How to turn on incognito mode on your computer and phone to browse the web privately

• Incognito mode, also known as private browsing mode, stops your web browser from saving data about you as you browse.
• While incognito mode is on, your internet history, search history, autofill information, and cookies will be disabled.
• Incognito mode is available in every major web browser, and is perfect for doing work that needs to be kept private.

Incognito mode - also known as "private browsing mode" - is a sneakier way to use the internet.

When you browse the internet with incognito mode on, you won't leave any trace on the device you're using. Your browser won't save your browsing or search engine history, and won't remember what sites you've logged into - or even what your username and password is.

It's great if you share your computer or phone with other people, since no one else will be able to see what you've done once you close the window.

Important: Incognito mode keeps you safe locally, but your browsing history will still be visible to your internet provider, and websites you visit will know you're there. And if you're using a Wi-Fi network powered by your work, school, or a business, they can track it too.

Nonetheless, incognito mode is great for enforcing privacy on a busy or shared device. Here's how to turn on incognito mode on your computer or phone.

How to activate incognito mode or private browsing on your Mac or PC

Incognito mode is a feature in every major browser, although each browser tends to give it a different name. When you activate a private session, a new window will open - this is your incognito window.

When you're done, just close the window to exit incognito mode.

Google Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the three dot icon in the upper-right corner.

3. Click on "New Incognito Window" from the drop-down menu. A window will open, darker colored than normal, and you'll see a page explaining how incognito mode works.

Microsoft Edge

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click on the three dot icon in the upper-right corner.

3. Click on "New InPrivate Window" from the drop-down menu. A window will open, with information about how "InPrivate Browsing" works.
   

Safari

1. Open Safari.
2. Click "File" at the top-left corner of your screen.

3. Click "New Private Window" from the drop-down menu. The window that opens will look almost exactly the same as a regular window, but the URL bar will be colored a dark gray, and there will be a note underneath it explaining how private browsing works.

Firefox

1. Open Firefox.
2. Click the three lines in the upper-right corner.

3. Click "New Private Window" from the drop-down menu. A purple-themed window will open with a search bar and information about private browsing - including a page written by Mozilla about common private browsing myths.

How to activate incognito mode or private browsing on your phone or tablet

The browser on your phone also comes with private browsing options. We'll explain how to activate it using the default browsers for iPhones, iPads, and Android devices.

Safari on iPhone and iPad

1. Open Safari.

2. Tap the tabs icon - the two overlapping squares in the bottom-right corner on an iPhone, or top-right on an iPad.

3. Tap "Private" in the bottom-left (iPhone) or top-right (iPad) to enter Private Browsing Mode. You can exit it in the same way.

Chrome on Android phones and tablets

1. Open Chrome.
2. Tap the three dot icon in the top-right corner.

3. Tap "New incognito tab."