Are you tired of seeing the same websites pop up every time you open a new tab on your iPhone? The frequently visited section can be useful, but it can also become cluttered and intrusive. In this article, we will guide you on how to remove frequently visited sites on your iPhone, giving you a cleaner and more personalized browsing experience.
Clear Safari browsing history
The first step towards eliminating frequently visited sites is to clear your Safari browsing history. This will remove all the websites you have visited recently and reset the frequently visited section. To clear your browsing history, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on Safari.
- Tap on “Clear History and Website Data”.
- Confirm your action by tapping “Clear History and Data”.
Clearing your browsing history not only removes the websites from the frequently visited section but also helps protect your privacy. It ensures that no one else using your iPhone can see the websites you have visited. Keep in mind that clearing your history will also remove any saved login credentials for websites, so you may need to re-enter your usernames and passwords when you visit them again.
Use private browsing mode
If you don’t want your browsing history to be saved in the first place, you can use private browsing mode. In this mode, Safari won’t remember the websites you visit, and therefore, the frequently visited section will remain empty. To enable private browsing, follow these steps:
- Open Safari on your iPhone.
- Tap on the tab icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Tap on “Private” at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
- Start browsing in private mode.
Private browsing is a useful feature if you share your iPhone with others and want to keep your browsing activities private. It prevents Safari from storing your browsing history, cookies, and other data. However, keep in mind that private browsing does not make you completely anonymous online. Your internet service provider, employer, or certain websites can still track your activities.
Disable frequently visited sites
If you still want to keep your browsing history but prefer not to see the frequently visited section, you can disable it altogether. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on Safari.
- Toggle off the “Frequently Visited Sites” option.
Disabling the frequently visited sites feature will remove the section from the new tab page in Safari. This can be a good option if you find the section distracting or if you prefer a minimalist browsing experience. However, keep in mind that disabling this feature will also remove the quick access to your most visited websites, so you may need to rely on bookmarks or history to navigate to your favorite sites.
Pin websites to the home screen
Instead of relying on the frequently visited section, you can pin your favorite websites to the home screen of your iPhone. This way, you can quickly access them without having to open Safari and deal with the frequently visited sites. Here’s how to pin a website:
- Open Safari and visit the website you want to pin.
- Tap on the share icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Scroll down and tap on “Add to Home Screen”.
- Customize the name of the website if desired, then tap “Add”.
Pinning websites to the home screen allows you to create shortcuts for your most frequently visited sites. These shortcuts act like app icons and provide quick access to specific websites with just a tap. It’s a convenient way to bypass the frequently visited section and go directly to your preferred websites. You can rearrange the pinned websites on your home screen, just like other app icons, to further personalize your browsing experience.
Use alternative browsers
If Safari’s frequently visited sites feature doesn’t suit your needs, you can try using alternative browsers that offer more customization options. Some popular alternatives include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. These browsers often have different ways of handling the frequently visited section, allowing you to personalize your browsing experience.
Google Chrome
Google Chrome is a widely used browser known for its speed and versatility. To get rid of frequently visited sites on Google Chrome for iPhone, follow these steps:
- Download and install Google Chrome from the App Store if you haven’t already.
- Open Google Chrome on your iPhone.
- Tap on the three-dot menu icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Tap on “Settings”.
- Tap on “New Tab Page”.
- Select “Blank Page” or customize the new tab page according to your preference.
By customizing the new tab page settings in Google Chrome, you can remove the frequently visited sites section and replace it with a blank page or other widgets of your choice. This gives you more control over your browsing experience and allows you to personalize it to your liking.
Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is another popular browser known for its privacy features and extensive customization options. To remove frequently visited sites on Mozilla Firefox for iPhone, follow these steps:
- Download and install Mozilla Firefox from the App Store if you haven’t already.
- Open Mozilla Firefox on your iPhone.
- Tap on the three-line menu icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Tap on “Settings”.
- Tap on “Home”.
- Toggle off the “Top Sites” option.
By disabling the “Top Sites” feature in Mozilla Firefox, you can get rid of the frequently visited sites section and have a cleaner new tab page. This allows you to focus on your bookmarks, history, or other widgets that you find more useful.
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge is a browser developed by Microsoft and offers seamless integration with Windows devices. To disable frequently visited sites on Microsoft Edge for iPhone, follow these steps:
- Download and install Microsoft Edge from the App Store if you haven’t already.
- Open Microsoft Edge on your iPhone.
- Tap on the three-dot menu icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Tap on “Settings”.
- Tap on “Appearance”.
- Toggle off the “Show Top Sites” option.
By turning off the “Show Top Sites” option in Microsoft Edge, you can remove the frequently visited sites section from the new tab page. This gives you a more streamlined browsing experience, especially if you prefer a minimalist interface.
Disable iCloud syncing for Safari
If you use iCloud to sync your Safari data across multiple devices, disabling this feature can help you get rid of frequently visited sites on your iPhone. However, keep in mind that this will also affect other aspects of Safari syncing, such as bookmarks and open tabs. To disable iCloud syncing for Safari, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on your name at the top of the screen.
- Tap on “iCloud”.
- Scroll down and toggle off the “Safari” option.
Disabling iCloud syncing for Safari prevents your browsing data, including frequently visited sites, from being shared across devices. This means that changes made on one device will not reflect on others. It can be useful if you want to keep your browsing activities separate on different devices or if you want to maintain different frequently visited sites lists on each device.
