how to activate incognito mode on safari

How to Turn on Safari Private Browsing on iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide

Turning on Safari Private Browsing on an iPhone is a simple process. Open the Safari app, tap the tabs button (which looks like two overlapping squares), then tap “Private” to turn on Private Browsing Mode. Now, Safari won’t remember the pages you visit, your search history, or your AutoFill information.

After you complete this action, your browsing activity will not be saved in Safari. This means that websites you visit won’t appear in your history, and information entered in forms won’t be saved for AutoFill.

Introduction

In today’s digital age, privacy is a hot commodity. With every click, tap, and scroll, we leave digital footprints that can tell a story about who we are and what we like to do online. That’s why learning how to turn on Safari Private Browsing on your iPhone is essential. Whether you’re entering sensitive information, researching a surprise gift, or simply want to keep your browsing history to yourself, Private Browsing Mode is your go-to feature.

This function is particularly handy for shared devices or when you want to keep your browsing habits under wraps. So, if you’re an iPhone user looking to browse the web without leaving a trace, you’re in the right place. We’ll show you how to enable this feature in just a few easy steps.

Step by Step Tutorial on How to Turn on Safari Private Browsing on an iPhone

Before we dive into the steps, let’s clarify what we’ll achieve here. By following these simple steps, you’ll enable Private Browsing Mode in Safari, which prevents Safari from keeping track of your browsing history, search records, and AutoFill information.

Step 1: Open the Safari App

Navigate to your iPhone’s home screen and tap on the Safari app to open it.

Opening the Safari app is your gateway to the internet on your iPhone. Make sure you’re connected to the internet before you proceed.

Step 2: Access Your Open Tabs

Look for the tabs button, which resembles two overlapping squares, and tap on it.

This button will show you all your currently open tabs. If you have many tabs open, you may have to swipe left or right to find the “Private” option.

Step 3: Enable Private Browsing

Find the “Private” option at the bottom left of the screen and tap it.

Once you tap “Private,” you’ll notice the color of the browser interface changes, indicating that you’re now in Private Browsing Mode.

Additional Information

Now that you’re all set with Private Browsing Mode on Safari, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, while your browsing activity isn’t saved on your iPhone, your internet service provider or employer can still track it. Also, if you download files while in Private Browsing, they’re saved to your phone and visible in the Downloads folder.

Moreover, not all Safari features are available in this mode; for example, you can’t use Handoff to pass browsing activity between devices. Lastly, remember to close all private tabs before returning to regular browsing to maintain your privacy.

• Open the Safari app on your iPhone.
• Tap the tabs button to view your open tabs.
• Tap “Private” to enter Private Browsing Mode.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does private browsing hide my activity from my employer or internet service provider.

No, Private Browsing only prevents Safari from saving your browsing data on your iPhone. Your activity can still be tracked by your internet service provider or employer.

Will downloads in Private Browsing show up in my regular downloads folder?

Yes, any files you download while in Private Browsing Mode will be saved to your iPhone and visible in the Downloads folder.

Can I use Handoff with Private Browsing?

No, Handoff does not work with Private Browsing tabs, as your browsing activity isn’t saved.

Can websites track me while I’m using Private Browsing?

Some websites may still track your activity using cookies during your Private Browsing session, but they will not be saved once you close the tabs.

How do I turn off Private Browsing?

To exit Private Browsing Mode, open the tabs view, tap “Private” again, and it will switch back to regular browsing.

Turning on Safari Private Browsing on your iPhone is a surefire way to maintain your online privacy. Whether it’s to shop for a surprise, handle sensitive work, or simply because you value your digital privacy, navigating this feature is a breeze. Just remember that while Private Browsing protects your data on your device, it doesn’t make you invisible online. Always exercise caution and use additional privacy tools if needed. Happy private browsing!

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.

Share this:

Join our free newsletter.

Featured guides and deals

You may opt out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Related posts:

• Safari History iPhone: How to See It [2023 Guide]
• Why Can’t I Create a Private Browsing Tab in Safari on My iPhone?
• How to Do Private Browsing on iPhone 15: A Step-by-Step Guide
• 15 Ways to Fix Safari Not Working on iPhone in 2023
• How to Delete Autofill Entry on iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide
• Can I Quickly Close All of My Private Tabs in Safari on My iPhone?
• How to Turn Off Private Browsing Mode on Your iPad: A Step-by-Step Guide
• iOS 17: How to Close All Private Tabs on iPhone Quickly
• How to Shut Off Private Browsing on iOS: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Do Private Browsing on iPhone 12: Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Use Autofill in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Turn On Private Browsing on iPhone 13
• How to Close All Private Tabs on iPhone 13
• How to Get Out of Incognito Mode on iPhone 14
• How to Change iPhone 13 Autofill Settings: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Turn Off Private Browsing on iPad: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Go Incognito in YouTube on an iPhone
• How to Turn Off Private Mode in Safari on iPad: A Simple Guide
• How to Turn Off Private Browsing on iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Turn Off Private Browsing on iPad – YouTube Guide for Beginners

• Apple Event: What's New
• Enter Our Giveaway
• Meta Quest 4
• Google Pixel 9
• Apple Vision Pro 2
• Nintendo Switch 2
• Samsung Galaxy Ring
• Yellowstone Season 6
• Recall an Email in Outlook
• Stranger Things Season 5

How to go incognito in Safari on Mac

There may be times when you want complete privacy while browsing the web. Maybe you don’t want others to know which websites you visit or what items you download, or you may also just want to prevent sites from tracking you across browser tabs. The best way to achieve that is by learning how to go incognito in Safari on a Mac.

How to go incognito on Mac with private browsing in Safari

What happens when you use private browsing, how to exit private browsing in safari, how to always use private browsing in safari, what you need.

Mac computer

Safari browser

When you want to initiate a private browsing session in Safari on Mac, you have a few easy ways to do it.

• Use the Safari menu: With Safari open and active, select File from the menu bar and choose New Private Window .
• Use the Safari icon in the Dock: If you keep the Safari icon in your Dock, right-click it and select New Private Window .
• Use a keyboard shortcut: With Safari open and active, press Shift + Command + N on your keyboard.

Once you open a new private window, you’ll notice the appearance is slightly different. The Smart Search field (URL bar) has a dark background with white text.

You’ll also see a message letting you know that private browsing is enabled. Select the X on the right side to dismiss the message and then visit the websites you want.

Although you can browse the web as you normally would in Safari, there are some differences when you use private browsing.

• Any sites you visit, AutoFill details you use, or changes you make to cookies or website data are not saved.
• Your recent searches are unavailable in the Smart Search field.
• Items you download do not display in the Safari downloads list. However, they are still viewable in your Downloads folder.
• You cannot pass private windows using Handoff to your other devices.
• Any webpages you visit are not stored in iCloud and therefore unavailable when viewing Safari tabs on your other devices.
• Websites cannot track your browsing across tabs in Safari because each private browsing tab is isolated from the next.

