about his greyhounds, obsessively detailing his car, squeezing as many FPS as possible out of PC games, and perfecting his espresso shots. 

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10 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in Next Week's iOS 17.4 Update

Apple will this month release iOS 17.4, its biggest iPhone software update of the year so far, featuring a number of features and changes that users have been anticipating for quite a while.

iOS 17

1. Generate Podcast Transcripts

Apple is adding audio transcripts to the Podcasts app for iPhone, meaning you'll be able to read along to your favorite podcasts as they are spoken. If you're familiar with lyrics in Apple Music, it's very similar.

podcast app transcript

2. Protect Messages Against Quantum Attacks

Apple is bringing a new cryptographic security feature to iMessage called PQ3. This "groundbreaking" and "state-of-the-art" protocol provides "extensive defenses against even highly sophisticated quantum attacks," according to Apple.

General Apps Messages

3. Support for Next-Generation CarPlay

Next-generation CarPlay is set to launch in the U.S. later in 2024, and iOS 17.4 brings support for a slew of new apps, including climate control, tire pressure, rear-view camera feed, electric vehicle charging status, and more.

Apple CarPlay Dash

4. Siri Reads Incoming Messages in Other Languages

Previously in iOS 17, ‌Siri‌'s interaction with Messages was limited to one option – the ability for ‌Siri‌ to automatically send your dictated messages without asking you to confirm them first.

ios 17 4 messaging with siri

5. Stolen Device Protection Away From Home

To make it harder for a thief to access passcode-protected data on a stolen iPhone, Apple in iOS 17.3 included Stolen Device Protection. With the feature enabled, Face ID or Touch ID is required to access passwords in iCloud Keychain, Lost Mode settings, options for erasing the device, and making purchases in Safari.

ios 17 4 stolen device protection

6. Live Activity for Stopwatch

For some reason, Apple previously never offered Live Activity support for when you start a stopwatch in the Clock app, until now.

ios 17 4 stopwatch

7. Generate Apple Cash Virtual Card Numbers

iPhone owners running iOS 17.4 will be able to generate a virtual card number for spending Apple Cash when Apple Pay isn't an online option.

apple cash virtual card number

8. App Support for Cloud Gaming Services

With iOS 17.4, streaming game apps will finally be allowed on the ‌App Store‌ worldwide, which means services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce NOW can be offered as standalone ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ apps.

xbox cloud gaming thumb

9. Set a Contactless Payment Provider

In iOS 17.4, third-party payment applications and banks can utilize the NFC chip in iPhones to enable contactless payments directly through the device in the European Economic Area, bypassing the need for Apple Pay or the Wallet app. Users in this region will have the ability to choose a primary contactless payment service, which is triggered at payment terminals or by double-pressing the iPhone's Side button.

apple pay contactless terminal

10. Support for Alternative App Stores

App developers in the EU will be able to offer alternative app stores or install their apps through alternative stores. This means users in the EU will be able to set their preferred alternative app store as the default app store on their device, rather than Apple's own App Store. EU users will see an option for this in the Settings app.

Shazam Authentication App Store Feature 1

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Top Rated Comments

hagar Avatar

Siri's language support is disappointing, especially for multilingual users. It struggles with reading and replying in the original language, and even after updates, many languages are still missing. This problem isn't just with Siri; it extends to other Apple services like Translate. It's surprising how OpenAI supports a wide range of languages, including ancient ones, while Apple lags behind in providing basic global language support. For those of us who speak multiple languages, using Siri with iMessage feels like a joke.

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Turn Private Browsing on or off on your iPhone

With Private Browsing, Safari won’t remember the pages you visit, your search history or your AutoFill information. Private Browsing also blocks known trackers, removes tracking used to identify individual users from URLs and adds protections against advanced fingerprinting techniques.

How to turn on Private Browsing

While Private Browsing is turned on, the Safari address bar will appear black or dark, instead of white or grey.

Open Safari on your iPhone.

No alt supplied for Image

Swipe to the Private tab group button, then tap the tab that you want to open.

An iPhone showing the Safari app with the Private tab group selected.

For additional privacy, you can choose to lock Private Browsing when you’re not using it. When you lock your device, your private tabs in Safari will also lock. Then, when you unlock your device again, just unlock Private Browsing with Touch ID, Face ID or your device passcode.

Find out more about locking Private Browsing tabs

In iOS 16 or earlier

Tap [number] Tabs or Start Page to show the Tab Groups list.

