Safari iPhone private browsing in 2025 (Step by Step)

 Here's a comprehensive guide on Safari iPhone Private Browsing in 2025 (Step by Step)

What is Private Browsing?

Private Browsing in Safari is a mode that allows you to surf the web without saving your browsing history, search history, or AutoFill information after you close a tab4. It also prevents tabs in Private Browsing from being shared with your other Apple devices2.

How to Enable Private Browsing in Safari

1. Open Safari: Launch the Safari app on your iPhone3.

2. Tap the Tabs Button: Tap the two overlapping squares icon at the bottom right corner of the screen to view your open tabs135. If you don't have any tabs open, it might say "Start Page"4.

3. Access Tab Groups: At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a button indicating the number of tabs you have open. Swipe that button to the right, or tap the grayed-out Private button3.

4. Start Browsing Privately: Tap Done on the bottom right to start browsing in Private Browsing mode3. The search/address bar will appear in dark gray to indicate that Private Browsing is enabled3.

Alternative Method to Enable Private Browsing

1. Open Safari: Launch the Safari app3.

2. Press and Hold Tabs Button: Press and hold the Tabs button (two overlapping squares)7. A smaller menu will appear.

3. Choose Private Tab: Choose either New Private Tab or Private. You’ll immediately start browsing in private mode3.

How to Disable Private Browsing

1. Tap the Tabs Button: Tap the two overlapping squares icon at the bottom right corner of the screen135.

2. Exit Private Browsing: Tap the Tabs button again, and then select Private from the Tab Groups menu to return to normal browsing4.

Dealing with Locked Private Browsing

In iOS 17, the "Require Face ID to Unlock Private Browsing" feature might be enabled. If this is the case, you'll need to disable it first before you can turn off Private Browsing1.

1. Open Settings: Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone1.

2. Go to Safari: Scroll down and tap "Safari"1.

3. Disable Face ID Requirement: Under the "Privacy & Security" section, toggle off "Require Face ID to Unlock Private Browsing" by moving the slider to the left1.

Setting Private Browsing as Default on Mac

While you can't set Private Browsing as the default on iOS, you can do so on macOS4.

1. Open Safari: Open the Safari browser on your Mac4.

2. Open Preferences: In the top menu bar, choose Safari, then Preferences4.

3. General Tab: Under the General tab, click the Safari opens with option and choose A new private window4.

4. (Optional): If you don’t see this option, click the Apple icon at the top left of Safari, then go to System Preferences followed by General. Now, turn on the Close windows when quitting an application option. You should now be able to set Safari to open with a Private Browsing window as described in the previous step4.

Enhancing Privacy on iPhone and iPad

While you can't set Safari to start in private browsing mode on your iPhone or iPad, there are several steps you can take to minimize what's remembered, stored, or used4:

1. Block Cookies: Go to Settings, then Safari, followed by Block All Cookies. Note that blocking all cookies might make some websites function incorrectly4.

2. Prevent Cross-Site Tracking: Go to Settings, then Safari. Now, toggle on Prevent Cross-Site Tracking. This stops advertisers and other third-party content providers from tracking you across different websites45.

3. Disable Safari Suggestions: Go to Settings, Safari, then toggle off Safari Suggestions. This prevents Safari from using your browsing habits to suggest websites