Ultimate Guide: How to Delete All Browsing History Today on Any Browser and Device

  • Deleting your browsing history is essential for digital privacy and security.
  • There are manual, automatic, and preventative methods to keep your history clean across all browsers and devices.
  • In addition to clearing your history, it's important to consider managing cookies, cache, and syncing with cloud accounts.
  • Incognito mode prevents browsing from being recorded, but it's no substitute for using VPNs for complete privacy.

delete browsing history today

Nowadays, protecting privacy while browsing the internet has become a priority for millions of people. If you've ever wondered how to delete everything seen today In a browser, whether on your computer, mobile phone, or tablet, this comprehensive guide will take you step-by-step through all the methods and secrets to effectively delete your browsing and search history, on any device and browser.

Deleting your history not only helps maintain your privacy and security, but also optimizes the performance of your devices and prevents third parties from accessing your browsing data. Learn how to do it manually and automatically, what happens to cookies and cache, best practices to prevent your browsing from being recorded, and how to protect your privacy from account syncing.

Importance of Deleting Browsing History

Clear browsing history It's much more than a mere whim. Over time, your browser stores details of all the pages you visit, searches you perform, logins, downloaded files, and temporary data.

  • Personal privacy: Removes traces of your activity, preventing other users from discovering which sites you've visited or what searches you've performed.
  • Security: Deletes logs from potentially dangerous sites and reduces the risk of access to sensitive information.
  • Unlimited: Clearing your cache and deleting cookies can help your browser run faster and free up space on your device.
  • Avoid unwanted customizationBy clearing cookies and searches, you limit personalized ads and prevent third parties from building detailed profiles about you.
How to delete browsing history on your mobile
Related article:
The ultimate guide to deleting your browsing and activity history on your phone.

Deleting History: What Data Is Deleted?

When you delete your browsing history, you don't just delete the list of visited websites. The process can affect several types of data:

  • Browsing history: List of sites visited and searches performed.
  • Cookies: Small files that store your preferences or session states on different websites.
  • Cached files and images: Temporary elements that help pages you visit frequently load faster.
  • Downloads: : Record of downloaded files (although the files themselves are not deleted).
  • Passwords saved: : It is possible to delete them, but only if you specifically select it.
  • Autocomplete data: Form and information on cards, addresses, etc.

With each deletion, you can choose exactly what you want to delete, thus avoiding harm, for example, by accidentally deleting your saved passwords.

Private Browsing: Incognito Mode and What It Does

incognito mode private browsing

All modern browsers include a function to private browsing or incognito modeIts main characteristic is that It does not save the history of visited pages or searches performed, and often does not store cookies either (except during the session).

Important considerations:

  • Incognito mode does not make you anonymous on the Internet.Your Internet Service Provider (ISP), Wi-Fi network, or even the systems of the company you work for may continue to record the pages you visit.
  • Use this mode avoid having to delete history later, since when you close the window or tab, everything is automatically deleted.
  • To really hide your activity from all intermediaries, it is ideal to complement the incognito mode with a VPN, which encrypts your browsing data.

How to Delete Everything Seen Today: Detailed Guide by Browser

The way to clear your history may vary depending on the browser and device you use. Here are clear instructions based on official guides, best practices, and real-world experience for each of the most popular browsers.

Google Chrome (Android, iOS, and PC)

How to delete browsing history today in Chrome

  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. Click on the three vertical points located in the upper right corner (or lower on iOS).
  3. Choose History.
  4. Choose Clear browsing data o Delete navigation data.
  5. In section Time intervalSelect "Last 24 Hours" to delete everything viewed today. You can also choose other time periods (last hour, last week, all time).
  6. Check the options you want to delete: browsing history, cookies, cache, etc. If you don't want to delete saved passwords, do not check that option.
  7. Confirm by pressing Delete data.

If you are logged in with your Google account and have the history synchronization enabled, the deletion will be applied to all devices (computer, mobile, tablet) synchronized with that account.

Tip: To prevent Google from storing activity, go to myactivity.google.com and manages deleting web and app activity, searches, YouTube history, and more. From there, you can delete what you've watched today or all time and configure the automatic removal of history.