Tap Private, then tap Done.

How to turn off Private Browsing

While Private Browsing is off, the Safari address bar appears white or grey.

An iPhone showing the Safari app in a Private Browsing tab with the Tabs button magnified.

Swipe to the [number] Tabs tab group button, then tap the tab that you want to open.

An iPhone showing the Safari app with the Tabs tab group selected.

Tap Private to show the Tab Groups list.

Tap [number] Tabs , then tap Done.

Find out how to use Private Browsing on your iPad .

private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

Contact Apple Support

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

iOS 15: How to switch to Private Browsing on iPhone with Safari

Avatar for Michael Potuck

Safari got an overhaul with iOS 15, and while there are a number of improvements and changes, some features aren’t found where they used to be. Read along for a look at how to switch to iPhone Private Browsing in Safari with iOS 15.

As a refresher, here’s how Apple describes Private Browsing mode:

Safari won’t remember the pages you visited, your search history, or your AutoFill information after you close a tab in Private Browsing Mode.

Private Browsing in iOS 15 may be a “who moved my cheese?” moment for a lot of users as it’s more buried than in iOS 14 and earlier – unless you know the shortcut.

And going beyond what Private Browsing offers, Apple also launched iCloud Private Relay with iOS 15 , which is available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac .

Switch to iPhone Private Browsing in Safari with iOS 15

  • On your iPhone running iOS 15, open Safari
  • Do a long-press on the two-square icon in the bottom right corner (top right corner for landscape view)
  • Choose New Private Tab

How to switch to iPhone Private Browsing in iOS 15 - shortcut option

  • In iOS 15, open Safari
  • Tap the two-square icon in the bottom right corner (top right corner if using landscape view)
  • Tap the “1 Tab” button (or “X Tabs”)
  • Choose Private
  • Tap the + icon in bottom corner
  • You can tell you’re using Private Browsing as the address/search turns dark
  • Follow the same steps and tap Private again to stop using the feature

Here’s how that looks on iPhone:

How to use iPhone Private Browsing in Safari with iOS 15 walkthrough 1 - tap two-square icon, choose "X-tab" button, tap "Private"

Now, just tap the + icon. When using light mode in iOS 15, the address/search bar will turn from white to gray, and when using dark mode, it will turn from gray to black while using iPhone Private Browsing.

private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

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How to close all your Safari tabs on iPhone or iPad at once

  • Set a time frame (one day, one week, or one month) for Safari to automatically close tabs that are older, preventing tab clutter.
  • Organize Safari tabs on iPhone with Tab Groups. Create tab groups to categorize and easily find open web pages based on topics or interests.
  • Close Safari tabs open on your Mac from your iPhone.

Safari on your iPhone tends to be a bit overzealous at opening new tabs, resulting in a web browser that's more crowded than a Taylor Swift concert. Thankfully, iOS and iPadOS make it possible to close all but one tab at once -- it's one of our favorite tricks for iPhone.

If robot vacuums can automatically clean your house, why shouldn't your phone automatically clean up tabs for you? The iPhone can automatically close tabs that are older than a week or a month, keeping your Safari tab count from creeping to embarrassing numbers. You only have to arrange your settings once, then Safari will do the cleanup for you, set it and forget it.

Best iPhone: Is the new iPhone 15 worth it?

Safari has a few other hidden organization features, like tab groups and even the ability to close your MacBook's open tabs from your iPhone. We're sharing our favorite tricks for keeping your Safari tabs under control, starting with how to close all tabs on your iPhone or iPad.

How to close all tabs on iPhone or iPad Safari

If you're like us, and you end up with multiple Safari tabs open, closing them all down individually can take a very long time. We had 246 open at one point.

If you have tabs you want to keep open, you'll still need to close all of your tabs individually, pin them, or you can save a bookmark and reopen them afterward. Another option is to move those favorite tabs to a new Tab Group, as this process only deletes the tabs in the group. If you want to clear out the Safari clutter, you can close all but one tab with just a few taps. Here's how:

  • Open the Safari app on your iPhone.
  • Tap the icon with two squares in the lower right corner to view all your open tabs.
  • Optional: If you have any tabs that you want to keep open, press and hold on that tab and select Move to Tab Group , as this process only does one tab group at a time.
  • Long press on the thumbnail for an open tab . Pro tip: Use a tab you would like to keep open, as this will be the only tab remaining at the end of the process.
  • Tap on Close Other Tabs.

