What Incognito / Private Browsing Actually Does (and Does Not Do)

Private browsing keeps your history off your device — but it does not make you invisible online. Here's what it actually protects and what it doesn't.

In this guide (4 steps):

1.Open an incognito or private window
2.What private browsing protects against
3.What private browsing does NOT protect
4.Best uses for private browsing

Open an incognito or private window

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In Chrome on your phone: tap the three dots at the top right → "New Incognito Tab." A dark screen with a hat-and-glasses icon appears. In Safari on iPhone: tap the two overlapping squares at the bottom right → "Private" in the bottom left corner. The screen turns dark gray. In Microsoft Edge: tap the three dots → "New InPrivate tab." In Firefox: tap the three dots → "New Private Tab." To close the private session, close all private tabs.

What private browsing protects against

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Private mode prevents the browser from saving: your browsing history (the list of sites you visited), cookies from that session (so websites do not remember you logged in), and anything you typed into forms (like search terms or addresses). This is useful when using a shared or public computer, when you want to research a gift or surprise without it showing up in someone else's browser, or when you want to sign into a second account (like two Gmail accounts at once).

What private browsing does NOT protect

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Private mode does not hide your activity from: websites you visit (they can see your IP address and track you), your internet provider (your ISP can still see every site you connect to), your employer if you are on a work network, your school if you are on their WiFi, or anyone who could be monitoring your network. If you want true privacy from your internet provider, you need a VPN in addition to private browsing.

Warning

Private mode does not protect against viruses, phishing websites, or malware. If you click a malicious link in a private window, your device can still be infected.

Best uses for private browsing

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Private browsing works well for: checking prices on a flight or hotel without the site storing your search history and potentially raising prices on your next visit; signing into a website with a second account without logging out of your main one; using a shared family computer to check personal email without your session being saved; and researching sensitive health topics when you do not want your browser history to include them.

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Every major browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge — offers a "private" or "incognito" mode. When you browse in private mode, your browser does not save your browsing history, cookies, or form data after you close the window. This is useful for specific situations, but it is widely misunderstood. Private mode does NOT hide your activity from websites, your internet provider, your employer, or anyone else outside your device.

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