Cannot permanently disable private browsing tab with new update.

Question

Level 1

5 points

Cannot permanently disable private browsing tab with new update.

My son has iPhone 13 and IOs 26.2 update. With the new update the private browsing tab is enabled. I went into the screen time menu and then the limit adult websites is checked. This was working fine with his previous version of IOs but I cannot understand why he can still use it now. We tried to turn it off then back on etc and that doesn’t work. If it helps he also has an iPad with same Apple ID and the iPad is restricted.

iPhone 13

Posted on Feb 9, 2026 8:53 PM

Answer 1

Mar 25, 2026 4:53 AM in response to charleen85

If you add a passcode also with the limit adult websites option to the screen time settings it removes the private browsing option from safari, or if you already have a password, create a new one and refresh. I was also frustrated with this and had to search a bit to find out how. There is a YouTube tutorial if you need it, works for 26.4.

Answer 2

abehr91

Level 1

8 points

Feb 15, 2026 11:57 AM in response to charleen85

Yes! This is a real issue for me as well - I don’t even want the option of private browsing available to me in safari, even if pages are blocked. I DON’T WANT THE OPTION EVEN SHOWN. This lack of even a visual option of private browsing is so helpful to me to deter mindless browsing towards things I am actively trying to avoid, showing me how I can change my settings instead of putting up the greater friction to conducting such a search is not good for my wellbeing

Answer 3

Feb 22, 2026 9:44 PM in response to charleen85

Apple please fix this. We need to be able to completely remove this option from safari in settings.

Cannot permanently disable private browsing tab with new update.

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