Google Search History: Missing ability to turn it off in iOS 11?

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Level 1

10 points

Google Search History: Missing ability to turn it off in iOS 11?

Hey guys,

Ever since upgrading to iOS 11, I'm experiencing an odd issue with the Google homepage on my Safari browser (iPad mini 4). It started showing my search history in the box as I typed in new searches. On my iPhone (still running iOS 10), I can go into settings and easily find a "Do Not Save Search History" button, but I'm not seeing the same thing on my iPad.

So it seems like this may be something related to the iOS 11 update? Can anyone potentially shed any light on this?

Thanks.

iPad mini Wi-Fi, iOS 11

Posted on Sep 21, 2017 7:42 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jon4248

Level 1

10 points

Dec 19, 2017 1:52 AM in response to smier33

It seems googles clear button no longer works.

Close safari. Go to settings, safari, website data, search for google.ca/google.com delete them.

Then open safari, goto google, do not log in.

Goto setting at the bottom, search settings change to do not save searches. Your Future searches should no longer be saved.

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Answer 2

jeremy_v

Community Specialist

Sep 22, 2017 8:11 AM in response to smier33

Hello smier33,

Thanks for that info and choosing the Apple Support Communities. It sounds like you want to clear some history in the Safari app on your iPad. To do this, go to Settings > Safari, tap the "Clear History and Website Data" and then restart your iPad as iOS clears cached data and does other system optimizations when you turn your device off and on. Once your iPad is back on, then go back to Settings > Safari and adjust options like "Ask Websites Not To Track Me" and "Search Engine Suggestions."

Privacy and security - iPad User Guide
Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Cheers!

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Answer 3

smier33 Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 27, 2017 7:26 AM in response to kmurp

At this point, I've decided to switch away from using Safari as my browser on iOS. This problem is nonexistent in both Chrome and Firefox.

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Answer 4

sterling r

Community Specialist

Sep 22, 2017 4:39 PM in response to smier33

Thanks for replying, smier33, and that additional info, it really helps! Since it sounds like you're having this issue in the Google app and not in the Safari app on your iPad, please follow the steps Google recommends on your situation:

Delete searches & other activity from your account - Computer - Google Search Help

Have a great day and thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!

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Answer 5

Teddy_B

Community Specialist

Sep 23, 2017 7:33 AM in response to smier33

Thanks for that info, smier33! At this point your next step is to contact Apple for further help with your situation with your iPad.

Contact Apple Support

Best regards and thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!

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Answer 6

Dec 20, 2017 4:13 AM in response to Jon4248

Both in my case and OP’s case this prob only exists on the iPad. On my iPhone I can see the option ‘Do Not Save Search History.’ in Settings menu in google.com and it works well.

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Answer 7

smier33 Author

Level 1

10 points

Sep 22, 2017 4:19 PM in response to jeremy_v

Hi Jeremy,

Thanks for the suggestion, however, this didn't solve my problem. Google's Search History remains on when I search from their site.

To clarify, I'm going to the bottom of the Google Homepage and clicking on "Settings". On my iPhone, the first setting option I see is "Search History", to which I've selected "Do not save searches". So my iPhone's good.

But when I go into the Google Settings from my iPad, I do not see the "Search History" option. Somehow, I need to figure out how to bring it back.

The only thing that's changed recently on my iPad was the update to iOS 11, which is why that's the first place I've started.

Thanks.

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Answer 8

smier33 Author

Level 1

10 points

Sep 22, 2017 8:11 PM in response to sterling r

No, this is happening on the Safari app on my iPad. I don't even have the Google app installed.

I'm just accessing the "Settings" at the bottom of the Google Homepage (via Safari). This is happening while I'm logged out of any Google accounts, which makes it even more bizarre. On my iPhone, while logged out of any accounts... I see the option to turn Search History off, and it behaves correctly. This only seems to be an issue on my iPad running iOS 11, and it's only started since installing iOS 11 2 nights ago.

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Answer 9

kmurp

Level 1

8 points

Oct 18, 2017 1:03 PM in response to Teddy_B

I have the same problem on my iPad after upgrading to iOS 11. I, like the O.P. Don’t have this issue on Safari running iOS 10.

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Answer 10

Dec 15, 2017 5:09 AM in response to smier33

I have the same problem with you, but in my case even changing browser to Chrome or Firefox doesn’t solve the problem. I’m using ipad mini 4 with iOS 11. So irritating problem... 😕

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