How to Fix Unable to Clear History After iOS 26 Update?

After installing the latest iOS 26 update, many users are facing the "unable to clear history after iOS 26 update" problem. The "Clear History and Website Data" option in Safari may appear grayed out or fail to work, preventing you from clearing browsing data. This issue can be frustrating for those who value privacy or want to free up storage space. Luckily, there are several simple solutions to fix it and get your history-clearing feature working again.

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

If you're unable to clear history after iOS 26 update, you're not alone. This usually happens because of one of the following reasons:

1. Screen Time Restrictions – If "Content & Privacy Restrictions" are enabled under Screen Time, Safari's history option can be disabled.

2. iCloud Sync Issues – When Safari data is syncing with iCloud, a temporary glitch can lock the clear history feature.

3. Profile or Device Management Settings – Work or school profiles can restrict clearing browsing data.

4. Software Bugs – New iOS updates can sometimes introduce small bugs that interfere with Safari’s settings.

Identifying the exact cause will make it easier to apply the right fix.

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

Method 1: Temporarily Disable the Screen Time Passcode

When Screen Time is turned off, Safari is no longer restricted by "Allowed Websites Only" or "Limit Adult Websites," which often grays out the "Clear History and Website Data" option.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap on Screen Time.

Step 3: Tap on Change Screen Time Passcode. You will be prompted to enter your current Screen Time passcode.

Step 4: Select Turn Off Screen Time Passcode. You will need to enter the passcode one more time to confirm.

Once the passcode is disabled, you should be able to clear your Safari history.

Method 2: Check Content & Privacy Restrictions

Screen Time can block Safari from clearing browsing history if restrictions or web content filters are enabled. This is one of the most common causes of the "Clear History" button being grayed out.

Step 1: Open Settings.

Step 2: Tap Screen Time.

Step 3: Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions (enter your passcode if asked).

Step 4: Go to Content Restrictions → Web Content and set to Unrestricted Access.

Step 5: Or temporarily turn off Content & Privacy Restrictions or Screen Time entirely.

Step 6: Go to Settings → Safari and check if Clear History and Website Data is now available.

Method 3: Clear Data from Advanced Settings

If the main "Clear History" button is unresponsive, you can try a more granular method of removing website data.

This method bypasses the main history clearing function and targets the stored data (like cache and cookies) directly. Sometimes, a specific piece of corrupt data from a single website can prevent the entire clearing process from completing. This approach can remove that problematic data.

Step 1: Open the Settings app.

Step 2: Tap on Safari, then scroll to the bottom and select Advanced.

Step 3: Tap on Website Data. This will load a list of all the websites that have stored data on your device.

Step 4: Scroll to the very bottom and tap Remove All Website Data. Confirm your selection.

Step 5: Alternatively, you can swipe left on individual websites in the list to delete their data one by one.

Method 4: Temporarily Disable iCloud Safari Sync

If your browsing history reappears after clearing it, iCloud sync might be the culprit.

iCloud syncs your Safari history across all your Apple devices. If you clear the history on your iPhone, it might be repopulated from another device (like an iPad or Mac) where the history was not cleared. Disabling the sync isolates your iPhone, allowing for a clean wipe of its local data before re-enabling the sync.

Step 1: Go to Settings and tap on your Apple Account 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.

Step 5: A prompt will appear asking if you want to keep the previously synced Safari data on your iPhone. Choose Delete from My iPhone.

Step 6: Now, go back to Settings > Safari and use the Clear History and Website Data option.

Step 7: After the history is successfully cleared, you can return to the iCloud settings and toggle Safari sync back on.

Method 5: Force Quit Safari and Settings

When you're unable to clear history after iOS 26 update, sometimes the problem isn't with the settings themselves but with how Safari or the Settings app is running in the background. Force quitting closes the process completely, so when you reopen Safari or Settings, they reload fresh and apply any changes you just made.

Step 1: Double-press the Home button (or swipe up from the bottom of the screen on iPhones without a Home button) to bring up 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.

Method 6: Restart Your iPhone

A simple restart can often resolve minor software glitches, including unable to clear history after iOS 26 update issue.

Step 1: Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons until the power off slider appears.

Step 2: Drag the slider to turn off your device.

Step 3: Once it's off, press and hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo.

Method 7: Check for Further iOS Updates

Apple frequently issues small follow-up patches after a major release to fix issues like this. If it's a software bug introduced by iOS 26, an Apple update may resolve it.

Step 1: Go to Settings > General > Software Update to see if a newer version is available.

Step 2: If there is a newer version update, simple click the Update Now button to download and install the latest update.

Method 8: Fix iOS 26 bugs using TunesKit iOS System Recovery

If you suspect this issue is caused by a system glitch, you can use a professional repair tool like TunesKit iOS System Recovery. It can fix common iOS issues — including being unable to clear history after iOS 26 update — without erasing your data.

TunesKit repairs the iOS system by reinstalling and refreshing system files. This resolves software glitches that normal troubleshooting can’t fix — and it does so without wiping your photos, messages, or apps. For instance, it can fix iOS 26 3D photos or spatial scene not working, iOS 26 not showing up, iOS 26 stuck on install now issues.

Step-by-Step Guide: Fix unable to clear history after iOS 26 update.

Step 1 Connect Your iPhone

Download and install the software on your PC or Mac. Launch TunesKit and connect your iPhone using a USB cable. Click the iOS System Repair on the main screen, and click the Start button to continue.

Step 2 Select Standard Repair Mode

Choose Standard Repair Mode (safe mode that prevents data loss). Follow the on-screen instructions to put your iPhone into Recovery Mode or DFU Mode. TunesKit will guide you with key combinations depending on your iPhone model.

Step 3 Download the Correct iOS Firmware

Confirm your device model and iOS version shown on screen. Click Download to get the latest firmware package for iOS 26.

Step 4 Repair Your Device

Once the download completes, click Repair. Wait until TunesKit finishes repairing your iPhone’s system. Your device will reboot automatically.

Method 9: Remove Device Management Profiles (MDM)

If your iPhone is managed by a company, school, or another organization, they may have installed a profile that blocks clearing browsing data for compliance reasons.

Step 1: Go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management.

Step 2: If you see a profile listed, tap it and choose Remove Profile (enter passcode if asked).

Step 3: Restart your iPhone and check Safari again.

Step 4: If you cannot remove the profile, you can also use TunesKit iPhone Unlocker to remove MDM without passcode.

Method 10: Reset All Settings (Last Resort)

If none of the above works, a system settings glitch could be preventing Safari from clearing history. Resetting all settings often resolves stubborn software issues. This action won't delete your personal date, but it will restore your personalized settings to default.

Step 1: Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset.

Step 2: Select Reset All Settings and confirm with your passcode.

Step 3: After the reset, try clearing Safari history again.

Part 3: Conclusion

If you're facing the "unable to clear history after iOS 26 update" issue, start by checking Screen Time restrictions, iCloud Safari sync, and device management profiles. You can also clear website data manually, update iOS, or reset all settings as a last resort.

For stubborn software glitches, TunesKit iOS System Recovery offers a safe, no-data-loss solution. Its Standard Repair Mode refreshes your iOS system, fixes Safari issues, and restores the Clear History function — all without erasing your personal data.