When you finish using private browsing, you can simply close the Safari window. You can then select File > New Window or use the keyboard shortcut Command + N to initiate a non-private browsing session.

One additional way to go incognito on Mac is to always use private browsing in Safari. With a simple setting adjustment, you can have Safari open in a private window every single time.

Step 1: Open Safari and select Safari > Preferences from the menu bar.

Step 2: Go to the General tab.

Step 3: Pick the drop-down next to Safari opens with and choose A new private window .

Step 4: Close the Preferences using the X on the top left corner.

Once you change this setting, you’ll use private browsing each time you open Safari. If you change your mind later, you can follow the same steps and select a different option in the Safari opens with drop-down list.

It’s easy to go incognito on a Mac, whether you go once in a while or all the time. Will you?

Editors’ Recommendations

• What is Microsoft Edge and how to use it
• You can finally try out Apple Intelligence on your Mac. Here’s how
• How to free up RAM on Mac and PC
• The macOS Sequoia public beta just launched. Here’s how to download it
• The ChatGPT app has changed how I use my Mac in three key ways
• How-To Guides

iPad Pro (M4) Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

If Apple products from the last decade are known for anything, it’s for being incredibly thin and light. Now, almost five years to the day since former head designer Jony Ive left Apple, his obsession for weightlessness looks set to come roaring back at the company that once employed him.

Apple just announced macOS 15 at WWDC 2024. Called macOS Sequoia, the updated operating system brings a suite of new features to Macs this fall. The key change, however, is a new Continuity feature that allows you to mirror your iPhone on your Mac, from the MacBook Air to the Mac Studio.

Although iPhone mirroring takes center stage, there are a ton of new features in MacOS 15. Here are all of them. iPhone mirroring

When you know how to fix a 404 page not found error, you have more peace of mind if it ever happens again. This is a standard error people encounter, regardless of what browser they use.

That doesn't make it less frustrating when you see it. But the good news is that there are various possible solutions you can try to correct the page not found error. What does 404 mean? The 404 page not found error is an HTTP response status code that indicates the server did not find the page you requested. This doesn't mean the server is unavailable; it is only the page you were trying to access.

• Generative AI
• Office Suites
• Collaboration Software
• Productivity Software
• Augmented Reality
• Emerging Technology
• Remote Work
• Artificial Intelligence
• Operating Systems
• IT Leadership
• IT Management
• IT Operations
• Cloud Computing
• Computers and Peripherals
• Data Center
• Enterprise Applications
• Vendors and Providers
• Enterprise Buyer’s Guides
• United States
• Netherlands
• United Kingdom
• New Zealand
• Newsletters
• Foundry Careers
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Copyright Notice
• Member Preferences
• About AdChoices
• E-commerce Affiliate Relationships
• Your California Privacy Rights

Our Network

• Network World

How to go incognito in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari

While incognito mode in any of the big four web browsers offers a measure of privacy, it doesn’t completely hide your tracks online. here’s how the feature works in each browser, and how to use it..

Private browsing. Incognito . Privacy mode.

Web browser functions like those trace their roots back more than a decade, and the feature — first found in a top browser in 2005 — spread quickly as one copied another, made tweaks and minor improvements.

But privacy-promising labels can be treacherous. Simply put, going “ incognito ” is as effective in guarding online privacy as witchcraft is in warding off a common cold.

That’s because private browsing is intended to wipe local traces of where you’ve been, what you’ve searched for, the contents of forms you’ve filled. It’s meant to hide, and not always conclusively at that, your tracks from others with access to the personal computer. That’s it.

How to keep web browsing private

Google chrome’s incognito mode, microsoft edge’s private browsing, mozilla firefox’s private browsing mode, apple’s safari private windows.

At their most basic, these features promise that they won’t record visited sites to the browsing history, save cookies that show you’ve been to and logged into sites, or remember credentials like passwords used during sessions. But your traipses through the web are still traceable by Internet providers – and the authorities who serve subpoenas to those entities – employers who control the company network and advertisers who follow your every footstep.

To end that cognitive dissonance, most browsers have added more advanced privacy tools , generically known as “anti-trackers,” which block various kinds of bite-sized chunks of code that advertisers and websites use to trace where people go in attempts to compile digital dossiers or serve targeted advertisements.

Although it might seem reasonable that a browser’s end game would be to craft a system that blends incognito modes with anti-tracking, it’s highly unlikely. Using either private browsing or anti-tracking carries a cost: site passwords aren’t saved for the next visit or sites break under the tracker scrubbing. Nor are those costs equal. It’s much easier to turn on some level of anti-tracking by default than it would be to do the same for private sessions, as evidenced by the number of browsers that do the former without complaint while none do the latter.

Private browsing will, by necessity, always be a niche, as long as sites rely on cookies for mundane things like log-ins and cart contents.

But the mode remains a useful tool whenever the browser — and the computer it’s on — are shared. To prove that, we’ve assembled instructions and insights on using the incognito features — and anti-tracking tools — offered by the top four browsers: Google Chrome , Microsoft’s Chromium-based Edge , Mozilla’s Firefox and Apple’s Safari.

How to go incognito in Google Chrome

Although incognito may be a synonym to some users for any browser’s private mode, Google gets credit for grabbing the word as the feature’s snappiest name when it launched the tool in late 2008, just months after Chrome debuted.

The easiest way to open an Incognito window is with the keyboard shortcut combination Ctrl-Shift-N (Windows) or Command-Shift-N (macOS).

Another way is to click on the menu on the upper right – it’s the three vertical dots – and select New Incognito Window from the list.

Open a new Incognito window in Chrome using keyboard shortcuts or from the menu (1) by choosing New Incognito window (2).

The new Incognito window can be recognized by the dark background and the stylized “spy” icon just to the left of the three-dots menu. Chrome also reminds users of just what Incognito does and doesn’t do each time a new window is opened. The message may get tiresome for regular Incognito users, but it may also save a job or reputation; it’s important that users remember Incognito doesn’t prevent ISPs, businesses, schools and organizations from knowing where customers, workers, students, and others went on the web or what they searched for.

Each time a new Incognito window is opened, Chrome reminds users what Incognito doesn’t save. As of Chrome 83, it also puts a toggle on the screen for blocking third-party cookies.

Incognito’s introductory screen also displays a toggle — it’s on by default — along with text that states third-party cookies will be blocked while in the privacy mode. Although cookies are never saved locally as long as the user stays in Incognito, websites have been able to track user movements from site to site while within Incognito . Such tracking might be used, for example, to display ads to a user visiting multiple sites in Incognito. This third-party cookie blocking, which halts such behavior, debuted in Chrome 83 in May 2020.

