You know about Incognito Mode. It doesn’t need an introduction. You’re reading this article on a web browser, and the chances are very high that it has an incognito mode. Or an in-private mode or private window. Whatever you call it. It’s been around there for a while. If you want to get something done discreetly, you just simply switch over to it, get it done, and there will be little to no trace of it.
What Happens When You’re Using Incognito Mode?
Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge all have an incognito mode and function the same way. Before we discuss how to get in and out of incognito mode, let’s first talk about what happens when you’re using it.
- Once you close the private window, none of your browsing history, cookies, or site data will be saved.
- Your autofil and extensions are usually disabled by default. However, you can choose to enable them.
- Most browsers block third-party cookies by default when you’re incognito.
- Using incognito mode does not make your activities anonymous from your ISP, employer, and the sites you visit. A VPN like Nord or Surfshark can help you with that.
How to Enter Incognito Mode on Browsers?
The easiest way to open the incognito mode on desktop web browsers is to enable it using keyboard shortcuts.
- If you’re using Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera Browser, or any other Chromium browser, the shortcut is ctrl/cmd + shift + n.
- On Mozilla Firefox, you must use ctrl/cmd + shift + p.
- Safari uses the same shortcut as Chrome, so its ctrl/cmd + shift + n there too.
However, if you want to do it manually, it’s pretty much the same on all browsers. There should be a menu option that is usually three dots or lines. Click on it and then click on New Incognito Window, or New InPrivate Window, or New Private Window. You’ll know which one it is.
For Safari, click on File on the menu bar and click on New Private Window.
On Android and iOS devices, the Incognito window is located somewhere in the tabs section. Sometimes, it’s a toggle, sometimes, you slide over to your incognito tabs, and sometimes, you have to enable it from the menu.
How To Exit Incognito Window on Google Chrome?
If you’re using Google Chrome on any desktop browser. First, locate the incognito window. It usually has a dark background and an “incognito” icon in the top right. To close the Incognito mode:
- Locate the X in the top-right (Windows) or top-right and click on it.
- If you have multiple incognito windows, you must close all of them.
- Alternatively, you can click on the “incognito” icon and choose to close all of them.
Once you’re out of the incognito mode, you can simply launch Chrome again to browse normally.
How To Exit Private Window on Safari?
If you’re on a MacBook, the easiest way to locate your private windows is to move the pointer to the Safari icon and swipe up with two fingers.
On macOS:
- Look for the Private Browsing window (it usually has a dark background).
- Click the red close button in the top-left corner to exit.
- Open a new Safari window (cmd + n) for normal browsing.
On iOS:
- Open the Safari app.
- Tap the tabs icon (bottom-right corner on iPhone, top-right on iPad).
- If you see “Private” highlighted at the bottom, tap it.
- Select “Tabs” or a normal browsing mode to switch back.
How To Exit Private Window on Mozilla Firefox?
- Find the private browsing window (it has a purple mask icon).
- Click the X in the top-right corner (Windows) or the red close button (Mac).
- Open Firefox again to return to normal mode.
How To Exit InPrivate Window on Microsoft Edge?
- Locate the InPrivate window (it has a blue “InPrivate” label at the top).
- Close the window by clicking the X in the top-right corner.
- Open Edge again to start browsing normally.
How To Exit Incognito Mode on Android?
Getting out of incognito mode is pretty much the same on all Android browsers.
- Open your browser app of choice.
- Tap the tabs icon (usually a square or number at the top or bottom of the screen).
- Click on the icon to locate the incognito tabs. In Chrome, it’s a hat and glasses; in Firefox, it’s a purple mask; and in Edge, it says ” InPrivate.”
- When you are on the incognito tabs page, swipe left and right or click on the close icon to remove the tabs.
- Alternatively, you can also look for a menu icon (three dots or lines) and see if there’s a “close all tabs” option.
How to Disable Incognito Mode?
Browsers don’t usually let you disable Incognito mode. However, if you want to disable it for your child on their device, Chrome allows it on Android devices using Family Link. However, you can only do it for supervised accounts, so make sure your child is properly added to your Family link. Then:
- Open Google Family Link.
- Select your child’s account.
- Tap Manage Settings.
- Select Filters on Google Chrome.
- Toggle Block Incognito Browsing.
Wrapping Up
Incognito mode might seem like a basic feature when it comes to privacy. But given how easily accessible it is, it does a lot for your privacy. I personally like that most browsers block third-party cookies in private modes.
While extensions are disabled by default, you may want to enable your Ad Blocker and VPN of choice, as it will improve your privacy and actually help you remain anonymous when using incognito mode. And if you want your ISP or employer to not see your online activities, you may want to check our article on AdGuard DNS.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I’m in incognito mode?
Look for a dark theme and a special icon (a hat and glasses in Chrome, a purple mask in Firefox, or “InPrivate” in Edge). If your browser is saving history, you’re not in incognito mode.
Can I exit incognito mode without closing the window?
No. The only way to leave incognito mode is to close the incognito window and open a regular one.
Will clearing my browsing history exit incognito mode?
No, clearing history won’t exit incognito mode. You have to close the private browsing window manually.
Does incognito mode make me anonymous?
No. Your ISP, network administrator, and websites you visit can still track you. The incognito mode only prevents history and cookies from being stored locally on your device.