What incognito mode actually does
Incognito mode is a browser setting that stops your browser from saving a record of the websites you visit, the searches you make, or the passwords you enter during that session. When you close an incognito window, your browser deletes the temporary files it created while you were using it.
This does not hide your activity from your internet service provider, your employer if you are on a work network, or the websites themselves. Those organisations can still see that you visited them. Incognito mode only hides your browsing from other people who use the same device — like a family member who checks your browser history, or someone who picks up your laptop after you walk away.
Different browsers call this feature by different names. Chrome and Edge call it "Incognito." Firefox calls it "Private Browsing." Safari calls it "Private." The function is the same across all of them.
Key Takeaways
- Incognito mode prevents your browser from saving your browsing history, search history, and cookies from that session.
- It does not hide your activity from your internet service provider, your workplace network, or the websites you visit.
- You open incognito mode differently depending on whether you are using a computer or a phone, and which browser you use.
- Closing an incognito window automatically deletes the temporary files from that session.
Opening incognito on Windows or Mac
On Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows, or Command + Shift + N on Mac. A new window will open with a dark theme and an icon that looks like a spy wearing a hat. That icon tells you the window is in incognito mode.
On Firefox, press Ctrl + Shift + P on Windows, or Command + Shift + P on Mac. The window will have a purple mask icon in the top left corner.
On Safari, press Command + Shift + N on Mac. (Safari does not have a private browsing mode on Windows.) The address bar will turn dark gray instead of white.
On Microsoft Edge, press Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows, or Command + Shift + N on Mac. A new window opens with a dark theme and an icon that looks like a person wearing a hat.
Opening incognito on iPhone or Android
On Chrome for iPhone, tap the three vertical dots in the bottom right corner, then tap "New Incognito Tab." A new tab opens with the spy icon visible at the top.
On Chrome for Android, tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then tap "New Incognito Tab."
On Safari for iPhone, tap the tabs icon (two overlapping squares) at the bottom right, then tap "Private" in the bottom left corner. Then tap the plus sign to open a new private tab.
On Firefox for iPhone or Android, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then tap "New Private Tab."
What gets deleted when you close incognito
When you close an incognito window or tab, your browser deletes the cookies from that session, your search history, your browsing history, and any temporary files the websites stored on your device. Your browser does not delete files you downloaded during incognito mode — those stay on your device in your Downloads folder.
If you logged into an email account or a social media account during incognito mode, you are logged out when you close the window. But the website itself still has a record that you logged in and what you did while you were there.
What incognito mode does not protect
Your internet service provider can see every website you visit, even in incognito mode. They cannot see the specific pages within a website or what you typed into a search box, but they can see the domain name — for example, they see that you visited amazon.com but not that you searched for a specific product.
If you are on a work network or a school network, the network administrator can see your activity in incognito mode the same way they can see it in a regular window. The network logs the traffic that passes through their equipment.
Websites themselves keep records of your visit and your activity on their site, regardless of whether you are in incognito mode. If you log into an account on a website, that website knows it was you.
When incognito mode is actually useful
Incognito mode works well for keeping your browsing private from other people who share your device. If you are shopping for a gift for someone who uses your computer, incognito mode prevents them from seeing the search history or the sites you visited. If you are using a shared family tablet, incognito mode keeps your activity separate from the next person's.
Incognito mode also prevents websites from using cookies to track your behaviour across multiple sites. Advertisers use cookies to build a profile of your interests and show you targeted ads. In incognito mode, those cookies are deleted when you close the window, so the tracking resets.
If you want to hide your activity from your internet service provider or your network administrator, incognito mode will not do that. You would need a tool called a VPN (virtual private network), which encrypts your traffic so that your ISP cannot see which websites you visit.
Incognito mode and passwords
Your browser will not save passwords you enter in incognito mode, but it will offer to autofill passwords you have already saved in your regular browser. If you type a password in incognito mode and your browser autofills it, that password is not stored — it is only used for that one login.
If you want to log into an account in incognito mode without autofill, you can type the password manually. When you close the incognito window, your browser will not remember that password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone tell I am using incognito mode?
Other people who share your device cannot tell from the browser history, because incognito mode does not save one. But they can see an incognito window if it is open on the screen. Your internet service provider and network administrator cannot tell whether you are in incognito mode or not — they see your activity either way.
Does incognito mode stop websites from tracking me?
Incognito mode stops cookies from being saved, which prevents some tracking. But websites can still track you if you log into an account, and they can use other methods like fingerprinting (collecting information about your device and browser settings). For stronger tracking protection, use your browser's privacy settings or a privacy-focused browser extension.
Will my employer see my incognito browsing?
Yes. Incognito mode does not hide your activity from your workplace network. Your employer's network administrator can see which websites you visit and when, the same way they can see your regular browsing. Incognito mode only hides your activity from other people using the same device.
Can I be logged into two accounts at once in incognito mode?
Yes. Because incognito mode does not save cookies between sessions, you can log into the same website with two different accounts in the same incognito window without them interfering with each other. When you close the window, both logins are cleared.
Does incognito mode protect me from viruses or malware?
No. Incognito mode only affects what your browser saves locally. It does not protect you from malicious websites, phishing attacks, or malware downloads. Use the same caution in incognito mode as you would in a regular window.