How to delete your search history

When looking for help online, it’s important to understand how to delete your internet history. This guide explains how to clear browsing data on various devices and browsers, helping reduce the risk of someone else discovering your activity.

Important: If you’re in danger, try to use a safe device at a library, a friend’s home, or a local support centre. Some abusers may monitor phones or computers.

Quick Tips

Use Private Browsing or Incognito Mode — it won’t save your history.

Delete history regularly if you feel safe doing so.

Be cautious: suddenly cleared history can seem suspicious if your device is being monitored.

Deleting History on Desktop Browsers

Google Chrome (Windows/Mac)

Click the three dots (top right) → History → History again.

Click Clear browsing data.

Set Time range to All time.

Tick Browsing history, Cookies, and Cached images.

Click Clear data.

 

Mozilla Firefox

Click the three lines → History → Clear recent history.

Set Time range to Everything.

Tick Browsing & download history, Cookies, and Cache.

Click OK.

 

Microsoft Edge

Click the three dots → History → Clear browsing data.

Set Time range to All time.

Select what to delete, then click Clear now.

 

Safari (Mac)

Open Safari.

Click History → Clear History.

Choose All history and confirm.

 

Deleting History on Mobile Devices

Google Chrome (Android/iPhone)

Tap the three dots → History.

Tap Clear browsing data.

Choose All time, then tick boxes for history, cookies, and cache.

Tap Clear data.

 

Safari (iPhone/iPad)

Open Settings → Safari.

Tap Clear History and Website Data.

Confirm.

 

Firefox (Android/iPhone)

Tap the three dots → Settings → Delete browsing data.

Select what to delete and confirm.

 

Samsung Internet

Tap the three lines → Settings → Privacy → Delete browsing data.

Choose what to delete, then tap Delete.

 

Safe Browsing Tips

In the future, use Incognito Mode (Chrome) or Private Mode (Safari/Firefox).

Try using DuckDuckGo browser — it doesn’t store your searches.

If you think your device is being tracked, avoid using it to search for help.

 

Need Support?

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, help is available:

Women’s Aid Ireland
Freephone 24hr Helpline: 1800 341 900
Website: www.womensaid.ie

Confidential support for women and children experiencing domestic violence.

Live web chat available on their site during certain hours.

 

Use the “Hide Page” or “Quick Exit”-button on many support sites to leave quickly. spunout navigator has a “Hide Page”-button on the right-hand side of your browser window.