Incognito mode – also known as “private browsing mode” – is a more stealthy way to use the internet.
When you turn on incognito mode to browse the internet, you won’t leave any traces on the device you’re using. Your browser won’t save your browsing or search engine history, won’t remember the websites you’ve logged in to, or even keep your username and password.
If you have to share your computer or phone with other people, it doesn’t matter, because once you close the window, other people won’t be able to see what you’ve done.
While incognito mode keeps you safe locally, your browsing history will still be seen by your isots and the websites you visit will know you’re there. If you’re using a Wi-Fi network provided by your work, school, or business, they can also track it.
Still, incognito mode is very useful for performing privacy protection on shared devices. Next, let’s take a look at how to turn on incognito mode on your computer or phone.
How to go incognito on your Mac or PC
You can use incognito or private modes on a variety of desktop browsers, such as Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox.
Incognito on Chrome
1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner.
3. Click on the New Incognito Window from the drop-down menu. A window will open, darker colored than normal, and you’ll see a page explaining how incognito mode works.
Alternatively, with the Chrome browser open, you can skip all other steps and simply press Ctrl+Shift+N on your PC (Press Command+Shift+N on macOS) to open a new incognito window.
Private browsing on Safari
1. Open Safari.
2. Click File at the top-left corner of your screen.
3. Click New Private Window from the drop-down menu. The window that opens will look almost exactly the same as a regular window, but the URL bar will be colored a dark gray, and there will be a note underneath it explaining how private browsing works.
Another way: with safari open, you can skip all other steps and just press Command + Shift + N to open a new incognito window.
InPrivate mode on Microsoft Edge
1. Open Microsoft Edge
2. Click on the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner.
3. Click on the New InPrivate window from the drop-down menu. A window will open, with information about how “InPrivate Browsing” works.
Private mode on Firefox
1. Open Firefox.
2. Click the three lines in the upper-right corner.
3. Click the New private window from the drop-down menu. A purple-themed window will open with a search bar and information about private browsing — including a page written by Mozilla about common private browsing myths.
How to go incognito on mobile
You can also use incognito mode on your iOS or Android device.
On iPhone and iPad
1. Open Safari.
2. Tap the tabs icon — the two overlapping squares in the bottom-right corner on an iPhone, or top-right on an iPad.
3. Tap the button that reads X Tabs (where X is the number of open tabs) and select Private to enter Private Browsing Mode. You can exit it in the same way, just reversed.
On Android
1. Open Chrome.
2. Tap the three-dot icon in the top-right corner.
3. Tap the New incognito tab.
It’s that simple, learn the methods in the list above, and you can browse freely without worrying about exposing your privacy on shared devices.
