How to Disable Private Browsing on iPhone and iPad

August 27, 2024 By Christine Margret No Comments 6 minutes

Private browsing on iPhones and iPads helps keep your browsing activities confidential. But if you want to disable private browsing on your devices, follow our step-by-step guide.

Note: Private browsing only provides a layer of privacy, but it hides nothing from your Internet service provider or the general network you use. The only solution to ensure ultimate online privacy is to use FastestVPN. Connecting to its server, the VPN masks your IP address and conceals all your activities in the blink of an eye. Its security-centered features, such as the OpenVPN protocol, AES 256-bit encryption, the Internet Kill Switch, and others, make it the best choice for complete digital privacy protection.

How to Disable Private Browsing on an iPhone and iPad (Safari Browser)

Remember, disabling private browsing won’t affect any of your data or passwords. The action will only turn off the feature so no one else can use it on your device. Here are the steps to disable private browsing on an iPhone and iPad:

• Head to the home screen and open the Safari app icon 
• Navigate to the lower-right corner and tap the tabs icon in Safari
• If you see “Private” in the lower-left corner (at the bottom of the screen), it means the private browsing is already enabled. 
• Tap where you see  “Private” to disable the private browsing option.
• Next, a confirmation box will pop up to ask if you want to close all tabs, as Private Browsing tabs are separate from regular ones. Tap “Close All” to proceed.
• That’s it! Your private Browsing mode is disabled now. The interface will change to a lighter gray, signaling that you have returned to regular browsing mode.

Note: You can turn the Private Browsing mode on at any time by tapping “Private” in the lower-left corner of the screen.

How to Disable Private Browsing on iPad

Disabling Private Browsing on your iPad is simple. Follow these steps:

1. Go to Safari and tap the Settings button in the top-right corner.
2. Scroll down to the Privacy and Security section in the Safari settings.
3. Find the Private Browsing toggle and tap it to turn it off.
4. That’s it! Private Browsing is now turned off on your iPad.

How do you Disable Private Browsing on Google Chrome- Step-by-step Guide

Private Browsing is great for keeping your activities confidential from other users who are using the same device. However, if you change your mind and want to return to regular browsing on Google Chrome browser, here’s how to do it:

• Launch Google Chrome
• Click where you find the three-dot menu at the top right corner of the window.
• Next, click on Settings in the drop-down menu
• Click “Site Settings” under the “Privacy and Security” section
• Under the “Permissions” section, click where you find “Incognito mode.”
• Switch off the toggle next to “Allow sites to save and read cookie data while Incognito.”
• Exit the Settings tab, and you’re done! Private Browsing is now turned off in Google Chrome.

Reasons to Disable Private Browsing on iPhone and iPad

The first reason to disable private browsing on iPhone is that it is more comfortable to browse regularly. Secondly, the private browsing mode may disturb or slow down your overall browsing experience. 

Moreover, disabling private browsing mode frees up lots of space on your device because your data is not deleted automatically. Besides these reasons, there is much more to consider when turning off private browsing on an iPhone.

For example, turning off private browsing on your iPhone allows you to see your history effortlessly when needed. Your browsing data will be synced across devices without a problem. 

Regular browsing enables you to leverage Safari’s new features and third-party content blockers.

It is up to you whether you want to disable private browsing. However, you should keep in mind that turning it off will improve your overall browsing experience on your iPhone.

Disadvantages Of Private Browsing in iPhone

1. No login or password information will be saved for the websites that are searched.
2. No browsing data is saved. If any tab is accidentally closed or your device runs out of battery, your entire thing will be gone without recovery.
3. There is no track of browsing history or data when required.

Safari Private Mode Not Working- Quick Fixes

There are two simple solutions that fix Safari private mode not working issues:

1. Restart Safari

On your Mac device, right-click where you find the Safari icon in the dock and select “Quit.” On an iPhone or iPad, swipe up and hold to view active apps, then swipe Safari up to close it. After restarting the Safari, private browsing will be ended.

2. Restart Your Device 

On a Mac, click the Apple icon and select “Restart.” On an iPhone or iPad, press and hold the power button (for older models) or the volume up button (for newer models), then slide to power off. Once restarted, private browsing should be enabled.

Can Private Browsing Mode on an iPhone Be Tracked?

A common question people have is, “Can private browsing on an iPhone be traced?” The short answer is yes—private browsing history on an iPhone can still be tracked.

Even in incognito mode, websites, and advertisers can log your activity and add it to your user history. While private browsing on an iPhone or other devices automatically deletes your browsing history, every site you visit is still recorded by the domain name system (DNS), and these requests are logged. 

However, accessing this information typically requires direct access to your device. Luckily, you can clear your private browsing history by flushing the DNS cache. Check out our guide to learn how to view and delete your incognito history.

Is Safari Private Browsing Actually Private?

This is one of the most common questions people ask about the Safari browser’s private mode. Since privacy is a broad and sensitive topic, understanding it from the core is important. 

A browser usually stores search history, including the websites you visit and your search terms. Your ISP, government agencies, and network administrators can easily log this information. 

Returning to the question, “Is Safari Private Browsing Actually Private?” The short answer is no. Even after enabling private mode, all the stored information can still be tracked. Moreover, enabling private mode cannot hide your IP address, so your location can also be tracked using your IP address.

There are more secure browsers in terms of security and privacy than Yahoo and Google. DuckDuckGo, Firefox, and Startpage are great options to explore.

Conclusion

Disabling Private browsing mode on iPhone and iPad is a straightforward process that involves just a few simple steps. By turning off Private Browsing, you ensure that Safari keeps a record of your browsing history and data. It can be helpful for a variety of tasks, such as parental control and personal record-keeping. Whether you are maintaining a device for children or just prefer to save the history of your online activities, knowing how to disable Private Browsing provides better control over your browsing experience.

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