Most extensions are blocked in incognito by default, but you can change that
When you open a private browsing window in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari, most of your installed extensions stop working. This happens because browsers treat incognito mode as a separate environment and don't load extensions there unless you explicitly allow them. The extension still exists on your computer — it's just paused while you're in private mode.
Whether an extension works in incognito depends on two things: the browser's default setting for that extension, and whether you've given it permission to run in private windows. Some extensions are blocked by default and stay blocked until you change the setting. Others are allowed by default but you can turn them off if you want privacy from that particular tool.
Key Takeaways
- Extensions are disabled in incognito mode by default in most browsers, but you can enable them one at a time in your extension settings.
- Password managers and ad blockers usually need incognito permission to work properly, while tracking tools and data-collecting extensions should stay disabled for privacy.
- Enabling an extension in incognito means that extension can see your private browsing activity, so only allow extensions you trust.
- The setting is different in each browser — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari all have different menus for managing incognito permissions.
How to enable extensions in Chrome incognito
Open Chrome and click the puzzle piece icon in the top right corner to see your extensions list. Find the extension you want to use in incognito mode and click the three dots next to its name. Select "Allow in incognito" from the menu. The extension will now run the next time you open a private window.
You can also manage this from the main extension settings page. Click the puzzle piece, then click "Manage extensions" at the bottom. Find the extension, scroll down to "Allow in incognito", and toggle it on. Chrome will remember this setting until you change it back.
How to enable extensions in Firefox private windows
Firefox calls private browsing "Private Windows" and handles extensions differently than Chrome. Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right, then select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions" on the left side. Find the extension you want and click it to open its details page.
Look for the section labeled "Run in Private Windows" and click the toggle to turn it on. Firefox will ask you to confirm. Once you do, that extension will work the next time you open a private window. You can turn it off the same way if you change your mind.
How to enable extensions in Edge incognito
Edge uses the same system as Chrome since both run on Chromium. Click the puzzle piece icon in the top right corner and find the extension you want. Click the three dots next to it and select "Allow in InPrivate". The extension will be ready to use in your next InPrivate window.
You can also go to the main extensions page by clicking the puzzle piece and then "Manage extensions". Find the extension, scroll to "Allow in InPrivate", and toggle it on. The setting takes effect when ready.
How to enable extensions in Safari private windows
Safari's approach is simpler than other browsers. Click "Safari" in the menu bar, then "Settings". Go to the "Extensions" tab. You'll see a list of all your extensions with checkboxes next to "Private Browsing". Check the box next to any extension you want to use in private windows. Close the settings window and the change is saved.
Safari only shows extensions that support private browsing in this list. If an extension doesn't appear here, it wasn't designed to work in private mode and the developer hasn't updated it to support that feature.
Which extensions should you enable in incognito
Password managers are the most common reason to enable extensions in incognito. If you use 1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass, or your browser's built-in password manager, you'll want it working in private windows so you can log into sites without typing passwords by hand. These extensions need incognito permission to fill in login forms.
Ad blockers like uBlock Origin, Adblock Plus, and similar tools work well in incognito if you want to block ads during private browsing. Since you're already in private mode, the ad blocker isn't adding extra tracking — it's just removing ads from the pages you visit.
Grammar and spell-check extensions like Grammarly can be useful in incognito if you write emails or documents in private windows. However, remember that enabling Grammarly in incognito means Grammarly's servers will see what you type, even though your browser won't save it locally.
Extensions that track your activity, collect data, or sync information to the cloud should usually stay disabled in incognito. This includes analytics tools, marketing pixels, and data-collection extensions. The whole point of incognito is that your activity isn't saved — enabling these extensions defeats that purpose.
What happens when you enable an extension in incognito
When you allow an extension to run in incognito, that extension can see everything you do in that private window — the sites you visit, what you type, what you click. Your browser won't save your history or cookies, but the extension itself might record or send that information somewhere else, depending on what it does.
This is why you should only enable extensions you trust. A password manager needs to see what you type so it can fill in your login. An ad blocker needs to see the page so it can remove ads. But a random extension from an unknown developer shouldn't have access to your private browsing at all.
If you're worried about privacy, check what permissions each extension has before enabling it in incognito. Most extensions show their permissions in the extension store (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, Edge Add-ons, or Safari Extensions). Look for anything that seems unnecessary for what the extension claims to do.
Why browsers block extensions in incognito by default
Browsers block extensions in incognito mode to protect your privacy. Incognito is designed so your browser doesn't save your history, cookies, or site data. If every extension could run automatically in private mode, they could collect and store information about your private browsing without your knowledge.
By requiring you to manually enable each extension, browsers force you to make a choice: do you trust this extension enough to let it see your private activity? This puts you in control instead of letting extensions decide for themselves.
Some extensions are blocked more strictly than others. Extensions that need deep access to your browser — like password managers and ad blockers — usually ask for permission when you install them. Extensions that just add a button to your toolbar might be blocked by default and stay blocked unless you specifically turn them on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make an extension work in incognito automatically when I install it?
No. You have to manually enable each extension in incognito mode after you install it. Some extensions will prompt you to allow incognito access when you first use them, but you still have to confirm the permission yourself. There's no setting to make all new extensions work in incognito by default.
If I enable an extension in incognito, does it see my regular browsing too?
No. The extension only works in incognito windows if you've specifically enabled it there. When you're browsing normally, the extension runs as usual. When you open an incognito window, it only runs if you turned on the incognito permission. The two are separate.
What if an extension doesn't have an incognito option?
Some older extensions weren't built to support incognito mode and don't have an option to enable them in private windows. If you don't see an incognito toggle for an extension, the developer hasn't added that feature. You can contact the developer to request it, or use a different extension that does support private browsing.
Does enabling an extension in incognito slow down my browser?
Enabling an extension in incognito has the same performance impact as running it normally — it depends on what the extension does. A lightweight ad blocker won't slow you down. A heavy extension that processes every page might. The incognito permission itself doesn't add overhead; it just lets the extension run.
Can I use different extensions in incognito than in regular browsing?
Yes. You can enable some extensions only in incognito and disable others, or enable different extensions in each mode. For example, you might enable a password manager in both modes but only enable an ad blocker in regular browsing. Each extension has its own incognito setting that you control independently.