Microsoft Edge

  1. Open Microsoft Edge.
  2. Click on the three points (horizontal or vertical, depending on the platform), usually at the bottom or top.
  3. Choose History.
  4. Click on the icon of the paper bin (on top).
  5. Select the interval Last 24 hours (or the custom period you want).
  6. Check the types of data to delete: browsing history, cookies, and cache.
  7. Confirm by pressing Delete data.

Mozilla Firefox

  • Open Firefox and tap the three points (usually bottom on mobile, top on desktop).
  • Choose History.
  • To delete individual pages: press the X next to each one.
  • To clear your entire recent history: look for the option Clear recent history (desktop and Android only). The range can be "last hour," "last 24 hours," or "all"; select the desired range.
  • Confirm by pressing Delete o Accept.

Note: In the mobile version of Firefox, the option to delete only the last 24 hours isn't always available, so you may need to delete specific pages or your entire history.

Brave Browser

  • Open Brave and access the three points (usually in the lower right corner).
  • Go to History.
  • Choose Clear browsing data.
  • Choose the interval Last 24 hours or the desired one.
  • Activate what you want to delete (history, cookies, cache…)
  • press Delete data to confirm.

Opera

  • Open Opera and tap the icon clock on the side panel (desktop) or the three points on mobile.
  • Accede to History.
  • Delete pages individually with the X or press Clear browsing data.
  • Select the time range and data types.
  • Confirm the deletion.

Safari (iPhone, iPad, and Mac)

  • On iPhone/iPad: Go to Configuration > safari > Clear history and website data.
  • On Mac: Open Safari > tab History > Delete history. Choose the period (last hour, today, today and yesterday, all history).
  • Confirm the action.

In Safari, clearing history removes both the list of visited pages and associated cookies and other data.

How to Delete Search History from Google, YouTube, and Other Services

It is not enough to simply delete your browser history if you want to completely remove the search or activity records stored on your computer. Google account or on services like YouTube or Google Maps. Google syncs your activity to the cloud by default, so you'll need to manage it from your account.

Delete search and activity history from Google My Activity

  1. Accede to myactivity.google.com using your Google account.
  2. In the left sidebar, click Delete activity by.
  3. Choose the time range: last hour, last day, custom, or all time.
  4. Select activity types: search, browsing, app activity, location history, YouTube, etc.
  5. Confirm by pressing Delete.

From here you can also activate automatic deletion of all your activity every 3, 18 or 36 months, thus better managing your privacy.

Delete YouTube History

  • Sign in YouTube and log in.
  • Click the side menu > History.
  • You can delete individual items (click on the X next to each video) or the entire history by pressing Clear all watch history.
  • You can also pause watch history and the search option so that new activities are not saved.

Delete Google Maps and Routes History

  • Open Google Maps (web or app).
  • Click on your profile picture > Your data on Maps.
  • Search Location History > Manage history.
  • You can delete all history, a specific range, or individual items.
  • To prevent location history from being saved, turn off the corresponding option.

Delete History in Other Browsers and Apps

While Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari are the most popular, there are other browsers and apps with similar methods for managing your history:

  • Internet Explorer: Go to Settings > Security > Delete Browsing History.
  • AVG SecureBrowser: Main Menu > History > Privacy Cleaner.
  • Opera Mini (mobile): Menu > Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing history.

Most modern browsers also allow the automatic history deletion when you close the app, which you can activate in the privacy or advanced settings section.

Automatic History Deletion: How to Set It Up

  • Google Chrome: Accede to Configuration > Privacy & Security > Activity controls > Delete automatically (in Web & App Activity History).
  • Firefox: go to Options > Privacy & Security > History and select to delete on exit.
  • Microsoft Edge: Menu > Configuration > Privacy, search and services > Clear browsing data on close.
  • In the Google account (My Activity): Set automatic deletion every 3, 18, or 36 months for web activity, locations, YouTube, etc.

