Why can't I clear my browsing history in safari

I am trying to clear my browsing history on my iPhone 4 but the bit ton is gray and won't allow me to select it in either the settings menu or in the actual browser. I also tries putting my safari app into private mode but for some reason cannot find the button... It should be in safari at the bottom when I choose to look at multiple tabs (or at least that's where I have always found it) but I don't see it anywhere. I am not sure if this is a problem with the new iOS update I just got or if I somehow changed my settings somewhere to not allow these functions but it is really annoying not being able to clear my history... Please help me figure out how to fix this

iPhone 4, iOS 7.1

Posted on Mar 20, 2014 11:16 PM

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Posted on May 12, 2015 9:23 AM

The same thing happened to me with my iPad. It turned out to be a Restriction Setting for Safari. Go to Settings\General\Restrictions\ALLOWED CONTENT: Websites. Make sure 'All Websites' are allowed. If not, Safari won't let you clear the History.

26 replies

Apr 7, 2014 3:26 PM in response to Annabelle94

I also am having the same problem.


After I downloaded the newest software update.


When I go into clear histroy it remains gray no matter what I do.


I tried going into privacy and looking for the suggested settings but all I can see is an icon that says do not track. Even when i turn that off nothing changes also when i have that on the web pages are still stored in my history.


Did you ever figure this out? I have looked at every **** post and done it all and yet nothing seems to work.

Apr 7, 2014 7:51 PM in response to dermatophyter

I did solve my problem but I have no idea why.... I just went to show it to someone and the button all of a sudden fixed itself.... I literally have no idea why it stopped working or how it fixed itself... I actually thought it was just my phone trying to make me look crazy lol :) sorry to hear other people are having the same issue and I wish I knew how it got fixe so I could help you but..... Good luck with fixing it

Feb 26, 2017 12:49 PM in response to Annabelle94

I know how to fix this:


SHUT DOWN YOUR DEVICE THEN START IT UP AGAIN THEN REAPEAT.THEN GO TO YOUR SAFARI THEN SEE WHAT YOU WANT TO DELETE(IF FINE CARRY ON) THEN GO TO SETTINGS>SAFARI>SCROLL DOWN TO CLEAR HISTORY PRESS THAT THEN GO TO SAFARI TO SEE IF YOUR DEVICE INTERNET AND SEARCH HISTORY IS CLEARED.THEN SHUT DOWN YOUR DEVICE THEN POWER IT BACK UP SO IT CAN REBOOT. THEN ENJOY YOUR BROWSING!!

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Why can't I clear my browsing history in safari

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