The autocomplete or sometimes referred to as ‘Suggestions’ on Google Chrome is an assistive feature to help users access certain pages or searches faster by eliminating the need to type the full URL or query.
This feature is undoubtedly useful to save time and improve the overall browsing experience. But it might leave us with a bit of distraction, and perhaps, a privacy concern.
Your coworker could see the pages you visited just by typing the first letter of it. And for some people, it might lead to the search result they weren’t intended to.
To stop them from happening, removing (disabling) the autocomplete feature is a simple thing you can do. Let’s check it out!
Table of Contents
#1 How to remove a visited URL or searched query
If you want to remove a particular URL or search query on Chrome desktop, just type the first few letters and when the autocomplete appears, click on the X icon at the end of it to remove the suggestion.
For Chrome mobile, the process is kind of the same but instead of clicking the X icon, tap and hold the showed query, and tap OK to remove it.
#2 How to disable suggestions (autocomplete) on Chrome
This guide is to disable the autocomplete on suggestions you haven’t visited. It will make the search bar look cleaner and focused.
Chrome app
1. Launch the Chrome app, go tap on the icon menu.
2. Select Settings.
3. Go to Google services.
4. Turn off Autocomplete searches and URLs.
Chrome desktop
1. Click the icon menu, and select Settings.
2. Go to Sync and Google services.
3. Turn off Autocomplete searches and URLs.
In case you want to remove autocomplete from the visited URLs and searches in the future, the only way to do that is by clearing the history. Or, use Chrome’s incognito window to flush your internet activity once you have done.
Take Control of Your Chrome Experience
While disabling autocomplete can declutter your browsing experience, there are additional steps you can take to maintain privacy and streamline your workflow.
Clear Browsing Data Regularly
Even with autocomplete disabled, your browsing history may still store sensitive information. Make it a habit to clear your browsing data periodically:
- Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu.
- Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data.
- Under the Advanced tab, select Browsing history, Autofill form data, and other relevant options.
- Choose a time range and click Clear data.
For shared devices, consider using Guest Mode or Incognito Mode to prevent Chrome from saving your browsing activity:
- Guest Mode: Ideal for temporary users, as it doesn’t save any activity once the session ends.
- Incognito Mode: Perfect for private sessions, ensuring no history or autofill data is stored.
Secure Your Autofill Data
If you choose to keep autofill enabled for convenience, ensure your data is secure:
- Use a strong master password if syncing across devices.
- Regularly review saved passwords and payment methods in Chrome’s settings.
- Disable autofill for sensitive fields like banking or medical forms.
FAQ
Why does autocomplete still show some suggestions after disabling it?
Autocomplete may still display suggestions from your browsing history or bookmarks. To remove these, clear your history or delete specific bookmarks.
Can I disable autocomplete for specific websites only?
No, Chrome’s autocomplete settings apply globally. However, you can manually remove suggestions for specific sites by hovering over them and pressing Shift + Delete on desktop or long-pressing them on mobile.
Is there a way to keep autocomplete but disable autofill?
Yes, you can disable autofill while keeping search suggestions:
- Go to Settings > Autofill and passwords.
- Toggle off options like Save and fill addresses or Payment methods.
What’s the difference between autocomplete and autofill?
Autocomplete predicts search terms or URLs as you type in the address bar, while autofill automatically populates form fields like passwords or payment details.
By implementing these strategies, you can enjoy a cleaner, more private browsing experience tailored to your needs.
