Regardless of the reason, the ability to delete your search history is a key feature for any search engine. Now, Google has rolled out a new update to its iOS app that makes it easy for users to delete the last 15 minutes of their search history in one tap.
Google’s App Update Lets You Delete Search History More Easily
In a post on The Keyword, Google announced that it’s rolling out a new button which allows users to quickly delete the last 15 minutes of their search history in one tap. The feature is only rolling out to iOS devices for now, but Google explained the feature will come to the Android app later this year.
Google first announced the new 15 minute delete button at Google I/O earlier this year, on top of the current auto-delete feature. When announced, Google explained that the feature was another way to give users control over their search history for privacy reasons.
The new button replaces the old method to delete search history by diving deeper into the My Activity section of the app. Whether you’re trying to remove all traces of your activity or just don’t want Google remembering, you’ve got the option to control your search history. The new one-tap button makes this even easier for users.
In the blog post, Google also mentioned its Privacy Checkup and Security Checkup features again, reiterating they give users another way to control their privacy. Google is also rolling out a new feature which allows you to lock the My Activity options behind a sign-in page so that your kids can’t go in and delete the stored data, for example.
How to Use Google’s New History Clearing Feature
The Quick Delete feature is currently rolling out to users. We’re not certain if this is a backend update, or whether it will require you to update the app. Just to be safe, we recommend updating the Google app as soon as an update is available.
If you’re looking to delete the last 15 minutes of search history, tap on your profile avatar in the top-right hand corner of the app. A dropdown menu of options will open up. Scroll down to find the Delete last 15 min button underneath Search history.
Once you’ve tapped the button, the Google will automatically remove every item from your search history from the last 15 minutes. Bear in mind, that if you’ve got Search history switched off, you won’t see the new button, as there’s no history to delete.
Google Is Making Its App Even Easier for Users
Google’s latest update to the search app shows it’s trying to make it easier for users to control their privacy. Deleting the last 15 minutes of search history isn’t going to quash privacy concerns, but it’s a nice and convenient option.