Block specific websites
If there are certain websites that frequently appear in your frequently visited section and you want to block them altogether, you can use the built-in “Restrictions” feature on your iPhone. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “Screen Time”.
- Tap on “Content & Privacy Restrictions”.
- Enable restrictions if you haven’t already.
- Tap on “Content Restrictions” and enter your passcode if prompted.
- Scroll down and tap on “Web Content”.
- Tap on “Limit Adult Websites” or “Specific Websites Only”.
- Add the websites you want to block.
Using the Restrictions feature allows you to control the websites that can be accessed on your iPhone. By blocking specific websites, you can ensure that they don’t appear in the frequently visited section or are accessible at all. This is particularly helpful if you want to prevent access to certain websites for yourself or for others using your iPhone.
Update your iPhone’s software
Keeping your iPhone’s software up to date is important not only for security reasons but also to benefit from any improvements or changes in the Safari browser. Apple regularly releases updates that may include enhancements to the frequently visited section. To update your iPhone’s software, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “General”.
- Tap on “Software Update”.
- If an update is available, tap on “Download and Install”.
Updating your iPhone’s software ensures that you have the latest features and improvements for Safari, including the frequently visited section. Apple often introduces enhancements based on user feedback, so staying up to date allows you to have the best browsing experience on your iPhone.
Use third-party apps
There are various third-party apps available on the App Store that offer advanced browsing features and customization options. These apps often provide more control over the frequently visited section, allowing you to manage it according to your preferences. Some popular options include Adblock Browser, Brave, and Dolphin.
These third-party browsers offer unique features and settings that can help you get rid of frequently visited sites or customize the new tab page to your liking. They often provide options to disable the frequently visited section entirely, replace it with other widgets, or even block ads and trackers for a faster and more private browsing experience. Explore the App Store to find the browser app that best suits your needs.
Reset your iPhone
If all else fails and you’re still unable to get rid of frequently visited sites on your iPhone, you can try resetting your device to its factory settings. This will erase all data and settings on your iPhone, including browsing history and frequently visited sites. Make sure to back up your important data before proceeding. To reset your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “General”.
- Scroll down and tap on “Reset”.
- Tap on “Erase All Content and Settings”.
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
- Confirm your action by tapping “Erase iPhone”.
Resetting your iPhone is a drastic measure and should only be considered as a last resort. It completely wipes your device, giving you a fresh start. However, it also means that you will lose all your data, settings, and customizations. Only proceed with this option if you have exhausted all other possibilities and have a backup of your important information.
Q: Why do I see frequently visited sites on my iPhone?
A: The frequently visited section on your iPhone appears based on your browsing history. Safari keeps track of the websites you visit and displays them for quick access. While this feature can be convenient, some users prefer not to have their browsing history shown in this way.
Q: Can I remove specific websites from the frequently visited section?
A: Unfortunately, Safari does not provide a built-in option to manually remove specific websites from the frequently visited section. However, by following the methods mentioned in this article, you can clear your browsing history or disable the frequently visited sites feature altogether, which will remove all websites from the section.
Q: Will clearing my browsing history remove all my saved passwords?
A: No, clearing your browsing history in Safari will not remove your saved passwords. However, it is always recommended to make a note of your important passwords or use a password manager before clearing your browsing history or performing any significant changes to your device.
Q: Can I still access my browsing history after clearing it?
A: No, clearing your browsing history will permanently remove all the websites you have visited from Safari. If you need to access a previously visited website, you will need to search for it again or rely on bookmarks if you have saved it.
Q: Will disabling the frequently visited sites affect other Safari features?
A: Disabling the frequently visited sites feature in Safari will not affect other aspects of the browser, such as bookmarks, open tabs, or autofill data. It is solely related to the frequently visited section on the new tab page.
Q: Can I customize the frequently visited section on my iPhone?
A: Unfortunately, Safari does not provide customization options specifically for the frequently visited section.
However, by using alternative browsers or third-party apps, you may find options to customize the new tab page or disable the frequently visited section entirely. These customization options vary depending on the browser or app you choose, so it’s worth exploring different options to find the level of customization that suits your preferences.
Q: Will using private browsing mode prevent websites from appearing in the frequently visited section?
A: Yes, private browsing mode in Safari prevents websites you visit from being saved in your browsing history. As a result, the frequently visited section will remain empty. However, keep in mind that private browsing mode does not provide complete anonymity or security, as your internet service provider and certain websites can still track your online activities.
Q: Can I disable the frequently visited sites only on my iPhone but keep it on other devices?
A: No, the frequently visited sites feature is linked to your iCloud account, so disabling it on one device will also disable it on other devices using the same iCloud account. Safari syncing across devices is designed to provide a consistent browsing experience.
Q: Will using alternative browsers affect the frequently visited section on my iPhone?
A: Yes, alternative browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge have their own frequently visited or new tab page layouts. These browsers may handle the frequently visited section differently, allowing you to customize it according to your preferences. However, keep in mind that the methods mentioned in this article specifically apply to Safari, the default browser on iPhones.
In conclusion, getting rid of frequently visited sites on your iPhone is possible through various methods such as clearing your browsing history, using private browsing mode, disabling the frequently visited sites feature, pinning websites to the home screen, or exploring alternative browsers and third-party apps. Each method offers its own advantages, so choose the one that best suits your browsing habits and preferences. Remember to keep your device’s software up to date and consider using alternative browsers or apps for additional customization options. Enjoy a clutter-free and personalized browsing experience on your iPhone!