Opening an incognito tab is a keyboard shortcut or menu click away in every major browser

An incognito tab (called "private browsing" in some browsers) is a window where your browser does not save your browsing history, cookies, or search history once you close it. It is useful when you want to log into a different account, search without personalised results, or keep a search private from others who use the same device.

The fastest way to open one is a keyboard shortcut. On Windows or Linux, press Ctrl + Shift + N. On Mac, press Command + Shift + N. If you prefer the menu, every browser also has an option in the main menu or right-click context menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows and Linux users open incognito with Ctrl + Shift + N; Mac users use Command + Shift + N.
  • Incognito tabs do not save your browsing history, cookies, or search history after you close them.
  • Your internet service provider and the websites you visit can still see your activity in incognito mode.
  • Each browser has a menu option to open incognito if you prefer not to use the keyboard shortcut.

How to open incognito in Chrome, Edge, and Brave

In Google Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows/Linux) or Command + Shift + N (Mac). You can also click the three-dot menu in the top right, then select "New incognito window." A new window will open with a dark theme and an incognito icon (a spy hat) in the top left corner.

Microsoft Edge uses the same keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + P on Windows, or Command + Shift + P on Mac. In the menu, click the three-dot icon and select "New InPrivate window." The window will have a blue InPrivate label at the top.

Brave follows the same pattern as Chrome. Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows/Linux) or Command + Shift + N (Mac), or use the menu: click the three-line icon, then "New Private Window." Brave's private window has a purple icon and label.

How to open incognito in Firefox and Safari

Firefox calls this mode "Private Window." Press Ctrl + Shift + P on Windows or Linux, or Command + Shift + P on Mac. You can also click the three-line menu icon and select "New Private Window." The window will show a purple mask icon at the top.

Safari on Mac uses Command + Shift + N to open a "Private Window." On iPhone or iPad, open a new tab, then tap "Private" at the bottom of the screen. Safari's private window shows a dark theme with a "Private" label.

What incognito mode does and does not protect

Incognito mode stops your browser from storing data on your device. Your browsing history, cookies, cached images, and autofilled form data are not saved. When you close the incognito window, that session is gone. This is useful if you share a device and do not want others to see where you have been online.

Incognito mode does not hide your activity from your internet service provider, your employer's network, or the websites you visit. They can still see which sites you go to and what you do on them. If you need to hide your activity from these parties, you need a VPN (virtual private network), not incognito mode. Incognito is about keeping your device clean, not about hiding from the internet itself.

When to use incognito tabs

Use incognito when you log into a different account on a shared device — for example, checking your partner's email or your work account on a personal computer. The tab will not save cookies that keep you logged in, so you will not accidentally stay signed in after you close it.

Use incognito when you want search results without personalisation. Google and other search engines use your history to shape results. A fresh incognito window gives you results based only on your search terms. This is useful if you are researching a topic and do not want your search history to influence what you see.

Use incognito when you are shopping for flights, hotels, or other items where prices sometimes change based on your browsing history. Some websites track repeat visitors and raise prices for them; incognito prevents that tracking.

Incognito tabs on mobile devices

On Android Chrome, tap the three-dot menu at the bottom right, then tap "New incognito tab." On iPhone Safari, tap the tab switcher icon (two overlapping squares) at the bottom right, then tap "Private" and "Done." On Android Firefox, tap the three-dot menu, then "New Private Tab."

Mobile incognito works the same way as desktop: it does not save history, cookies, or search data once you close the tab or window. The same limitations apply — your internet service provider and websites can still see your activity.

Common mistakes with incognito mode

Do not assume incognito makes you anonymous online. Websites can still identify you by your IP address, your login information, or tracking methods that work even in private mode. If you log into your email or social media account in an incognito tab, the website knows who you are.

Do not expect incognito to protect you from malware or phishing attacks. Incognito mode does not change your browser's security settings. A malicious link is just as dangerous in incognito as it is in a regular tab. Use the same caution you normally would.

Do not forget that downloads in incognito are still saved to your device. If you download a file in an incognito tab, it stays on your computer even after you close the tab. Only your browsing history is erased.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does incognito hide my activity from my internet service provider?

No. Your internet service provider can see which websites you visit, whether you are in incognito mode or not. Incognito only hides your activity from your browser and your device. To hide your activity from your ISP, you need a VPN.

Can websites tell I am using incognito?

Most websites cannot tell, but some can detect it through technical methods. Websites cannot see your browser history or cookies in incognito, but they can see your IP address and track you through login information or other methods. Incognito does not make you invisible to websites.

Will my employer see my incognito browsing if I use their network?

Yes. Your employer's network monitoring tools can see the websites you visit, incognito or not. Incognito only hides your activity from your device's browser, not from network-level monitoring. If you are on a work network, assume your employer can see where you go.

Can I save bookmarks in an incognito tab?

Yes. Bookmarks are saved to your account or device, not to the incognito session. You can bookmark a page in incognito and find it in your regular bookmarks later. Only your browsing history and cookies are erased when you close the incognito window.

What is the difference between incognito and clearing my browser history?

Incognito prevents history from being saved in the first place. Clearing your history deletes it after the fact. Incognito is automatic and applies only to that window; clearing history is a manual action that affects your entire browser. Both accomplish the same goal — removing traces of where you have been — but incognito does it as you browse.