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Are you tired of seeing past searches on your Google search bar every time you open it on your iPhone? If so, you are not alone. Many iPhone users struggle with the same problem and want to know how to delete their previous Google searches.
Deleting your search history is not just about privacy concerns but also freeing up space on your device. Past searches can take up a significant amount of space on your iPhone, and it’s essential to remove them frequently.
In this post, we will cover different methods on how to delete previous Google searches on your iPhone.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To delete previous Google searches on your iPhone, you need to have the following things:
- An iPhone device
- A Google App installed on your iPhone
- A good internet connection
What requires your focus?
Deleting your search history requires your attention. Ensure you are deleting the right search history before deleting; otherwise, you may delete important information.
Another essential thing to focus on is understanding that deleting your search history is irreversible. Once you delete it, you cannot retrieve it. You need to be sure before deleting it.
Methods to Delete Previous Google Searches on iPhone:
Method 1: Deleting Your Google Search History from App Settings
It’s easy to delete your Google search history from the App Settings on your iPhone. Follow the steps below to delete your search history.
Step 1: Open the Google App on your iPhone
Step 2: Click on your profile picture located on the top right corner of the screen
Step 3: Click ‘Settings’
Step 4: Click ‘Privacy’
Step 5: Click ‘Clear Browsing Data’
Step 6: Select the data you want to delete. In this case, select ‘Browsing history.’
Step 7: Click ‘Clear Browsing Data’
Pros:
- Easy to navigate
- It is done within a few clicks
- It does not affect any data apart from browsing history.
Cons:
- It does not clear other search history besides your Google search history.
- It may not clear all search history if you have used other search engines apart from Google.
- The analytics company, including Google, can still have some user data in some situations.
Method 2: Clearing Your Google Search History from Google Account
Another method is to delete your Google search history by accessing your Google account. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Visit Google.com
Step 2: Click ‘Sign In.’ Enter your Google Account details
Step 3: Click on ‘Data & Personalization’.
Step 4: Scroll down to ‘Activity and Timeline’.
Step 5: Click ‘My Activity’. All your search history is displayed.
Step 6: Click on the ‘Delete’ icon located on the top right corner of the screen.
Step 7: Select the data you want to delete. In this case, select ‘Browsing history.’
Step 8: Click ‘Delete.’
Pros:
- It is possible to delete different types of activity, including web searches, image searches, and Google maps searches.
- You can delete only specific activity, such as searching for specific websites.
- It is possible to delete Google searches from multiple devices, including your PC and Mobile device.
Cons:
- Deleting web searches using your Google account can be slow as you need to navigate through various menus to delete your data.
- It may be confusing to navigate through menus if you are not a regular Google user.
Method 3: Use an iPhone Data Cleaner
One of the most efficient methods to delete all previous searches or any history on your iPhone is using a data cleaner. iPhone data cleaners are apps created to clean up iPhone devices by removing any unwanted data.
Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Download and install the data cleaner app. There are many data cleaner apps available in the app store. Examples include iMyFone Umate Pro, PhoneClean, and iFreeUp.
Step 2: Connect your iPhone device to your PC using a USB cable.
Step 3: Launch the data cleaner app on your PC and scan your iPhone device.
Step 4: Once the scan is complete, select the type of data you want to delete, in this case, select browsing history.
Step 6: Click on the ‘Clean’ button.
Pros:
- It deletes all types of data on your iPhone, including browsing history.
- It frees up space on your iPhone by removing any unwanted data.
- It ensures your online privacy and security by clearing browsing history, temp files, cache files, and redundant files from the device.
Cons:
- The apps are not free.
- It requires connecting the iPhone device to a PC using a USB cable, which can be tedious.
Method 4: Using Incognito Mode to Browse
One way to avoid having to delete your browsing history regularly is to use Incognito mode. Incognito mode is a setting that does not save your browsing history.
Enabling incognito mode is relatively easy; follow these steps:
Step 1: Launch the Google app on your iPhone device.
Step 2: Click on your profile picture located on the top right corner of the screen.
Step 3: Click on ‘Turn on Incognito.’
Pros:
- It is relatively easy to enable incognito mode on your Google app.
- Incognito mode does not save any browsing history, which saves time when cleaning up your searches.
- It is relatively easy to switch on and off incognito mode.
Cons:
- It does not delete previously saved browsing history.
- You cannot enjoy some features such as saving login information and personalized searches in incognito mode.
Why Can’t I delete the previous Google Searches on my iPhone?
- You could be not signed in to your Google account.
- Your search history may be too old and no longer available to delete.
- Your Google app may be outdated and require updating.
Fix 1: Signing in to your Google account is the first step to delete previous Google searches from your phone.
Fix 2: Google does not keep your search history for an extended period. If it’s too old, it may not be available to delete.
Fix 3: Updating the Google app is important, especially if you keep getting an error while trying to delete your search history.
Implications and Recommendations
Deleting your previous Google searches is crucial for your online privacy and security. Your search history may contain information that is no longer useful or irrelevant. This information can take up a lot of space on your device, slowing it down.
It’s recommended that you delete your search history frequently to ensure your device runs smoothly. The methods described above are easy to follow and should be effective in deleting any unwanted browsing data.
5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I delete my Google search history automatically?
A1: Yes, you can. Use auto-delete, a setting that allows you to configure Google to automatically delete your search history at specified intervals such as every three months.
Q2: Will clearing my browsing history delete my downloaded files on my iPhone?
A2: No. Clearing your browsing history deletes only browsing data, including cookies, cache data, and web page history. Downloaded files such as photos, videos, and documents remain on your device.
Q3: Can someone still see my browsing history after I delete it?
A3: No. Your browsing history is deleted from the device and cannot be retrieved if you use a secure deletion method.
Q4: What is Incognito mode?
A4: Incognito mode is a setting that does not save your browsing history. It’s only available on specific apps such as Google and Safari.
Q5: Is it necessary to delete browsing history on my iPhone regularly?
A5: Yes. Deleting your browsing history regularly enhances your device’s performance and frees up space on your device.
In Conclusion
Deleting your Google search history regularly is a good practice, and it’s essential for your online privacy and security. The methods described above are easy to follow, and they should help you delete any unwanted browsing data on your iPhone. Consider using a data cleaner app to take care of all history deletion needs.