Clear Your Browsing History on Apple Devices: Quick Steps to Remove Autofill Suggestions

We’ve all been in situations when saved search suggestions or form details appear at an inconvenient moment. Browsing history and AutoFill information are different kinds of data, so clearing one does not always clear the other. The steps below show how to manage both in Chrome and Safari without accidentally deleting more than you intend.

Before you begin, update your browser. Menu names can vary by browser version and operating system. Review your selections before pressing any button labeled Delete, Clear or Remove. You do not need to delete any personal data just to check these steps.

• In Chrome on Mac, open the three-dot menu, choose Help > About Google Chrome, and check whether an update is available. Relaunch Chrome if prompted.
• On Mac, Safari updates are included with macOS updates. Check System Settings > General > Software Update.
• On iPhone and iPad, check for updates to Chrome in the App Store and for iOS or iPadOS in Settings > General > Software Update.

Chrome Browsers

Steps for Mac

How to manage AutoFill in Google Chrome on your Mac

1. Open Chrome.
2. Select the three-dot menu at the top right and choose Settings.
3. In Settings, open Autofill and passwords (the name may appear as Passwords and autofill in some versions).
4. Open the relevant category, such as Google Password Manager, Payment methods, or Addresses and more. Review its options and switch off saving or filling where available, or edit an individual saved entry.

How to clear existing AutoFill form data in Chrome for Mac

1. Open Chrome and select the three-dot menu at the top right.
2. Select Delete browsing data.
3. Choose the time range you want, such as All time.
4. Open Advanced and select Autofill form data. Review the other checked categories and uncheck anything you do not want to delete.
5. Stop here if you are only checking the instructions. Select Delete data only if you actually want to remove the selected information.

This does not necessarily remove payment details stored separately in Google Wallet. Source: Google Chrome Help — AutoFill on computer.

Steps for iPhone

How to manage AutoFill in Google Chrome for iPhone

1. Open the Chrome app.
2. Tap the three-dot More menu, then Settings.
3. Choose the relevant section, such as Payment methods, Addresses and more, or Google Password Manager.
4. Review the available save/fill settings or edit saved entries. The controls can vary by Chrome version and by the type of information.

How to clear existing AutoFill form data in Chrome for iPhone

1. Open Chrome, tap More (the three-dot menu), and choose Delete Browsing Data.
2. Select a time range, such as All time.
3. Select Browsing Data, choose the Autofill data you want to remove, and review the other selected categories before confirming.
4. Stop before confirming deletion if you are only checking the steps. Tap Delete Browsing Data only when you intend to delete the selected data.

Google lists the same general workflow for Chrome on iPhone and iPad. Source: Google Chrome Help — AutoFill on iPhone and iPad.

Safari Browsers

Steps for Mac

How to manage AutoFill in Safari for Mac

1. Open Safari.
2. In the menu bar, choose Safari > Settings.
3. Select AutoFill.
4. Review the options for contact information, user names and passwords, credit cards, and other forms. Turn off the categories you do not want Safari to fill automatically.

How to remove saved AutoFill information in Safari for Mac

1. Open Safari > Settings > AutoFill.
2. Choose Edit next to the applicable category, such as Credit cards or Other forms.
3. Select the saved entries or websites you want to remove, and review the available removal controls. Stop before choosing Remove if you are only checking the instructions.

Important: Safari's History > Clear History is for browsing history, not the same as removing saved AutoFill entries. To clear browsing history instead, choose History > Clear History, select a timeframe, and stop before confirming if you do not want anything deleted. Source: Apple Support — Safari AutoFill on Mac.

For an iPhone

How to manage AutoFill in Safari for iPhone

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap Apps > Safari > AutoFill.
3. Turn off Use Contact Info if you do not want Safari to fill forms with contact details. Review the available payment-card settings separately.
4. For password filling, review Settings > General > AutoFill & Passwords, where available on your iOS version.

How to clear browsing history in Safari for iPhone

1. Open Settings > Apps > Safari.
2. Scroll to Clear History and Website Data.
3. Review the timeframe and other options. Stop before tapping Clear History if you do not want to delete your browsing information.

Note: Clearing Safari history and website data does not erase saved AutoFill information. If your goal is to stop or change AutoFill, use the settings above instead. Sources: Apple Support — AutoFill on iPhone and Apple Support — Clear Safari history on iPhone.

For an iPad

How to manage AutoFill in Safari for iPad

1. Open Settings on your iPad.
2. Tap Apps > Safari > AutoFill.
3. Turn off Use Contact Info if you do not want Safari to fill in contact details. Review other available saved-information settings as needed.
4. For passwords, review Settings > General > AutoFill & Passwords.

How to clear browsing history in Safari for iPad

1. Open Safari and tap the sidebar button, then History.
2. Tap the More menu, then Clear.
3. Review the timeframe and any profile options. Stop before tapping Clear History if you are only checking the instructions.

Clearing history is not the same as removing saved AutoFill information. Source: Apple Support — AutoFill on iPad.

You can also remove individual history entries in Safari instead of deleting your entire history. Always review the information selected before confirming a deletion.