It can be perplexing not being able to clear your browsing history on iPhone due to the option to “Clear History and Website Data” being grayed-out or not working.
When this issue was reported by a user in a popular forum, some people responded by asking “What were you browsing last night”?
I spent over 2 hrs. last night trying to delete my browser history in safari, how can I delete it?? The clear history option in settings is grayed out and will not function, anyone? Help? – David126 on Macrumours
The frustration expressed by this user is understandable, considering the fact that in certain cases the solution to this issue lies in the most unlikely place.
Reason for Clear History & Website Data Being Grayed Out on iPhone
While it is possible for “Clear history & data” option to be greyed out due to a bug in Safari browser or a technical glitch on iPhone, a surprisingly common reason for this issue is due to “Limit Adult Websites” option being selected on iPhone.
Yes you heard it right, the reason for iPhone preventing you from clearing your browsing history is due to Adult Content being restricted on your device. Why would anyone assume, guess or imagine that blocking Adult Content could make the option to “Delete Website History and Data” greyed out or inaccessible on iPhone?
Hence, disabling restrictions on Web Content should fix the problem in most cases. If this does not help, you can move to the next step as provided below in this guide.
1. Disable Web Content Restrictions on iPhone
In most cases, all that is required to re-enable the option to Clear History and Website Data on iPhone is to uncheck “Limit Adult Websites” option.
If the iPhone or iPad is being used by your children, selecting the option to “Allow Only Approved Websites” can also end up blocking the option to “Clear History and Website Data” option on iPhone.
1. Open Settings > scroll down and tap on Screen Time.
2. Enter Password (if prompted) > On the next screen, scroll down and tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
3. From Restrictions screen, go to App Store, Media, Web & Games > Web Content and select Unrestricted Access option.
After this, go back to Settings > Safari > scroll down to to end of “Privacy & Security” section and you will find “Clear History and Website Data” option enabled back on your device.
Once the option to “Clear History & Website Data” is available, you will be able to clear your browsing history at any time on iPhone by tapping on this option.
After clearing browsing history, you can go back and enable the restrictions on Adult Content or block on certain websites that you had placed on your device.
2. Reset All Settings
If the above method did not help, Reset all the Settings on your device to its original Factory Default Settings and this should fix the problem.
Note: The Reset process will not delete any data from your iPhone.
1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
2. On the pop-up, select Reset All Settings option.
3. Enter your Lock Screen Password > On the confirmation pop-up, tap on Reset to confirm.
4. Wait for the Reset process to be completed and do not interrupt the Reset process in any way.
Once, the Reset process is completed, you should find “Clear History and website data” option back and working on your iPhone.