Google has been experimenting with new language on Chrome’s Incognito introductory page, but it’s yet to make it to the desktop browser. In the Canary build of Chrome on Android, however, the intro now outlines “What Incognito does” and “What Incognito doesn’t do,” to make the mode’s capabilities somewhat clearer to the user. (Some have speculated that the changes were made in reaction to a still-ongoing class-action lawsuit file in 2020 that alleged Google continued to track users’ online behavior and movements in Incognito.)

Once a tab in Incognito has been filled with a website, Chrome continues to remind users that they’re in Incognito by the dark background of the address bar and window title.

A link on an existing page can be opened directly into Incognito by right-clicking the link, then choosing Open Link in Incognito Window from the resulting menu.

What Incognito looks like after pulling up a website. Note the “spy” icon at the right of the address bar.

To close an Incognito window, shutter it like any other Chrome window by clicking the X in the upper right corner (Windows) or the red dot in the upper left (macOS).

Pro tip: Google has been working on locking Incognito mode tabs on mobile devices — the tabs unlocked with built-in biometric features — so that others can’t get a look at the privacy mode’s content simply by picking up another’s phone or tablet. Google is currently rolling out this feature in Chrome 92 on iOS, and still testing it in preview builds of Chrome for Android. No word on whether desktop Chrome will get something similar.

How to privately browse in Microsoft Edge

borrowed the name of its private browsing mode, InPrivate, from Internet Explorer (IE), the finally-being-retired legacy browser. InPrivate appeared in IE in March 2009, about three months after Chrome’s Incognito and three months before Firefox’s privacy mode. When Edge was first released in 2015 and then relaunched as a clone of Chrome in January 2020, InPrivate was part of the package, too.

At the keyboard, the combination of Ctrl-Shift-N (Windows) or Command-Shift-N (macOS) opens an InPrivate window.

A slower way to get there is to click on the menu at the upper right — it’s three dots arranged horizontally — and choose New InPrivate Window from the menu.

Like other browser, Edge will take you incognito from the menu (1) when you pick New InPrivate window (2).

Edge does a more thorough job of explaining what its private browsing mode does and doesn’t do than any of its rivals, with on-screen paragraphs dedicated to describing what data the browser collects in InPrivate and how the strictest additional anti-tracking setting can be called on from within the mode. In addition, Edge 92 — the current version as of this writing — uses the more informal “What Incognito does” and “What Incognito doesn’t do” language on its InPrivate introductory screen, something desktop Chrome hasn’t yet gotten to.

Microsoft’s browser also well marks InPrivate when the mode is operating: a blue-colored oval marked “In Private” to the right of the address bar combines with a full-black screen to make sure users know where they’re at.

The white-on-blue oval at the upper right tells you Edge is in InPrivate mode.

It’s also possible to launch an InPrivate session by right-clicking a link within Edge and selecting Open in InPrivate Window . That option is grayed out when already in a private browsing session but using Open Link in New Tab does just that within the current InPrivate frame.

To end InPrivate browsing, simply shut the window by clicking the X in the upper right corner (Windows) or click the red dot at the upper left (macOS).

Although Microsoft based the relaunched Edge on Chromium, the same open-source project that comes up with the code to power Chrome, the Redmond, Wash. company has integrated anti-tracking into its browser, something Chrome has yet to do. Dubbed “Tracking Prevention,” it works both in Edge’s standard and InPrivate modes.

To set Tracking Prevention, choose Settings from the three-ellipses menu at the right, then at the next page, pick Privacy, Search and Services . Choose one of the three options — Basic, Balanced or Strict — and make sure the toggle for Tracking prevention is in the “on” position. If you want InPrivate to always default to the harshest anti-tracking — not a bad idea — toggle Always use “Strict” tracking prevention when browsing InPrivate to “on.”

Toggle Always use Strict to the ‘on’ position and InPrivate will apply the most stringent anti-tracking even though Edge’s standard mode is set to, say, Balanced.

Pro tip: To open Edge with InPrivate — rather than first opening Edge in standard mode, then launching InPrivate — right-click the Edge icon in the Windows taskbar and select New InPrivate Window from the list. There is no similar one-step way to do this in macOS.

How to do private browsing in Mozilla Firefox

After Chrome trumpeted Incognito, browsers without something similar hustled to catch up. Mozilla added its take — dubbed Private Browsing — about six months after Google, in June 2009, with Firefox 3.5.

From the keyboard, a private browsing session can be called up using the combination Ctrl-Shift-P (Windows) or Command-Shift-P (macOS).

Alternately, a private window will open from the menu at the upper right of Firefox — three short horizontal lines — after selecting New private window .

Opening a private browsing window is as simple as choosing New Private Window (2) from the Firefox menu (1).

A private session window is marked by the purple “mask” icon in the title bar of the Firefox frame. In Windows, the icon is to the left of the minimize/maximize/close buttons; on a Mac, the mask squats at the far right of the title bar. Unlike Chrome and Edge, Firefox does not color-code the top components of the browser window to signify the user is in privacy mode.

Like other browsers, Firefox warns users that private browsing is no cure-all for privacy ills but is limited in what it blocks from being saved during a session. “While this doesn’t make you anonymous to websites or your internet service provider, it makes it easier to keep what you do online private from anyone else who uses this computer,” the caution reads.

Firefox reminds users that while a private session doesn’t save searches or browsing histories, it doesn’t cloak them in complete anonymity.

(Firefox also uses the Private Browsing introductory screen to shill the Mozilla VPN service, a $5 to $10 per month virtual private network that can, like other VPNs, hide your actual IP address from destination servers.)

A link can be opened into a Firefox Private Window by right-clicking the link, then choosing Open Link in New Private Window from the menu.

To close a Private Window, shut it down just as one would any Firefox window by clicking the X in the upper right corner (Windows) or the red dot in the upper left (macOS).

Notable is that Firefox’s private browsing mode is accompanied by the browser’s superb “Enhanced Tracking Protection,” a suite of tracker blocking tools that stymie all sorts of ad-and-site methods for identifying users, then watching and recording their online behavior. While the earliest version of this was offered only inside Private Windows, the expanded technologies also work within standard mode.

Because Enhanced Tracking Protection is enabled by default within Firefox, it doesn’t matter which of its settings — Standard, Strict or Custom — is selected as far as private browsing goes; everything that can be blocked will be blocked.

The shield appears in the address bar to note what trackers were blocked by Firefox in a Private Window. Clicking on the icon brings up an accounting of what was barred.

