Your Chrome history is the record of websites you've visited, and on a computer you open it from More at the top right, then History, then History page. To delete it, select More, then Delete browsing data, choose a time range such as Last hour or All time, tick what you want gone and select Delete data.
Here's the catch. If you're signed in to Chrome and your history syncs to your Google Account, deleting it on one computer deletes it on every device where you're signed in, and from your Google Account too. That's handy for a full clean, and a nasty surprise if you only meant to tidy one laptop. Your Google search history is a separate thing again, stored in your Google Account, and Chrome's delete doesn't touch it.
What a Chrome history delete reaches
| Where the history lives | Removed when you delete in Chrome, as of October 2026? |
|---|---|
| Chrome on the computer you're using | Yes |
| Other devices signed in to Chrome with history synced | Yes, it's deleted there too |
| Chrome data saved in your Google Account | Yes, if you delete while signed in |
| Google search history in your Google Account | No, you delete that from your account separately |
If you share a computer and want a clean slate without wiping your phone's history, sign out of Chrome first, or use a separate profile for the person you share with. Google's own tip points the other way for sign-outs: to sign out of your Google Account on all websites, sign out of Chrome.
How to delete Chrome history by time range
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, select More, then Delete browsing data.
- Choose a time range, like Last hour or All time.
- Tick the items you want to delete. Google's steps include Cookies and other site data, so untick it if you want to stay signed in to sites.
- Check any other items you want gone.
- To confirm, select Delete data.
There's a quicker way in. Type Delete browsing data into the address bar, then tap the Action chip that appears, and Chrome jumps straight to the same dialog. Google's help also covers deleting a single site from your history, deleting individual items, and removing items by groups, so you don't have to wipe a whole day to lose one page. The same dialog reaches beyond history, too. It can clear other browsing data, like saved form entries, and if you're signed in, data such as history or autofill info saved to your Google Account is removed from the account when you delete it.
Ways to find a page in your Chrome history
- Open the History page from More, then History, then History page.
- Search your browsing history straight from the address bar.
- Find your history by group, where Chrome bundles related visits together.
- Resume browsing sessions from your other devices, if you're signed in and your history syncs to your Google Account.
- Find related searches from inside Chrome.
Search your Chrome history with AI
Chrome has a feature called History search, powered by AI, that lets you search your history in everyday language. It works even when you can't remember an exact keyword or web address. As of October 2026, Google says you must be located in the US and use Chrome in English to use it.
- At the top right, select More, then Settings, then AI Innovations.
- Select History search, powered by AI.
- Turn it on, or off again whenever you like.
Then go to More, then History, then History page, and type your search. Use 2 or more words and be as precise and detailed as you can. You can narrow the results to Yesterday, Last 7 days or Last 30 days.
| AI history search rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Only pages you visit after you switch it on | It can't find anything from before |
| Stores page contents on your device | Chrome saves the page text, encrypted, alongside the title and address, and this might affect performance |
| Shows up to 3 best matches | Look under Best matches from your history |
| Short, simple searches skip the AI | You're matched to the page title or address only |
| Uses the page as it was when you visited | If the site has changed since, results reflect the old version |
| Managed browsers may block it | Your organisation can switch it off on a work profile |
You can rate each best match with a thumbs up or thumbs down, and a thumbs down lets you say why it missed. If the setting's missing or greyed out on a work laptop, check your settings for details, because a managed profile or browser can have it switched off. The feature sits under Google's Generative AI Terms of Service. If you search your history often, pin History to your toolbar so you can use AI history search from the side panel.
My verdict on Chrome history
Before you delete, ask one question: am I signed in and syncing? If you are, the delete follows you to every device, so pick the time range with care. For a single embarrassing page, delete that one item instead of a whole hour. If you're trying to clear what Google knows about your searches, that's a different job, and my guide on deleting your Google search history walks through it. If a site's acting up and you're tempted to clear everything, try clearing just the cache in Chrome first. And if what you're really after is a page you had open before Chrome closed, it's quicker to restore your tabs than to dig through history.
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Frequently asked questions
Where is my history in Chrome?
On a computer, select More at the top right, then History, then History page. You can also search your browsing history from the address bar.
Does deleting Chrome history delete it on my phone too?
Yes, if you're signed in to Chrome and your history is synced to your Google Account. The delete reaches every device where you're signed in, and your Google Account.
Does clearing Chrome history delete my Google search history?
No. Google search history in your Google Account is separate, and you delete it from your account.
What's the fastest way to clear Chrome history?
Type Delete browsing data into the address bar, then tap the Action chip to open the Delete browsing data dialog.
Who can use AI history search in Chrome?
As of October 2026, you must be located in the US and use Chrome in English. It only covers sites you visit after you turn it on.
