What is Locked Private Browsing: Here's The Answer!

Hello! I noticed my cousin's private browsing is locked on her iPhone, and I think it's a good idea. Thus, I also want to activate the lock on my device's browser to better protect my private online activities. However, I'm still unfamiliar with how and what it can do. Can anyone please explain? Also, if it's not too much, I hope someone can help me turn it on on my iPhone.

If you are a longtime Apple device user, you must be familiar with Safari's private browsing feature. It has been around since way back, but Apple's progressing technology has added more advantageous features as time passes. For instance, if others borrow your device, its private browsing lock is available to secure your browsing activities from prying eyes.

That said, learn more about the locked private browsing feature with the information in the following parts. Afterward, we will introduce the correct processes to activate it on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. We have also added a bonus part consisting of the program that can help you with your device's private data. Every detail you may need is below, so read ahead.

Part 1. What is Locked Private Browsing

As mentioned, Locked Private Browsing is a Safari feature that protects users’ private online activities. It was launched on iOS 17, so if you can’t find it on your iPhone or other Apple devices, it’s probably because your iOS version hasn’t yet been updated. Meanwhile, Apple added this feature so you can continuously use the private browser even if you exit it for a while. It keeps others from viewing your activities even if they try to access your private windows.

Don’t worry, though. Even if your private browser is active, Safari still won’t save its history and other data, so it’s okay to leave the private windows active since the lock is already present to protect them. This feature uses your Face ID, Touch ID, device, or computer’s password or passcode. You can activate it on an iPhone and iPad running iOS 17, iPadOS 17. On the other hand, it is available on macOS Sonoma, macOS Ventura, and macOS Monterey’s Safari 17.

Part 2. How to Turn On Locked Private Browsing on iPhone or iPad

Turning the Locked Private Browsing feature on an iPhone or iPad is performed on the Settings app. As you know, it has a Safari section that contains various options you can modify on the browsing app. Among them is the requirement to access the private browsing feature. Since the Settings interface and options are direct, you can expect hassle-free navigation, especially because finding the private browsing options is painless. You can turn on the lock easily.

Go along with the safe task below to turn on the feature after learning what is Locked Private Browsing on an iPhone or iPad:

Step 1Display Settings on your iPhone or iPad’s screen, then navigate to the lower section to find and select Safari. Once on the following interface, scroll to the Privacy & Security section.

Step 2You will see the Require Face ID (or Touch ID) to Unlock Private Browsing option underneath, so activate its corresponding slider to turn on the lock feature on Safari.

Part 3. How to Turn On Locked Private Browsing on Mac

As mentioned, the Locked Private Browsing function is not only available on an iPhone and iPad. You can activate it on certain macOS computers through Safari’s Settings section. Even though the navigation is completely different, the good news is that turning on the feature on your Mac is also convenient. There are no complex steps; you only have to successfully access and select specific options to activate a lock requirement on your Safari’s private browser.

Conform to the user-friendly process below to activate the function after learning what is Locked Private Browsing on your Mac:

Step 1Initialize Safari on your Mac desktop, and when its menu appears at the top, select the Settings option. Next, click Privacy on the new window that was displayed.

Step 2Under the Privacy section are options, including Private Browsing. Tick the checkbox beside it to require your Touch ID when viewing locked tabs on the Safari browser.

Part 4. Bonus Tip - Delete Private Data on iOS or iPadOS Devices

We understand if it’s only your first time trying the Locked Private Browsing feature. Hence, it’s possible that you still have been using the normal browser, even for private searches, which is why your browsing history might be saved. If you’d like to clean them before enjoying the locked private browser, we suggest acquiring the FoneLab iPhone Cleaner program. It has a feature you can use to prevent others from seeing your browsing history and or other private data.

Aside from that, what’s beneficial about this cleaning program is that it doesn’t only erase private data on your Safari browser. Its scope includes specific private content on your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, allowing you to protect your privacy on the entire device. Meanwhile, the FoneLab iPhone Cleaner tool also provides a feature for deleting junk data, unwanted apps, images, and large files. Thus, it will help if you plan to free your device from unneeded data.

Perceive the unchallenging operation underneath as a sample for deleting private data on an iOS or iPadOS device with FoneLab iPhone Cleaner:

Step 1Access FoneLab iPhone Cleaner’s main webpage, and once displayed, select Free Download. Your browser will save the installer in Downloads; thus, open it from there and immediately manage the installation. It usually lasts a minute or less, so you can stand by until the screen displays the Start tab. Then, click it, and the cleaning tool will initialize quickly.

Step 2Your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad must connect once the prime interface materializes. Hence, use your lightning cable; the program will immediately detect it once attached. When the green Quick Scan button displays, click it, and your device’s content, including private data, will be scanned. Let it finish, then head to the Erase Private Data in the left area afterward.

Step 3Custom Erase and One-click Erase options will be displayed on the right interface, but you will also see them in the left column. If you’d like to choose the private data you’d like to erase manually, select Custom Erase. Meanwhile, pick One-click Erase to erase all the device’s private data simultaneously. Later, the tool will clean everything you have chosen.

Part 5. FAQs about What is Locked Private Browsing

The lock feature on your device's private browsing mode makes protecting your private browser activities more convenient. Therefore, feel free to apply the processes and suggestions above.