How to Delete Safari History But Keep Passwords?

Why Keep Passwords While Deleting Safari History?

Many users need to:
✔ Protect privacy (clear browsing traces)
✔ Avoid login hassles (keep saved passwords)
✔ Prevent accidental data loss (iCloud sync issues)

⚠️ Warning:
Deleting Safari history does not log you out of sites. For full security, manually sign out of sensitive accounts (banking, email).

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Method 1: Manual Deletion (Keep Passwords Intact)

Step-by-Step (Mac & iPhone)

1. Open Safari → History → Clear History
2. Choose time range (Last hour, today, or all history).
3. Passwords remain in iCloud Keychain.

📌 Note:

• This won’t delete cookies unless you check “Cookies and website data.”
• Autofill (credit cards, addresses) stays since it’s tied to Keychain.

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Method 2: Disable Safari Sync (Keep Keychain Active)

Prevent iCloud from syncing only history while saving passwords.

On iPhone/iPad:

1. Go to Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud
2. Toggle off “Safari” (stops history syncing).
3. Keep “Keychain” ON (saves passwords).

On Mac:

1. System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud
2. Deselect Safari but leave Keychain checked.

✅ Pros:

• Passwords sync across devices.
• History stays local (not backed up to iCloud).

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Method 3: Use Private Browsing Mode

Safari’s private mode auto-deletes internet history but retains logins.

1. Open Safari → File → New Private Window (Mac)
   • Or tap the Tabs icon → [Private] (iPhone).
2. Browse normally – history vanishes when closed.

⚠️ Limitations:

• No bookmarks can be saved in private mode.
• Extensions are disabled (e.g., ad blockers).

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Method 4: Reset Safari Without Losing Keychain (Nuclear Option)

For a full cleanup while preserving passwords:

On Mac:

1. Safari → Settings → Privacy
2. Click Manage Website Data → Remove All
3. Go to Advanced → uncheck “Remember passwords” (temporarily).
4. Clear history → re-enable password saving.

On iPhone:

1. Settings → Safari → Advanced → Website Data
2. Tap Remove All Website Data
3. Passwords stay in Keychain.

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FAQs: Delete Safari History & Passwords

❓ Does clearing Safari history delete autofill?

No. Autofill uses iCloud Keychain, separate from history.

❓ How to recover deleted Safari history?

Only if:

• You have an iCloud/iTunes backup (restore device).
• Time Machine (Mac users).

❓ Why does my history reappear after deletion?

Fix:

• Disable Safari syncing (Method 2).
• Check other Apple devices (iPad, Mac).

❓ How to export passwords before deleting history?

1. Mac: Safari → Settings → Passwords → Export.
2. iPhone: Settings → Passwords → Export (requires authentication).