Is it happening that you are getting a warning message”This Connection is Not Private” while trying to access a website using the Safari web browser on your iPhone? The website will not load and Safari will cite that the website is unsafe to browse.
The reason for the said website being unsafe is due to an expired security certificate. All the popular browsers including Safari encourage safe browsing habits. So, when a website has its security expired, in the URL bar you will see an exclamation sign instead of a lock symbol.
The lock symbol beside the website name in the browser address bar indicates that the site is secure to browse or perform any monetary transaction. It means the security certificate of the site is valid.
Normally, all websites renew their security certificates after a certain time. If for some reason a website is no more being maintained or their owners could not renew the SSL certificate, then when you use a browser and access the site, you end up seeing the “This Connection is not Private Error” message.
Why Does ‘This Connection is Not Private’ Error Appear on Safari iOS?
If we consider other reasons apart from the expired security certificate, it may happen that you have entered the wrong URL. Mistakenly, you typed some website name that doesn’t exist in the first place.
The website you are trying to reach may have been deemed as a fraud website and hence your browser warns you regarding the risk of malware attacks or data theft upon further browsing of that site.
Also, if you are using a VPN, then instead of your original region some other region server will be used to access websites. If a website has been banned in the region that is acting as the ISP server(When VPN is active) then you may face the Connection is Not Private warning.
Often not clearing stored cached data for a long time on the Safari browser may also cause you to see this warning message.
On a related note, we suggest that whenever you come across any website being cited as unsafe to browse due to expired security, do not try to use the contact forms on the websites or perform any monetary transactions. It may cause harm to your device and device data.
Best Ways to Fix Connection is Not Private Error on Safari Browser
There are a few fixes that you can try to resolve the warning message “This Connection is Not Private” on Safari Browser for iPhone Mobile.
1. Clear the Cache of Safari Browser on iOS
It is very easy to clear the junk data stored in the cache of the Safari browser. Here are the steps you need to follow.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Then navigate to Safari and tap on it.
- In the Safari settings page, navigate to Clear History and Website Data. Tap on it.
- Now relaunch the Safari browser and try to access the website that was not opening due to a nonprivate connection warning.
2. Bypass the Connection Not Private Error on Safari
You may also bypass the warning message “This connection is not private” and visit the website though it is not recommended.
- When you see the warning message it should be accompanied by an option Show Details. Tap on it to get redirected to another page.
- On this page, You will see the risks associated with visiting a site whose security certificate has expired.
- There will be another option Visit the website anyway. That will be a link linking to the landing page of the concerned website. Tap on it and you will access the website.
3. Disable VPN on your iPhone
If you have enabled the VPN on your iPhone, you can try to disable it and access the website on which you are getting the warning of no private connection.
- Go to the Settings app.
- Then scroll to VPN and tap on the switch beside the option to disable it.
- You may also open the VPN app you are using and disable it from there.
4. Ensure that your iPhone is Following Correct Time
Always set automatic time on your iPhone. This will ensure that any conflict regarding the time zone will be avoided. A wrong time may cause you to see the Connection is Not Private message on Safari.
- Launch the Settings app.
- Tap on General.
- Next, tap on Date & Time.
- Under that, tap on the switch beside the option Set Automatically.
5. Check that You Are Entering the Correct Website in the URL Bar
Always ensure that you are spelling the website correctly when entering the site name in the URL bar of the Safari browser.
Often scam websites impersonate some legit websites’ names by changing a few alphabets here and there. So, entering the wrong website name may lead you to scam websites. Or else you end up seeing a ” the connection is not private” warning.
Otherwise, you will get a message that asks you to check that you have entered the correct website URL for the said website(wrong spelling) doesn’t exist.
6. Are You Still Seeing the Warning Message on Safari?
Note that, for some users, even after implementing all the above troubleshooting methods you may still see the “this connection is not private” warning. This may indicate that the website SSL certificate has not been timely updated.
Unless the website admin renews the security certificate anyone who lands on the website from any legit web browser will end up seeing the This Connection is Not Private warning message.
So, that’s all about how to fix the “This Connection is Not Private” warning message on the Safari browser on your iPhone. I hope this guide was informative.