Pro tip: As of Firefox 91, Private Browsing sessions take place over the more secure HTTPS, not the once-standard HTTP protocol. Users don’t need to do anything: The new HTTPS-only policy is on by default. (If the destination site doesn’t support HTPPS, Firefox will recognize this and go into fallback mode, connecting via HTTP instead.)

How to browse privately using Apple’s Safari

Chrome may get far more attention for its Incognito than any other browser — no surprise, since it’s by far the most popular browser on the planet — but Apple’s Safari was actually the first to introduce private browsing. The term private browsing was first bandied in 2005 to describe Safari 2.0 features that limited what was saved by the browser.

Side note: Early in private browsing, the label porn mode was often used as a synonym to describe what many writers and reporters assumed was the primary application of the feature. The term has fallen out of favor.

To open what Safari calls a Private Window on a Mac, users can do a three-key combination of Command-Shift-N , the same shortcut Chrome adopted. Otherwise, a window can be called up by selecting the File menu and clicking on New Private Window.

From the File menu (1), New Private Window (2) gets you started.

Safari tags each Private Window by darkening the address bar. It also issues a reminder of what it does — or more accurately — what it doesn’t do. “Safari will keep your browsing history private for all tabs of this window. After you close this window, Safari won’t remember the pages you visited, your search history or your AutoFill information,” the top-of-the-page note reads. The warning is more terse than those of other browsers and omits cautions about still-visible online activity.

The darkened address bar up at the top is the signal that this Safari window is for private browsing.

Like Firefox, Safari automatically engages additional privacy technologies, whether the user browses in standard or private mode. Safari’s Intelligent Tracking Protection (ITP), which kicked off in 2017 and has been repeatedly upgraded since, now blocks all third-party cookies, among other components advertisers and services use to track people as they bounce from one site to another. ITP is controlled by a single on-off switch — on is the default — found in Preferences under the Privacy icon. If the Website tracking: box is checked to mark Prevent cross-site tracking , ITP is on.

Switching on cross-site tracking enables Safari’s Intelligent Tracking Protection, which blocks a wide variety of bits advertisers try to use to follow you around the web while you’re using a Private Window

A link can be opened directly to a Private Window by right-clicking, then selecting Open Link in New Private Window . Close a Private Window just as any Safari window, by clicking the red dot in the upper left corner of the browser frame.

Pro tip: Once in a Safari Private Window, opening a new tab — either by clicking the + icon at the upper right or by using the Command-T key combo — omits the Private Browsing Enabled notice. (The darkened address bar remains as the sole indicator of a private browsing session.) Other browsers, such as Firefox, repeat their cautionary messages each time a tab is opened in an incognito session.

Related content

Office 365: a guide to the updates, canva raises prices by 320% for us customers, download the ai-infused enterprise applications spotlight, enterprise buyer's guide: remote it support software, from our editors straight to your inbox.

Gregg Keizer covers Windows, Office, Apple/enterprise, web browsers, and web apps for Computerworld.

More from this author

How to manage chrome automatic browser updates, windows 365 — microsoft’s cloud-based os explained, what’s in the latest firefox update 93 improves smartblock, debuts sponsored search suggestions, microsoft lets windows 11 loose on the world, microsoft sets perpetual-license office 2021 prices, reveals new-feature list, chrome, edge kick off faster release cadence; enterprises can skip versions, how windows 10 ends up a lot like windows 7, microsoft releases new perpetual office for enterprise, show me more, microsoft's patch tuesday updates: keeping up with the latest fixes.

September’s Patch Tuesday update fixes 4 zero-days

Apple gets ready for app sideloading on EU iPads

Podcast: Reaction to the Apple iPhone 16 launch, Apple Intelligence eventually?

Podcast: AI firms continue to raise money, expand despite disillusionment

Podcast: How to pick the right LLM for your AI project

Apple launches iPhone 16, but the AI comes later?

Tech news roundup: AI companies continue to expand offerings, raise cash

Why all large language models are not the same

Sponsored Links

• Visibility, monitoring, analytics. See Cisco SD-WAN in a live demo.
• OpenText Financial Services Summit 2024 in New York City!

How-To Geek

How to always start safari in private browsing mode on a mac.

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Quick Links

What is private browsing in safari, how to always launch safari with a new private browsing window.

If you use Safari on a Mac and would like for your browsing history to stay private but don't want to always think about having to turn it on, there's a way to open a new private browsing window every time you launch Safari. Here's how.

Private Browsing is a mode where Safari doesn't save your browsing history, AutoFill information, changes to cookies, recent searches, and download history between sessions. The mode also inclues Apple-centric privacy features, such as preventing sharing of browsing information through iCloud . And if you have Handoff enabled, browsing windows do not get passed to your other Apple devices.

Even with all those features, you should be aware that Private Browsing mode does not conceal your browsing history from websites on the internet that might use your IP address to track you across sites , hosts of your network (such as a school or business), or your ISP.

Related: The Many Ways Websites Track You Online

First, launch Safari. In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click "Safari" and select "Preferences."

In the Preferences pop-up window, make sure you're on the General tab. Look for the option called "Safari Opens With:" located beside a drop-down menu.

Click on the drop-down menu and select "A New Private Window" from the list of options.

Close the Preferences window, quit Safari, and launch Safari again. You should see a window with a "Private Browsing Enabled" notice along the top.

Now you're free to use the window as you typically would . Just make sure you close it when you're done.

Related: Five Worthwhile Uses for Private Browsing Mode (Besides Porn)

It's worth noting that the option we just set only works when you first open Safari.  By default, new windows you open after that will not be private. If you want to open additional Private windows, you'll need to select File > New Private Window from the menu bar, or use the Shift+Command+N shortcut. Good luck, and happy browsing!

• Web Browsers

Private Browser - How to use Incognito Mode in Chrome and Safari

Private browsing, or "incognito mode" has become a popular way to surf the web a bit more quietly. But what does it really mean, and how protected are you?

Let's dive a bit deeper into what incognito mode is, how it works, and how it can help you (or not).

What is private browsing?

When you're in a private browsing session, your browser won't keep a record of that website in its history. Also, data associated with that session (like cookies) won't be kept locally on your machine.

This is useful if, for example, you're trying to online shop for your significant other and don't want them to find out. With private browsing enabled, you can search the web for that LEGO Star Destroyer they've been coveting, order it, and they'll be none the wiser (Unless they track shipments to your home. Then you're in trouble.).

Why won't your surprise be ruined? Well, the LEGO website will be wiped from that browsing session's history. And, if your S.O. decides to use your laptop (or your home desktop where you ordered said gift), they won't be blasted with targeted ads (or at least far fewer) that might give the secret away. So, helpful.

Private browsing can also be useful if you want to get around a metered paywall, test a site's response that might have your info saved when you're logged in, and so on.

