How to Clear Chrome History: The Ultimate Guide (Desktop & Mobile)

Is your browser feeling sluggish? Or maybe you were shopping for a surprise gift and don’t want the secret spoiled? Clearing your Google Chrome history is a quick way to protect your privacy, free up storage space, and troubleshoot loading errors.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to clear Chrome history on your computer, Android, and iPhone. We’ll also cover how to delete your Google Search activity permanently so it doesn’t sync across your devices.

Why You Should Clear Your Browser History Regularly

Before we dive into the “how-to,” here is why this simple habit is essential for your digital hygiene:

• Privacy Protection: Prevents others who use your device from seeing your browsing habits.
• Fix Loading Issues: Clearing the cache and cookies often fixes broken websites and formatting errors.
• Speed Boost: Removing old, cached images and files can free up space and make Chrome run faster.

“Clearing your browser cache is just one way to improve performance. For more tips on making your computer run faster, check out our guide on Best PC Optimization Software and Tools.

1. How to Clear Chrome History on Desktop (PC & Mac)

The process is nearly identical for both Windows and macOS users.

The Quickest Way (Keyboard Shortcut)

1. Open Chrome.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Delete (Mac).
3. This instantly opens the Clear browsing data menu.

The Standard Method

1. Click the three vertical dots (menu icon) in the top-right corner.
2. Hover over History and select History from the sub-menu.
3. On the left sidebar, click Clear browsing data.
4. Select a Time Range: Choose “Last hour,” “Last 24 hours,” or “All time” to delete everything.
5. Check the Boxes:
   • Browsing history: Deletes the list of sites you visited.
   • Cookies and other site data: Signs you out of most sites.
   • Cached images and files: Helps fix loading issues.
6. Click Clear data.

Pro Tip: If you want to delete just one specific site, open your History (Ctrl + H), check the box next to that site, and click Delete at the top right.

2. How to Clear Chrome History on Android

If you use an Android phone or tablet, follow these simple steps to wipe your slate clean.

1. Open the Chrome app on your Android device.
2. Tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
3. Tap History.
4. Tap Clear browsing data (usually at the top of the list).
5. Next to “Time range,” select how far back you want to delete (e.g., All time).
6. Ensure “Browsing history” is checked.
7. Tap Clear data.

3. How to Clear Chrome History on iPhone and iPad (iOS)

The interface on iOS is slightly different but just as easy to navigate.

1. Open the Chrome app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the three dots (menu icon) in the bottom-right corner.
3. Tap History.
4. Select Clear Browsing Data… at the bottom left.
5. Choose your Time Range (select All time for a full reset).
6. Ensure the items you want to remove (History, Cookies, Cache) are checked with a blue tick.
7. Tap Clear Browsing Data at the bottom and confirm.

4. Advanced: How to Delete “Google My Activity”

Important: Clearing your browser history does not delete the data Google has saved to your account. If you are signed in, your search terms are still stored in the cloud.

To delete your history from Google’s servers completely:

1. Go to myactivity.google.com.
2. Log in to your Google Account if prompted.
3. Click on Delete (located beneath the search bar).
4. Select All time.
5. Check the products you want to clear (usually generic “Search” and “Chrome”).
6. Click Next and then Delete.

This ensures that your past searches won’t appear as suggestions on other devices where you are logged in.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does clearing Chrome history delete my passwords?

No, not unless you explicitly check the box for “Passwords and other sign-in data” in the Advanced tab of the “Clear browsing data” menu. By default, Chrome keeps your saved passwords safe.

Will clearing history speed up my computer?

It can help! While the history text files are small, the Cached images and files can take up hundreds of megabytes. Clearing the cache often frees up RAM and storage, making the browser feel snappier.

How do I browse without saving history?

Use Incognito Mode.

• Desktop: Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + N (Mac).
• Mobile: Tap the menu (three dots) and select New Incognito tab.Chrome will not save your history, cookies, or site data in this mode.

Summary

Regularly clearing your Chrome history is a smart habit for privacy and performance. Whether you are on a desktop or mobile, the process takes less than a minute.

Need more help optimizing your browser?

Check out our guide on [How to Manage Chrome Extensions to Save Memory] or [The Best Privacy Settings for Google Chrome in 2026].