Turn Off Facebook Link History: Easy Steps

This guide shows you how to turn off Facebook Link History on both the mobile app and the desktop website. Disabling this setting stops Facebook from saving a list of the links you click inside its apps, and it also clears the history that was already saved. You only need your Facebook account and the ability to access your settings; no special tools are required.

What You’ll Need

• Access to your Facebook account (via the mobile app or a web browser)
• Your login credentials (email/phone and password)

Step-by-Step

On the Facebook Mobile App (iOS and Android)

1. Open the Facebook app on your phone and log in if you are not already logged in.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner of the home screen (on iOS) or the top-right corner of the bottom navigation bar (on Android) to open the menu.
3. Scroll down and tap Settings & privacy.
4. Tap Settings.
5. In the Preferences section, tap Link history. (If you don’t see it immediately, use the search bar at the top of the Settings page and type “Link history”.)
6. You will see a screen that shows your link history and a toggle switch labeled Allow link history. If the toggle is blue or green (on), tap it to turn it off. It will turn gray/white.
7. A confirmation pop-up may appear asking if you want to turn off link history. Tap Turn off to confirm.
8. After turning it off, you will see an option to Clear link history. Tap this if you want to delete the links that were saved before you disabled the feature. Confirm the action when prompted.

On the Facebook Website (Desktop Browser)

1. Go to www.facebook.com and log in.
2. Click your profile picture in the top-right corner of the page.
3. Click Settings & privacy.
4. Click Settings.
5. In the left-hand sidebar, click Link history (under the “Preferences” section). If you don’t see it, use the search bar at the top of the settings page.
6. On the Link history page, click the toggle switch next to Allow link history to turn it off. The switch will change from blue to gray.
7. A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm. Click Turn off.
8. After disabling, you’ll see a button to Clear link history. Click it and confirm to delete previously saved links.

Common Mistakes

• Turning it off but not clearing history: Disabling the feature stops future saving, but your past link history remains unless you actively click “Clear link history.” If you want it gone, you must clear it separately.
• Looking in the wrong settings menu: Link history is not under “Privacy” or “Security”; it is under “Preferences” in the main Settings menu. Searching for “Link history” in the settings search bar is the fastest way to find it.
• Confusing it with browser history: Facebook’s Link History only tracks links you click within the Facebook app or website. It does not affect your phone’s or browser’s own history.
• Not confirming the pop-up: If you tap the toggle and then dismiss the confirmation dialog without tapping “Turn off,” the setting remains on. Make sure you complete the confirmation step.

Tips

• Use the search bar in settings: Facebook’s settings menu changes layout frequently. Typing “Link history” directly into the settings search bar will always take you to the right page, regardless of the current menu structure.
• Do this on both app and web: The setting is separate for the app and the website. If you use both, you need to disable it in both places to fully stop tracking.
• Check after updates: Facebook occasionally resets preferences during major app updates. It’s a good idea to check this setting after updating the app to ensure it’s still off.
• Remember it’s per-profile: If you manage multiple Facebook profiles or Pages, you must turn off link history separately for each one.

Troubleshooting

• Can’t find “Link history” in Settings: If the option is missing, your account may not have the feature rolled out yet, or you are looking in the wrong place. Use the search bar at the top of the Settings page and type “Link history.” If it still doesn’t appear, log out and log back in, or update your app to the latest version.
• The toggle turns back on by itself: This can happen if you have the Facebook app open on multiple devices. Turn it off on all devices, or log out of devices you no longer use. Also, clear your app cache (in your phone’s app settings) and try again.
• “Clear link history” button is grayed out: This usually means there is no saved history to clear, or the history is still loading. Refresh the page or close and reopen the app, then try again.
• You still see link history after turning it off: The toggle stops new links from being saved, but it does not delete old ones. You must manually tap “Clear link history” after turning off the toggle to remove existing entries.
• Setting doesn’t save: If you turn off the toggle and it immediately flips back on, try using a different browser (if on desktop) or reinstalling the app (on mobile). Also, ensure your internet connection is stable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is Facebook Link History?

Link History is a Facebook feature that saves a list of the links you click on within the Facebook app or website. This list is stored with your account and is used to show you more relevant ads and content. It is separate from your device’s browser history.

Will turning off Link History affect my ads?

Yes, it may. Facebook uses your link history to personalize ads. After turning it off, you may see less relevant ads, but you will still see ads in general. Your ad preferences from other activities (likes, shares, profile info) are still used.

Does turning off Link History delete my existing history?

No, not automatically. Turning off the toggle only stops new links from being saved. To delete the links that were already saved, you must tap the “Clear link history” button that appears after you turn off the toggle.

Can I turn Link History back on later?

Yes. You can go back to the same settings page and toggle the switch back on at any time. Turning it back on will resume saving new links, but it will not restore any history that you previously cleared.

Is Link History the same as my browser history?

No. Link History is stored by Facebook on their servers and is tied to your account. Browser history is stored locally on your device and is managed by your web browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.). They are completely separate.

Why don’t I have the Link History option?

Facebook rolls out features gradually. If you don’t see the option, it may not be available in your region or on your account yet. Check for app updates and try again in a few weeks. The setting is also only available when you are logged into your personal profile, not a business Page.

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