How to Clean Your Browser History: Privacy & Performance Guide (2025)

How to clear history on Chrome

Google Chrome is one of the most widely used browsers, and you can clear your history on both desktop and mobile devices.

Clearing history on Windows or Mac

Follow these steps to delete your browsing history in Chrome:

1. 1
   Open Chrome.
2. 2
   Click the three dots menu in the top-right corner and select History > History.
3. 3
   On the left side, click Clear browsing data.
4. 4
   Choose the time range you want to clear, check Browsing history, then click Clear data.

Chrome will then erase your selected browsing history.

Chrome on your Android device

Here’s how to clear browsing history on Chrome for Android:

1. 1
   Open Chrome and tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
2. 2
   Tap History.
3. 3
   Select Clear browsing data.
4. 4
   Choose a time range and confirm by tapping Clear data.

Chrome on your iOS device

Here’s how to delete browsing history on Chrome for iPhone or iPad:

1. 1
   Launch Chrome and tap the three dots in the bottom right.
2. 2
   Tap History.
3. 3
   Select Clear Browsing Data.
4. 4
   Choose the time range, check Browsing History, then tap Clear Browsing Data.

How to clear history in Safari

Apple’s Safari browser makes it easy to clear browsing history across devices.

Safari on your macOS

Here’s how to clear browsing history on Safari for Mac:

1. 1
   Open Safari and click History in the top menu.
2. 2
   Select Clear History.
3. 3
   Choose a time range from the dropdown.
4. 4
   Click Clear History to confirm.

Safari on your iOS device

Here’s how to clear browsing history in Safari on iPhone or iPad:

1. 1
   Go to Settings on your iOS device.
2. 2
   Scroll down and tap Safari.
3. 3
   Tap Clear History and Website Data.
4. 4
   Confirm by tapping Clear History and Data.

How to clear history in Firefox

Deleting browsing history in Firefox is simple whether you’re using desktop or mobile.

Firefox on your Windows or Mac computer

Here’s how to clear history in Firefox on desktop:

1. 1
   Open Firefox and click the menu button (three lines).
2. 2
   Select History, then click Clear Recent History.
3. 3
   Choose a time range and check Browsing & Download History.
4. 4
   Click OK to clear.

Firefox on your Android device

Here’s how to clear browsing history in Firefox for Android:

1. 1
   Launch Firefox.
2. 2
   Tap the three dots in the top-right corner and go to History.
3. 3
   Tap Clear browsing history.
4. 4
   Confirm by tapping OK.

Firefox on your iOS device

Here’s how to delete browsing history in Firefox for iOS:

1. 1
   Open Firefox and tap the menu button (three lines).
2. 2
   Select History.
3. 3
   Tap Clear Recent History.
4. 4
   Choose a time range and tap Clear to confirm.

How to clear history in Microsoft Edge

Follow these steps to delete browsing history in Microsoft Edge.

Clear history in Microsoft Edge

Here’s how to clear browsing history in Edge:

1. 1
   Open Microsoft Edge and click the three dots in the top-right corner.
2. 2
   Select History.
3. 3
   Click the trash bin icon to delete all history, or select Clear browsing data.
4. 4
   Choose the time range and click Clear now.

Why should you clear your browser history?

• Privacy: Clearing history prevents others from seeing which sites you’ve visited, protecting your personal browsing habits.
• Security: If someone gains access to your device, your history could expose sensitive websites, such as online banking or private accounts.
• Performance: A cluttered browser history can slow down searches and cause glitches over time.
• Data control: Removing history gives you more control over what websites remember about you, reducing targeted ads.