What Is Private Browsing and How Does Incognito Mode Work?
Private browsing incognito mode lets you surf the web without saving history or cookies on your device after closing the window. It does not provide full anonymity online. For enhanced privacy, Hide Expert VPN helps keep your traffic secure even on restricted networks.
What is private browsing or incognito mode?
Private browsing (incognito mode) is a browser setting that creates a temporary session where your browsing activity is not saved to your device's local history, cookies, or autofill data. When you close the session, most traces of your activity are erased from your device.
How incognito mode works on different browsers and devices
- Google Chrome: Click the three dots > New Incognito Window. On mobile, tap the three dots > New Incognito Tab.
- Mozilla Firefox: Click the three lines > New Private Window. On mobile, tap the mask icon or menu > New Private Tab.
- Safari: On Mac, File > New Private Window. On iPhone/iPad, tap tabs > [Private], then + to open a private tab.
- Microsoft Edge: Click the three dots > New InPrivate Window.
- Most browsers use similar names like "Private Window," "Incognito," or "InPrivate."
Incognito mode works the same way on desktops and mobiles: it keeps your browsing isolated from your regular session, but only on your device.
What data is hidden or not saved in private browsing
- Browsing and search history from the private session
- Cookies and site data created during the private session
- Form data and autofill entries made during the session
This means that after you close all incognito windows, the above data is deleted from your device. Downloads and bookmarks, however, are always saved unless you remove them manually.
Limitations of incognito mode for privacy
- Your internet provider, employer, or school can still see the sites you visit.
- Websites can still identify you by your IP address.
- Incognito does not block malware, phishing, or trackers outside the session.
- If you log into an account (like Google or Facebook), your activity may still be linked to you on those services.
For more on the differences between privacy and anonymity, see this guide.
How to use private browsing incognito mode effectively
- Open a private browsing or incognito window as described above.
- Do not log into personal accounts if you want to avoid linking your activity.
- Close all incognito windows/tabs when finished to erase local traces.
- For added privacy, consider using a VPN or privacy-focused browser extensions in addition to incognito mode. VPNs like Hide Expert use custom protocols to protect your traffic, even on networks that block standard VPNs.
What incognito mode does and does not do for privacy
| Does | Does not |
|---|---|
| Hides browsing and search history on your device | Hide your IP address from websites or network admins |
| Deletes cookies, site data, and autofill info after session | Prevent tracking by websites, ISPs, or employers |
| Lets you log into multiple accounts at once | Protect you from malware, phishing, or all forms of tracking |
How to open and close incognito mode in popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari
- To open:
- Chrome: Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+N (Mac)
- Firefox: Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac)
- Safari: File > New Private Window or on iOS, tap the tabs icon > [Private]
- To close:
- Close all incognito/private tabs or windows. The session ends, and temporary data is erased.
Differences between incognito mode and regular browsing
- Regular browsing saves your activity, cookies, and searches for future use; incognito mode does not.
- Extensions may not work in incognito unless you allow them.
- Incognito mode is for temporary privacy on your device, not for full anonymity or security online.
To remove saved browsing history from regular mode, see this guide.