How to enable it in Chrome

Now that we've established the usefulness of incognito mode, let's figure out how to use it in a couple popular browsers. We'll look at Chrome first.

To start an incognito session, open your Chrome browser and find the three vertical dots in the upper right corner. Click on them, and then select "New incognito window" from the dropdown options.

Once you click that, a new dark window will open. And just like that, you're incognito.

Note : You can also open a private browsing session with keyboard shortcuts.

Just tap/hold Command+Shift+N on your Mac (or Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows) and that little dark window will pop right up, no mouse clicks needed.

How to enable it in Safari

Opening a private browsing window in Safari is very similar to doing it in Chrome.

Just open a new Safari window, click the File tab, and select "New Private Window" from the dropdown options:

Once you click that option, you'll see a very similar browser window, but with a dark address bar (and a note that private browsing has been enabled).

The same shortcuts are available here: just tap and hold Command+Shift+N to start an incognito session.

Now you can browse away in Safari without leaving loud traces all over your computer. More on how it does and doesn't protect you next.

How does it protect you?

So we've discussed incognito mode's usefulness, but let's lay out exactly how private browsing helps you out.

These are the things it does, and how it protects you:

• Websites you visit aren't saved in your browsing history - so you (or others) can't look back in your browser and see where you've visited if you've been using incognito mode
• Cookies and other cached info aren't stored locally on your device in incognito mode (they're created anew with each incognito session).
• Info you enter into online forms won't be saved by Google (like your email address, physical address, and so on).

These features are indeed super convenient. But don't let them lull you into a false sense of security. Let's now discuss what private browsing won't do.

What it doesn't do

When you're in a private browsing session, you still have to consider the following facts:

• While cookies and things may not be saved on your machine, websites might still gather some info from you on their own servers. And any network you use to get to where you're going can gather info as well.
• If your work or school monitors browser sessions, they can still see the IP addresses of the sites you visited. So if you don't want your employer seeing that you visited an inappropriate or NSFW site, don't visit that site at work on the company's wifi/computer.
• Private browsing also doesn't protect you from malware or viruses. So make sure you're still taking all the precautions you'd normally take to keep your browsing safe.

Just remember: even if you're using incognito mode, your browser can still record your search history, your employer can still see where you've been, and websites can still gather info like your location.

Browse privately, but browse safely, my friends.

I love editing articles and working with contributors. I also love the outdoors and good food.

If you read this far, thank the author to show them you care. Say Thanks

Learn to code for free. freeCodeCamp's open source curriculum has helped more than 40,000 people get jobs as developers. Get started

• Is the Big Tech Boys Club Failing Women?
• Watch! Wolverine Movies in Order

How to Turn on Incognito Mode in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Opera

Go incognito with the Ctrl+Shift+N or Ctrl+Shift+P keyboard shortcut

• Chrome Incognito Mode
• Edge InPrivate Browsing
• Firefox Private Browsing
• Safari Private Browsing
• Opera Private Mode
• Frequently Asked Questions

What to Know

• Press Ctrl + Shift + N or Ctrl + Shift + P to go incognito in most browsers.
• Use the app's menu to open incognito mode from the mobile app.
• Incognito hides your browsing history. Your IP address does not change.

This article explains how to open incognito mode for private browsing in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Opera.

How to Open Incognito Mode in Chrome

The easy way to go incognito in Chrome is to press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Command + Shift + N (Mac). Here's how to get there through the menu:

Select the Chrome Menu (three vertical dots) from the upper-right corner and then select New Incognito window .

A window opens, explaining Chrome's incognito mode.

To open a link in an incognito window, right-click it (or press Control + Click on a Mac), and then select  Open link in incognito window .

To open a Chrome incognito tab on iOS or Android, tap the three dots and then choose New Incognito Tab .

How to Use InPrivate Browsing in Edge

Edge calls its incognito mode InPrivate browsing. Follow these steps to go incognito, or press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Command + Shift + N (Mac):

Select the three dots at the top right.

Select New InPrivate window .

A window opens, explaining InPrivate browsing.

To open a link in the Edge's incognito mode, right-click it (or press Control + Click on a Mac) and select Open link in InPrivate window .

The mobile app lets you open an incognito tab through the three-line menu at the bottom. Just choose New InPrivate tab .

How to Turn on Private Browsing in Firefox

Incognito mode in Firefox is called Private Browsing. Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows) or Command + Shift + P (Mac) is the keyboard shortcut to go incognito in Firefox, but you can also use the program's menu:

Select the three lines at the top right of the browser, then select New private window .

An incognito tab opens.

To open a link in Private Browsing mode, right-click it (or press Control + Click on a Mac), then choose Open Link in New Private Window .

The mobile app lets you open a Firefox Private Browsing tab, but the directions differ from the desktop app. Tap the tabs button (it says 1 if you don't have any other tabs open) and then choose the mask icon followed by the plus sign .

How to Enter Private Browsing Mode in Safari

Like most browsers with an incognito mode, you can get to Safari's with the Shift + Command + N shortcut, but there is another way:

From the menu bar, select File > New Private Window .

A window opens with a darker search bar and a message that Private Browsing is enabled.

To open a link in a private window in Safari on a Mac, hold the Option key and right-click the link (or hold the Control and Option keys and select the link), then choose Open Link in New Private Window .

If you're using Safari on an iPhone or iPad, tap the tabs button and then swipe over to Private , or choose it from the three-line menu.

How to Open a Private Window in Opera

We like to go incognito in Opera with the keyboard shortcut, which is the same for most of these browsers: Ctrl + Shift + N for Windows or Command + Shift + N for Mac. Here's the other way to open a private tab:

Select the O at the top left to open Opera's menu.

Choose New private window from the list.

To open incognito for just one link, right-click it (or press Control + Click on a Mac) and select Open link in private window .

Using Opera from the mobile app? On Android, select the tabs button, swipe to Private , and then tap the plus sign . On iOS, tap the three lines to open the menu, then choose Private Mode .

Incognito mode is designed to prevent the web browser from storing local data like cookies and browsing history. This data is deleted when you close the private tab. Use a VPN or web proxy if you want to hide your IP address.

Private browsing prevents other users on your device from seeing your internet history. It also helps to block websites from tracking your online activity with cookies . Therefore, you're unlikely to see online ads related to websites you visit during private browsing sessions.

