As a parent or employer, there are many legitimate reasons you may need to check someone’s iPhone browsing history. Perhaps you want to make sure your child isn’t accessing inappropriate content or your employee isn’t wasting time on non-work related sites. Fortunately, there are several methods to view the browsing history on an iPhone, even if the history has been deleted or the browsing was done in private mode.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the different ways to check web history on an iPhone. Whether you simply need to take a quick peek at recent Safari history or want an in-depth look at all browsing activity, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in!
Method 1: Directly Check Safari History on the iPhone
The simplest way to view browsing history on an iPhone is to check the Safari history directly on the device. Here’s how:
- Open the Safari app on the iPhone
- Tap the Bookmarks icon (looks like an open book)
- Select the Clock icon to view History
- Browse through the list of visited websites

Keep in mind this method only shows websites visited in Safari, not other browsers. It also won’t display any history that has been cleared by the user. But for a quick check of recent Safari browsing, this method works well.
Method 2: View Chrome History on iPhone
Have a Chrome user on your hands? No problem. You can easily check Chrome history as well:
- Open the Chrome app on the iPhone
- Tap the 3-dot More menu
- Scroll down and select History
- Browse through the list of visited sites

Again, this method is limited to only showing undeleted Chrome history. But it’s a fast way to see what sites have been accessed in Chrome mobile.
Method 3: Find Website Data in iPhone Settings
You can also find some web browsing information via the iPhone’s Settings:
- Open the Settings app
- Scroll down and select Safari
- Tap Advanced -> Website Data
- View the list of websites that have stored data

This shows how much data each site is storing on the iPhone. However, it doesn’t provide specific details like timestamps. It’s a way to get an overview of browsing rather than a full history.
Method 4: Use KidsGuard Pro for the Most Comprehensive Tracking
What if you need to see more than just bits and pieces of undeleted history? That’s where a tracking app like KidsGuard Pro for iOS comes in. It allows you to see a complete picture of browsing activity, including:
- Deleted Safari and Chrome browser history
- Websites visited in Private/Incognito mode
- Exact website URLs, visit frequency, and timestamps
- Bookmarks and search history
In addition to browsing data, KidsGuard Pro can also track location history, texts, phone calls, social media activity, photos/videos, app usage, and more. It works by creating an iCloud backup that you can then view from your own device – no need to install any software on the iPhone you want to track.
Here’s how to get started with KidsGuard Pro:
- Sign up for a KidsGuard Pro account at www.clevguard.net
- Log into the iCloud account of the iPhone you want to monitor
- Wait for KidsGuard Pro to sync the iPhone data
- Log into your KidsGuard Pro dashboard to view browsing history and activity reports

The great thing about KidsGuard Pro is that it tracks everything discreetly in the background. The iPhone user will have no idea they are being monitored. And unlike checking history directly on the phone, you can access the data remotely without having to get ahold of the device.
Viewing iPhone History FAQs
Let’s go over a few common questions about checking iPhone browsing history:
Can I recover deleted browsing history?
Unfortunately not. Once Safari or Chrome history has been cleared on the iPhone, it’s gone for good (unless you use an app like mSpy or Cocospy to track it before deletion). Your best bet is to check history regularly or enable a tracking solution.
Is it possible to view history from a specific date or time period?
The built-in Safari and Chrome history logs on the iPhone don’t allow you to filter by date. However, an app like KidsGuard Pro does provide detailed timestamps so you can zero in on certain time frames.
Will clearing history on an iPhone also clear it on other devices?
No, each device’s browsing history is separate. Clearing it on an iPhone won’t affect the history on other synced devices.
Is it legal and ethical to use an iPhone tracking app?
As long as you own the device or have consent from the user, it’s generally legal to track their iPhone activity. That said, we recommend having an open and honest conversation about your reasons for tracking. Never use a spy app to secretly stalk someone or steal their information.
Can I turn off browsing history on my iPhone?
Browsing history is a core feature that can’t be fully disabled in Safari or Chrome. The closest option is Private/Incognito mode, which prevents visited pages from being saved to history. But a tracking app like KidsGuard Pro can still monitor Private browsing.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several ways to view and track web browsing history on an iPhone. Checking directly in Safari or Chrome is a quick solution, while iPhone Settings provide a high-level summary of site data.
For the most detailed picture, including deleted and private browsing history, a dedicated tracking app like KidsGuard Pro is your best bet. It allows you to discreetly and comprehensively monitor all browsing activity, along with many other aspects of iPhone usage.
No matter which method you choose, be sure to use this information responsibly and ethically. Keeping kids safe and employees on track is important, but so is maintaining trust. We hope this guide has been helpful in navigating the various iPhone history checking methods available.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone Safari and Chrome history can be viewed directly in each app
- Deleted and private browsing history is only visible with a tracking app
- KidsGuard Pro offers the most detailed activity tracking and reporting
- Only use monitoring solutions for legitimate, consented purposes