9 Useful Ways to Fix Unable to Clear History After iOS 26 Update

"In my app: Safari, the Clear History button is grayed-out and I can't delete the browsing history."

- from Apple Community

After updating to iOS 26, many iPhone users report a frustrating issue: unable to clear history in Safari. The problem usually appears when the "Clear History and Website Data" option is grayed out, unresponsive, or simply does nothing when tapped. Safari history not only relates to privacy and security but also affects webpage loading speed and browsing experience.

This article will systematically analyze the causes of the issue of being unable to clear Safari history after the iOS 26 update and provide 9 solutions, ranging from basic troubleshooting to in-depth fixes, to help restore Safari's normal functionality step by step.

Part 1. Why Can't I Clear History After the iOS 26 Update?

There are several reasons why Safari is not clearing history after updating to iOS 26. Here are some of the most common ones:

• System Settings Restrictions: If Screen Time or content and privacy access restrictions are enabled, the option to clear history may be hidden or unavailable.
• Software Bugs: Early versions of iOS 26 may have some minor bugs that cause issues with the history management feature.
• Syncing Issues: If iCloud history syncing encounters problems, data may remain in the cloud even after clearing it locally.
• MDM Profiles: If your device is managed by an organization, there may be restrictions in place that prevent you from clearing history.

Part 2. How to Fix Unable to Clear History After the iOS 26 Update?

If you're unable to clear history after the iOS 26 update, don't worry. Here are some easy troubleshooting steps to help resolve the issue and restore the "Clear History" option.

Fix 1. Check Screen Time Settings

If you can't clear Safari history on iPhone after the iOS 26 update, it could be due to Screen Time limiting web access, which causes the "Clear History and Website Data" option to be grayed out. Follow these steps to fix it:

Step 1. Open "Settings" and tap "Screen Time". Enter your Screen Time passcode if prompted.

Step 2. Tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions". You can either turn off the toggle to disable restrictions completely or proceed with the next step.

Step 3. Tap "Content Restrictions" > "Web Content" > select "Unrestricted Access".

Step 4. Go back to "Settings" > "Safari". The "Clear History and Website Data" option should now appear in blue and be clickable.

Fix 2. Clear Data from Advanced Settings

When the regular "Clear History" function fails, Safari's advanced settings offer a way to bypass system restrictions and directly remove website data.

Here is how to do it:

Step 1. Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone.

Step 2. Tap on "Safari", then scroll down and select "Advanced".

Step 3. Tap on "Website Data" to view a list of all the websites that have stored data on your device.

Step 4. Scroll to the bottom and tap "Remove All Website Data". Confirm your choice.

Fix 3. Disable iCloud Safari Sync

If you're still unable to clear history, it might be time to check your iCloud sync settings. When you use iCloud, it syncs your bookmarks, reading list, and browsing history across all your Apple devices. While this usually doesn't cause issues, iCloud sync can sometimes result in items reappearing in your iPhone or iPad's browsing history.

To disable it, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" and tap on your "Apple ID" at the top.

Step 2. Select "iCloud".

Step 3. Tap "Show All" under "Apps Using iCloud".

Step 4. Find "Safari" in the list and toggle the switch off.

Fix 4. Force Quit Safari and Settings App

When you're unable to clear history after the iOS 26 update, the issue may not be with the settings themselves but with how Safari or the Settings app is running in the background. Force quitting completely closes the apps, allowing them to reload fresh when reopened and apply any changes you've made.

Here are the steps:

Step 1. Double-press the "Home" button (or swipe up from the bottom of the screen on iPhone without a Home button) to open the app switcher.

Step 2. Swipe up on the Safari and Settings app previews to close them.

Step 3. Relaunch the Settings app and try clearing the history again.

Fix 5. Force Restart the iPhone

Sometimes, after an iOS update, there may be minor bugs in the system that cause functionality issues. Restarting the device can refresh the system status.

Here are the steps:

• iPhone 8 and newer models: Quickly press the "Volume Up" button → "Volume Down" button → Press and hold the "Side" button until the Apple logo appears.
• iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold both the "Volume Down" button and the "Power" button until the Apple logo appears.
• iPhone 6s and earlier models: Press and hold both the "Home" button and the "Power" button until the Apple logo appears.

Fix 6. Update iOS

If the "unable to clear history" issue in Safari is caused by a system bug in iOS 26, Apple typically fixes it in a subsequent update.

To update iOS, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update" to check if a newer version is available. (iPhone won't update?)

Step 2. If an update is available, simply tap the "Update Now" button to download and install the latest version.

Fix 7. Check for MDM Profiles

If your iPhone is managed by your company or school, the MDM configuration profile may restrict Safari settings, including the ability to delete history.

To fix Safari not clearing history, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Open "Settings" > "General" > "VPN & Device Management".

Step 2. Check if a profile is installed. If so, it may be preventing you from clearing history.

Step 3. You may need to remove the profile or ask your organization to adjust the settings.

Fix 8. Reset All Settings

If you're still unable to clear browsing history in Safari, it could be due to a system settings issue preventing Safari from clearing the history. You can try resetting all settings. This will not delete your personal data, but it will restore your personalized settings to their default values.

Here is how to do it:

Step 1. Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone and tap "General".

Step 2. Scroll down to the bottom and select "Transfer or Reset iPhone".

Step 3. Tap "Reset" and choose "Reset All Settings" from the menu. Enter your iPhone's passcode when prompted and follow the on-screen instructions.

Fix 9. Use iOS System Recovery

If none of the above methods work, the issue is likely at the iOS 26 system level. In this case, using a professional system repair tool is the most direct and safest solution. iOS System Recovery can fix issues like "unable to clear history in Safari", system lag, and functional anomalies, all without data loss. Even beginners can easily use it.

What can iOS System Recovery do for you?

* Fix unable to clear history after iOS 26 update without losing data.

* Fix a variety of iOS issues such as iPhone stuck on the Apple logo, stuck in headphone mode, water damage, screen problems (black, red, blue, or white screens of death), freezing, or being disabled after multiple failed unlock attempts.

* Choose between Standard Mode (no data loss) or Advanced Mode for more thorough repairs.

* Easily upgrade or downgrade to a compatible iOS version.

* High success rate with no data loss.

* Fully compatible with the iPhone 17 series and iOS 26.

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Here is how to fix can't clear Safari history on iPhone using iOS System Recovery:

Final Verdict

If you're unable to clear Safari history after the iOS 26 update, you can follow the methods provided in this article to fix the issue. However, if the problem persists or keeps recurring, it strongly suggests there may be a system-level issue. In this case, iOS System Recovery is the most reliable solution, allowing you to safely and efficiently fix Safari and other iOS issues without data loss.

Related Articles:

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