Fix iPhone 18 Pro Safari “This Connection Is Not Private” Warning

This article explains how you can fix the “this connection is not private” error in Safari on iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max. Safari warns you when a website that you’re visiting isn’t secure — for example, when the website is encrypted, but its certificate is expired or illegitimate.

Never enter your password or credit card number on sites with this warning. If you need to use the site, contact its owner or administrator and let them know that their site isn’t secure.

You can find Safari’s security settings in the Settings app: tap Apps, then tap Safari and scroll down to the Privacy & Security section.

If you think that you are seeing this warning message even though the site you are visiting is not deceptive, then there are a few tips that you can try. Please try each step until your issue is resolved.

Check Your Date and Time

Try these steps if the wrong date, time, or time zone appears on your iPhone 18 Pro.

1. Make sure that your device is connected to the internet.
2. Open Settings. Tap General, tap Date & Time, then turn on Set Time Automatically. This automatically sets your date and time based on your time zone.
3. If a message says that updated time zone information is available, restart your device and any paired Apple Watch.

If the setting is dimmed: if the device has a Screen Time passcode or a corporate profile with device restrictions installed, the setting might be dimmed (grayed out).

Restart Your iPhone and Your Router

1. Press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears.
2. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off.
3. To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button (on the right side of your iPhone) until you see the Apple logo.

Restart your Wi-Fi modem and router too, by unplugging them and then plugging them back in.

Clear Safari History and Website Data

In your iPhone settings, you can delete your Safari history, cookies, and cache.

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Safari.
2. Scroll down and tap Clear History and Website Data.
3. Confirm the timeframe that you want to clear, then tap Clear History.

This doesn’t change your AutoFill information. If this button is gray, there is either no data to clear, or you might need to check your web content restrictions in Screen Time.

Try the Site in Private Browsing

Copy the URL, open it in a private tab on your iPhone 18 Pro, then try the same URL normally again.

1. Go to the Safari app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the Tabs button.
3. Swipe right on the tab bar at the bottom of the screen until Private Browsing opens, then tap Unlock.

To exit Private Browsing, tap the Tabs button, then swipe left to open a Tab Group from the menu at the bottom of your screen.

Turn Off Your VPN

If you are using a VPN service, check your VPN settings. Third-party security software that monitors or interacts with network connections can potentially block some connections. Turn the VPN off and load the site again.

The “This Connection Is Not Secure” Message

You may also see a similar “This Connection Is Not Secure” message. Apple lists it with the other Safari warnings for websites that aren’t secure, so the same advice applies: never enter your password or credit card number on sites with this warning.