You can lock apps on Android with your device's security code or use a third-party app. You can also set up Android parental controls to childproof your device.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

• How to Block Pop-Up Ads in Your Web Browser
• How to Change the File Download Location in Your Browser
• How to Clear Your Search Bar History
• How to Manage Push Notifications in Your Web Browser
• How to Disable WebRTC in Firefox, Chrome, and Other Browsers
• How to Copy a Web Image's URL
• Which Browser Should I Use for Watching Movies?
• 10 of Our Favorite Internet Browsers for 2024
• How to Clear Cookies for a Specific Site
• What's the Best Mobile Web Browser?
• How to Set the Home Page to Your Favorite Website
• What Is Safari?
• How to Clear Cache and Cookies in Every Major Browser
• How to Close All Tabs on Your Computer or Android Browsers
• How to Delete Cookies in Every Major Browser
• How to Search for a Word on a Web Page

• Trending Now
• Foundational Courses
• Data Science
• Practice Problem
• Machine Learning
• System Design
• DevOps Tutorial

How to Go Incognito in Safari on Mac, iPhone, or iPad?

Today we will learn how to turn on incognito/private mode in Safari browser on iPad, Mac and iPhone. Follow the simple steps below to open stored prescriptions and search the web without deleting history.

To open Incognito mode we just find another tab/window option in Safari, select Private Browsing and click OK and we can browse as we normally would in Safari but with Private Browsing turned on.

What is Incognito/private mode?

Private mode (incognito) is where the browser doesn’t save any data about your session. Now open Safari private mode, here’s how to do it:

Methods To Go Incognito on MAC:

• Launch Safari from your Mac.

• Click on File in the menu bar at the top of your screen.
• Select New Private Window. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut Shift + Command + N.
• A new window will open with a dark address bar, indicating that we are in Private Browsing mode & now we can search in incognito mode.

Turn on Private Browsing on iPhone:

• Open the Safari app on your iphone.

• Now just tap on the tabs button (two overlapping squares) at the bottom right of the screen.
• Now tap on the Private at the bottom left of the screen.
• Then on the ‘+’ button to open a new private tab.
• Now the interface will turn dark, indicating that we are in Private Browsing mode and you are done.

How to Go Incognito on iPad:

• Now firstly open the Safari app in your iPad.

• Now just tap the tabs group button (two overlapping squares) at the top right of the screen.
• Then on the Private option as shown in the above screenshot.
• Now finally on the ‘ +’ button on the top right to open a new private tab.

• Now, the interface will show private browsing, indicating that we are in Private Browsing mode.

How To Turn off Private Browsing?

• On Mac: Close the Private Window by clicking the red close button in the top left corner.
• On iPhone or iPad: Tap the Tabs button, then tap Private again to exit private browsing mode and return to normal browsing.

How to Go Incognito in Safari on Mac, iPhone, or iPad – FAQs

What is private browsing.

Private browsing is a mode in web browsers that doesn’t save your browsing history, cookies, site data. It provides more privacy.

Which browsers support private browsing on Mac, iPhone, and iPad?

All Popular browsers like Safari, Google Chrome, and Firefox support private browsing on Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

How can I tell if I’m in a private browsing window in Safari?

The private browsing window will have a dark or black address bar, and Safari will indicate that you are in private browsing mode.

Does private browsing in Safari on Mac save my download history?

No, files you download while using private browsing won’t appear in the downloads list but but the files themselves will remain on your Mac so be careful.

Does private browsing mode affect all tabs on Safari?

No, private browsing mode only affects the tabs opened within the private browsing session. Regular tabs will continue to store history and cookies as they usually do.

Please Login to comment...

Similar reads.

• Apple Safari
• 105 Funny Things to Do to Make Someone Laugh
• Best PS5 SSDs in 2024: Top Picks for Expanding Your Storage
• Best Nintendo Switch Controllers in 2024
• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Features, Benefits, and Pricing in 2024
• #geekstreak2024 – 21 Days POTD Challenge Powered By Deutsche Bank

Improve your Coding Skills with Practice

What kind of Experience do you want to share?

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Happiness Hub Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• Happiness Hub
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Computers and Electronics

7 Easy Ways to Activate Incognito Mode in a Web Browser

Last Updated: May 10, 2024 Fact Checked

Google Chrome on Desktop

Google chrome on mobile, safari on desktop, safari on mobile, microsoft edge, mozilla firefox on desktop, mozilla firefox on mobile.

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly . Rain Kengly is a wikiHow Technology Writer. As a storytelling enthusiast with a penchant for technology, they hope to create long-lasting connections with readers from all around the globe. Rain graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Cinema. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,922,253 times. Learn more...

If you want to browse the web privately, you can go into incognito mode with your web browser. This will allow you to browse without saving your internet history, both on desktop and on mobile platforms. If your computer's administrator has disabled incognito mode for your browsers, you will not be able to turn on (or find the option to turn on) incognito mode. This wikiHow will show you how to enable private browsing using incognito mode on your Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android devices.

Browsing in Incognito Mode

• Safari on Mac: Click "File" in the top left, then select "New Private Window."
• Safari on iPhone: Tap the "Tabs" icon in the bottom-right corner. Go to "Tabs" > "Private" > "+."
• Google Chrome on PC or Android: Click the verticle "..." in the upper right corner, then "New incognito window" or "New incognito tab."

• Install Google Chrome if you haven't done so already.

• If you don't see this option, incognito browsing may be restricted in your Chrome browser.
• Once you close your incognito tab, any downloads and page-viewing history from your private browsing session will be erased.
• You can also use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + Shift + N (Windows) or Command + Shift + N (Mac) to open a new incognito window.

• Google Chrome is available for iOS in the App Store and for Android in the Google Play Store .

• On iOS devices, this will look like ••• in the bottom-right corner.

• The incognito window has a darker color scheme than a standard Chrome tab.
• You can switch back and forth between the regular Chrome and an incognito window by tapping the numbered square at the top of the screen and swiping left or right.
• To exit incognito mode, tap the numbered box at the top (Android) or at the bottom-right (iOS). Tap the X on the incognito tabs you want to close. Then, tap the numbered box beside the incognito icon on the top to switch to regular browsing.

• Safari's Private Window has a darker color scheme than a standard browsing window.
• You can also use the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + N to open a new private window.
• Click the red circle in the top-left corner to close the Private Window.

• Make sure to update your iOS device .

• A pop-up menu will open.

• To exit Private Browsing mode, click the "Tabs" icon in the bottom-right corner. Tap X or swipe left on any incognito tabs you want to remove. Tap Private , then Tabs in the pop-up menu.

• Closing the InPrivate window will take you back to your regular browsing window.
• You can also use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + Shift + N (Windows) or Command + Shift + N (Mac) to open a new InPrivate window.

• Download Firefox if you haven't done so already.

• You can also use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + Shift + P (Windows) or Command + Shift + P (Mac) to open a new incognito window.

• Firefox is available for iOS in the App Store and for Android in the Google Play Store.

• On Android, tap the Incognito mode icon underneath the address bar. This resembles a mask. You'll activate Incognito mode immediately.

