Hiding Recent Safari Searches on iPhone through Latest Setting Adjustment
Relax, here's the lowdown on the latest Safari update in iOS 18.4
Let's be real, if you're rocking iOS 18.4 on your iPhone, you've probably noticed some sweet new features like AI-driven Priority Notifications and fresh emojis. But there's one change that might be a tad divisive: Safari's revamped Search feature now displays your most recent searches. Sure, it could be handy, but it's a straight-up privacy concern.
Don't panic, though. If you're not feeling the Safari "Recent Searches" screen, you can switch it off or wipe the slate clean in a flash.
What's the deal with the new Safari Search screen?
When you open a fresh tab and tap "Search or enter website" on iOS 18.4, you'll see a spankin' new screen showcasing all your recent search results. It's kinda like Apple's way of keeping you in the loop about what you've been digging into lately.
If you're not diggin' this feature, there are valid reasons to disable it. Maybe you don't want reminders of yesterday's searches, or maybe you don't want prying eyes on your recent search history. Apple enabled this feature by default, not as an opt-in choice. But thing is, whenever Apple adds a new feature like this, they usually toss in a toggle switch somewhere in Settings, so you can reverse the changes if you want.
You can wipe the slate clean in Safari
If you're cool with this feature but want to clear your search results occasionally, no worries. You can't delete individual results, but eliminating all recent searches is a breeze.
Peep the Search screen, tap the "Clear All" button at the top, and watch as all your queries vanish in a blink. As you keep searching, the results will start to build back up again.
How to disengage the Recent Searches screen in Safari
It's not just that this feature makes your privacy more vulnerable. It's also a hassle because it takes up the entire screen, and the Start page disappears when it's in action. Even if you're not hiding anything, the feature blocks out Safari for you.
To disable this feature, navigate to the Settings app, select Apps, find Safari in the list (it's alphabetical), and slide the Show Recent Searches switch to the off position. Once you do that, you won't see your latest search terms anymore when you hunt for stuff in the search field. Easy peasy.
In the iOS 18.4 Safari update, the new Search feature displays your most recent searches, a feature that some users might find compromising due to privacy concerns. If you'd like to remove this feature, you can do so by navigating to the Settings app, selecting Apps, finding Safari in the list, and sliding the 'Show Recent Searches' switch to the off position. This action will prevent your recent search terms from appearing when you search in the Safari search field.
