
Incognito Mode Safari is a feature in Safari that allows you to browse the internet privately. This means that your browsing history and cookies are not stored on your device.
You can access Incognito Mode Safari by clicking on the Safari menu and selecting "Private Browsing" or by using the keyboard shortcut command + shift + n.
Incognito Mode Safari is not the same as deleting your browsing history, it's a separate mode that keeps your browsing private.
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What is Incognito Mode?
Incognito mode is essentially the same as private browsing in Safari. It creates a temporary browsing session that's completely isolated from your primary browsing window.
This means you won't be signed in to any of your accounts while in incognito mode. Your browsing history and Smart Search history won't be stored, and neither will the contents of any forms you've filled out.
Here are some key features of incognito mode in Safari:
- You won't be signed in to any of your accounts.
- Safari won't store your browsing or Smart Search history.
- Session data is wiped, and cookies are cleared, when you close your incognito window.
Incognito mode conceals your internet activity on a local device level, so there won't be any record of what you've done on your computer.
Why Do You Need Incognito Mode?
Incognito mode in Safari is a useful feature that prevents your browsing activity from being stored on your local device. This is especially handy when using a shared or public computer.
Your searches and visits won't be seen by the next user, giving you some peace of mind.
Getting Started with Incognito Mode
To go incognito on your Mac, navigate to the Safari browser and click the "File" tab in the menu bar. You can also use the quick keyboard shortcut: Shift + Command + N.
Select "New Private Window" from the drop-down options to start browsing privately. You'll now be viewing a new private window and will see an indicator that you're in incognito mode.
Incognito mode on Mac doesn't delete existing bookmarks or downloads, but new ones will still be visible after exiting Safari.
To exit incognito mode on your Mac, tap the "Tabs" icon (the two squares in the bottom right corner) and tap on "Private" at the bottom of the page. Then click on the "Start Page" button to resume regular browsing mode.
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On iPhone and iPad, opening Safari and tapping the "Tabs" icon will take you to the start page. From there, tap on "Private" with a hand symbol left on it to enable incognito mode.
To enable private browsing on your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:
- Open Safari
- Tap the “Tabs” icon (the two squares in the bottom right corner)
- Tap on “Star page” at the bottom of the page
- Then click on “Private” with a hand symbol left on it
You can also enable private browsing on your Mac by opening Safari and selecting Safari > Settings in the menu bar.
Using Incognito Mode on iPad
To activate incognito mode on your iPad, you'll need to open Safari and tap the "Tabs" icon, which is represented by two squares in the bottom right corner.
The steps to go to incognito mode in Safari on iPad are similar to those for iPhone, so don't worry if you're switching between devices.
Tap on "Star page" at the bottom of the page, then click on "Private" with a hand symbol left on it. This is the key step to enabling incognito mode on your iPad.
You'll know that you're browsing privately in Safari as the address bar will turn dark or black, and the buttons also turn black (instead of blue).
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How to Use an iPad
Using an iPad is a great way to stay connected and productive on the go. The steps for activating incognito mode on your iPad are essentially the same as on your iPhone.
You can use your iPad to access the internet and browse your favorite websites. Note that we're combining these two, as the steps are essentially the same.
If you're new to using an iPad, it's worth noting that these devices use the same operating system as iPhones. This means that the features and functions are very similar.
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How to on iPad
To go incognito on your iPad, you can follow these simple steps. Open Safari and tap the Tabs icon, which is represented by two squares in the bottom right corner.
You'll see a menu appear, and one of the options is to "Star page" at the bottom of the page. Tap on this, and then click on "Private" with a hand symbol left on it.
You'll know you're in private browsing mode when you see an indicator on the screen. If you see the text on the image below, that means you've successfully enabled Incognito mode and can start browsing.
Alternatively, you can also go incognito by heading to Safari, touching & holding the Tabs icon, and then tapping on "Private" in the menu that appears. The address bar will turn dark or black, and the buttons will also turn black, indicating that you're browsing privately.
Here are the steps to go incognito in Safari on iPad:
- Head to Safari and touch & hold the Tabs icon.
- Tap on "Private" in the menu that appears.
To exit incognito mode on your iPad, tap the Tabs button and then tap Private to see the Tabs groups list.
How to
To access incognito mode on your iPhone or iPad, open Safari and tap the "Tabs" icon at the bottom right corner. This will bring up the tabs menu.
Tap on "Star page" at the bottom of the page, and then click on "Private" with a hand symbol left on it. You'll now see an indicator that you're in private browsing mode.
To exit incognito mode in Safari on your iPhone, simply exit the private browsing mode. This method will not close the private tab(s), but rather just exit the mode.
You can also access incognito mode on your Mac using the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + N (Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows). Alternatively, open Safari, select File in the task bar, and click New Private Window.
To open a private browsing window on your iPhone, open Safari and tap the new page icon in the lower-right corner. Tap "Private" in the lower-left corner, and then tap the + symbol or tap Done to begin browsing in private mode.
You'll know that you're in Private Browsing mode because Safari will look darker than it usually does.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Open Incognito Mode in Chrome
Turning Off Incognito Mode
You've completed your private session and want to turn off incognito mode. Just follow the steps below.
To turn off incognito mode on Mac, you've got to know where to look. The steps are pretty straightforward.

