How to Remove Frequently Visited on iPhone – Step by Step Guide

Introduction

The iPhone has become an integral part of our lives, serving as not just a communication device, but also a gateway to the digital world. With its sophisticated features and seamless browsing experience, it’s no wonder that we frequently visit various websites on our iPhones. However, over time, this can lead to a cluttered home screen filled with frequently visited sites, compromising both our privacy and overall user experience.

Did you know that whenever you visit a website on your iPhone, it gets added to your frequently visited list? This list appears as shortcuts on your home screen, making it easier for you to access those websites. While this feature may seem convenient initially, it can quickly become overwhelming and expose your online activities to prying eyes.

In this blog post, we will explore the methods to remove frequently visited websites on your iPhone. Whether you are concerned about your privacy or simply want to clean up your home screen, we’ve got you covered. Follow our step-by-step guide to regain control over your browsing experience and enhance your privacy on your beloved iPhone. Let’s dive in!

What is Frequently Visited on iPhone

What is Frequently Visited on iPhone

The “Frequently Visited” feature on the iPhone home screen refers to a section that displays a collection of recently visited websites. It provides quick access to sites that you visit frequently, making it convenient to revisit them without having to search or type in the URL again. This feature, located just below the Favorites section on your Safari browser, aims to simplify your browsing experience by saving you time and effort.

When you open a new tab in Safari on your iPhone, the Frequently Visited section displays a grid of icons representing the websites you have visited most recently. These icons serve as shortcuts, allowing you to tap directly on the website you want to revisit. The more you visit a particular site, the higher it appears in the Frequently Visited section.

For example, let’s say you frequently visit news websites like CNN or BBC. Once you open a new tab in Safari, you’ll notice their icons prominently displayed in the Frequently Visited section. This makes it incredibly easy for you to stay up-to-date with the latest news by simply tapping on the respective website icon.

While this feature can be useful for some users, others might find it unnecessary or even intrusive. Having a constant reminder of the websites you frequently visit can raise privacy concerns, especially if you share your device with others or if you prefer to keep your internet activities private.

In such cases, it becomes important to know how to remove or disable the Frequently Visited section on your iPhone. By doing so, you can clean up your home screen, reduce clutter, and enhance your privacy. In the following sections, we will explore different methods to achieve this and regain control over your browsing experience.

Why You Might Want to Remove Frequently Visited

When it comes to our smartphones, privacy is a top concern for many of us. We want to ensure that our personal information remains secure and protected. One area where privacy concerns may arise is the frequently visited websites section on the iPhone’s home screen.

The frequently visited feature is designed to provide quick access to websites you visit often. While this can be convenient, it also poses potential risks to your privacy. Here are a few reasons why you might want to consider removing frequently visited websites from your iPhone:

Privacy Concerns

By displaying your frequently visited websites on the home screen, anyone who glances at your phone can get a glimpse into your browsing habits. This can be an issue if you visit websites that you’d rather keep private, such as personal banking sites or online shopping platforms. Removing the frequently visited section helps protect your sensitive information from prying eyes.

Clean Up Home Screen

Having a cluttered home screen can be overwhelming and make it difficult to find the apps you need quickly. The frequently visited section takes up valuable real estate on your home screen, pushing other apps further down and making them harder to access. By removing this section, you can declutter your home screen and create a more organized and streamlined user experience.

Reduce Clutter

As time goes on, the list of frequently visited websites tends to grow longer. This can result in a long and unwieldy list that becomes challenging to navigate. Moreover, you may have visited some websites in the past that are no longer relevant or important to you. Removing frequently visited websites allows you to maintain a focused list of websites that matter most to you, reducing unnecessary clutter and improving efficiency.

To remove frequently visited websites on your iPhone, there are several methods you can try. It’s essential to choose the method that suits your preferences and requirements. Let’s explore these methods in detail in the upcoming sections.

Note: While removing frequently visited websites can enhance privacy and declutter your home screen, it’s important to remember that this will not delete your browsing history. To completely erase your browsing history, you may need to clear your browser’s cache and cookies separately.

Now that we understand why you might want to remove frequently visited websites on your iPhone, let’s dive into the step-by-step methods you can use to accomplish this.

