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) keeps your browsing history, cookies, and search history off your device. When you close the tab, the browser forgets where you went. This is useful when you share a computer, want to test how a website looks to someone not logged in, or prefer not to leave a record of your browsing on that device.
The fastest way to open one is a keyboard shortcut. If that does not work, you can open it through the menu. The exact steps depend on which browser you use.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome, Edge, and Opera all use Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on Mac to open an incognito tab instantly.
- Firefox uses Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows or Command+Shift+P on Mac for its private window.
- Safari on Mac uses Command+Shift+N, while Safari on iPhone and iPad uses the tabs button and then "Private".
- Incognito tabs do not hide your activity from your internet service provider, your employer's network, or websites you visit — they only hide it from your browser history.
Windows: Keyboard shortcuts for each browser
Chrome: Press Ctrl+Shift+N. A new window opens with "You've gone incognito" at the top in gray text, along with an explanation that Chrome will not save your browsing history, cookies, or site data.
Firefox: Press Ctrl+Shift+P. A new window opens labeled "Private Browsing" with a mask icon in the address bar to remind you that tracking protection is active.
Edge: Press Ctrl+Shift+N. A new window opens with an InPrivate label and a blue icon, indicating that your browsing will not be saved locally.
Opera: Press Ctrl+Shift+N. A new window opens in private mode with a mask icon visible in the top left corner of the window.
Mac: Keyboard shortcuts for each browser
Chrome: Press Command+Shift+N. A new incognito window appears with the same "You've gone incognito" message as on Windows.
Firefox: Press Command+Shift+P. A new private window opens with the same private browsing protections as the Windows version.
Edge: Press Command+Shift+N. A new InPrivate window opens, matching the Windows behavior.
Safari: Press Command+Shift+N. This opens a new private window, not a tab. Safari's private mode is window-based rather than tab-based, so all tabs within that window are private.
Opening incognito through the menu if the shortcut does not work
Chrome: Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner, then select "New incognito window" from the dropdown menu.
Firefox: Click the three-line menu (hamburger icon) in the top right, then select "New Private Window" from the options.
Edge: Click the three-dot menu in the top right, then select "New InPrivate window".
Safari on Mac: Click "File" in the menu bar at the top of your screen, then select "New Private Window" from the dropdown.
Safari on iPhone or iPad: Tap the tabs button (two overlapping squares) at the bottom right of the screen, then tap "Private" at the bottom left to switch to private browsing mode.
What incognito tabs do and do not hide
Incognito tabs hide your browsing history from appearing in your browser's history list. They also prevent cookies from being saved, which means websites cannot track you across visits using stored data on your device. Downloads still appear in your Downloads folder, and bookmarks you create stay in your bookmarks list even in incognito mode.
Incognito tabs do not hide your activity from your internet service provider, your workplace network administrator, or the websites you visit. Those entities can still see what you are doing. If you need true privacy from your ISP, you would need a VPN (virtual private network), which is a separate tool that encrypts your traffic before it leaves your device.
Your device's local network administrator, school IT department, or employer can see all traffic leaving your computer regardless of incognito mode. Incognito only affects what your browser stores locally on your device, not what travels across the network.
Why a website might look different in incognito
Some websites behave differently in incognito mode because they cannot access your stored login information or cookies. You might see a paywall you normally do not see, or a website might show you different content because it does not know you have visited before. This is normal and expected behavior.
If you are testing how a website looks to a new visitor, incognito is the right tool. If you are trying to bypass a paywall or access restricted content, incognito will not help — the website's server still knows who you are if you log in, and it will still enforce its access rules.
News sites, streaming services, and other content platforms often use cookies to track how many articles you have read or how many videos you have watched. In incognito mode, these counters reset because the site cannot read your previous cookie data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does incognito mode hide me from websites I visit?
No. Websites can still see your IP address and track you if you log in or if they use other tracking methods. Incognito only hides your browsing from your own device's history and from cookies stored locally on your computer.
Can my employer see what I do in incognito mode?
Yes, if you are on a work network. Your employer's network administrator can see all traffic leaving your device, regardless of whether you use incognito mode. Incognito only hides your activity from your browser's local history.
Will incognito mode stop ads from following me?
Incognito prevents cookies from being saved, which stops some ad tracking. However, websites can still track you through other methods like your IP address or login information if you sign in. Incognito is not a complete ad-blocking solution.
What happens to downloads in incognito mode?
Downloads still save to your Downloads folder normally. Incognito only hides your browsing history and cookies — it does not hide files you download. If you want to keep a download private, you will need to move or delete the file manually.
Can I use bookmarks in incognito mode?
Yes. Bookmarks you create in incognito mode are saved to your bookmarks list permanently. Only your browsing history and cookies are hidden. If you want to keep a bookmark private, you will need to organize it in a separate folder or delete it manually.