First, click on the Safari menu at the top left corner of your screen. You'll see it's labeled as "Safari".
Next, click on "Preferences" from the drop-down menu. This will open up a new window.
In the Preferences window, click on the "Privacy" tab. You'll see it's labeled as "Privacy".
Now, uncheck the box next to "Use a private browser window by default" to turn off incognito mode. That's it!
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Incognito Mode vs. Other Browsers
Incognito Mode in Safari is similar to Private Browsing in other browsers, such as Chrome. However, Chrome's Private Browsing also deletes cookies and site data when you close the incognito window, which Safari's Incognito Mode does not do.
If you're using Firefox, you'll find a similar feature called Private Browsing, which also doesn't store any browsing history or cache. But Firefox's Private Browsing doesn't delete cookies, just like Safari's Incognito Mode.
The main difference between Incognito Mode and Private Browsing is that Incognito Mode still allows you to download files and save passwords, whereas Private Browsing in other browsers typically doesn't allow these actions.
For another approach, see: Incognito Mode for Firefox
Do Other Browsers Have Modes?

Most modern browsers have a private browsing mode, though it's called different names.
Safari has a feature called private browsing, while Firefox calls it Private Browsing.
Incognito mode in Google Chrome functions similarly to these private modes.
Microsoft Edge's private mode is known as InPrivate, and Avast Secure Browser uses Stealth Mode for private browsing.
These private browsing modes all let you browse without storing data from your session.
Searching vs. Difference
Private searching and private browsing are often used interchangeably, but they're not the same thing. Private browsing affects the data your browser stores on your computer, but it doesn't have any effect on what other websites do.
If you're using a browser's private mode, your browsing history and cookies won't be saved locally, but websites can still track your activity. A private search, on the other hand, refers to using a search engine that doesn't track you online or log any information about your activity.
Google, a popular search engine, tracks your searches unless you change your Google account settings. There's a popular alternative search engine, DuckDuckGo, that doesn't track your queries.
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Troubleshooting Incognito Mode
Incognito mode in Safari doesn't work if your browser is set to always use a specific search engine.
Make sure your browser is set to use the default search engine, which is Google.
If you're still having issues, try clearing your Safari cookies and cache.
Incognito mode can be disabled by a website, so check the website's privacy policy to see if they have a policy in place.
If you're using a VPN, it can interfere with incognito mode, so try disabling it to see if that resolves the issue.
Default Settings and More
To make incognito mode the default in Safari, you'll want to set your browser to open a private window by default on your Mac. Click Safari -> Settings in the menu bar to get started.
You can find the option to change this setting under the General tab. Simply click the “Safari opens with” option and choose A new private window.
If you're having trouble finding this option, try checking the Apple menu -> System Settings -> Desktop & Dock. Here, you can turn ON the “Close windows when quitting an application” option to get access to the setting.
Setting Default

To always start Safari in incognito mode for private browsing, choose to open a private window by default on your Mac.
You can do this by clicking Safari -> Settings in the menu bar, then selecting the "Safari opens with" option under the General tab and choosing A new private window.
If you don't see the "Safari opens with" option, go to Apple menu -> System Settings -> Desktop & Dock and turn ON the "Close windows when quitting an application" option.
This will allow you to browse privately without having to manually switch to incognito mode every time you open Safari.
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More on
Many default settings can be changed to improve user experience.
For example, the brightness and volume levels on most devices are set to default levels that may not be suitable for everyday use. This is why it's a good idea to adjust these settings to your liking as soon as you start using a new device.

The default font size on many devices is set to a small size, making it difficult to read for some users. This can be easily changed in the device's settings menu.
The auto-lock feature is often set to a short time frame, requiring you to enter your password or PIN frequently. You can adjust this setting to a longer time frame to avoid this inconvenience.
Some default settings can even affect the performance of your device. For instance, the background apps setting is often set to default, allowing multiple apps to run in the background and consume system resources.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Safari Private Browsing vs incognito?
Safari's Private Browsing is equivalent to Chrome's Incognito mode, offering a private browsing experience. Both modes allow users to browse the internet without storing data or history.
Why can't Safari go incognito on iPhone?
Safari on iPhone doesn't have an incognito mode because Apple's settings prioritize content and privacy restrictions, which can be managed through Screen Time. To learn more about iPhone's incognito-like features, check out our guide on how to browse privately on iPhone.
Featured Images: pexels.com

