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Invisible Online: How to Activate and Use Incognito Modes on Your Favorite Web Browsers

What to Know

• PressCtrl +Shift +N orCtrl +Shift +P to go incognito in most browsers.
• Use the app’s menu to open incognito mode from the mobile app.
• Incognito hides your browsing history. Your IP address does not change.

This article explains how to open incognito mode for private browsing in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Opera.

How to Open Incognito Mode in Chrome

The easy way to go incognito in Chrome is to pressCtrl +Shift +N (Windows) orCommand +Shift +N (Mac). Here’s how to get there through the menu:

1. Select the ChromeMenu (three vertical dots) from the upper-right corner and then selectNew Incognito window .
   
2. A window opens, explaining Chrome’s incognito mode.
   
3. To open a link in an incognito window, right-click it (or pressControl +Click on a Mac), and then select Open link in incognito window .
   

Toopen a Chrome incognito tab on iOS or Android, tap thethree dots and then chooseNew Incognito Tab .

How to View Your Incognito History on Android

How to Use InPrivate Browsing in Edge

Edge calls its incognito mode InPrivate browsing. Follow these steps to go incognito, or pressCtrl +Shift +N (Windows) orCommand +Shift +N (Mac):

1. Select thethree dots at the top right.
   
2. SelectNew InPrivate window .

3. A window opens, explaining InPrivate browsing.

4. To open a link in the Edge’s incognito mode, right-click it (or pressControl +Click on a Mac) and selectOpen link in InPrivate window .

The mobile app lets you open an incognito tab through thethree-line menu at the bottom. Just chooseNew InPrivate tab .

How to Turn on Private Browsing in Firefox

Incognito mode in Firefox is called Private Browsing.Ctrl +Shift +P (Windows) orCommand +Shift +P (Mac) is the keyboard shortcut to go incognito in Firefox, but you can also use the program’s menu:

1. Select thethree lines at the top right of the browser, then selectNew private window .
   
2. An incognito tab opens.

Click here

3. To open a link in Private Browsing mode, right-click it (or pressControl +Click on a Mac), then chooseOpen Link in New Private Window .

The mobile app lets you open a Firefox Private Browsing tab, but the directions differ from the desktop app. Tap thetabs button (it says 1 if you don’t have any other tabs open) and then choose themask icon followed by theplus sign .

Firefox

How to Enter Private Browsing Mode in Safari

Like most browsers with an incognito mode, you can get to Safari’s with theShift +Command +N shortcut, but there is another way:

1. From the menu bar, selectFile >New Private Window .
   
2. A window opens with a darker search bar and a message that Private Browsing is enabled.

3. To open a link in a private window in Safari on a Mac, hold theOption key and right-click the link (or hold theControl andOption keys and select the link), then chooseOpen Link in New Private Window .

If you’re using Safari on an iPhone or iPad, tap thetabs button and then swipe over toPrivate , or choose it from thethree-line menu.

How to Open a Private Window in Opera

We like to go incognito in Opera with the keyboard shortcut, which is the same for most of these browsers:Ctrl +Shift +N for Windows orCommand +Shift +N for Mac. Here’s the other way to open a private tab:

1. Select theO at the top left to open Opera’s menu.
2. ChooseNew private window from the list.
   
3. To open incognito for just one link, right-click it (or pressControl +Click on a Mac) and selectOpen link in private window .

Using Opera from the mobile app? On Android, select thetabs button, swipe toPrivate , and then tap theplus sign . On iOS, tap thethree lines to open the menu, then choosePrivate Mode .

Incognito mode is designed to prevent the web browser from storing local data like cookies and browsing history. This data is deleted when you close the private tab. Use aVPN orweb proxy if you want to hide your IP address.

FAQ

• What’s the benefit of turning on private browsing?
  Private browsing prevents other users on your device from seeing your internet history. It also helps to block websites from tracking your online activity withcookies . Therefore, you’re unlikely to see online ads related to websites you visit during private browsing sessions.
• How do I put a password on my browser on Android?
  You canlock apps on Android with your device’s security code or use a third-party app. You can alsoset up Android parental controls to childproof your device.

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