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    Tips & Tricks
    Beginner
    2 min read 5 stepsApril 17, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Use Incognito or Private Browsing

    Browse without saving history, cookies, or logins — useful for shared computers, gift shopping, or researching sensitive topics.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Tips & Tricks
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    2 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    incognito
    private browsing
    privacy
    Chrome
    Safari

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.In Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+N
    2. 2.In Safari on Mac, press Cmd+Shift+N
    3. 3.In Safari on iPhone
    4. 4.In Firefox, press Ctrl+Shift+P
    5. 5.Understand the limits
    1

    In Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+N

    ~15s
    On Windows or Chromebook, hold Ctrl, Shift, and N together. On Mac, press Command+Shift+N. A new dark window opens with an incognito icon in the corner.
    2

    In Safari on Mac, press Cmd+Shift+N

    ~15s
    Press Command, Shift, and N together. A new window opens with a dark address bar to show it is private.
    3

    In Safari on iPhone

    ~15s
    Tap the tabs icon (two overlapping squares) at the bottom. Tap the button in the bottom-middle that shows the current tab group, then pick Private. New tabs are private until you switch back.
    4

    In Firefox, press Ctrl+Shift+P

    ~15s
    On Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+P. On Mac, press Command+Shift+P. A new window opens with a purple mask icon.
    5

    Understand the limits

    ~15s
    Private browsing hides activity only from the device. Your internet provider, employer, school, or websites you sign into can still see what you do. For real anonymity, you need a VPN or Tor — not just incognito mode.

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    Incognito mode (Chrome), Private Browsing (Safari, Firefox), and InPrivate (Edge) all do the same thing. They open a new window that does not save your browsing history, cookies, or any information you type into forms.

    It is useful for shopping for a gift on a shared computer, signing into a second email account, or researching something you do not want showing up in your history. It does not hide your activity from your internet provider or employer.

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    private browsing
    privacy
    Chrome
    Safari

    Official Resources

    How-To GeekAARP Technology TipsTom's Guide — Tips

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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