This article shows you how to activate a browser's incognito mode. This browsing mode allows you to access the desired web pages without any information being stored on your computer (browsing or search history, passwords, cookies, etc.). All modern internet browsers are equipped with this functionality for both desktop versions and mobile apps. If you are using a corporate or public computer and the network administrator has disabled the use of the incognito mode of the browser on the system, you will not be able to use it.
Steps
Method 1 of 9: Chrome for Desktop Systems
Step 1. Launch Google Chrome by clicking the icon
It is characterized by a red, yellow and green circle with a blue sphere in the center.
Step 2. Press the ⋮ button
It's located in the upper right corner of the Chrome window, just below the icon in the shape of X.
Step 3. Choose the New Incognito Window option
It is one of the first items listed at the top of the drop-down menu that appeared. A new Chrome window will appear in which Incognito mode will be activated.
- If the option indicated is not present in the main menu of Chrome, it means that the system in use is subject to restrictions and limitations imposed by the network administrator.
- When you close the window in which the incognito browsing mode is active, the download history, that relating to browsing or searches performed and any other information (such as passwords or cookies) will be deleted from your computer.
Step 4. Use the hotkey combination
To open a new Chrome window in Incognito mode, press the key combination Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + N (on Windows) or ⌘ Command + ⇧ Shift + N (on Mac).
Method 2 of 9: Chrome for Mobile
Step 1. Launch the Google Chrome app by tapping the icon
It is characterized by a red, yellow and green circle with a blue sphere in the center.
Step 2. Press the ⋮ button
It is located in the upper right corner of the device screen.
Step 3. Choose the New incognito tab option
This will open a new tab in incognito browsing mode in which no information relating to the activities carried out will be stored on the device. When you close the tab in question, all information relating to the pages visited, searches performed or content downloaded will be deleted from the device.
- The tab in which the incognito mode is active is identifiable by the fact that it is characterized by a darker theme than the default one of Chrome.
- You can switch between tabs by tapping the square icon with a number located at the top of the screen. A list of all the open tabs will be displayed, which you can consult by swiping your finger on the screen to the right or left.
Method 3 of 9: Firefox for Desktop Systems
Step 1. Launch Firefox
Double-click the blue globe icon surrounded by an orange fox.
Step 2. Press the ☰ button
It is located in the upper right corner of the window. The browser main menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Choose the New Anonymous Window option
A new Firefox window will appear in which Incognito mode will be activated. When this mode is active, the browser will not keep track of any activity you carry out on the web.
Step 4. Use the hotkey combination
To open a new Firefox window in private browsing mode, press the key combination Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + P (on Windows) or ⌘ Command + ⇧ Shift + P (on Mac).
Method 4 of 9: Firefox for iPhone
Step 1. Launch the Firefox app
Tap the blue globe icon surrounded by an orange fox.
Step 2. Tap the "Cards" icon
It is located at the bottom of the screen and is characterized by a square inside which the number of tabs currently open is displayed. The list of open tabs will be displayed.
Step 3. Tap the mask icon
It is located in the lower left corner of the screen. The icon will turn purple to indicate that the private browsing mode has been activated.
Step 4. Press the ＋ button
It is located in the lower right corner of the screen. A new tab will open in which private browsing mode will be activated. In this way, the information relating to the browsing history, the searches you will perform, the content you will download will not be stored on the device.
- You can resume normal browsing by tapping the "Tabs" icon again and pressing the mask button.
- By closing the Firefox app, all tabs opened in anonymous browsing mode will be closed automatically.
Method 5 of 9: Firefox for Android devices
Step 1. Launch the Firefox app
Tap the blue globe icon surrounded by an orange fox.
Step 2. Press the ⋮ button
It is located in the upper right corner of the screen. The Firefox app main menu will appear.
Step 3. Choose the New Anonymous Tab option
It is one of the items listed at the top of the menu that appeared. A new browser tab will open in which the anonymous browsing mode will be active. In this way, none of the information relating to the browsing session (such as the history of web pages visited, searches made or items downloaded) will be stored.
To resume normal browsing, touch the square icon containing the number of currently open tabs in the upper right part of the screen, then press the hat button located in the upper left corner
Method 6 of 9: Microsoft Edge
Step 1. Launch Microsoft Edge
Double-click the Edge app icon, characterized by the letter "e" in white, set against a dark blue background (or vice versa).
Step 2. Press the ⋯ button
It is located in the upper right corner of the browser window. The Edge main menu will appear.
Step 3. Choose the New InPrivate Window option
It is one of the items listed at the top of the menu that appeared. A new Edge window will appear with which you can browse the web or download content without the browser keeping track of your activities.
To return to normal browsing mode, simply close the "InPrivate" window
Step 4. Use the hotkey combination
To open a new Edge window in InPrivate browsing mode, press the key combination Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + P while the Edge window is active.
Method 7 of 9: Internet Explorer
Step 1. Launch Internet Explorer
Double-click on the Internet Explorer app icon with the light blue letter "e".
Step 2. Open the Internet Explorer "Settings" window by clicking the icon
It features a gear and is located in the upper right corner of the window. The browser main menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Choose the Security item
It is one of the options listed at the top of the drop-down menu that appeared. A submenu will be displayed.
Step 4. Select the InPrivate Browsing option
It is located at the top of the "Security" menu that appeared. A new Internet Explorer window will appear where you can browse the web, search and download content without the browser keeping track of your activities.
To return to normal browsing mode, simply close the "InPrivate Browsing" window
Step 5. Use the hotkey combination
To open a new Internet Explorer window in InPrivate browsing mode, press the key combination Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + P while the browser is active.
Method 8 of 9: Safari Desktop Version
Step 1. Launch Safari
Click the blue compass icon located on the Mac Dock.
Step 2. Access the File menu
It is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A list of options will be displayed.
Step 3. Choose the New Private Window option
A new Safari window will appear in private mode with which you can browse the web without the browser keeping track of your activities.
The Private Mode Safari window has a darker color theme than normal windows
Step 4. Use the hotkey combination
To open a new Safari window in private browsing mode, press the key combination ⌘ Command + ⇧ Shift + N.
Method 9 of 9: Safari Version for Mobile Devices
Step 1. Launch the Safari app
Tap the icon that looks like a blue compass on a white background.
Step 2. Press the button featuring two partially overlapping squares
It is located at the bottom right of the screen.
Step 3. Choose the Private option
It is located in the lower left corner of the screen.
Step 4. Press the + button
It is located at the bottom of the screen. A new browser tab will open in which private browsing mode will be activated. This way you can browse the web without Safari keeping track of your activities.
- To return to normal navigation, press the button with two partially overlapping squares, press the button again Private, then tap the item end.
- Remember that by closing the Safari app, the tab in which the private browsing mode is active will remain open. To close the open tabs, you will have to swipe your finger across the screen from right to left and close them one at a time manually.
