Introduction
The Brave browser is renowned for its privacy-first approach, blocking trackers and ads by default. Beyond these protections, you can configure Brave to automatically clear your browsing history and other private data whenever you exit the browser. This article walks you through every step, from built-in settings on desktop and mobile to third-party extensions, ensuring your browsing remains as private as possible.
Understanding Brave’s Privacy Features
Built-In vs. Third-Party Solutions
Brave offers native controls for clearing data on exit. If you need more granular scheduling or selective clearing, third-party extensions can fill the gap. Here’s a quick comparison:
Feature | Built-In “Clear on Exit” | Extension (e.g., History AutoDelete) |
---|---|---|
Automatic Trigger | On browser close | On tab close or custom interval |
Data Types | Browsing history, cookies, cache, downloads | Most browser-accessible data, with selective filters |
Granularity | All or nothing per category | Domain-specific rules, retention periods |
Automatic History Clearing on Desktop
Step 1: Open Brave Settings
Launch Brave and click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner. Choose Settings from the drop-down.
Step 2: Navigate to Privacy and Security
In the left sidebar, select Privacy and security. You’ll see a list of privacy controls and data options.
Step 3: Enable “Clear Browsing Data on Exit”
- Click Clear browsing data to expand the menu.
- Switch to the On exit tab.
- Toggle on each data type you wish to clear automatically:
- Browsing history
- Cookies and other site data
- Cached images and files
- Download history
Once enabled, Brave will purge the selected items every time you close the browser window.
Optional: Use a Third-Party Extension
If you need more control—such as clearing data by domain or at set intervals—install a Chrome-compatible extension like History AutoDelete.
- Download from the Chrome Web Store.
- Click Add to Brave and confirm.
- Open the extension’s options to set retention periods, domain filters, and automatic triggers.
Automatic History Clearing on Mobile
Brave for Android
- Tap the three-dot menu at the bottom or top of the screen.
- Select Settings gt Privacy gt Clear browsing data on exit.
- Toggle on the categories you want cleared: browsing history, cookies, cache, etc.
Brave for iOS
- Open Settings within the Brave app.
- Tap Privacy gt Clear Browsing Data gt On Exit.
- Enable each data type to clear when you close Brave.
Managing and Verifying Your Settings
Ensure Proper Functionality
- Close all Brave windows and reopen the browser.
- Visit a site, then close Brave again.
- Reopen and press Ctrl H (or use the History menu) to confirm history is empty.
Adjusting Over Time
If you notice data still persists:
- Revisit Privacy and security settings and re-toggle options.
- Check for conflicting extensions that manage history or cookies.
- Keep Brave updated to the latest version to avoid bugs.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Auto-Clear Not Working
- Verify you’ve closed all browser processes (check your system tray).
- Disable and re-enable the clear-on-exit toggles.
- Test in a fresh Brave profile to rule out profile corruption.
Extension Conflicts
Multiple privacy or cookie-management extensions can interfere with auto-clear settings. Try disabling extra extensions or consolidate functions into one tool.
Conclusion
Automatically clearing your history in Brave keeps your browsing footprint minimal and enhances your privacy. Whether you prefer the simplicity of Brave’s built-in “clear on exit” feature or the advanced options offered by extensions, you have full control over what data is removed and when. Follow these steps on desktop and mobile to ensure your browsing remains private without manual clean-ups.
Be the first to leave a comment