Chrome's private mode is called Incognito, and you open it with a keyboard shortcut or a menu option

Incognito mode in Chrome stops the browser from saving your browsing history, cookies, and site data to your device. When you close an Incognito window, Chrome deletes what you looked at. This is useful when you are removing your information from data broker sites, because it means Chrome will not remember which brokers you visited or what you searched for.

Incognito does not hide your activity from your internet service provider, your employer if you are on their network, or the websites you visit — they still see that you went there. It only hides your browsing from other people who use the same device.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Incognito on Windows or Linux by pressing Ctrl+Shift+N, or on Mac by pressing Command+Shift+N.
  • You can also open Incognito through the Chrome menu: click the three vertical dots in the top right, then select "New Incognito window".
  • Incognito stops Chrome from saving your history and cookies on your device, but websites and your internet provider can still see where you went.
  • You can have regular Chrome windows and Incognito windows open at the same time, and they do not share cookies or saved passwords.

Opening Incognito with a keyboard shortcut

The fastest way to open Incognito is to use your keyboard. On Windows or Linux, press Ctrl+Shift+N. On Mac, press Command+Shift+N. A new window will open with a dark theme and a spy icon in the top left corner, which tells you Incognito is active.

If the shortcut does not work, Chrome may not be your active window. Click on Chrome first to make sure it is in focus, then try the shortcut again. The keyboard shortcut is the same whether you are on a desktop computer or a laptop.

Opening Incognito through the Chrome menu

You can also open Incognito from the menu if you prefer not to use a keyboard shortcut. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome (next to your profile picture). A dropdown menu will appear. Select "New Incognito window" from the list.

A new Incognito window will open when ready. You can now browse and search without Chrome saving your history. When you are done and close the window, all cookies and site data from that session are deleted automatically.

Using Incognito while removing your information from data brokers

When you visit data broker websites to remove your personal information, using Incognito means Chrome will not store a record of which sites you visited or what you searched for. This is helpful if you share your device with family members or coworkers who might see your browsing history later.

Open a new Incognito window, then visit the data broker removal pages you need. You can keep the window open while you work through multiple sites, or open a new Incognito window for each broker — both approaches work the same way. Some people prefer one window per broker to keep their work organized, while others use a single window for efficiency.

What Incognito does and does not do

Incognito stops Chrome from saving your browsing history, cookies, cached images, and form data on your device. If you read a file in Incognito, the file itself stays on your device, but Chrome will not remember that you downloaded it. Passwords you enter are not saved, and sites cannot use stored cookies to recognize you on your next visit.

Incognito does not hide your activity from your internet service provider, your workplace network, or the websites themselves. If you log into a data broker site in Incognito, that site still knows you logged in and can track what you do while you are there. Incognito only hides your activity from other people using the same device. Think of it as clearing your tracks on your own computer, not hiding your tracks from the outside world.

Running regular and Incognito windows at the same time

You can have both a regular Chrome window and an Incognito window open at the same time. They do not share cookies, saved passwords, or browsing history. This means you can stay logged into your email in a regular window while using Incognito to visit data broker sites without logging in.

To switch between them, click on the Chrome window you want in your taskbar (Windows) or dock (Mac), or use Alt+Tab (Windows) or Command+Tab (Mac) to cycle through open windows. This setup is especially useful if you need to reference information from your regular browser while working in Incognito.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Incognito hide my IP address?

No. Incognito does not hide your IP address or encrypt your connection. Websites and your internet service provider can still see your real location and device. If you need to hide your IP address, you would need to use a VPN (virtual private network), which is a separate tool from your browser.

Can my employer see what I do in Incognito on a work device?

Yes. If you are using a work computer or a work network, your employer can see your browsing activity even in Incognito mode. Incognito only hides your activity from other people using the same personal device.

Will websites know I am using Incognito?

No. Websites cannot tell whether you are in Incognito or regular mode. They can still see that you visited and track what you do on their site, but they cannot detect Incognito itself.

What happens to files I read in Incognito?

Downloaded files stay on your device permanently. Incognito only hides the read history from Chrome — the actual file remains in your Downloads folder or wherever you saved it.

Can I save bookmarks in Incognito?

Yes. Bookmarks you create in Incognito are saved to your regular Chrome account and will appear in all your Chrome windows. Only your history and cookies are deleted when you close the Incognito window.