Learn how to enable unrestricted web browsing to retrieve the missing private tab button in Safari on your iPhone or iPad.
You decide you want to use private browsing in Safari on your iPhone or iPad. So, you open Safari, tap the button to open a new tab, and the Private button is gone. Where did it go?
If this is happening to you, it’s a simple fix. You made some changes to your settings and probably didn’t realize that it would take that Private button away from Safari. Here’s how to solve the case of the missing Safari Private browsing button.
Get back the Private browsing button in Safari on iPhone or iPad
If you’ve adjusted your Screen Time settings to restrict content, then this is also what removed your Private browsing button. Follow these steps to put it back.
1) Open the iOS Settings app and select Screen Time.
2) Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
3) Tap App Store, Media, Web, & Games.
4) Look down at your setting for Web Content. Does it show Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only? There’s the problem.
If you change it to Unrestricted or Unrestricted Access, you’ll get your Private browsing button back. You may have to enter your Screen Time passcode to save the new settings.
Now, return to Safari or touch and hold its icon to open a private tab. If you still don’t see it, restart your iPhone to fix the problem.
Now, if you don’t want to make this change, then you’ll have to forgo the private browsing feature in Safari. After all, the point of private browsing is that the sites you visit aren’t tracked. So, it makes sense that if you put restrictions on the web content, you wouldn’t be able to use private browsing.
You can always change that setting temporarily, and when you finish your private browsing, put the restriction back. But at least the case is solved, and you know why your Private browsing button went missing.
Also, check out: 15 child-focused features on iPhone and iPad