How to Clear Safari History and Website Data on iOS 26

Apple has refined how Safari handles history and browsing data in iOS 26, giving you more flexibility to remove everything, clear only cookies and cache, or delete specific sites. If the “Clear History and Website Data” button is grayed out, Screen Time or device management policies are usually the reason.

This guide walks you through every method, plus troubleshooting tips.

Method 1: Clear All Safari History and Website Data (Full Reset)

Use this option when you want to completely wipe browsing history, cookies, and cached files. It will sign you out of most websites but keeps AutoFill data such as saved contacts and payment cards.

1- Open Settings on your iPhone.

2- Scroll down, tap Apps, then select Safari.

3- Scroll down and tap Clear History and Website Data.

4- Choose a timeframe: Last Hour, Today, Today & Yesterday, or All History.

5- Tap Clear History to confirm.

✅ Notes:

• If the button is gray, there’s either no data to remove or restrictions are enabled.
• AutoFill data is not erased.

Method 2: Clear Cookies and Cache Only (Keep Browsing History)

This is useful if you just want to remove site logins and cached files without deleting your browsing record.

1- Go to Settings > Apps > Safari.

2- Scroll down and tap Advanced.

3- Select Website Data.

4- Scroll to the bottom and tap Remove All Website Data.

5- Tap Remove Now to confirm.

This will clear cookies and cached files, signing you out of websites, but your history list remains intact.

Method 3: Delete Specific Sites from History in Safari

For precise cleanup, you can delete only certain sites instead of wiping everything.

1- Open Safari.

2- Tap the More button (three dots).

3- Tap Bookmarks.

4- Go to the History tab (clock icon).

5- Tap More > Select Websites.

6- Choose one or more sites.

7- Tap the Trash button to delete them.

Optional: Block Cookies or Use Content Blockers

• Block Cookies:
  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced.
  2. Toggle on Block All Cookies, then confirm.
  3. Safari will reload your tabs.

⚠️ Note: Blocking cookies reduces tracking but may break logins and site features.

• Enable Content Blockers:
  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Extensions.
  2. Turn on any content blockers you’ve installed from the App Store.

Troubleshooting: “Clear History and Website Data” Grayed Out

If the option is unavailable, try these fixes:

1. Check Screen Time restrictions:
   • Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content.
   • Set to Unrestricted Access.
   • Return to Safari settings and try again.
2. Temporarily disable Screen Time: If you use a passcode, turning off Screen Time can restore the option. Re-enable it afterward.
3. Check device management profiles:
   • Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.
   • If a profile is installed (work/school), it may block history clearing. Contact your administrator.
4. Force-quit Safari and restart your iPhone.
5. Update iOS: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any pending updates.
6. Fallback option:
   • Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data > Remove All Website Data.
   • This clears site data but not browsing history.
7. Stop iCloud Safari sync temporarily:
   • Toggle Safari off in iCloud settings on all devices.
   • Clear data, then re-enable sync.

Tips to Avoid Future Cleanup

• Use Private Browsing: In Safari, tap Tabs > Private, then open a new private tab. Sites visited here won’t appear in history.
• Clear site data periodically: Removing cookies and cached data weekly or monthly helps free storage without wiping all history.

Conclsuion

With iOS 26, Apple makes it easier to control Safari data: you can fully reset browsing history, remove only cookies, or delete specific sites. If the Clear History button is disabled, restrictions like Screen Time or device management are usually the cause. Once adjusted, you can clean up Safari with just a few taps.