To turn off SafeSearch, you need to change it in your search engine or in Google’s own settings for your account and devices.

Google on phone (Google app)

  • Open the Google app on your phone.
  • Tap your profile picture or initial (top right).
  • Go to Settings → SafeSearch.
  • Select Off to disable SafeSearch.
  • If you see a lock icon and cannot change it, the setting is controlled by a parent account (Family Link), school, or network admin and you cannot turn it off yourself.

Google in a browser (PC or mobile)

  • Open a browser and go to google.com.
  • Make sure you’re signed in to your Google account.
  • Either:
    • Click Settings → Search settings (bottom right on desktop), then find SafeSearch.
* Or search anything, then click the gear/quick settings icon and choose **SafeSearch**.
  • Choose Off (or turn off “Filter explicit results”).

Bing SafeSearch

  • Go to bing.com in your browser.
  • Click the three lines or three dots menu (top right) and choose Settings.
  • Open SafeSearch.
  • Select Off , then save.
  • If it keeps switching back, your region or network policy may be forcing SafeSearch.

DuckDuckGo Safe Search

  • Do any search on DuckDuckGo.
  • Under the toolbar, click Safe Search.
  • Choose Off (or a lower level).
  • You can also turn it off in DuckDuckGo’s settings page, or by adding !safeoff to a search, which disables Safe Search for that session.

Why you might not be able to turn it off

  • You’re on a child/Family Link Google account.
  • You’re using a school or work device/account with enforced filters.
  • You’re on public Wi‑Fi or a network that forces SafeSearch at the router or DNS level.

If none of the above applies, sign in to your own account, repeat the steps for your search engine, and try a different network to test if SafeSearch is still stuck on.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.