You cannot delete incognito mode itself, but you can disable it so it does not appear in your browser menu

Incognito mode (called Private Browsing in Safari, InPrivate in Edge) is a built-in browser feature that does not save your browsing history, cookies, or search terms. It is part of the browser's core code, so you cannot remove it entirely — but you can hide it from the menu and prevent it from being used.

The reason to disable it is usually parental control: you want to prevent someone else from using the feature to browse without a record. If you are trying to protect your own privacy, disabling incognito mode will not help — the person using the browser can straightforward re-enable it or switch to a different browser.

The steps to disable it depend on which browser you use and whether you are on Windows, Mac, or a Chromebook. On a personal device, you control this yourself. On a work or school device, your IT department may have already locked it.

Key Takeaways

  • Incognito mode cannot be deleted, only hidden from the menu through browser settings or policies.
  • On Chrome, you can disable it through Settings > Sync and Google Services, or your administrator can lock it with a policy.
  • On Firefox, there is no built-in disable option; you would need to use parental controls or a third-party extension.
  • Disabling incognito mode on your own device only works if the person using it does not know how to re-enable it or switch browsers.
  • On work or school devices, your IT department controls whether incognito mode is available, and you cannot change it yourself.

How to disable incognito mode in Chrome

Open Chrome and go to Settings (the three vertical dots in the top right, then Settings). On the left sidebar, click Sync and Google Services. Scroll down to the section labeled Sync and look for the toggle next to Sync everything or Manage sync. If you see an option for Incognito mode or Guest browsing, you can toggle it off there.

This method works on personal devices but is not permanent — someone with access to your computer can turn it back on. If you are setting this up on a child's device, this is a speed bump, not a lock.

If you are an administrator managing Chrome on multiple devices (such as a school or workplace), you can use Chrome policies through Google Admin Console to disable incognito mode across all managed devices. This requires a Google Workspace account and applies to anyone signed into a managed account on that device.

How to disable incognito mode in Edge

Open Edge and go to Settings (the three horizontal dots in the top right, then Settings). Click Privacy, search, and services on the left sidebar. Scroll down to Clear browsing data and look for InPrivate browsing. Toggle it off if the option appears.

Edge also allows administrators to disable InPrivate mode through Group Policy (on Windows) or Mobile Device Management (on work phones). If you are on a personal device, the toggle in Settings is your main option.

How to disable incognito mode in Safari

Safari does not have a built-in setting to disable Private Browsing in the browser itself. If you are the device owner and want to prevent someone else from using it, you can set up Screen Time on Mac or iPad. Go to System Settings (or Settings on iPad) > Screen Time, then Content & Privacy Restrictions. Under Allowed Apps, you can restrict Safari entirely, though this prevents all browsing, not just private browsing.

A more targeted approach is to use Parental Controls if the device is set up with a child account. This lets you restrict certain features without blocking the browser completely.

How to disable incognito mode in Firefox

Firefox does not have a built-in setting to disable Private Browsing from the menu. Your options are to use your operating system's parental controls (Windows Parental Controls or Mac Screen Time) or to install a third-party extension that blocks private browsing — though this is less reliable because extensions can be disabled.

If you are managing Firefox on a work device, your IT department can use Firefox policies (through a JSON configuration file) to disable private browsing across all managed installations.

What disabling incognito mode actually prevents

When you disable incognito mode, you remove the option from the browser menu. Someone cannot click File > New Incognito Window or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+Shift+N on Chrome and Edge, Cmd+Shift+N on Safari). However, this only works if the person using the browser does not know how to re-enable it or does not have access to browser settings.

Disabling incognito mode does not prevent someone from using a different browser (Firefox, Opera, Brave) that they read themselves. It does not prevent them from clearing their history manually after browsing. It does not prevent them from using a phone or tablet instead of the computer you control.

If your goal is to monitor what someone is browsing, disabling incognito mode is one small part of a larger approach that includes setting up a separate user account, using parental control software, or having a direct conversation about why you need to see their browsing history.

When your browser is managed by work or school

If you are using a device provided by your employer or school, incognito mode may already be disabled by your IT department. You will not see the option in the menu, and you cannot re-enable it yourself — the policy is set at the account level, not the device level.

If you need to use incognito mode for a legitimate work reason (such as testing how a website appears to someone not logged in), contact your IT department and explain what you need. They can either temporarily allow it or provide you with an alternative way to test.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I disable incognito mode, will my browsing history be saved automatically?

No. Disabling incognito mode only removes the option from the menu. Your regular browsing in non-incognito mode will still be saved to history as usual. If someone switches to a different browser or re-enables the setting, they can still browse privately.

Can I delete incognito mode completely from Chrome?

No. Incognito mode is built into Chrome's code and cannot be uninstalled. You can only hide it from the menu. If you need stronger control, you can use parental control software that monitors all browser activity across all browsers on the device.

What if someone re-enables incognito mode after I turn it off?

They can do this if they have access to browser settings. To prevent this, you would need to set up a separate user account for them (so they do not have admin access to your account) or use parental controls through your operating system, which restricts what they can change.

Does disabling incognito mode protect my privacy?

No. Disabling incognito mode on your own device does not protect your privacy — it only prevents you from using the feature. If you want privacy from someone else using your device, set up a separate user account for them instead.

Can my employer force me to disable incognito mode on my personal device?

No. Your employer can only control devices they own or manage. On a personal device, you control the settings. If your employer requires you to use a work device for work tasks, they can disable incognito mode on that device, but they cannot force you to change settings on your own computer.