Method 1: Clear Frequently Visited Websites

If you are an iPhone user, you might have noticed that your Safari browser displays a section called “Frequently Visited” on your home screen. This section shows a collection of websites that you frequently visit or have recently visited. While this feature can be convenient for accessing your favorite sites quickly, it can also raise privacy concerns and clutter up your home screen.

To remove the frequently visited websites from your Safari browser, one effective method is to clear your browsing history and website data. This ensures that all traces of your browsing activity, including the frequently visited sites, are wiped out. Here’s how you can do it:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap on the “Safari” option.
In the Safari settings, scroll down again and tap on “Clear History and Website Data”.
A confirmation prompt will appear asking if you want to clear your history and website data. Tap on “Clear History and Data” to proceed.

By following these simple steps, you can effectively remove the frequently visited websites from your Safari browser. Not only does this help protect your privacy by erasing your browsing history, but it also declutters your home screen, providing a cleaner and more organized browsing experience.

It’s important to note that clearing your browsing history and website data will remove all saved login information, cookies, and other browsing-related data. So, if you have any important login credentials or website preferences saved, make sure to take note of them before proceeding with the clearing process.

In addition to manually clearing your browsing history and website data, you can also configure your Safari browser settings to automatically clear the history and data on a regular basis. This ensures that your frequently visited websites are continuously removed without requiring manual intervention.

Removing frequently visited websites is just one step towards improving your privacy and decluttering your iPhone’s home screen. In the next methods, we will explore additional techniques to further enhance your browsing experience.

Stay tuned for our next method: “Method 2: Use Private Browsing Mode.”

Method 2: Use Private Browsing Mode

Private browsing, also known as incognito mode or private mode, is a feature available on most modern web browsers, including Safari on iPhone. It allows you to browse the internet without leaving any traces of your online activity on your device. By using private browsing mode, you can prevent websites from being saved in your browsing history, cookies, and other data that are typically stored while browsing.

One of the key advantages of private browsing is the ability to maintain anonymity while surfing the web. When you enable private browsing mode, the browser creates a separate session that does not retain any information about the websites you visit. This means that once you close the private browsing window, all traces of your online activity are automatically erased.

To access private browsing mode on your iPhone, follow these simple steps:

Launch the Safari browser on your iPhone.
Tap the tabs icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
In the bottom-left corner, tap the “Private” button.
A new private browsing window will open, indicated by a dark theme or a mask icon.
Start browsing websites anonymously without worrying about them being saved in your browsing history.

Using private browsing mode can be particularly useful when you want to keep your online activities private from others who might have access to your device. For example, if you are using a shared iPhone or borrowing someone else’s device, enabling private browsing ensures that your browsing habits and sensitive information remain confidential.

It’s important to note that private browsing does not make you completely invisible online. While it prevents the browser from storing your browsing history, it does not hide your activities from internet service providers, employers, or websites themselves. Additionally, any bookmarks or downloads made during private browsing will still be saved on your device.

Private browsing mode is a convenient tool for temporary anonymous browsing. It can be handy when you want to research sensitive topics, shop for surprise gifts, or simply maintain a certain level of privacy. By using private browsing mode, you can prevent websites from being saved and enjoy a more confidential browsing experience on your iPhone.

Remember to always toggle back to regular browsing mode when you’re done with private browsing, as any subsequent searches or website visits will be recorded in your device’s history once you exit the private session.

Give private browsing mode a try on your iPhone and enjoy a worry-free, anonymous online experience.

Method 3: Disable Safari Suggestions

If you’re looking to remove frequently visited sites from your iPhone’s Safari browser, disabling Safari suggestions can help you achieve that. By turning off this feature, you can prevent the browser from displaying suggestions based on your browsing history. Here’s how you can do it:

Open your iPhone’s Settings app and scroll down to find “Safari” among the list of apps.
Tap on “Safari” to access its settings and look for the “Search” section.
Within the Search settings, you’ll find an option called “Safari Suggestions.” This is the feature responsible for displaying frequently visited sites on your browser.
To disable Safari suggestions, simply toggle off the switch next to “Safari Suggestions.”

