clear your tracks

Clear Your Tracks

Read this first (safety)

  • If your abuser may be monitoring your phone/computer (spy apps, “find my,” shared Apple/Google IDs), using a different device is safest: a friend’s phone, a library computer, or a shelter/advocacy center device.

  • Big deletions can be noticed. If that’s a risk, clear only the last hour or last day instead of “all time,” or use private/Incognito going forward.

  • If you’re in danger now: US National DV Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or thehotline.org (24/7 chat). On mobile, use the site’s quick-exit if needed.

Quick safety habits (going forward)

    • Use Private/Incognito windows. Close them when done.

    • Turn off sync (Google/Apple) so history isn’t copied to other devices.

    • Use a separate browser for sensitive searches (e.g., Firefox just for safety research).

    • Use a passcode/biometrics on phone; disable lock-screen previews for messages.

    • Log out of shared accounts after each session.

Yes! This is annoying but you only have to do this when you require a certain level of privacy. Once you get out of the bad relationship, you should be able to use navigate the web without all these extra steps.

pick the browser you use

lets get to work!

google chrome

Definite this is my favorite internet browser, its been out for years and it plays very well within the Google platform which means you keep everything organized and for the most part, safe.

That being said, here are the steps you need to take to clear your browsing history from Chrome:

pc

Google Chrome (desktop)

  1. ⋮ (top-right) → History → History.

  2. Clear browsing data → Basic tab.

  3. Time range: choose Last hour (safer) or what you need.

  4. Check Browsing history, Cookies, Cached images → Clear data.

  5. If signed in: go to chrome://settings/syncSetup → Turn off or choose Manage what you sync and turn History off.

android

Chrome (Android)

  1. ⋮ → History → Clear browsing data.

  2. Choose time range (try Last hour).

  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies, Cached images/files → Clear data.

  4. Turn off sync in Settings → Sync → Turn off (if shared account).

iphone

Chrome (iPhone)

  1. ⋮ → History → Clear Browsing Data…

  2. Pick Time Range → select items → Clear Browsing Data.

  3. In Settings → Sync and Google services, turn off Sync if needed.

mozilla firefox

Another browsers that is been around for a while is Firefox from the Mozilla family. I don’t use it quite as I used to because I rather keep everything  combined within the Google Ecosystem but, it is a solid option when it comes to Internet Browsers.

pc
android
iphone

Firefox (desktop & mobile)

  1. Menu ≡ → History → Clear recent history…

  2. Time range to clear: choose Last hour (or more).

  3. Check Browsing & download history, Cookies, Cache → OK.

  4. Use Settings → Privacy → Delete browsing data on quit if helpful.

microsoft edge

Microsoft Edge is a modern web browser developed by Microsoft that is built on the Chromium engine, offering features like speed, security, and efficiency. It is the default browser for Windows 10 and 11 and is available on macOS, iOS, and Android, with data syncing across all devices. Key features include built-in AI tools like Copilot, performance enhancements such as Sleeping Tabs, and security protections like Microsoft Defender SmartScreen

pc
android
iphone

Microsoft Edge (desktop & mobile)

  1. ⋯ → History → ⋯ → Clear browsing data.

  2. Time range: Last hour (or more).

  3. Select Browsing history, Download history, Cookies, Cached images/files → Clear now.

  4. Settings → Profiles → Sync → turn off History if the account is shared.

safari

Safari is Apple’s web browser, built into macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, known for speed, efficiency, and privacy features like Intelligent Tracking Prevention. It includes tools for a better user experience, such as Live Text to interact with text in images, automatic web page translation, and Quick Note to save ideas directly from the browser

iphone

Safari (iPhone/iPad)

  1. Settings app → Safari.

  2. Tap Clear History and Website Data → choose Last hour/Today if safer.

  3. Also in Safari: long-press back button to review recent pages and close them.

  4. Optional: Settings → Privacy & Security → Lock Private Browsing.

Don’t forget these other traces

Search & account history (Google/YouTube/Apple)

  • Google My Activity: myactivity.google.com → Web & App Activity → Manage → delete by last hour/day or by product (Search, Maps, YouTube). You can Pause activity going forward.

  • YouTube: Menu → History → Clear recent items; consider Pause watch/search history.

  • Apple ID (Safari iCloud tabs): On your device, Settings → [your name] → iCloud → Show All → Safari → turn off if devices are shared.

Downloads & files

  • Downloads folder: delete sensitive files; also empty Recycle Bin/Trash.

  • Recent files list: open your file manager’s Recent and remove items from the list.

  • PDF viewers/Office apps may have their own “recent” lists—clear those too.

Autofill & forms

  • Browsers save addresses/searches. In each browser’s Settings → Privacy → Autofill, clear saved entries related to your searches.

Location traces

  • Google Maps: maps.google.com → Menu → Your data in Maps → Delete last hour/day of location history (or Pause Location History).

  • iPhone: Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services; review app access; consider disabling Significant Locations.

Notifications & widgets

  • Clear sensitive site notifications (browser Settings → Notifications).

  • Remove any “Most visited” tiles on new-tab pages by hovering and deleting.

Signs of spyware/monitoring (seek help if you see these)

  • Battery drains fast, phone hot when idle, data spikes.

  • Unknown “device administrators” (Android) or Profiles & Device Management entries (iPhone).

  • You see logins from devices/locations you don’t recognize (Google/Apple account security pages).
    If you suspect spyware, don’t try to remove it on the same device—use a safe device to get help from an advocate or tech-safety specialist (NNEDV’s Safety Net has resources).

Low-risk posting version (what you can publish as a carousel)

  1. Use Private/Incognito.

  2. Clear last hour of history in your browser (Chrome/Safari/Firefox/Edge).

  3. Turn off account sync if devices are shared.

  4. Delete downloads and clear recent files.

  5. Review Google/YouTube “My Activity” and delete the last hour/day.

  6. Check Maps location history and pause it if needed.

  7. If you suspect spyware, switch devices and get help.

If you’re searching for help while living with abuse, use Private/Incognito and clear only the last hour of history so changes aren’t obvious. Turn off sync if you share accounts. The safest option is a device your abuser can’t access (friend, library, shelter). If you’re in danger now, call 1-800-799-SAFE or chat at thehotline.org.

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