Community Q&A

• Browsing in incognito mode will not prevent your employer, Internet service provider, or any spyware that may be installed on your computer from seeing your search history. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95464?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop#:~:text=You%20can%20also%20use%20a,Press%20%E2%8C%98%20%2B%20Shift%20%2B%20n .
• ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203036#:~:text=How%20to%20turn%20on%20Private,Tap%20Private%20%2C%20then%20tap%20Done .

About This Article

To activate incognito mode on Chrome for your desktop, start by opening Chrome and clicking the 3 vertical periods in the top right corner of the screen. From here, click “New incognito window” to prompt a new Chrome window to open in incognito mode. Once you close your incognito tab, any downloads or pages viewed will be erased from your history. If you prefer, use the keyboard shortcut to enable incognito viewing by pressing “control,” “shift,” and “N” in Windows or “Command,” “Shift,” and “N” on a Mac. To enable incognito mode on your mobile device, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Is this article up to date?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

Turn Private Browsing on or off on your iPad

When you use Private Browsing, the details of your browsing aren't saved, and the websites you visit aren't shared with your other devices. Safari won't remember the pages you visit, your search history, or your AutoFill information.

How to turn on Private Browsing

Open Safari on your iPad.

While Private Browsing is on, the Safari address bar appears black or dark instead of white or gray, and the buttons are black instead of blue.

How to turn off Private Browsing

Learn how to use Private Browsing on iPhone or iPod touch .

Explore Apple Support Community

Find what’s been asked and answered by Apple customers.

Contact Apple Support

Need more help? Save time by starting your support request online and we'll connect you to an expert.

How to Find Incognito History: See and Delete It Easily

Incognito mode is like a secret window on your computer, but it doesn’t hide your online activities from everyone. 3 Your internet service provider and the websites you visit can still see what you’re doing. 2

This guide reveals how to find incognito history and protect your privacy.

Key Takeaways

• Incognito mode doesn’t hide your online activity from websites or internet providers.
• You can view incognito history on Android and iPhone using apps like Hoverwatch, KidsGuard, and MoniMaster Pro.
• Parental control apps let you track kids’ incognito browsing and set limits on screen time.
• To delete incognito history , clear your DNS cache and use a VPN to hide your IP address.
• Experts can recover incognito browsing data using forensic tools and live memory capture .

Understanding Incognito Mode and Privacy Implications

Incognito mode is like a secret window, but it doesn’t make you completely invisible.

What is Incognito Mode and How Does it Protect Your Privacy?

Incognito mode helps you hide your tracks from your computer, but it can’t make you completely invisible to others online.

Your computer’s address, called an IP address, can still be seen. And people who run your internet network can also see what you’re doing. 1

Alex Herrick, who helped start Web Design Booth, says that incognito mode isn’t perfect. It doesn’t hide what you do online from your internet company or the websites you visit. 2 But it can be helpful for keeping your privacy safe when you’re using a computer you share with other users .

The incognito mode is just one tool in online security.

Common Misconceptions About Incognito Browsing History

According to a 2018 DuckDuckGo study, Google still personalizes search results in incognito mode. 3 Users rarely recognize that their data can still be tracked and collected.

Your internet company and the websites you visit can see what you do. It doesn’t hide your IP address or encrypt your traffic, so your online activity can still be tracked. 1 Google’s algorithms continue to influence search results, even in private browsing.

Sometimes, where you are and what time it is can affect what you see online more than how you’ve set up your account. 3 Next, we’ll talk about the legal and ethical issues of looking at someone’s incognito history.

Legal and Ethical Considerations of Accessing Incognito History

Now that we know incognito mode isn’t as private as people think, let’s talk about the legal side of it. Looking at someone else’s incognito history is a serious issue. It’s not okay to do it unless you have a good reason.

Laws protect online privacy , even in incognito mode. 4 Network admins can still track incognito activity legally. This means your boss or school can see what you do online. ISPs also keep logs of all web visits, incognito or not. 1

Law enforcement can get these records with proper warrants . Users should know their rights and limits when using private browsing.

Techniques to View Incognito History on Android and iPhone Devices

Want to know what you’ve been doing in secret mode? There are ways to see your incognito history on Android and iPhone. Some methods use built-in features, while others need special apps or tools.

Methods to Retrieve Incognito History on Android Phones

If you have an Android phone, you can use these ways to see what you’ve been doing in incognito mode.

• Hoverwatch tracks incognito activity discreetly
• KidsGuard monitors browser use without detection
• MoniMaster Pro watches browsing without rooting the device
• Spyzie offers real-time tracking via an online dashboard 5
• Open Google Chrome and type “chrome://net-internals/#dns”
• Click “CLEAR HOST CACHE” to erase DNS data
• This method may reveal some visited sites 6
• Set up parental control apps to oversee incognito browsing
• These tools can log all online activity, including private sessions
• Access your router’s admin panel
• Look for logs of web traffic from connected devices
• This can show sites visited, even in incognito mode
• Sign in to your Google account on a computer
• Go to “My Activity” to see synced data across devices
• Some incognito browsing may appear here if sync is on

These methods can help retrieve incognito history on Android phones . Next, we’ll explore strategies to access incognito history on iPhones.

Strategies to Access Incognito History on iPhones

If you have an iPhone, you can use these ways to see what you’ve been doing in incognito mode:

• Check Safari settings : This shows sites visited in incognito mode. ( Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data )
• Flush DNS records : Turn on Airplane mode or restart the iPhone. This clears cached data from incognito sessions.
• Use monitoring apps : You can use MoniMaster Pro to see what you do in incognito mode on your iPhone . This app will keep track of the websites you visit and the apps you use. 5
• Try Famisafe : This app gives a full view of online actions . It catches incognito browsing on iPhones.
• Install mSpy: This tool lets you watch incognito use from afar. It works on iOS devices .
• Look at iCloud sync : Some incognito data may sync to iCloud. Check iCloud settings for browser info.
• Examine network logs : Connect iPhone to a computer. Use network analysis tools to see all web traffic. 7

Software and Apps to Monitor Incognito Browsing Activity

Many apps can track incognito browsing. They offer ways to see what sites were visited in private mode.

Overview of Apps Designed to Track Incognito Mode Usage

Some apps are powerful when monitoring o nline activity .

• MoniMaster Pro tracks call logs, SMS, GPS, and browsing history on both Android and iOS.
• Spyzie provides real-time info.
• Famisafe gives detailed reports on kids’ online habits.
• mSpy blocks bad sites and lets users monitor from afar.
• Qustodio shows both regular and incognito browsing history. 5

These apps can show you what you’ve been doing online, even when you’re using incognito mode. They work on phones and computers and can track the websites you visit and the searches you make. Some of these apps can also track your location or block certain content.

