Modern web browsers offer enhanced privacy modes for browsing the Internet without storing cookies, remembering browsing history, or sending tracking information to the websites you visit. When you close the private window, the information from the websites is forgotten on your computer. The next time you use those websites, it’s as if your private browsing session never happened.

This privacy feature is called “incognito mode” in Google Chrome, and “private browsing” in Firefox. Other browsers have slightly different names for this mode, but in all browsers, the function is generally the same. Continue reading for complete information about how to use these private browsing modes.

For complete instructions, choose your browser from the list below.

While in private mode or Incognito mode, none of your browsing history is permanently stored on your computer. However, this does not mean you are anonymous on the Internet. Each page you visit still recognizes your IP address. If someone had the ability to view your IP address history for legal purposes, an ISP, website, and a search engine server log could be used to track you.

To exit incognito mode, close the private window and relaunch the browser as you normally would.

Microsoft Edge

  • Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
  • Press Ctrl+Shift+N keys at the same time.

or

  • Microsoft Edge

  • Microsoft Edge Legacy

  • Internet Explorer

  • Chrome

  • Firefox

  • Opera

  • Safari (Apple/Mac computer)

  • Safari (Windows computer)

  • Chrome (Android devices)

  • Safari (iPad and iPhone)

  • Open the Microsoft Edge browser.

  • Click the Settings and more icon in the upper-right corner of the browser window.

  • In the drop-down menu that appears, near the bottom, select New InPrivate window.

Microsoft Edge Legacy

  • Open the Microsoft Edge Legacy browser.

  • Press Ctrl+Shift+P keys at the same time.

  • Open the Microsoft Edge Legacy browser.

  • Click in the upper-right corner.

  • Select New InPrivate window from the drop-down menu that appears.

Internet Explorer

  • Open the Internet Explorer browser.
  • Press Ctrl+Shift+P keys at the same time.

To leave InPrivate Mode, close the private window.

  • Open the Internet Explorer browser.

  • On the upper-right portion of the browser window, click the icon.

  • Move the mouse pointer over the Safety drop-down menu.

  • Select InPrivate Browsing.

Chrome

  • Open the Google Chrome browser.

  • Press Ctrl+Shift+N keys at the same time.

  • Open the Google Chrome browser.

  • Click in the upper-right corner of the browser window.

  • Select New incognito window from the drop-down menu that appears.

Firefox

  • Open the Firefox browser.
  • Press Ctrl+Shift+P keys at the same time.

To leave Incognito Mode, close the incognito window.

  • Open the Firefox browser.
  • Click in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
  • Select New Private Window from the drop-down menu that appears.

Opera

  • Open the Opera browser.
  • Press Ctrl+Shift+N keys at the same time.

To leave Private Mode, close the private window or re-open the Firefox browser.

  • Open the Opera browser.
  • Click the button in the upper-left corner of the window.
  • From the drop-down menu, select New private window.

Safari (Apple/Mac computer)

  • Open the Safari browser.
  • Press Command+Shift+N keys at the same time

To leave Private Mode, close the private window or re-open the Opera browser.

  • Open the Safari browser.

  • Click the File menu at the top of the browser window.

  • In the file menu, select New Private Window

Safari (Windows computer)

  • Open the Safari browser.
  • Click located in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
  • Select Private Browsing from the drop-down menu.
  • Click OK.

Chrome (Android devices)

  • Open the Google Chrome browser.
  • Tap the icon.
  • Tap the New Incognito tab option in the drop-down menu that appears.

Safari (iPad and iPhone)

  • Open the Safari browser.
  • Tap the New tab icon to open a new tab in the browser.
  • Tap the Private option.

iOS 7 or earlier

  • Open the Safari browser.
  • Tap the New tab icon to open a new tab in the browser.
  • Tap the Private option.

To leave Private Browsing, select New Window in step 3 above or close the private browser window and open a new Safari browser window.

To leave Private Browsing, repeat steps 2-4 listed above.

To leave Incognito mode, close the incognito tab.

To leave Private Browsing, repeat steps 2-3 listed above.

  • How to default launch a browser in private or incognito mode.
  • How to be anonymous on the Internet.
  • Anonymous alternatives to popular online services.
  • See the Incognito definition for further information and related links.
  • Internet browser help and support.