Apple has been running a variety of ads over the past year pushing Safari as the privacy-friendly browser choice for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users. But in iOS 18.4 beta 1, theres a new Safari feature that may accidentally undercut that messagedespite offering solid utility.Update 3/19/25: Added information about a change in iOS 18.4 beta 4 below.iOS 18.4 beta 1 shows recent searches when opening a new tabThe first iOS 18.4 beta is packed with a variety of big and small feature changes.One update Ive enjoyedbut that also makes me a bit uneasyinvolves Apples browser, Safari.Whenever you open a new Safari tab and tap into the address bar, iOS 18.4 automatically displays your recent search history on screen.I definitely see how this can be a useful feature, offering easy ways to re-visit prior searches and quickly submit them again.But it might also make some iPhone users feel uneasy seeing their recent searches featured so prominently in the app.Particularly if you ever hand your device to someone elsewhich many of us do. In situations like this, iOS 18.4s new Safari feature could prove a big problem for some users.Having recent searches shown when you start a new search: nice feature.Having your searches shown when someone else starts a new search: not so great.This seems like a great convenience / quality of life improvement, and Apple already has private browsing mode for those particularly sensitive searches that you might not want other people seeing. View all commentsIts very possible this feature could be removed in future iOS 18.4 betas before the public launch. For now though, its a potential privacy issue to be aware of.iOS 18.4 also, for now at least, doesnt seem to offer a way to turn it off. While you can always clear your recent search history with a quick tap, Ive yet to find any options in the Settings app to permanently disable the feature. Update 3/19/25: iOS 18.4 beta 4 has added an option in Safaris settings to now disable this feature. Theres a Show Recent Searches toggle thats on by default, but you can turn off.What do you think of this Safari change in iOS 18.4? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel