This wikiHow teaches you how to disable Google SafeSearch protection (a service that prevents explicit/vulgar content from appearing in search results) on both desktop and mobile platforms. Unfortunately, SafeSearch is enforced by law in some regions, although some ISPs (Internet Service Providers) have arranged for SafeSearch to be locked. If this happens, you cannot disable Google SafeSearch, although you can try using a different browser.
Step
Method 1 of 4: On iPhone
Step 1. Run Google
Tap the Google icon, which is a colorful "G" on a white background. The Google search engine will be opened.
Step 2. Tap on “Settings” icon
It's in the top-left corner.
When Google opens a site, first tap the Google logo at the bottom of the screen
Step 3. Scroll down, then tap Search settings located in the “Privacy” section
Step 4. Check the box "Show most relevant results"
It's at the top of the screen.
If this option is checked, it means that SafeSearch is disabled
Step 5. Tap Save
It's a blue button at the bottom of the page. Your settings will be saved and the Settings page will close.
Step 6. Tap DONE which is on the top right corner
The Google search engine page will be displayed again.
Step 7. Try doing a search
Search for the word or phrase you want to see if SafeSearch is disabled. If the search returns explicit (or different) results than before, SafeSearch for Google has been disabled successfully.
If the search still returns non-explicit results, your ISP or region may have blocked explicit results. You can contact your ISP to inquire about this, or use a VPN or proxy to display blocked content on your desktop
Method 2 of 4: On Android Device
Step 1. Run Google
Tap the Google icon, which is a colorful "G" on a white background. The Google search engine will be opened.
Step 2. Tap which is in the bottom right corner
This will bring up a menu.
Step 3. Tap Settings in the menu
The Settings page will open.
Step 4. Tap Accounts & privacy
This option is in the middle of the Settings page.
Step 5. Tap the "SafeSearch filter" button
blue.
The button will turn gray
. This indicates that SafeSearch is disabled.
If the button is grayed out, it means SafeSearch has been disabled
Step 6. Try doing a search
Tap the magnifying glass at the bottom of the screen, then search for the word or phrase you want to see if SafeSearch is disabled. If the search returns explicit (or different) results than before, SafeSearch for Google has been disabled successfully.
If the search still returns non-explicit results, your ISP or region may have blocked explicit results. You can contact your ISP to inquire about this, or use a VPN or proxy to display blocked content on your desktop
Method 3 of 4: On Desktop Computer
Step 1. Visit the Google Preferences page
Launch a web browser and visit
Enable cookies in your browser so you can save your preferences when exiting the page
Step 2. Uncheck the "Turn on SafeSearch" box
This option is at the top of the page.
- If SafeSearch is locked in your browser, enter your password when prompted.
- If the box is unchecked, it means that SafeSearch on that computer has been disabled.
Step 3. Check the "Use private results" box in the middle of the page
This setting is not directly related to SafeSearch, but it can expand search results by showing more relevant images.
Again, SafeSearch is active when the box is checked
Step 4. Scroll down and click Save
It's a blue button at the bottom of the page. Your settings will be saved and the page will return to Google.
Step 5. Try doing a search
Search for the word or phrase you want to see if SafeSearch is disabled. If the search returns explicit (or different) results than before, SafeSearch for Google has been disabled successfully.
If the search still returns non-explicit results, your ISP or region may have blocked explicit results. You can contact your ISP to inquire about this, or use a VPN or proxy to display blocked content
Method 4 of 4: Using an Alternative Browser
Step 1. Do a search on Bing as an alternative
Since the change in Google SafeSearch, many people have turned to Bing to search for explicit content. Do the following to disable SafeSearch on Bing:
- Visit
- Click ☰ which is on the top right.
- Click SafeSearch
- Check the "Off" box.
- Click Save
- Click agree
Step 2. Use DuckDuckGo to avoid being tracked
DuckDuckGo is a private search engine that doesn't track browsing history. Do the following things to disable SafeSearch on DuckDuckGo:
- Visit
- Click ☰ which is on the top right.
- Click Other Settings
- Click the " Safe Search " drop-down box.
- Click Off
- Scroll down, then click Save and Exit
Step 3. Join DeviantArt to find explicit images to draw figures into
DeviantArt is a great place to find images of naked people in non-erotic poses, or naked people of various body types. However, you must register with an email address in order to turn off the Mature Content setting.
Tips
- Google users in many countries can now no longer disable SafeSearch completely for all searches. While in the past you could still get around this by doing a search on Google pages in other countries, now Google has detected this method and enabled SafeSearch.
- Some ISPs will force their filters on if you enable "scam protection" in their account control panel. You can verify this using an international VPN service to connect to google.com and test if you can disable SafeSearch this way. If you can disable SafeSearch using a VPN to connect to google.com, it means that your ISP has automatically redirected searches through Google's filtering service.
