What an incognito tab does and why you might use one
An incognito tab (called "private browsing" in some browsers) is a window that does not save your browsing history, cookies, or search history when you close it. Websites cannot track you across sessions the way they normally would. This is useful when you are shopping for a gift on a shared computer, logging into a different account than usual, or straightforward browsing without leaving a record on your device.
Incognito mode does not make you invisible to your internet service provider, your employer's network, or the websites you visit — it only hides your activity from other people who use the same device. If you are on a work network or a school network, your activity may still be logged by that network's administrator.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome, Edge, and Firefox all open incognito tabs with a keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on Mac.
- Safari uses the same shortcut but calls the feature "private browsing" — Command+Shift+N on Mac or you can open it from the File menu.
- You can also right-click the browser icon in your taskbar or dock and select the incognito or private option without opening the browser first.
- Incognito tabs do not hide your activity from your internet service provider or network administrator, only from other users of the same device.
Opening incognito in Chrome
The fastest way is the keyboard shortcut: press Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on Mac. A new window opens with a dark theme and a small incognito icon (a spy hat) in the top left corner.
If you prefer using the menu, open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "New incognito window" from the dropdown. You can also right-click the Chrome icon in your taskbar (Windows) or dock (Mac) and select "New incognito window" without opening Chrome first.
Opening incognito in Firefox
Press Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows or Command+Shift+P on Mac to open a new private window. The window has a dark purple theme and shows a mask icon in the address bar to confirm you are in private mode.
You can also click the three horizontal lines (menu button) in the top right, then select "New private window." On Windows, right-clicking the Firefox icon in your taskbar and selecting "New private window" skips opening the browser first.
Opening private browsing in Safari
On Mac, press Command+Shift+N to open a new private window. The address bar appears slightly dimmed to show you are in private mode. You can also click "File" in the menu bar and select "New private window."
On iPad or iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the tab switcher, then tap "Private" in the bottom left corner before opening a new tab. The interface shifts to a dark theme when private mode is active.
Opening incognito in Microsoft Edge
Press Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on Mac. A new window opens with a dark theme and an incognito icon in the top left. Edge calls this "InPrivate browsing."
You can also click the three dots in the top right corner and select "New InPrivate window," or right-click the Edge icon in your taskbar (Windows) or dock (Mac) and choose the InPrivate option.
What happens when you close an incognito tab
When you close an incognito window or tab, the browser when ready deletes all cookies, cached files, and browsing history from that session. Passwords you entered are not saved. Search suggestions based on that window do not appear in your search bar later.
Downloads you made in incognito mode do remain on your device — incognito only affects what the browser remembers, not what you saved to your computer. If you want to delete a downloaded file, you have to remove it manually from your Downloads folder or wherever you saved it.
Limitations of incognito mode
Incognito mode does not prevent websites from seeing your real IP address or collecting data about your visit while you are browsing. It only stops the browser from storing that data after you leave. Websites can still track you during your session and build a profile of your activity.
Your internet service provider, workplace network, or school network can still see which websites you visit, even in incognito mode. If you need to hide your activity from your ISP or network administrator, you would need a VPN (virtual private network), which is a separate tool beyond what incognito provides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone see my incognito browsing if they use the same computer?
No. Once you close the incognito window, the browser deletes the history and cookies from that session. Another user of the same computer cannot see where you went. However, if you leave the incognito window open, someone sitting at the computer can see your current activity.
Does incognito mode stop websites from tracking me?
No. Websites can still track you while you are in an incognito window — they just cannot use cookies stored from previous sessions to recognize you. Once you close the window, the browser forgets the session, but the website's servers may still have records of your visit.
Will my internet service provider know what I do in incognito mode?
Yes. Your ISP can see which websites you visit regardless of whether you use incognito mode. Incognito only hides your activity from other people using your device, not from your ISP or network administrator.
Can I bookmark a page in incognito mode?
Yes. Bookmarks you create in incognito mode are saved to your browser normally and appear in your bookmarks list after you close the incognito window. Only the browsing history and cookies are deleted.
What is the difference between incognito and clearing my history manually?
Incognito prevents history from being saved in the first place. Clearing history manually deletes it after the fact. Incognito is simpler if you know in advance you do not want a record of your browsing.