How to Turn On Incognito Mode on Different Browsers

When browsing the internet, privacy is a priority for many users. Incognito Mode (also known as Private Browsing) allows you to surf the web without storing browsing history, cookies, or temporary files on your device. While it doesn’t make you completely anonymous, it does prevent your local browsing history from being saved.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to enable Incognito Mode on popular browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. We’ll also discuss its key benefits and limitations.

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What is Incognito Mode?

Incognito Mode is a private browsing feature found in modern web browsers. When you open a tab in Incognito Mode:

• No Browsing History: Your visited websites aren’t stored in your browser history.
• No Cookies or Site Data: Websites you visit cannot store cookies on your device.
• No Autofill Data: Your usernames, passwords, and form entries aren’t saved.

This makes Incognito Mode ideal for private browsing, logging into temporary accounts, or accessing shared devices where privacy is a concern. However, your internet service provider (ISP), employer, or the websites you visit can still track your activity.

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How to Turn On Incognito Mode in Different Browsers

1. Google Chrome

Google Chrome’s Incognito Mode is one of the most well-known private browsing features.

Steps to Enable Incognito Mode in Chrome:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
3. Select New Incognito Window from the dropdown menu.

Shortcut:

• On Windows/Linux: Press Ctrl + Shift + N.
• On macOS: Press Command + Shift + N.

A new browser window with a dark background will appear, indicating that you are now browsing in Incognito Mode.

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2. Mozilla Firefox

Firefox calls its Incognito Mode Private Browsing Mode, but it serves the same purpose.

Steps to Enable Private Browsing in Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox.
2. Click the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top-right corner.
3. Select New Private Window from the menu.

Shortcut:

• On Windows/Linux: Press Ctrl + Shift + P.
• On macOS: Press Command + Shift + P.

A new window with a purple mask icon will open, showing that you’re now in Private Browsing Mode.

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3. Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge also offers a private browsing option called InPrivate Browsing.

Steps to Enable InPrivate Browsing in Edge:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner.
3. Select New InPrivate Window.

Shortcut:

• On Windows/Linux: Press Ctrl + Shift + N.
• On macOS: Press Command + Shift + N.

You’ll notice an “InPrivate” label in the top-left corner of the new window, confirming that you’re in private browsing mode.

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4. Apple Safari

On macOS and iOS devices, Safari offers Private Browsing Mode with similar functionality.

Steps to Enable Private Browsing in Safari (macOS):

1. Open Safari.
2. Click File in the menu bar.
3. Select New Private Window.

Shortcut:

• On macOS: Press Command + Shift + N.

The new window will have a dark Smart Search bar to show that you are in Private Browsing Mode.

Steps to Enable Private Browsing in Safari (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open Safari.
2. Tap the tabs icon (two overlapping squares) at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap [X] Tabs and select Private.
4. Tap the + icon to open a new private browsing tab.

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Benefits of Using Incognito Mode

Using Incognito Mode has its perks, especially for people who prioritize privacy. Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Private Browsing: Avoid having your browsing history recorded.
2. Bypass Paywalls/Restrictions: Some websites impose view limits, but incognito may bypass them.
3. Session Isolation: Useful for logging into multiple accounts simultaneously.
4. Avoid Targeted Ads: Since cookies aren’t saved, websites can’t track you for ad targeting.
5. Testing Web Pages: Web developers can see how sites behave for first-time visitors.

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Limitations of Incognito Mode

While Incognito Mode hides your local browsing activity, it has some limitations:

• Your ISP Can Still See You: Your internet provider can see which sites you visit.
• Websites Can Still Track You: Websites may identify you via IP addresses.
• Downloads Are Not Private: Any files you download remain on your device.
• Employer/School Monitoring: Your employer or school can track your activity if you’re on a managed network.

For complete anonymity, you would need to use a VPN or proxy in addition to Incognito Mode.

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When Should You Use Incognito Mode?

• Shopping or Booking Tickets: Prevent prices from changing due to browser cookies.
• Browsing on Shared Devices: Avoid leaving a trace of your browsing activity.
• Using Multiple Accounts: Log in to different accounts on the same site.
• Testing Websites: See how websites behave without personalized data.

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How SurferCloud Can Support Your Privacy Needs

While Incognito Mode helps protect your browsing history on local devices, SurferCloud can offer enhanced privacy and security for your online activity. SurferCloud's VPS hosting and Cloud Databases are perfect for users who need to maintain data security and anonymity.

Benefits of SurferCloud Services:

• Encrypted Connections: Secure data transfers with end-to-end encryption.
• Global Servers: Access servers across Asia, Europe, the US, and Africa for fast content delivery.
• DDoS Protection: Stay online even during DDoS attacks with SurferCloud’s security features.
• Reliable Cloud Hosting: Use SurferCloud’s VPS to host anonymous web applications or blogs.

By combining SurferCloud’s secure cloud services with Incognito Mode, you can enhance your privacy and anonymity. Check out SurferCloud's VPS hosting options for added security, speed, and performance.

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Conclusion

Incognito Mode (or Private Browsing) is a simple but effective way to browse the web without leaving traces on your local device. You can use it on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari with easy shortcuts like Ctrl + Shift + N. While it keeps your browsing history private, your ISP and employers can still see your activity.

For more robust privacy protection, consider SurferCloud for encrypted, secure cloud hosting. With SurferCloud, you can ensure your personal information and online activities remain private.