in short
- Check Screen Time restrictions, restart Safari, reboot iPhone, update iOS
- inspect Safari settings, reset all settings, or more in this troubleshooting guide.
With the latest update, Apple has tightened the security and added numerous features in users’ favor. However, Private Browsing isn’t new; you’ll find this feature mostly in all the browsing apps like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, etc. When you don’t want to leave any trace of Browsing history or cache, using Private Browsing is recommended. Some iPhone users have reported that the Safari Private option is missing, and there are plenty of reasons why it is happening to you. Often an incorrect change leads to such problems.
In this tutorial, I’ll list all the possible workarounds that could help you fix the Safari private browsing not showing or grayed out on your iPhone. Within a few minutes, the Private mode will start working if there’s no big issue with your iPhone or Safari.
Safari Private Mode Not Working on iPhone, iPad
Solution #1: Disable Screen Time Restrictions for Safari Private Mode
When Screen Time restrictions are disabled for Restricted web content in Safari, you won’t be able to use it. Therefore, make sure it is turned off. Here are the steps to check it.
Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone > Swipe Down and Select Screen Time.
Step 2: Select Content & Privacy Restrictions > Click on Content Restrictions.
Step 3: Tap on Web Content > Choose Unrestricted.
Step 4: Force closes the Safari app on your iPhone and Recheck in your Safari with the Private tab button.
Step 5: Touch and Hold on to the Tabs icon to see the new Private Tab. That’s it.
How to Use Private Browsing on Safari iPhone
Step 1: Launch the Safari App on your iPhone > Hit the Tabs icon on the bottom-right corner.
Step 2: Swipe left side to Select the Private option > Once the Private mode is Enabled, Safari’s browsing interface will turn black.
➡️ See here: How to Enable Private Browsing on iPhone.
Enable/Disable Safari Browser access on iOS/iPad
Restrict the use of Safari Browser on your iOS device. Make sure Safari is enabled under Allowed Apps in screen Time Restriction.
Step 1: Launch the Settings App on your iPhone > Swipe Down to Select Screen Time.
Step 2: Tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions > Click on Allowed Apps.
Step 3: Enter Screen Time Passcode > Enable Safari.
Force Restart your iPhone
Force close all apps (Relaunch app on iPhone), Fix all the issues most of the time. If something is stuck and not working, then try restarting your device. Follow the below steps to restart your iPhone.
iPhone 8 & later…
- Quickly Press and Release the Volume Up button and Volume Down button.
- Only Press and Hold the Power/Sleep button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
Disable and Enable Screen Time Restrictions
For some users re-enabling the Screen Time restrictions on iPhones. I’d recommend you to do the same.
Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone > Swipe down to Select Screen Time.
Step 2: Select Change Screen Time Passcode > Turn Off Screen Time Passcode.
Again refer to the same steps and enable the Screen Time restrictions.
Update Safari and iPhone
Last but not least, check the Safari and iPhone for the latest updates. Updating the app and iOS fixes a lot of minor issues like this. Connect the iPhone to the Wi-Fi and follow the below steps.
To update Software on iPhone,
Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone > Select General Option.
Step 2: Select Software Update > Tap on Update Now.
Also Helpful: Safari Private Browsing Grayed Out on Mac