Alternatively, you can long-press the tab button in the bottom-right corner of Safari and then select Close All Tabs to quickly close everything that's open, including the tab you're currently viewing.

How to automatically close old Safari tabs on your iPhone

Whenever you open a link from another app, odds are it opens in Safari and creates yet another new tab, making it fairly easy for your tab count to grow without you even realizing it. But you don't have to go through and close all your tabs on a regular basis. Instead, you can have your iPhone automatically close old tabs after one day, one week, or one month.

This is a great option if you have a tendency to rack up open tabs quickly. If you turn on this feature, remember to use the bookmark tool or reading list to easily recall any important websites to revisit later, which tends to be easier than searching through your Safari history.

  • Open the Settings app.
  • Scroll down and select Safari.
  • Under Tabs, find the Close Tabs option and tap on it -- it should be set to 'manually' by default.
  • On the next screen, tap the time frame that you would like Safari to close old tabs after -- either one day, one week, or one month.

How to organize Safari tabs on iPhone with Tab Groups

Maybe you like having 217 tabs open at once (I won't judge, I've been there) but you want to be able to find what you need a bit more easily. Safari allows you to use tab groups to organize your open web pages. For example, you could have a tab group for online shopping and another for housing your favorite news websites that you want to leave open to easily read every morning. Tab Groups allow you to organize your web browsing and are especially helpful if you have lots of tabs open at once.

  • Open the Safari app on iPhone.
  • Tap on the tab icon in the lower right corner -- it's the one with the two squares.
  • Tap the menu icon at the bottom center.
  • Select New Empty Tab Group or use the New Tab Group with # Tabs to create a group with the tabs already opened.
  • Name the new tab group and tap Save.

Best MacBook laptops: Expert ranked

How to close open safari tabs on your mac from your iphone.

If you have a MacBook or iPad signed onto the same Apple ID as your iPhone, when you open the Safari app, and you tap on the two squares in the bottom right corner, you will see a list of the pages open on your MacBook below those open on your iPhone. It isn't possible to close them all down at once from your iPhone, but you can close them out one by one from your iPhone, so they are no longer open on your Mac.

  • Make sure that you have Safari enabled under the iCloud settings first . Head to the Settings App.
  • Tap your name , then iCloud .
  • In Apps using iCloud , make sure the Safari toggle is green .
  • Open Safari on your iPhone.
  • Tap the tabs icon.
  • Tap the plus to open a new tab.
  • Scroll down on the new tab until you see "From [Your MacBook's Name]."
  • There are two ways to close out these tabs -- you can tap and hold the entry to close, then select close. Or, you can click "Show All" then swipe left and tap close.

How to use picture-in-picture mode in Safari on Mac

How to open a private browsing tab in safari on iphone.

Private Browsing Mode on Safari allows you to visit websites without Safari remembering what pages you've visited, your search history or your Autofill information when you close the tab.

To open a Private Browsing Tab in Safari on your iPhone, follow these steps:

  • Press and hold the squares in the bottom right corner.
  • Select 'New Private Tab.'

You can also tap the squares once, tap 'Private' in the left corner to highlight it, and tap the '+' in the middle to open a new Private Browsing Tab.

More Safari organization tricks

Did you know that you could create different browsing profiles to keep your work and personal browsing separate? It's a new feature on iOS 17, but it's not the only Safari trick that can help keep your browser organized. You can also bookmark multiple tabs at once, or even alphabetize that long list of open Safari tabs. You can even swipe left on the address bar to quickly open a new tab. Find the step-by-step details for these tricks in our guide to Safari tips and tricks .

How to close all your Safari tabs on iPhone or iPad at once

IMAGES

  1. iPhone Private Browsing in Safari with iOS 15

    private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

  2. How to Turn Off Private Browsing on iPhone Safari Browser [Video Guide]

    private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

  3. 4 quick ways to open Safari Private Tab on iPhone in iOS 15

    private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

  4. iPhone Private Browsing in Safari with iOS 15

    private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

  5. How to enable private browsing in an iPhone using Safari?

    private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

  6. How to Completely Disable Private Browsing in iOS on iPhone and iPad

    private browsing safari iphone not available ios 15

VIDEO

  1. Private browsing safari IOS 17 #shorts

  2. Failed to Delete Safari Search History on iPhone Fix

  3. iOS 17 Private Browsing in Safari

  4. How to delete safari browsing history on iPhone

  5. How To Turn On Private Browsing on Safari in iPhone (2024)

  6. How to open private browsing mode in safari on iPhone in iOS 17

COMMENTS

  1. Private browsing option missing

    With iOS 15 on an iPhone, open Safari, tap the the new page icon at the bottom right of the screen, tap Start Page down arrow at the bottom center of the screen, tap Private. Reply. of 1. Private browsing option missing.

