To close all private tabs in Safari on an iPhone 13, tap the Tabs button, switch to the Private tab group, then touch and hold Done and tap Close All [number] Tabs. You can also close tabs one at a time by tapping the X on each tab or swiping it to the left.
These steps work on any iPhone running a recent version of iOS. In iOS 26’s compact Safari layout, you may reach the tab overview by tapping the More (three dots) button first.
Quick Answer
Safari > Tabs > Private > touch and hold Done > Close All Tabs.
Close All Private Tabs at Once
- Open Safari and tap the Tabs button (two overlapping squares).
- Swipe or tap to the Private tab group at the bottom.
- Touch and hold Done (or the checkmark in newer versions).
- Tap Close All [number] Tabs, then confirm.
Close Private Tabs One at a Time
- In the Private tab overview, tap the X in the corner of a tab.
- Or swipe a tab to the left.
- Or, while viewing a page, touch and hold the Tabs button and tap Close This Tab.
Leave Private Browsing
Tap the Tabs button, then switch from Private to your regular tab group (shown as a number of tabs or a named Tab Group). Private tabs stay open in the background until you close them, and in recent iOS versions they can be locked behind Face ID when you’re not using them.
Private Browsing Settings to Know
| Setting | Where | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Require Face ID to Unlock Private Browsing | Settings > Apps > Safari | Locks private tabs when Safari isn’t in use |
| Close Tabs | Settings > Apps > Safari > Close Tabs | Closes tabs automatically after a day, week, or month |
| Private Browsing | Safari Tabs view | Doesn’t save history or AutoFill for these tabs |
On your Mac, Safari can clear history automatically on a Mac.
Troubleshooting
- There’s no Private option: Screen Time content restrictions may block it. Check Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Close All isn’t shown: Make sure you’re touching and holding Done, not tapping it.
- Want to close regular tabs too? See how to close all tabs on iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do private tabs close automatically?
No. They stay open until you close them, but they’re hidden from your regular tabs and can be locked with Face ID.
Can someone see my private tabs?
Anyone with your unlocked phone can open them unless Face ID locking is on. Close them when you’re finished.
Does closing private tabs delete downloads?
No. Files you downloaded stay in the Files app.
Summary
- Open Safari and tap Tabs.
- Switch to Private.
- Touch and hold Done.
- Tap Close All Tabs.
Matthew Burleigh is the head writer at solveyourtech.com, where he covers topics like the iPhone, Microsoft Office, and Google apps. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has over 15 years of IT experience.
He has been writing online since 2008 and has published thousands of articles that have been read millions of times.