How to erase DuckDuckGo app autofill and saved forms on mobile devices
Executive summary
DuckDuckGo mobile app allows disabling search autocomplete and recently visited suggestions via Settings > Private Search, and the app now includes a Passwords & Autofill (Identities) area where saved form data can be managed (Settings > Passwords & Autofill) [1] [2]. Third‑party or system browsers and password managers can also store autofill independently, so clearing only DuckDuckGo app settings may not remove every suggestion you see [3] [4].
1. What the DuckDuckGo app itself controls — and what it doesn’t
DuckDuckGo’s official help advises that the in‑app search suggestions and recently visited site suggestions can be turned off from Settings > Private Search by disabling “Autocomplete Suggestions” and/or “Recently Visited Sites,” which stops the app from offering search query and site suggestions it would generate locally [1]. Separately, recent DuckDuckGo updates show a Passwords & Autofill menu and an “Identities” feature where you can create, save and manage personal form entries (names, addresses) inside the app; those saved identities are manageable from Settings > Passwords & Autofill [2]. Available sources do not mention a single “clear all autofill” button specific to every kind of autofill inside the app beyond these controls [1] [2].
2. How to erase saved form entries that DuckDuckGo stores
DuckDuckGo’s “Identities” and Passwords & Autofill area is the place to remove entries the app itself saved; the product update explicitly directs users to create and manage Identities from that menu [2]. For other local app‑stored history items such as recently visited sites or autocomplete, the Help Page instructs turning those suggestions off in Private Search settings [1]. The documentation implies management is per‑feature: disable autocomplete to stop suggestions, and edit or delete identities from the Passwords & Autofill area [1] [2].
3. Why you may still see autofill after clearing DuckDuckGo
Autofill and form suggestions can originate from multiple places: the DuckDuckGo app, your device’s operating system, or third‑party password managers and browsers. User reports and community threads show interactions and conflicts — for example, password managers like 1Password may present autofill prompts in the DuckDuckGo browser depending on settings and re‑enabling behaviors — meaning clearing one source might not remove prompts coming from another app [4]. UMA Technology’s guidance emphasizes that browser or system form histories often hold suggestions and recommends editing “Other Forms” or using “Clear form history” where those options exist [3].
4. Practical steps to clear autofill across sources (what reporters find consistent in guidance)
- In DuckDuckGo app: open Settings > Private Search and turn off “Autocomplete Suggestions” and “Recently Visited Sites” to stop in‑app suggestions [1].
- In DuckDuckGo app: open Settings > Passwords & Autofill (or Passwords & Autofill menu option) to view and delete saved Identities the app stores [2].
- In your browser or OS: available guidance notes many browsers let you edit “Other Forms” or use “Clear form history” to remove entries stored by the browser itself [3].
- If you use a password manager: check the manager’s settings or extensions — community reports show re‑enabling settings or integration can restore prompts [4].
5. Conflicting perspectives and gaps in public documentation
DuckDuckGo’s help pages clearly cover turning off autocomplete and managing passwords/autofill features [1] [2]. Third‑party guidance (UMA Technology) fills in the common gap about browser/system form histories and suggests “Edit” beside “Other Forms” or “Clear form history” where applicable [3]. Community posts (1Password forum) reveal real‑world quirks and integration bugs that official docs don’t fully address: re‑enabling settings and cross‑app interactions can change behavior unexpectedly [4]. Available sources do not provide a single unified checklist that clears every possible source of autofill across OS, browser, DuckDuckGo app, and password managers in one go.
6. What to watch for and recommended follow‑ups
If after deleting identities and turning off autocomplete you still see autofill, check your device’s browser settings and any password manager apps or extensions; UMA Technology specifically advises clearing browser form history as a separate step [3]. For persistent or buggy behavior involving third‑party managers, review community threads and, if needed, file a bug or feedback with DuckDuckGo or the password manager — DuckDuckGo’s autofill code is maintained publicly and development channels exist for reporting issues [5] [2].
Limitations: This analysis relies solely on the provided help pages, product update notes, community discussion and a third‑party how‑to; available sources do not mention device‑specific step‑by‑step paths for every OS or a single global “erase all autofill” control that covers third‑party stores [3] [1] [5] [2] [4].