Introduction
Safari is a popular web browser used by millions of people around the world. One of the features of Safari is the frequently visited sites section that appears on the new tab page. This section shows the sites you visit the most, making it easier to access your favorite websites. However, this feature can also pose a serious threat to your privacy while browsing. If you’re concerned about keeping your browsing habit safe from prying eyes, read on. This article will show you how to get rid of frequently visited sites on Safari.
Why You Need to Clear Your Frequently Visited Sites
Having frequently visited sites on the homepage of Safari can be useful, but it also carries some potential risks. One of the primary risks is revealing your browsing habits to others who have access to your device. For example, if you share your device with someone, they can easily see which sites you visit frequently. This can be an issue if you don’t want others to know about your online activities.
Also, if your device gets lost or stolen, anyone who picks it up can easily see which sites you visit the most. This can be a significant threat to your privacy, especially if the lost or stolen device contains some personal information.
Clearing your frequently visited sites can help protect your privacy while browsing. By removing the sites that appear on the new tab page, you minimize the risk of disclosing your browsing habits to others that may have access to your device.
7 Different Ways to Remove Your Frequently Visited Sites on Safari
There are several methods you can use to clear your frequently visited sites on Safari. Below are seven of the most effective methods that you can use to protect your privacy while browsing.
Method 1: Clearing Frequently Visited Sites Manually
The first method involves clearing your frequently visited sites manually. Follow the steps below to get rid of the frequently visited section on Safari:
- Launch Safari on your device.
- Click on the new tab button to open a new tab.
- Hover over the frequently visited sites section, which is located below the search bar.
- Click on the cross icon that appears on the top left corner of a site that you want to remove.
- Repeat the same process to remove all the sites that you don’t want to see on the new tab page.
This process may take some time, depending on the number of frequently visited sites you have stored on your device. After following these steps, you should be able to see a blank frequently visited section on your new tab page.
Method 2: Clearing Your History and Website Data
Another way to get rid of frequently visited sites on Safari is by clearing your browsing history and website data. This method also removes your login credentials and other browsing data on your device.
- Go to the “Settings” app on your device.
- Select “Safari.”
- Click “Clear History and Website Data.”
- Confirm by clicking “Clear History and Website Data” again.
After clearing the history and website data, you will notice that the frequently visited section on your new tab page is now blank.
Method 3: Disabling Frequently Visited Sites on Safari
If you don’t want to see frequently visited sites on the new tab page of Safari, you can disable this feature altogether. Here’s how:
- Launch Safari on your device.
- Click on “Safari” in the top-left corner of your device screen.
- Select “Preferences.”
- Click on the “New Tabs” tab.
- Uncheck the box that says “Include frequently visited sites.”
You should notice the frequently visited section is now gone from your new tab page. However, note that this method disables this feature entirely, and you cannot turn it back on without following these steps again.
Method 4: Using Private Browsing Mode
Private browsing mode is a popular method for clearing history and website data on Safari. This feature is useful when you don’t want to store any login credentials or visited site data on your device. Here’s how:
- Launch Safari on your device.
- Click on “File” on the top-left corner of your device screen.
- Select “New Private Window.”
A new window will appear, indicating that you’re in private browsing mode. As you browse in this mode, Safari doesn’t store any browsing history, passwords, or other data related to the websites you visit.
Method 5: Using a Third-Party Cleaner App
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of clearing your history and website data manually, you can use a third-party cleaner app. These apps are designed to remove any unnecessary data from your device with just a single click. Here is an example of a third-party cleaner app:
- Download and install a third-party cleaning app from the Apple Store (e.g., CleanMyMac).
- Launch the app on your device.
- Select “System Junk.”
- Click on the “Scan” button to scan your device for unnecessary data.
- Click on the “Clean” button to remove any junk files and other unnecessary data from your device, including frequently visited sites.
Note that some third-party cleaner apps may require you to purchase a subscription to unlock all the features.
Method 6: Clearing Your Website Data for Specific Websites
If you don’t want to lose all your website data and history on Safari, you can choose to clear data for specific sites only. This method is useful when you want to keep some site data while clearing the frequently visited section. Here’s how:
- Launch Safari on your device.
- Click on “Safari” on the top-left corner of your device screen.
- Select “Preferences.”
- Click on the “Privacy” tab.
- Click on the “Manage Website Data” button.
- Select the site you’d like to remove and click on the “Remove” button.
Repeat the process for all the sites that you want to remove from your frequently visited section.
Method 7: Restarting Your Device
Restarting your device can also help clear your frequently visited sites on Safari. If all else fails, try restarting your device by following these simple steps:
- Hold down the “Power” button on your device until the “Slide to power off” option appears.
- Slide the power off option to turn off your device completely.
- Wait for a few seconds, and then hold down the “Power” button again to turn your device back on.
After restarting your device, you’ll notice that all the frequently visited sites have disappeared from your new tab page.
Conclusion
As you’ve seen in this article, clearing your frequently visited sites on Safari is not a complicated task. With the seven methods listed above, you can easily protect your privacy while browsing by removing any potentially sensitive sites from your new tab page. It’s essential to clear your frequently visited sites to minimize the risk of disclosing your browsing habits to third parties. We encourage you to try out the different methods to pick the one that works best for you.
