How to enable and disable SafeSearch

SafeSearch is your first line of defense against any spicy, misleading, or otherwise dangerous content in search results. Knowing how to enable and disable SafeSearch could be the difference between browsing safely or stumbling on inappropriate content during a meeting.

Below, we’ll explore the dangers of disabling SafeSearch and how to toggle it on or off on desktop and mobile. We’ll also look at how to enable/disable YouTube’s Restricted Mode and explain why you might be unable to turn off SafeSearch in some situations.

What are the risks of disabling SafeSearch?

When you disable SafeSearch, you may come across explicit content, malware, and scam pages, or false information from deceptive websites. Here’s a quick rundown of the risks:

• Graphic content: The most obvious risk is that your results may contain porn, violent images, and other content that may be harmful to children sharing your device.
• Risky websites: Whether malware, phishing, or other scam sites, SafeSearch filters restrict several dangerous pages from your results.
• Unreliable info: Unfiltered search results may include unverified or deceptive sources, making it easier to fall prey to misinformation.
• Confidentiality risks: Explicit search results may expose private pages or content you’d prefer to keep under wraps.

How to enable and disable SafeSearch on desktop

Follow our step-by-step guide to disable SafeSearch on Chrome or any other browser:

1. Log in to Google if you haven’t already.
2. Access the SafeSearch settings.
3. Click Off to disable SafeSearch, or click Filter to enable it.

How to enable and disable SafeSearch on Android and iPhone

Turning off SafeSearch is similar on both Android and iOS. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Launch the Google app on your smartphone.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
3. Press SafeSearch, then select Off.
4. It’s just that easy. You can re-enable SafeSearch by selecting Filter.

How do I turn off SafeSearch on Safari?

Besides disabling Google SafeSearch with the steps above, Safari users may need to tinker with some additional iOS settings to eliminate SafeSearch completely. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the iPhone Settings and tap Screen Time. You may be prompted for a password.
2. Choose Content & Privacy Restrictions.
3. Next, tap App Store, Media, Web & Games.
4. Select Web Content, and make sure Unrestricted is enabled.

You can always use the same steps to re-enable SafeSearch if you want to prevent a child from seeing inappropriate content.

How to enable or disable SafeSearch on YouTube

YouTube has its own separate SafeSearch. Here’s how to enable or disable Restricted Mode:

1. Sign into your YouTube account.
2. Click on your profile in the top-right corner.
3. Click on the Restricted Mode button from the drop-down menu.
4. Toggle Activate Restricted Mode on to filter mature videos.
5. While on, you can click Lock Restricted Mode on this browser as well.

This will lock the setting behind your main Google password. That way, no one sharing your device will see inappropriate videos on the YouTube feed. Just be careful not to turn on password autofill in your browser, or the setting will be useless.

Note that these will only work on the specific browser you’ve enabled them on. Here’s how to change the settings in the YouTube app, too.

How to turn SafeSearch on or off in the YouTube app

1. Open the YouTube app and tap on your profile picture.
2. Tap the gear icon in the top right corner to access your settings.
3. Press General and you can toggle Restricted Mode on or off as needed.

Why can’t I turn off SafeSearch?

There are several possible reasons why you can’t turn off SafeSearch, including:

• Local network settings: Your network might enforce SafeSearch through DNS settings or filters applied by your ISP. Contact your ISP, check your router’s admin panel, or change your DNS settings to rule out any issues.
• Antivirus or OS settings: Your antivirus or operating system may lock SafeSearch as part of its parental or security controls. Check your antivirus or device’s privacy settings to disable it.
• Browser settings or extensions: Your browser might force SafeSearch through safety features or extensions. Review your browser settings and disable any extensions that may override your search preferences.
• Google Family Link restrictions: If your account is supervised with Family Link, only a parent or guardian can adjust SafeSearch settings. Ask them to manage the restrictions through the app (see our guide in the next section).

How do parents turn off SafeSearch?

Parents can disable SafeSearch by adjusting supervision settings through Google’s Family Link app. This tool allows parents to set up or manage controls on a child’s account. For children under 13 (or the local age limit), accounts must remain linked to Family Link for supervision.

If a child is over the age limit, they can choose to end supervision themselves. When this happens, parents receive a notification, and the devices linked to the account will be locked for 24 hours. Emergency calling is still enabled.

To disable SafeSearch through the Family Link app, follow these steps:

1. Launch Family Link.
2. Choose your child’s account.
3. Go to Controls > Content restrictions > Google Search.
4. Tap Off to turn SafeSearch off. Choose Filter to re-enable the setting.

SafeSearch FAQs