  2. Turn Private Browsing on or off on your iPhone

    In iOS 17. Open Safari on your iPhone. Tap the Tabs button. Swipe to the Private tab group button, then tap the tab that you want to open. For additional privacy, you can choose to lock Private Browsing when you're not using it. When you lock your device, your private tabs in Safari will also lock. Then, when you unlock your device again, just ...

  3. How to Fix Private Browsing Missing in Safari on iPhone ...

    Step #3. Tap on Web Content and Select Unrestricted Access. Step #4. If that's selected already, tap on Limit Adult Websites and then tap on Unrestricted Access again. Step #5. Quit Settings and Safari (if it's open.) Re-open Safari and go to the tab-view (tap on +). Hopefully, you should now see the "Private mode link.

  4. 7 Fixes Safari Private Browsing Button Missing on iPhone 15, 14 (Any)

    ️ See here: How to Enable Private Browsing on iPhone. Enable/Disable Safari Browser access on iOS/iPad. Restrict the use of Safari Browser on your iOS device. Make sure Safari is enabled under Allowed Apps in screen Time Restriction. Step 1: Launch the Settings App on your iPhone > Swipe Down to Select Screen Time.

  5. iPhone Private Browsing in Safari with iOS 15

    Standard. In iOS 15, open Safari. Tap the two-square icon in the bottom right corner (top right corner if using landscape view) Tap the "1 Tab" button (or "X Tabs") Choose Private. Tap the ...

  6. Two Ways to Enable Safari Private Browsing Mode in iOS 15 on iPhone

    Method 2: Turn on Private Browsing Mode from Safari Tab Menu in iOS 15. Open Safari on your iPhone and tap on the tabs icon at the bottom right corner of the screen. Now, tap on the " X Tabs " option located at the bottom center and choose Private . Next, tap on the "+" button located on the left to open a new private tab and start ...

  7. How to Enable or Disable Private Browsing on iOS 15

    Using Tab Overview Button. 1. Tap the Tab overview button to go to the tab overview screen. 2. Tap on the Private option at the bottom and select X Tabs from the menu to get rid of private browsing. Alternatively, long-press the Tab overview icon and select X Tabs from the menu to get out of the private browsing.

  8. Browse privately in Safari on iPhone

    Open the Safari app on your iPhone. Tap . Swipe right on the tab bar at the bottom of the screen until Private Browsing opens, then tap Unlock. To exit Private Browsing, tap , then swipe left to open a Tab Group from the menu at the bottom of your screen. The websites you have open in Private Browsing stay open, and Private Browsing locks.

  9. How To Enable Private Browsing On Safari In iOS 15

    On iPhones running iOS 15, there are two ways to enable private browsing on Safari. The easiest way to open a new private tab is by long-pressing the Tabs button ( two overlapping square icons) located at the right end of the address bar. From the pop-up that appears, click on "New Private Tab." An alternative way to open a private tab is by ...

  10. How to Quickly Switch Your Safari Browsing to Private in iOS 15

    In Safari, tap and hold the Tabs button in the bottom right. From here, you can use the " Private " option to switch over to the Private Browsing Mode. If you want to open a new private tab ...

  11. How to Enable Incognito Mode in Safari for iOS 15, iPadOS

    Here's how it goes: Step 1. Launch the Safari app from the Home Screen. Step 2. Now tap on the tabs icon as shown below. The icon can be found on the top right if you're using iPadOS. Step 3. You ...

  12. How to Go to Private Browser on iOS 15 on iPhone and iPad

    Open Safari and tap on the 'Tabs' icon in the bottom right corner. Tap on the drop-down menu at the bottom of your screen. Select 'Private'. You will now enter the private browsing mode in Safari. Tap on '+' in the bottom left corner to open a new tab and start browsing. Note: Your private tabs will open in the 'Private' tab ...

  13. How to Do Private Browsing on iPhone on iOS 15

    Step 1: Setup Safari. Safari has dedicated options to stop trackers and increase your privacy when browsing the internet. Follow the guide below to enable or disable the necessary options depending on your preferences. Open the Settings app on your device, scroll down and tap on Safari.

