Incognito mode stops working when you close the window or change your browser settings
Incognito mode (called Private Browsing in Safari and InPrivate in Edge) is not a setting you turn off permanently — it is a browsing state that ends automatically. When you close an incognito window, your browser stops hiding your activity. If you want to prevent incognito mode from being used on a shared device, you can restrict it through parental controls or account settings, depending on your browser.
The steps differ by browser. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all handle this differently, and the method you choose depends on whether you want to simply stop using incognito yourself or prevent someone else from using it.
Key Takeaways
- Closing an incognito window automatically stops incognito browsing — there is no permanent "off" switch because incognito is a temporary mode, not a setting.
- On Chrome and Edge, you can restrict incognito mode through Settings > Sync and Google services (Chrome) or Settings > Privacy (Edge) if you are signed into a managed account.
- Firefox does not offer a built-in way to disable Private Browsing, but you can use parental controls or third-party extensions on some systems.
- Safari on iPhone and iPad lets you hide the Private Browsing tab from the tab switcher, which discourages its use without fully blocking it.
- If you are trying to prevent a child from using incognito mode, parental control software is more reliable than browser settings alone.
How to stop using incognito mode in Chrome
If you simply want to stop opening incognito windows yourself, close the window and use a regular tab instead. Chrome does not require you to do anything else.
If you use a work or school account managed by your organization, your administrator may have already restricted incognito mode. To check, open Chrome and look at the address bar — if you see a small briefcase icon, your account is managed. Open Settings, go to Sync and Google services, and scroll to "Sync options." If incognito mode is listed as restricted, you cannot turn it back on without contacting your administrator.
If you have a personal Google account and want to prevent incognito mode from being used on a shared device, Chrome does not offer a direct browser setting. You would need to use your operating system's parental controls instead (Windows Family Safety or macOS Parental Controls).
How to stop using incognito mode in Firefox
Firefox calls incognito mode "Private Browsing." Closing a Private Browsing window stops the mode immediately. Firefox does not have a built-in setting to disable Private Browsing entirely.
If you need to prevent someone else from using Private Browsing on a shared device, your best option is the operating system's parental controls rather than Firefox settings. On Windows, use Family Safety. On Mac, use Parental Controls. On Linux, parental control options are limited and depend on your distribution.
Some third-party extensions claim to block Private Browsing, but they are unreliable because a determined user can disable the extension or use a different browser.
How to stop using incognito mode in Safari
Safari calls incognito mode "Private Browsing." On Mac, close the Private Browsing window to stop using it. There is no setting to disable it entirely in Safari preferences.
On iPhone and iPad, you can make Private Browsing less visible without fully blocking it. Open Safari, tap the tab switcher (the overlapping squares icon at the bottom right), and look for "Private" at the bottom of the screen. Tap it to switch back to regular browsing. To hide the Private Browsing option from the tab switcher entirely, go to Settings > Safari > Tabs, and toggle off "Allow Private Browsing." This removes the Private option from the tab switcher, though a user can still re-enable it in the same settings menu.
If you are setting up an iPad for a child, use Screen Time (Settings > Screen Time) and set content restrictions to prevent changes to Safari settings.
How to stop using incognito mode in Edge
Microsoft Edge calls incognito mode "InPrivate Browsing." Closing an InPrivate window stops the mode. If you use a work or school account, your organization may have restricted InPrivate mode already.
To check, open Edge Settings, go to Privacy, search, and services, and scroll to "Clear browsing data." If your account is managed by your organization, you will see a note that InPrivate browsing is restricted. You cannot change this without administrator permission.
On a personal account, Edge does not offer a setting to disable InPrivate mode. Use your operating system's parental controls if you need to prevent someone else from using it.
Using parental controls to block incognito mode across all browsers
If you are managing a device for a child or need to enforce a restriction across multiple browsers, operating system parental controls are more effective than browser settings.
On Windows 10 and 11, open Settings, go to Accounts > Family & other users, select the child's account, and click "Manage family settings online." In the Family Safety dashboard, go to App and game filtering and set restrictions on browser use. You can also monitor browsing history from this dashboard.
On Mac, open System Settings, go to General > Parental Controls (or Screen Time on newer versions), select the child's account, and restrict Safari or other browsers. You can also view browsing history and set content filters.
On iPhone and iPad, open Settings > Screen Time, tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions," and toggle on the restriction. Then go to "Allowed Apps" and turn off Safari, or go to "Content Restrictions" and set web content to "Limit Adult Websites." This prevents Private Browsing from being used without disabling Safari entirely.
What happens when you close an incognito window
When you close an incognito or private browsing window, your browser deletes all data from that session: browsing history, cookies, cached files, and temporary data. Your internet service provider and the websites you visited can still see that you visited them, but your browser no longer stores a record.
Closing the window does not affect your regular browsing windows or tabs. If you had a regular tab open in another window, it remains unchanged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off incognito mode permanently in Chrome?
Not in a personal Chrome account. If your Chrome account is managed by an employer or school, your administrator may have already disabled it. Check Settings > Sync and Google services for a restriction notice. Otherwise, use your operating system's parental controls to prevent incognito use on a shared device.
Does closing an incognito window delete everything I did in it?
Yes. Your browser deletes all browsing history, cookies, and cached files from that incognito session. However, your internet service provider, the websites you visited, and your employer (if on a work network) may still have records of your activity.
Can someone tell I used incognito mode?
Your browser does not leave a record, but your internet service provider, network administrator, or the websites you visited can see that traffic occurred. If you are on a work or school network, the network logs will show activity even if your browser does not. Incognito mode hides your activity from your browser and other people using the same device, not from your internet provider.
Is there a way to block incognito mode without parental controls?
Not reliably through browser settings alone. Most browsers do not offer a built-in restriction for personal accounts. If you are trying to prevent someone else from using incognito mode, operating system parental controls (Windows Family Safety, macOS Screen Time, or iOS Screen Time) are more effective because they work across all browsers.
Why does my browser keep opening in incognito mode?
This usually happens if you set incognito as your default startup mode. In Chrome, go to Settings > On startup and change "Open the New Tab page" or "Continue where you left off" — do not select "Open a specific page or set of pages" with an incognito URL. In Firefox, go to Settings > Home and make sure "Home" or "Previous windows and tabs" is selected, not a private browsing option.