How to Turn Off SafeSearch in Google Chrome

Google’s SafeSearch feature is designed to automatically filter out explicit content, including graphic violence and pornography, from your Google Search results. While this is an excellent, essential tool for parents managing family computers or network administrators in a corporate environment, it can sometimes be overly aggressive.

SafeSearch relies on automated algorithms that occasionally misidentify legitimate, educational, or medical information as inappropriate. If you are an adult attempting to conduct unrestricted research and you find your search results are being artificially limited, you will need to turn off SafeSearch.

Is SafeSearch Controlled by Chrome or Google?

There is a common misconception that SafeSearch is a setting built into the Google Chrome browser itself. This is incorrect. SafeSearch is an account-level setting tied directly to the Google Search engine and your Google Account.

Therefore, turning it off in Google Chrome will also turn it off if you use Safari, Firefox, or Edge, provided you are logged into the same Google Account. Conversely, if you are not logged in, the setting relies on temporary browser cookies.

Step 1: How to Turn Off SafeSearch on a Desktop Computer

If you are using a Windows PC or a Mac, follow these steps to disable the filter:

1. Open Google Chrome (or your preferred browser) and navigate to google.com.
2. Ensure you are logged into your Google Account. (Look for your profile picture in the top right corner).
3. In the bottom right corner of the Google homepage, click on Settings.
4. From the pop-up menu, select Search settings.
5. You will be taken to a new page. Look for the section labelled SafeSearch.
6. Click on the SafeSearch option to expand the menu.
7. You will see three options: Filter, Blur, and Off.
8. Select Off to completely disable the content filter.

Your changes are saved automatically. When you return to Google Search, you will now receive unfiltered results.

Step 2: How to Turn Off SafeSearch on a Mobile Device

If you are using an Android smartphone or an iPhone, the process is very similar, though the interface looks slightly different.

1. Open the Google app, or open Chrome and navigate to google.com.
2. Tap your Profile picture in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
4. Tap on SafeSearch.
5. Select the Off option to disable the explicit content filter.

Why Can I Not Turn Off SafeSearch?

If you followed the steps above but the SafeSearch setting is “locked” or greyed out, you do not have the administrative privileges required to change it. There are three common reasons for this:

• Family Link: If your Google Account is managed by a parent or guardian using Google Family Link, they control your SafeSearch settings. You cannot disable it without their permission.
• School or Workplace Network: If you are connected to a public Wi-Fi network (like a school, library, or corporate office), the network administrator may have forced SafeSearch at the router level. In this scenario, you cannot bypass it while connected to that network.
• Device Management: If your phone or laptop was issued by your employer or school, they may have installed Mobile Device Management (MDM) profiles that permanently lock SafeSearch on.

If none of these apply to you, but the setting still will not save, try clearing your browser cookies and cache, then log back into your Google Account and try again.