  14. 4 quick ways to open Safari Private Tab on iPhone in iOS 15

    In Safari, long-press the new page button (two small overlapping squares) from the bottom right. Now, choose Private or New Private Tab. Works in: iOS 15 and earlier versions. 3. From the Tab Groups section. Open Safari and tap the new page button from the bottom right. Tap Start Page or [number] Tabs. Tap Private.

  15. How to Do Private Browsing on iPhone 15: A Step-by-Step Guide

    Step 1: Open Safari. The first step is to open the Safari browser on your iPhone 15. Opening Safari is as simple as tapping on the Safari icon, which is usually found on the bottom dock of your iPhone's home screen. Safari is the default web browser for all iOS devices, so you won't need to download anything extra.

  16. How to Use Private Browsing Mode on iOS 15

    Long-press on the two-square icon (browser tabs). Tap New Private Tab. Method #2: Open Safari on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the two-square icon in the bottom right corner to open your browser tabs. Tap the " Tab " button at the bottom. (A number will be shown depending on how many browser tabs you have open.) Select Private from the pop-up menu.

  17. Ways to fix Safari Private Browsing Not Available on iPhone or iPad

    Step 1: Bring upon the app switcher, On iPhone with Face ID: Swipe up from the bottom edge and pause in the center of the screen. On iPhone with Touch ID: Double-click the Home button. Step 2 ...

  18. iOS 15 Safari private browsing has changed

    From there, you'll want to choose Private to enable private browsing. In either case, you'll be browsing the web privately in Safari. You can always switch back to regular mode. The color of ...

  19. How to fix a missing private browsing button in Safari on iPhone

    Related: 4 quick ways to open Safari Private Tab on iPhone. Get back the Private browsing button in Safari on iPhone or iPad. If you've adjusted your Screen Time settings to restrict content, then this is also what removed your Private browsing button. Follow these steps to put it back: 1) Open the Settings app and select Screen Time.

  20. iOS 17 Safari makes private browsing more secure

    The private browsing feature in iOS 17 Safari gets an extra layer of privacy, as the your private browsing tabs can now lock when you're not using the feature. But to make sure prying passersby ...

  21. Turn Private Browsing on or off on your iPhone

    In iOS 17. Open Safari on your iPhone. Tap the Tabs button. Swipe to the Private tab group button, then tap the tab that you want to open. For additional privacy, you can choose to lock Private Browsing when you're not using it. When you lock your device, your private tabs in Safari will also lock. Then, when you unlock your device again, just ...

  22. How to Turn On and Off Private Browsing on Safari (2024)

    This can be done through the Screen Time settings, specifically via the content restriction feature on your device. Through it, you can restrict adult content, which has the side-effect of disabling Private Browsing on Safari. Disable Private Browsing on an iPhone and iPad. Step 1.

  23. 17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

    Really sneaky kids might know that private browsing doesn't record a history. On iOS 17, you can now enable a setting to require Face ID or a passcode to access private browsing in Safari.

  24. How to clear Safari browsing history on iPhone and iPad

    Luckily, deleting browsing history on Safari is easy and can be done in just a few taps, and is the same on iOS and iPadOS, so whether you're using an iPhone 15 Pro or an iPad Air, these steps ...

  25. 10 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in Next Week's iOS 17.4 Update

    Apple will this month release iOS 17.4, its biggest iPhone software update of the year so far, featuring a number of features and changes that users have been anticipating for quite a while.

  26. Turn Private Browsing on or off on your iPhone

    In iOS 17. Open Safari on your iPhone. Tap the Tabs button. Swipe to the Private tab group button, then tap the tab that you want to open. For additional privacy, you can choose to lock Private Browsing when you're not using it. When you lock your device, your private tabs in Safari will also lock. Then, when you unlock your device again ...

  27. iPhone Private Browsing in Safari with iOS 15

    Read along for a look at how to switch to iPhone Private Browsing in Safari with iOS 15. As a refresher, here's how Apple describes Private Browsing mode: Safari won't remember the pages you visited, your search history, or your AutoFill information after you close a tab in Private Browsing Mode.

  28. How to close all your Safari tabs on iPhone or iPad at once

    Open the Safari app on your iPhone.; Tap the icon with two squares in the lower right corner to view all your open tabs.; Optional: If you have any tabs that you want to keep open, press and hold ...