IOS – Fully disable Spotlight Search

iossearchspotlight

I would like to know if there is any way to disable Spotlight Search, even when an user goes to Settings -> Spotlight Search, and change the options there.

That's mainly because anyone could still search in Spotlight only by going to Settings -> Spotlight and enabling the search on the web. I do know that you can set it so you can apply filters, but they are not successfull at what I need. (Yes, I know also that Safari can be restricted under "Restrictions", but I am only talking about Spotlight)

I would need something like "Spotlight Search" under "Restrictions", so I can turn it off completely, so any user can't enable the Internet search again.

That's like a little bug for anyone who want to be fully protected for mature/adult content. (I want to have my own filter, not what Apple says that is good)

PS. Currently I am with iOS 10.X in an iPhone SE. There's a video from youtube here that explains how to disable Settings app. That would be great, but that workaround only work in older versions of iOS.

Best Answer

Okay, sounds to me like your friend wants to totally prevent search engines while at the same time allowing most websites. In other words, no Google, no Bing, no Yahoo, no Baidu, no AOL, no Ask.com, and the list could go on and on.

If my understanding is right, then the best option to cover all bases would be to do as follows:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Tap General
  3. Tap on Spotlight Search
  4. Disable Siri Suggestions, Suggestions in Search, Suggestions in Look Up
  5. Exit Spotlight Search
  6. Exit General
  7. Tap on Siri
  8. Either disable Siri totally OR disable Access on Lock Screen
  9. Exit Siri
  10. Tap on General
  11. Tap on Restrictions
  12. Enter a restrictions passcode
  13. Swipe up until you see the list of ALLOWED CONTENT options
  14. Tap on Websites
  15. Tap on Limit Adult Content
  16. Tap on Add a website... under the NEVER ALLOW heading
  17. Enter google.com and tap Done
  18. Repeat step 17 for any other search engines he wants to restrict
  19. Exit Websites and return to the main Restrictions screen
  20. Swipe down to see the top of the screen
  21. Disable Siri & Dictation
  22. Exit Restrictions

Now, the above is total overkill, but should do what he wants. He can then go back and re-enable certain things if this is disabling more than he wanted.

[UPDATE]

In newer versions of iOS, the various Siri options at Step 4 are now located at Settings > Siri & Search.

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