Open Incognito Mode in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge

An incognito window (also called private browsing) is a browser mode that doesn't save your browsing history, cookies, or search history once you close it. Every browser has a keyboard shortcut to open one instantly, and you can also use the menu. The steps differ slightly between Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, but the result is the same: a separate window where your activity stays private.

Your internet service provider and the websites you visit can still see your activity in incognito mode — it only hides your browsing from other people who use your device. It also doesn't hide your location or change your IP address.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on Mac to open an incognito window in Chrome instantly.
  • Firefox uses Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows or Command+Shift+P on Mac to open a private window.
  • Safari on Mac opens a private window with Command+Shift+N, and on iPhone or iPad you swipe up from the tab bar and tap Private.
  • Edge uses Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows or Command+Shift+P on Mac, the same as Firefox.
  • Incognito mode hides your history from other people on your device but does not hide your activity from your internet service provider or websites.

Open Incognito in Google Chrome

The fastest way is the keyboard shortcut. Press Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on Mac. A new window opens with a dark theme and an incognito icon (a spy hat) in the top left corner.

If you prefer the menu, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome, then select "New incognito window" from the dropdown. You can also right-click any link and choose "Open link in incognito window" to jump straight to a specific site without opening a new window first.

Open Private Browsing in Firefox

Press Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows or Command+Shift+P on Mac to open a private window. Firefox calls this "private browsing" rather than incognito, but it works the same way. The window has a dark theme and a mask icon in the top left.

From the menu, click the hamburger icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, then select "New Private Window." You can also right-click a link and choose "Open Link in New Private Window" to open a specific site privately without creating a blank window first.

Open Private Browsing in Safari

On Mac, press Command+Shift+N to open a private window. The address bar turns dark to show you are in private mode. From the menu, click File at the top, then select "New Private Window."

On iPhone or iPad, open Safari and tap the tabs icon (two overlapping squares) at the bottom right. Swipe up from the bottom of the tab bar to reveal the "Private" button, then tap it. Your open tabs switch to private mode, and the tab bar turns dark. To return to normal browsing, swipe up again and tap "Private" to turn it off.

Open InPrivate in Microsoft Edge

Press Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows or Command+Shift+P on Mac. Edge calls this "InPrivate browsing." The window has a dark theme and shows "InPrivate" in the top left corner next to the address bar.

From the menu, click the three dots in the top right, then select "New InPrivate window." You can also right-click any link and choose "Open link in InPrivate window" to browse a specific site privately without opening a blank window.

What Incognito Mode Does and Does Not Hide

Incognito mode does not save cookies, browsing history, search history, or autofill data once you close the window. If you log into an account while in incognito mode, you stay logged in for that session, but the login information is forgotten when you close the window. Downloads still appear in your Downloads folder — incognito mode does not hide those.

Incognito mode does not hide your activity from your internet service provider, your employer's network, or the websites you visit. Those parties can still see what you are doing. It also does not hide your location or change your IP address. If you need that level of privacy, you need a VPN (virtual private network), which is a separate tool.

Other people who use your device cannot see your incognito browsing history because it is not saved to the device. However, if someone has access to your network or your device's network settings, they may still be able to see the sites you visit.

Common Mistakes When Using Incognito Mode

The most common mistake is thinking incognito mode hides your activity from your internet service provider or the websites you visit. It does not. If privacy from those parties matters to you, incognito mode alone is not enough.

Another mistake is assuming downloads are hidden. They are not — your Downloads folder shows every file you downloaded in incognito mode. If you want to hide a download, you need to move or delete it from your Downloads folder manually.

Some people close an incognito window expecting it to log them out of accounts automatically. You stay logged in until you close the window, so if someone else sits down at your computer while the window is still open, they can access your accounts. Always close the incognito window when you are done, or manually log out of accounts before you leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can websites see me if I use incognito mode?

Yes. Incognito mode only hides your browsing history from your device. Websites can still see your IP address, location, and what pages you visit on their site. Your internet service provider can also see which websites you visit, even in incognito mode.

Does incognito mode hide my downloads?

No. Downloads still go to your Downloads folder and appear there normally. Incognito mode only hides your browsing history, not the files you save. If you want to hide a download, you must move or delete it from your Downloads folder manually.

Will I stay logged into accounts in incognito mode?

Yes, you stay logged in while the incognito window is open. Once you close the window, the login information is forgotten. If you log into a bank account or email in incognito mode, make sure to close the window when you are done so someone else cannot access your account.

Is incognito mode the same as a VPN?

No. Incognito mode hides your history from your device. A VPN hides your activity from your internet service provider and websites by routing your connection through another server. They serve different purposes and are not interchangeable.

Can my employer see my incognito browsing on company WiFi?

Yes. Incognito mode does not hide your activity from your employer's network. If you are on company WiFi, your employer can see which websites you visit, even in incognito mode. A VPN might help, but check your company's policy first — many employers block VPN use on company networks.