Open incognito mode by using a keyboard shortcut or menu option
An incognito window (also called private browsing mode) is a browser window that does not save your browsing history, cookies, or search history when you close it. Each browser calls it something slightly different and opens it a different way, but the keyboard shortcut is the fastest method on any browser.
The keyboard shortcut works the same way across Windows, Mac, and Linux. Press Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows or Linux, or Command + Shift + N on Mac. A new window will open with a label telling you that you are in private browsing mode. If the shortcut does not work, your browser may have disabled it, and you will need to use the menu instead.
If you prefer to use the menu, the steps differ slightly by browser. In all cases, look for a menu button (usually three horizontal lines or three dots) in the top right corner of your browser window. The option to open a private window is usually near the top of that menu.
Key Takeaways
- Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows/Linux) or Command + Shift + N (Mac) to open an incognito window when ready in most browsers.
- Incognito mode does not save your browsing history, cookies, search history, or login information after you close the window.
- Your internet service provider, employer, or school network can still see what websites you visit, even in incognito mode.
- Each browser has a slightly different menu path to open incognito mode if the keyboard shortcut does not work.
Chrome, Edge, and Brave use the same keyboard shortcut
Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Brave all respond to Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows/Linux) or Command + Shift + N (Mac). A new window opens with a dark theme and a message saying "You are in Incognito mode" or "You are in Private mode". The window title bar usually shows a small icon indicating private browsing.
If the shortcut does not work, open the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select "New Incognito window" (Chrome and Brave) or "New InPrivate window" (Edge). The menu option is usually near the top, above "New window".
Firefox calls it Private Browsing and uses a different shortcut
Firefox uses Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows/Linux) or Command + Shift + P (Mac) to open a private window. The window will have a small purple mask icon in the title bar and a message saying "You are in a Private Window".
If the shortcut does not work, click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner and select "New Private Window". On some older versions of Firefox, this option may be under "File" in the menu bar instead.
Safari on Mac and iPhone has its own private browsing option
On Mac, open Safari and press Command + Shift + N to open a private window. The address bar will turn dark gray to show you are in private browsing mode. You can also click "File" in the menu bar and select "New Private Window".
On iPhone or iPad, open Safari and tap the tabs button (two overlapping squares) in the bottom right corner. Tap "Private" at the bottom of the screen, then tap the plus sign to open a new private tab. Private tabs in Safari have a dark background to distinguish them from regular tabs.
What incognito mode does and does not do
Incognito mode prevents your browser from storing information about your session. When you close the window, the browser deletes your browsing history, cookies (small files websites use to remember you), cached images and files, and autofill data. If you log into a website in incognito mode, you will be logged out when you close the window.
Incognito mode does not hide your activity from your internet service provider, your employer, your school, or the websites you visit. These parties can still see which websites you go to and when. If you are on a work or school network, the network administrator can see your traffic. Websites can still track you through other methods like fingerprinting (collecting information about your device and browser settings) even if cookies are blocked.
Incognito mode is useful for testing websites without cached data interfering, logging into multiple accounts on the same website at once, or keeping your browsing separate from your regular history. It is not a tool for hiding your activity from network administrators or internet service providers.
You can open multiple incognito windows at the same time
You can have both regular and incognito windows open at the same time in the same browser. Each incognito window is separate from the others — if you log into an account in one incognito window, you will not be logged in on another incognito window or a regular window.
This is useful when you need to test a website with different user accounts, or when you want to keep your regular browsing separate from a specific task. Just remember that closing an incognito window will delete everything you did in that window, including any logins or form data you entered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does incognito mode hide me from my internet service provider?
No. Your internet service provider can see which websites you visit and when, even in incognito mode. Incognito mode only hides your activity from your browser and the device you are using. To hide your activity from your internet service provider, you would need to use a VPN (virtual private network), which is a separate tool.
Can my employer see what I do in incognito mode at work?
Yes, if you are on a work network or using a work device. Your employer can see your network traffic regardless of whether you use incognito mode. Incognito mode only prevents your browser from saving history on your device — it does not hide anything from network monitoring tools.
Will websites still track me in incognito mode?
Websites cannot use cookies to track you across sessions in incognito mode because cookies are deleted when you close the window. However, websites can still track you using other methods like browser fingerprinting or by asking you to log in. Some browsers offer additional tracking protection in incognito mode, but this varies by browser.
What happens to my passwords in incognito mode?
Your browser will still offer to save passwords in incognito mode, but the saved passwords are stored in your regular browser password manager, not in the incognito session. When you close the incognito window, you will be logged out of websites, but your passwords remain saved in your browser for future use.
Can I set my browser to always open in incognito mode?
Most browsers do not have a built-in setting to always open in incognito mode, because incognito mode is designed to be temporary. However, you can create a shortcut to open an incognito window directly. In Chrome, right-click the Chrome icon on your desktop, select "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac), and add --incognito to the target or command line.