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How to Use Private (Incognito) Browsing Mode

Tap a step to see it in order.

  1. Open an Incognito window in Chrome

    Select "New Incognito window" from Chrome's three-dot menu in the top right, or press the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+N (Command+Shift+N on Mac).

  2. Open an InPrivate window in Edge

    Select "New InPrivate window" from Edge's three-dot menu in the top right, or press the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+N.

  3. Open a Private Browsing window in Safari

    Choose "New Private Window" from the File menu in Safari's menu bar, or press the shortcut Command+Shift+N.

  4. What incognito mode actually hides

    Once you close a private window, your browsing history, cookies, and anything typed into the search bar during that session aren't saved, so no trace is left for anyone else using the same computer.

  5. What incognito mode does not hide

    Incognito mode doesn't change your IP address, so the websites you visit and your internet provider can still see your connection activity, and a network administrator at your workplace or school can still see traffic on the network or device they manage.

  6. When it's useful

    It's handy for briefly logging into an account on a shared computer, checking multiple accounts at the same time, or keeping your search history from influencing recommended results.

Why it's easy to misunderstand incognito mode

Incognito mode only means the browser itself doesn't keep a record on your computer β€” it isn't the same as being completely anonymous online or fully blocked from tracking. Knowing exactly what it does and doesn't cover matters more than assuming it hides everything.

For everyday browsing across multiple devices

If you'd rather keep a normal, synced browsing history across your devices instead, it's worth looking into how your browser syncs bookmarks and history between a computer and a phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an account signed in during a private window affect my regular window?

No β€” a private window's sign-in state and cookies are kept separate from your regular window and don't affect each other; closing the private window signs you out of it.

Do files downloaded in incognito mode disappear when the window closes?

No β€” files downloaded during an incognito session stay in your designated downloads folder just like normal, and closing the window doesn't delete them.