Users can see what’s happening online without being in the same room as the device. 8

How to Use Parental Control Apps to Oversee Incognito Browsing

Parental control apps can help parents see what their kids are doing online, even when they’re using incognito mode. These apps can keep kids safe and help parents know what their kids are up to online.

• Install a trusted app: Choose from options like Kidslox, AirDroid, or Famisafe. These apps work on both Android and iOS devices. 8
• Set up the app : Follow the setup guide to link the app to your child’s device. This often involves creating an account and entering a special code.
• Enable incognito tracking : Look for settings that allow monitoring of private or incognito browsing. Not all apps have this feature, so check carefully. 9
• Monitor web activity : The app will show you websites visited in incognito mode. You’ll see the full list of domains accessed.
• Check search history : Many apps let you view search terms used in incognito mode. This helps spot any concerning trends.
• Set up alerts : Create custom alerts for specific websites or keywords. You’ll get notified if your child tries to access them.
• Block harmful content : Use the app’s filters to block adult content, violence, or other inappropriate material.
• Review app usage : See which apps your child uses most, even in incognito mode. This includes time spent on each app.
• Limit screen time: Set daily limits on device or app usage. The app will lock access when the time is up.
• Talk with your child: Use the info from the app to have open talks about online safety. This builds trust and teaches good habits.

Steps to Delete Incognito History for Privacy and Security

Deleting incognito history is key for privacy. Users can clear their digital tracks from secret sessions.

Clearing Your Digital Footprint from Incognito Sessions

Clearing incognito history is simple.

• On Windows, type “ipconfig/flushdns” in Command Prompt. 12
• For Mac, enter “ sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder “ in Terminal.

These commands clear the DNS cache . 10

Regular data cleaning keeps privacy intact. Browsers don’t save searches but IP addresses stay visible.

People who run your internet network can still see what you’re doing online. To keep your privacy safe, it’s important to delete your browsing history often. This erases any leftover traces from the incognito sessions. 9

Understanding the Role of External Services in Incognito History Deletion

External services still hold data even after clearing local traces. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) log browsing activities. They keep records of websites you visit and time spent online.

VPNs offer a solution by encrypting internet traffic and hiding IP addresses. This makes it harder for ISPs to track online actions. 11

Some apps can also see what you do in incognito mode. These apps can record the websites you visit and your search history. To completely delete your online tracks, you need to check both your own computer and any external storage you’re using.

Advanced Concepts in Incognito History and Browser Data Recovery

One should not assume that incognito history is completely hidden.

Forensic Techniques for Recovering Incognito Browsing Data

Forensic experts use special tools to find hidden web data. Programs like MiniTool Power Data Recovery can bring back deleted browsing info . 13 These tools dig deep into a computer’s memory to uncover secrets .

Live memory capture is key for getting the most data. It grabs more details than looking at dead files. Pros focus on this method to see what people did in secret mode. Even after closing the browser, some traces may still exist.

Edge keeps temp files longer than Chrome or Firefox. 14

Exploring the Role of Browser Extensions and Their Impact on Incognito History

Some browser extensions can make incognito mode less private. They might share your information. Others can save what you do, which is the opposite of what incognito mode is supposed to do. This can be dangerous because users might not know it’s happening​.

Some extensions can leave behind clues. If your browser crashes experts might be able to recover this information. And if they look at your computer’s memory, they can see even more.

Users should be careful about which add-ons they use in private mode. 15

“With browser extensions​​ It is designed to give you more flexibility with incognito browsing by allowing you to save your history for a few days …” 4

Incognito mode is like a secret window. But it doesn’t make you completely invisible. You can still see and delete what you’ve done by using special tools or commands on your device.

To protect your online privacy, you need to do more than just use incognito mode. Tools like VPNs and secure browsers can help you stay anonymous and safe online.

1. Can I see my incognito history?

Yes, you can see your incognito history… but it’s difficult. Your web browser doesn’t save this info. You’ll need special tools or tricks to view it.

2. How do I check incognito history on Windows?

On a Windows device, you can check the DNS server. It keeps a list of sites you visit. Use a DNS lookup tool to see this list. But hurry – it clears when you close the browser.

3. Is there a way to see incognito history on mobile?

For mobile devices, it’s tricky. Some apps claim to show incognito history on Android phones. But be careful – these might not work well or could be unsafe.

4. Does incognito mode really hide my browsing?

Not fully. Incognito mode only prevents your device for saving history. Your IP address is still visible. Your activities can still be tracked.

5. Can I delete my incognito history?

Since incognito mode doesn’t save history, there’s often nothing to delete. But to be safe, your DNS cache and any form data after each private browsing session.

6. Are there better ways to browse privately beyond incognito?

Yes! Use a private network (VPN) to hide your IP address. Try browser add-ons that block trackers. Or use a privacy-focused browser for better protection from prying eyes.

• ^ https://kinsta.com/knowledgebase/incognito-mode/ (2022-07-12)
• ^ https://integricom.net/what-is-incognito-mode-privacy
• ^ https://www.wisedigitalpartners.com/learn/blog/seo/incognito-mode-myth-busting-private-browsing
• ^ https://www.expressvpn.com/blog/how-to-see-and-delete-incognito-history/
• ^ https://www.monimaster.com/track/how-to-see-incognito-history/
• ^ https://www.mysteriumvpn.com/blog/incognito-history (2024-05-23)
• ^ https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254922098
• ^ https://www.airdroid.com/parent-control/see-incognito-history/
• ^ https://www.avast.com/c-how-to-view-and-delete-incognito-history (2023-08-25)
• ^ https://www.makeuseof.com/delete-incognito-history/
• ^ https://nordvpn.com/blog/incognito-history/?srsltid=AfmBOoq9Pwf8ncz4_Qfr_CnPKLQ9lQb5LaMfFcXx_rmmuTVV5p84fNx7 (2022-09-18)
• ^ https://nordvpn.com/blog/incognito-history/?srsltid=AfmBOordn89BLmnSn7P0hP-E4T4gt94EOMzvHtO6hGmxJ0XrdA-fw_pg (2022-09-18)
• ^ https://www.heighpubs.org/jfsr/jfsr-aid1022.html
• ^ https://www.forensicfocus.com/forums/general/google-chrome-incognito-mode/
• ^ https://www.forensicscijournal.com/articles/jfsr-aid1022.php

Alex Herrick is a seasoned web designer and digital strategist with over a decade of experience in the industry. Passionate about blending creativity with functionality, Alex specializes in crafting visually compelling websites that drive results. His expertise spans across web design, SEO, and digital marketing, making him a key contributor to Web Design Booth's mission of empowering digital creators.