Other Ways to Protect Your Online Privacy

Limiting history storage is just the first step. Also consider these practices:

  • Use a VPN to encrypt all your browsing and prevent your Internet provider, Wi-Fi network, or malicious apps from tracking your activity.
  • Turn off the automatic account synchronization If you don't want your history to be replicated across all your devices associated with Google, Microsoft, Apple, etc.
  • Also delete the history of downloads and applications, such as Google Play or the App Store.
  • Evaluate the use of privacy extensions y specialized browsers that block trackers, ads, and automatically delete cookies and browsing data.

Deleting Cookies and Temporary Files: Why Is It Important?

Every time you browse, the cookies and cache They collect data about your preferences and habits, helping sites load faster and personalizing your experience, but also allowing third parties to track you. Delete this data periodically:

  • Reduce the number of personalized ads you receive.
  • Avoid exposure to risks from outdated or potentially vulnerable cookies.
  • Clear temporary data that slows down your browser.

Note: When you delete cookies, you may need to log in again to some websites, and your preferences may be erased.

What Happens if You Delete All History?

Delete browsing and search history does not affect to yours bookmarks/favorites nor to yours saved passwords, unless you explicitly select those options. Downloaded files on the device are also not deleted.

In most browsers, you can choose which data to delete and which to keep. Use a good password manager It is advisable to avoid confusion or loss.

Common Problems When Deleting History and Solutions

I can't delete history: It may be due to:

  • Administrator Restrictions (in work or school environments).
  • Sync On in the account (you must delete history on all devices).
  • Parental lock or parental control settings.
  • Session not started in the relevant account (Google, Microsoft, Apple).
  • Extensions or add-ons that prevent elimination.

Review your account settings, turn off sync, refresh your browser, and verify that you have the appropriate permissions.

Delete History on Other Platforms: Google Play, Maps, Apps, and More

  1. Google Play: Open Play Store > tap your profile picture > Configuration > Account and device preferences > Delete search history from the device.
  2. Google Maps: Go to > Location History > Manage history. Here you can delete routes and locations viewed today.
  3. Individual apps: Look in the settings for options to clear search history, viewing history, or clear cache data.

Can Deleted History Be Recovered?

Once you delete your browsing or search history manually or automatically, cannot be recovered using standard browser toolsOnly advanced backup systems or forensic services could access certain records.

How Often Should I Delete History?

The frequency depends on your privacy and usage needs. In shared environments or if you use public or work devices, It is recommended to delete the history every time you finish the session. For personal use, At least once a month This is ideal, especially if you manage sensitive information or use your account for work or finances.

Browser Extensions and Cleaning Tools

In addition to the native features, there are multiple extensions and apps to automate the cleaning of history and other data:

  • Click&Clean (Chrome): Allows you to delete history, cookies, cache, downloads and much more with one click.
  • History Eraser: Clears browsing history, forms, cache, and cookies across multiple browsers.
  • AVG TuneUp and Avast AntiTrack: Automatic solutions that clean not only the browser but also other temporary files and digital traces.

Choose verified and trusted extensions to avoid security risks or data loss.

Frequently Asked Questions about Deleting Browsing History

Does deleting history also delete bookmarks?
No. Bookmarks or favorites remain unless you manually delete them.
Are my saved passwords deleted?
No, unless you enable the corresponding option in the delete menu. It's recommended to check this before confirming the deletion.
Does deleting in the browser delete my Google account activity?
No. If you have sync active, you will need to go to Google My Activity to delete cloud records.
Can I choose the exact period to delete?
Yes, in most browsers you can select "last hour," "last 24 hours," "last week," or "all time." You can also define a custom period.

Final Recommendations to Protect Your Online Privacy

  • Activate private browsing or incognito mode whenever you use a shared or public device.
  • Set up automatic deletion in your browser and in your Google account to avoid long-term data accumulation.
  • Clear cookies and cache periodically to prevent tracking and speed up your browser.
  • Only use third-party cleaning tools if you trust them, and double-check the options you're removing.
  • Combine incognito mode with VPN for complete privacy, especially on public networks.
  • If you use multiple accounts or sync devices, remember to clear your history on each one and manage your activity in the cloud.

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