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

Incognito mode doesn't block or mask your IP address but it does prevent a browser from recording session data

By
Scott Orgera
Scott Orgera
Scott Orgera
Writer
Scott Orgera is a former Lifewire writer covering tech since 2007. He has 25+ years' experience as a programmer and QA leader, and holds several Microsoft certifications including MCSE, MCP+I, and MOUS. He is also A+ certified.
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Updated on January 23, 2023

This article explains how to turn on incognito mode for private browsing in the five most popular browsers.

Incognito mode prevents a browser from recording session data but it doesn't block or mask your IP address. To do that, you need to use a VPN, a proxy server, or the Tor Browser.

How to Turn on Incognito Mode in Google Chrome

While surfing the web incognito in Google Chrome, the browser doesn't save your history or other private data. To open a private browsing session in Chrome, follow these steps:

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

    Alternatively, from the Chrome menu, select File > New Incognito Window. Or, press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Command+Shift+N (Mac).

    The New Incognito Window command

  2. A window opens, explaining the Chrome Incognito mode.

    A window opens explaining the Chrome Incognito mode

  3. 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.

    Open a link in the Chrome Incognito mode

  4. To exit Incognito mode, close the browser window or tabs.

    To activate Chrome Incognito Mode on an iOS device, tap Menu > New Incognito Tab. On an Android device, tap More > New Incognito Tab.

How to Use InPrivate Browsing in Microsoft Edge

The Microsoft Edge browser in Windows 10 allows incognito browsing through the InPrivate Browsing function.

  1. Open the Edge browser and select the More Actions menu (three dots).

    Using InPrivate Browsing in Microsoft Edge.

  2. Select New InPrivate Window.

    Using InPrivate Browsing in Microsoft Edge.

    On a Windows computer, use the Ctrl+Shift+P keyboard shortcut to enter an InPrivate Browsing window quickly.

  3. A window opens, explaining the Edge InPrivate Browsing mode.

    Using InPrivate Browsing in Microsoft Edge.

  4. To open a link in the Edge InPrivate Browsing mode, right-click it (or press Control+Click on a Mac) and select Open in InPrivate Window.

    To enter InPrivate Browsing mode in Edge on an iOS or Android device, select the Tabs icon and then tap InPrivate.

How to Turn on Private Browsing in Firefox

Incognito browsing in Mozilla Firefox is called Private Browsing mode. Here's how to activate the feature:

  1. Select the Firefox Menu (three vertical lines), and then choose New Private Window.

    The New Private Window command in Firefox

  2. A Firefox private browsing window opens.

    A Firefox private browsing window will open.

    To quickly open a Firefox Private Browsing window, press Shift+Command+P on a Mac or Control+Shift+P on a Windows PC.

  3. 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.

    Open Link in New Private Window in Firefox

    To enter Firefox Private Browsing mode on an iOS device, tap the Tabs icon at the bottom of the screen, and then tap the Mask icon. On an Android device, tap the Mask icon at the top of the screen.

How to Enter Incognito Browsing in Apple Safari

Safari is the default browser for macOS. Here's how to enter the Safari Private Browsing mode:

  1. Open Safari on a Mac.

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

    Press Shift+Command+N to quickly open a private browsing window.

    Enter Private Browsing mode in Safari on a Mac

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

    The Private Browsing Enabled message in Safari

  4. 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.

    Open a link in a private window in Safari

How to Open a Private Window in Opera

The Opera web browser's incognito mode is called Private mode. Here's how it works:

  1. Open Opera on a PC or Mac.

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

    To quickly open a private window in Opera, press Ctrl+Shift+N on a Windows PC or Command+Shift+N on a Mac.

    Open a Private Window in Opera

  3. A window that explains Opera's Private mode appears.

    Private Mode in Opera

  4. To open a link in Private mode in Opera, right-click it (or press Control+Click on a Mac) and select Open in New Private Window.

    To enter Private mode in the Opera iOS mobile browser, tap the More (three horizontal lines) menu and select Private Mode.

    Open a link in private mode in Opera
FAQ
  • What's the benefit of turning on private browsing?

    Private browsing prevents other users from seeing your internet history. It also blocks 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.

  • How do I put a password on my browser on Android?

    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.

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