Open private browsing in Safari, Chrome, or Firefox with a keyboard shortcut or menu

Private browsing on Mac works the same way across browsers: you open a new window that doesn't save your history, cookies, or search terms. In Safari, press Command+Shift+N. In Google Chrome, press Command+Shift+N as well. In Firefox, press Command+Shift+P. Each browser calls it something different — Safari calls it "Private Browsing," Chrome calls it "Incognito," and Firefox calls it "Private Window" — but they all do the same thing.

If you prefer using the menu instead of a keyboard shortcut, you can open private browsing from the top menu bar. In Safari, click Safari in the top left, then select "Private Browsing." In Chrome, click Chrome, then select "New Incognito Window." In Firefox, click Firefox, then select "New Private Window." The keyboard shortcut is faster if you use private browsing often.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari uses Command+Shift+N to open a Private Browsing window; Chrome uses the same shortcut for Incognito mode.
  • Firefox uses Command+Shift+P to open a Private Window instead.
  • Private browsing does not save your history, cookies, autofill data, or search terms after you close the window.
  • Your internet service provider and the websites you visit can still see your activity even in private mode.
  • You can open multiple private windows at the same time and switch between them like regular browser windows.

What private browsing actually hides and doesn't hide

Private browsing stops your browser from storing information about what you do. Your history doesn't get saved, cookies don't persist after you close the window, and autofill won't remember passwords or addresses you enter. If you search for something in a private window, that search term won't show up in your browser's search suggestions later.

Private browsing does not hide your activity from your internet service provider, your employer's network, or the websites you visit. If you log into your email or social media account in a private window, those services still know it's you. A website can still track you with pixels and scripts even though your browser isn't saving cookies. If you want to hide your activity from your ISP or network, you need a VPN, which is a separate tool that encrypts your connection.

How to tell if you're in a private window

Each browser shows a visual indicator that you're in private mode. In Safari, the address bar has a dark background and the word "Private" appears in the top left corner of the window. In Chrome, the word "Incognito" and a spy icon appear in the top left corner, and the window has a darker theme. In Firefox, a mask icon and the words "Private Browsing" appear in the top left corner.

If you're not sure whether a window is private, look at the top left corner of the browser window. If you see the private indicator there, you're in private mode. If the window looks normal with no special label, you're browsing normally and your history is being saved.

Opening multiple private windows at once

You can open as many private windows as you want at the same time. Each one works independently — you can be logged into different accounts in different private windows and switch between them. To open another private window, use the keyboard shortcut again (Command+Shift+N in Safari or Chrome, Command+Shift+P in Firefox) or go through the menu.

This is useful if you need to test how a website looks when you're not logged in, or if you want to compare prices on a shopping site without the site recognizing you. When you close a private window, everything you did in that window is forgotten by the browser.

Private browsing on Safari vs. Chrome vs. Firefox

All three browsers offer private browsing, but there are small differences in how they work. Safari's Private Browsing is built into the operating system and integrates with Mac's other privacy settings. Chrome's Incognito mode is the same across all devices and syncs with your Google account settings. Firefox's Private Window doesn't sync with your Firefox account — each private window is completely separate.

For most people, the differences don't matter much. Pick whichever browser you already use. If privacy is your main concern, Firefox's approach of not syncing private activity with your account is slightly more private, but all three browsers hide your local history equally well.

Closing private windows and clearing data

When you close a private window, the browser automatically deletes everything from that session. You don't need to manually clear anything. Just close the window the way you normally would — click the red close button in the top left corner, or press Command+W.

If you want to clear data from a regular (non-private) browsing window, you can do that manually. In Safari, click Safari in the menu, then "Clear History." In Chrome, click the three dots in the top right, go to "Settings," then "Privacy and Security," then "Clear Browsing Data." In Firefox, click the menu button, go to "Settings," then "Privacy & Security," then scroll down to "Cookies and Site Data" and click "Clear Data." These manual clears don't affect private windows — they only affect your regular browsing history.

When to use private browsing

Private browsing is useful when you're on a shared computer and don't want your activity saved. It's also useful when you want to test how a website looks to someone who isn't logged in, or when you're shopping and don't want the site to remember your searches and show you ads later. Some people use it for sensitive searches they don't want in their history.

Private browsing is not a substitute for a VPN if you're trying to hide your activity from your internet service provider or network administrator. It's also not a substitute for strong passwords if you're worried about account security. It's a simple tool that keeps your local browser history clean — nothing more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does private browsing hide my IP address?

No. Private browsing only hides your activity from your browser's local storage. Your IP address is still visible to websites and your internet service provider. If you want to hide your IP address, you need a VPN.

Can websites track me in private browsing?

Yes. Websites can still use pixels, scripts, and other tracking methods to follow you even in private mode. Private browsing only stops your browser from storing cookies and history locally. It doesn't stop the website from knowing who you are.

Will my employer see what I do in private browsing?

If you're on your employer's network or using a company device, yes. Private browsing only hides your activity from your browser. Your employer's network administrator can still see what websites you visit. Private browsing doesn't hide anything from the network itself.

Can I save bookmarks in a private window?

Yes. Bookmarks you create in a private window are saved to your browser permanently, just like bookmarks in a regular window. Only your history and cookies are deleted when you close the private window.

What happens to downloads in private browsing?

Files you download in a private window are saved to your computer normally. Only the download history is deleted when you close the private window. The actual files stay on your hard drive.