Why you might want extensions in incognito, and what changes
Incognito mode (called Private Browsing in Safari) blocks websites from tracking your activity and stops your browser from saving your history. But by default, most extensions cannot run in incognito windows — which means password managers, ad blockers, and other tools you rely on straightforward stop working when you open a private tab.
You can change this. Each extension has its own permission setting that lets you decide whether it runs in incognito or not. The trade-off is real: an extension that runs in incognito can see what you do in those windows, even though the browser itself forgets. That is why the choice belongs to you, not the browser.
The steps differ slightly between Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari, but the principle is the same: you find the extension, open its settings, and flip the switch that says "Allow in incognito" or "Allow in private windows".
Key Takeaways
- Extensions are blocked from incognito by default because they can see your activity, even though incognito itself does not save history.
- You control which extensions run in incognito on a per-extension basis — you do not have to allow all of them.
- Password managers and ad blockers are the most common reasons to allow extensions in incognito.
- The permission setting lives in your browser's extension management page, not in the extension itself.
How to allow extensions in Chrome
Open Chrome and type chrome://extensions into the address bar, then press Enter. You will see a list of all your installed extensions with a toggle switch next to each one.
Find the extension you want to use in incognito. Click the Details button below its name. Scroll down until you see Allow in incognito, then click the toggle to turn it on. The toggle will turn blue when it is active.
Close the extensions page. The next time you open an incognito window (Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows, Cmd+Shift+N on Mac), that extension will be available. You can check by looking at the extension icon in the top right corner — it should appear in incognito windows now instead of being greyed out.
How to allow extensions in Edge
Open Edge and type edge://extensions into the address bar, then press Enter. The layout is nearly identical to Chrome because Edge uses the same extension system.
Find the extension you want to allow. Click Details below its name. Look for Allow in InPrivate (Edge calls incognito mode "InPrivate") and toggle it on. The switch will turn blue.
You can now use that extension in InPrivate windows. Open a new InPrivate window with Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows or Cmd+Shift+P on Mac to test it.
How to allow extensions in Firefox
Firefox handles this differently because it treats incognito (called "Private Browsing" in Firefox) as a separate mode. Open Firefox and click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Select Add-ons and themes, or type about:addons into the address bar.
Find the extension in the list. Click the three dots next to its name and select Manage. Look for the section labeled Run in Private Windows and choose Allow from the dropdown menu.
Some Firefox extensions do not offer this option because they were built before Firefox added private window support. If you do not see the dropdown, that extension cannot run in private windows at all.
How to allow extensions in Safari
Safari's extension system works differently from the others. Open Safari and go to Safari menu > Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the Extensions tab.
You will see a list of your extensions on the left. Click the extension you want to allow. On the right side, look for Allow in private browsing and check the box next to it.
Close Settings. The extension will now run in Safari's Private Browsing windows. Note that Safari's extension store is smaller than Chrome's, so some extensions you use in other browsers may not be available for Safari.
What to allow and what to keep blocked
A password manager is the most common reason to allow an extension in incognito. If you use 1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass, or a similar tool, you probably want it available in private windows so you can log into accounts without typing passwords by hand.
An ad blocker like uBlock Origin or Adblock Plus will work in incognito if you allow it, and many people do because ads can still track you in private windows. The extension sees what you visit, but you are already accepting that trade-off by using an ad blocker at all.
A VPN extension can run in incognito, though a full VPN process (not a browser extension) is more reliable. If you use a VPN extension, allowing it in incognito means the VPN company can see your private browsing activity — which is the same as any other time you use it.
You do not need to allow extensions that you only use on regular websites. A shopping comparison tool, a grammar checker, or a note-taking extension can stay blocked in incognito unless you have a specific reason to use them there.
What happens when you allow an extension in incognito
When you allow an extension to run in incognito, it can see everything you do in that window — your searches, the sites you visit, the forms you fill out. The browser itself will not save this history, but the extension can log it if it is designed to.
This is why you should only allow extensions you trust. A malicious or poorly designed extension could collect your private browsing data and send it somewhere. Stick to well-known extensions from reputable developers, and check the reviews and permissions before you allow anything in incognito.
The extension's privacy policy matters here. A password manager needs to see what you type to fill in passwords, so that is expected. An ad blocker needs to see what sites you visit to block ads, which is also expected. But if a random extension asks for permission to run in incognito, read its privacy policy first to understand what it does with that access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I allow some extensions in incognito but not others?
Yes. Every extension has its own permission setting. You can allow your password manager in incognito and block your shopping tool, or any other combination. The choice is per-extension, not all-or-nothing.
Will allowing an extension in incognito slow down my browser?
No. The extension runs the same way it does in regular windows. If it was not slowing you down before, allowing it in incognito will not change that.
What if I allow an extension in incognito and then change my mind?
Go back to your browser's extension settings page and toggle the permission off. The extension will stop running in incognito windows when ready. Your incognito history will not be affected — the browser still does not save it.
Do I need to allow extensions in incognito if I use a VPN?
A VPN and extension permissions are separate things. A VPN hides your IP address from websites, but it does not change what extensions can see. If you want an extension to run in incognito, you still need to allow it, whether or not you use a VPN.
Why are extensions blocked in incognito by default?
Because extensions can see your activity. Blocking them by default means you have to make a conscious choice about which ones you trust with your private browsing data. It is a safety default, not a limitation.