How to delete DuckDuckGo app search history on iPhone and Android?
Executive summary
DuckDuckGo’s apps and its search engine are built to minimize stored user data: multiple guides state DuckDuckGo “does not track searches” and “does not save your search history” the way Google does [1] [2]. To remove any local traces in the mobile app you can use the app’s “clear data/close tabs” or in-app Settings > Clear browsing data controls; on iPhone you can also delete the app via iOS Settings to remove locally stored data [3] [4] [5].
1. Privacy by design — what DuckDuckGo claims and why it matters
DuckDuckGo’s central claim is that it “protects your search history from everyone — even us” and “does not track you,” so there is no centralized server-side history to delete the way there is with Google [6] [1]. That changes the problem: instead of asking DuckDuckGo to “erase its copy,” you usually need to clear any history or cache stored locally by the app or by the device [1] [2].
2. Quick steps for iPhone users — app controls and iOS removal
Multiple how‑to articles outline two practical approaches on iPhone. First, use the DuckDuckGo app’s built-in control: open the app and tap the fire (or menu) icon to “close tabs and clear data” or visit Settings > Clear browsing data to remove local history [3] [5]. Second, at the system level you can go to iPhone Settings, scroll to DuckDuckGo and delete the app entirely — removing app data stored on the device [4]. Sources recommend the in‑app “Auto Clear Data” timer if you want automatic deletion after inactivity [3].
3. Quick steps for Android users — in‑app clearing and browser differences
Guides for Android mirror the iPhone approach: launch the DuckDuckGo app, open the menu (three lines/dots), go to Settings → Privacy (or Clear browsing data) and choose “Clear Search History” or the types of data you want removed [5] [1]. If you use DuckDuckGo via a regular mobile browser instead of the app, you must clear that browser’s history/cookies through the browser’s settings rather than the DuckDuckGo app controls [1].
4. What gets removed and what doesn’t — local cache vs. search results
Clearing data from the app removes locally stored suggestions, tabs and caches (the visible traces on your device) but does not magically erase web pages indexed elsewhere. DuckDuckGo’s search results may still display personal information scraped from other sites; the proper remedy for that is to remove or request removal from the original site or data broker — DuckDuckGo can’t delete third‑party content for you [7].
5. Conflicting guidance in third‑party how‑tos — verify UI in your app
How‑to pages vary in wording and in which UI element they reference (fire icon, three‑line menu, three dots), and some older guides predate UI changes [3] [8]. Practical implication: verify what your installed version of the app shows — check the app’s Settings > Privacy or look for a prominent “clear data” or “fire” control in the main UI [3] [5]. Sources agree on the underlying actions even when labels or icons differ [3] [5].
6. Common misconceptions and things not found in current reporting
Several sources clearly state that DuckDuckGo “doesn’t save your search history on any device” or “does not store personal data” in the server sense [2] [1]. Available sources do not mention any DuckDuckGo server‑side account system that retains searchable user history which you can delete later; they also do not describe a central “Delete my history on DuckDuckGo servers” workflow [2] [1]. If you’re worried about search results containing your personal details, the sources point to removing the original content on the site that published it [7].
7. Practical recommendation — quick checklist before handing over a device
Before lending or discarding a phone: open DuckDuckGo and use the in‑app “close tabs and clear data” or Settings → Clear browsing data [3] [5]; consider enabling Auto Clear Data (5/15/30/60 minutes) in the app if you want automatic erasure [3]; if you want a hard reset of app data on iPhone/Android, delete the app via system settings and reinstall [4] [1]. These steps remove local traces; they do not change what third‑party sites publish about you [7].
Limitations: sources used are third‑party how‑tos and privacy blogs; specific menu names or icons can change with app updates, so verify controls in your installed DuckDuckGo app [3] [5].