By following these steps, you can effectively remove the frequently visited sites from appearing when you use Safari on your iPhone. Disabling this feature offers several benefits, including enhanced privacy and a cleaner browsing experience.

Benefits of Disabling Safari Suggestions

Improved Privacy: Disabling Safari suggestions ensures that your browsing history remains private. It prevents Safari from suggesting websites or displaying frequently visited sites to other users who might have access to your device.
Reduced Clutter: By turning off this feature, you can eliminate visual clutter on your Safari home screen. Without the constantly changing suggestions, you can enjoy a cleaner and more organized browsing experience.
Enhanced Focus: With suggestions turned off, you can focus more on your intended search queries or websites, without getting distracted by unrelated recommendations based on your browsing habits.

Remember, disabling Safari suggestions doesn’t delete your browsing history; it only stops Safari from suggesting frequently visited sites. If you want to clear your browsing history entirely, you can follow method one mentioned earlier in this guide.

Now that you know how to disable Safari suggestions, take control over your browsing experience and enjoy a more private and clutter-free Safari on your iPhone.

Method 4: Reset Home Screen Layout

If you’re looking to declutter your iPhone’s home screen and get rid of frequently visited icons, one effective method is to reset the home screen layout. By doing this, you can restore the default arrangement of your app icons and eliminate any unwanted icons that may be appearing due to frequently visited websites or apps.

Why Resetting the Home Screen Layout Helps

Over time, as you browse the web or use certain apps, your iPhone’s home screen may start displaying icons for frequently visited websites or recently used applications. While this feature can be convenient for quick access, it can also lead to a cluttered and disorganized home screen.

By resetting the home screen layout, you can start with a clean slate and regain control over the arrangement of your app icons. This process will remove any icons that are appearing due to frequently visited websites or apps, allowing you to create a more personalized and streamlined home screen.

How to Reset the Home Screen Layout

The steps to reset the home screen layout may vary slightly depending on the version of iOS you are using. Follow these general steps to achieve a reset:

Go to the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap on “General”.
Look for the “Reset” option and tap on it.
Select “Reset Home Screen Layout”.

Once you’ve completed these steps, your iPhone’s home screen will revert to the default layout, removing any icons that were appearing due to frequently visited websites or apps. It’s important to note that this process will not delete any apps or data from your device – it simply resets the organization of your home screen.

Customizing Your Home Screen

After resetting the home screen layout, you’ll have the opportunity to customize it according to your preferences. Rearrange your app icons, create folders, and prioritize the apps you use most frequently. This way, you can optimize your home screen to enhance productivity and ease of use.

Remember, resetting the home screen layout is a simple yet effective way to remove frequently visited icons and restore a clean and organized appearance to your iPhone. Take advantage of this method to create a home screen that reflects your personal style and helps you stay focused on what matters most.

By following these steps, you can declutter your iPhone’s home screen and enjoy a more streamlined user experience. So, go ahead and give it a try – you’ll be amazed at how refreshing it feels to have a clear and organized home screen without those unwanted frequently visited icons.
The frequent appearance of frequently visited websites on your iPhone’s home screen might seem convenient at first, but it can also raise privacy concerns and clutter your device. In this blog post, we explored various methods to remove these frequently visited icons and improve your browsing experience.

Firstly, we discussed what frequently visited websites are and why you might want to remove them. Privacy concerns and the desire for a clean and organized home screen were highlighted as the main reasons.

Next, we delved into four effective methods to remove frequently visited websites on your iPhone. Clearing the history and website data in Safari, using private browsing mode, disabling Safari suggestions, and resetting the home screen layout were all explained in detail.

By following these step-by-step instructions, you can regain control over your browsing privacy and create a more streamlined home screen that better suits your preferences.

In conclusion, removing frequently visited websites on your iPhone is not only about decluttering your device but also about safeguarding your privacy. Take the time to implement the methods discussed in this article, and enjoy a cleaner, more personalized browsing experience. Your iPhone should reflect your needs and preferences, and by removing frequently visited websites, you can achieve just that.

So, go ahead and take control of your iPhone’s home screen. Remove those frequently visited icons and start enjoying a clutter-free browsing experience that respects your privacy.