Private browsing mode prevents your browser from saving your history, cookies, and site data on your device after you close the session. It helps stop others using the same device from seeing what you do online.
However, this doesn’t make you truly private, as websites, advertisers, and others can still see what you’re up to.
Read on to explore what private browsing does, what it doesn’t do, and how to use it effectively.
Private browsing at a glance
Private browsing limits what gets saved on your device during that specific session. While it wipes all kinds of browsing data after you close the private window, it doesn’t stop tracking or make you anonymous online.
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In private browsing mode, other people can still see:
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ISPs and Wi-Fi owners can see:
• The websites you visit; • Your IP (Internet Protocol) address; • Services you log in to. Users of the same device can see: • Saved files and downloads. |
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The main purposes of private browsing are:
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• Local privacy on a shared computer;
• Logging into multiple accounts at once; • Preventing storage of autofill or login info; • Avoiding personalized search results. |
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The disadvantages of private browsing are:
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• A lack of real anonymity;
• Limited local protection; • The risk of still being tracked; • Losing the convenience of having sign-ins, settings, or preferences saved. |
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In private browsing mode, your Wi-Fi owner:
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• Can’t see your exact search terms;
• Can see which links you click after a search; • Can see the domains you visit; • Can see your device’s IP address and traffic volume. |
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To stop the Wi-Fi owner from viewing your history:
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• Use a reputable VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your traffic;
• Switch to a trusted network or cellular data; • Limit extensions in private mode; • Use a privacy-focused browser. |
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When you delete your browsing history:
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• Local records are removed, but copies may remain in backups or synced accounts;
• ISPs, websites, or advertisers may still have logs; • Deleted data can sometimes be recovered on your device until it’s overwritten. |
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To see what websites have been visited on your Wi-Fi:
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• You need to manage the network to access router/DNS (Domain Name System) logs or use a monitoring tool;
• Expect to see domains, not specific pages; • Understand that a VPN can hide destinations from your router. |
How do I turn on private browsing?
There are two ways to start browsing privately on your computer:
- Go to your browser menu: open your browser of choice and click on the main menu in the upper-left corner. Click the option to open a new Private/Incognito window, and you’ll see a new private window.
- Use a keyboard shortcut: the exact keys to enter depend on your preferred browser.
- For Google Chrome, Safari, and Microsoft Edge: press Ctrl/command + Shift + N;
- For Mozilla Firefox: press Ctrl/command + Shift + P.
Here are step-by-step instructions for turning on private browsing using different browsers and devices.
Private browsing in Chrome
Desktop
To enter Incognito mode in Chrome, open Chrome and click File > New Incognito Window.
Alternatively, you can open Incognito mode using a keyboard shortcut:
- For PC, enter Ctrl + Shift + N;
- Mac users should press Command + Shift + N.
Mobile
To turn on Chrome’s Incognito mode on your mobile device:
- Open the Chrome app.
- Tap the three dots in the lower-right corner.
- Tap New Incognito Tab.
Private browsing in Safari
Safari is Apple’s default browser. You can use its Private Browsing mode on Mac computers, iPhones, and iPads.
Desktop
To turn on Private Browsing in the Safari browser, open Safari and click File > New Private Window.
You can also open Private Browsing with the Command + Shift + N keyboard shortcut.
Mobile
To turn on Private Browsing in Safari on iOS 26:
- Open the Safari app.
- Tap the three dots in the lower-right corner.
- Select New Private Tab.
Private browsing in Edge
Private browsing in the Microsoft Edge browser is called InPrivate. Just like private browsing in other browsers, InPrivate doesn’t save your cookies or browsing history.
Desktop
To enter private browsing in Edge, click the three dots in the top-right corner > New InPrivate window.
Another option is to use keyboard shortcuts:
- For PC, press Ctrl + Shift + N;
- For a Mac computer, enter Command + Shift + N.
Mobile
To turn on Edge’s InPrivate browsing mode:
- Go to the Edge mobile app.
- Tap the three lines in the bottom right corner.
- Tap New InPrivate tab.
Private browsing in Firefox
Firefox generally refers to its private browsing feature as either Private Browsing or a Private Window.
Desktop
With the Firefox browser open, click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner > New private window.
Another option is to use a keyboard shortcut:
- On a PC, hold Ctrl + Shift + P;
- On a Mac, hold Command + Shift + P.
Mobile
To turn on Private Browsing mode in Firefox:
- Open the Firefox app.
- Tap the Tab icon at the top or bottom of your screen.
- Tap Private.
- Tap the plus sign at the bottom of your screen.
What does private browsing do on my iPhone?
The private browsing feature in Safari, Chrome, or another browser on your iPhone prevents anyone else using your phone from seeing your online activity.
Private browsing stops your device from locally saving data like your browsing history, cookies, and AutoFill info. It also limits online tracking by blocking known website trackers and providing extra fingerprinting protection.
However, private browsing on your iPhone only hides your activity from others on the same device — it doesn’t make you anonymous online. Your ISP, network admin, employer, or websites can still see your IP address and what you visit.
How do I turn off private browsing?
To turn off private browsing on desktop, close the private window(s) you’re using. The browser automatically exits private mode once these windows are closed, letting you continue your browsing in normal windows.
To get out of private browsing on mobile devices, close any private tabs you’re using and tap the Private or Tabs icon to switch back to regular tabs. The specific steps depend on the browser you’re using, but you generally need to tap the icons for private browsing and select the normal browsing option.
What private browsing doesn’t do
Private browsing is an effective way to hide your online activity from other people who might use your device after you, but that’s basically it. If you’re wondering how to browse privately, you should know that going incognito has its limits.
Private browsing doesn’t:
- Encrypt your data;
- Hide your location;
- Hide your IP address;
- Delete files you download;
- Overcome censorship or blocks;
- Hide your browsing activity from your Wi-Fi router;
- Hide your browsing from your ISP, workplace, or school;
- Hide your activities from a website or service you’re accessing;
- Hide your activities on websites where you log in with an account.
Someone can do a lot with your IP address, so consider using a VPN like Surfshark to encrypt your data and mask your IP. In addition, you can use data removal tools like Incogni to clean up what personal information of yours others find online and keep more of your data private.
Key takeaway: is private browsing really private?
No, private browsing doesn’t really make you private online. It’s designed for local privacy, preventing browsers from saving your history and other data after you close the private window.
While finding the best browser for privacy can be tricky, consider using a VPN if you want greater online privacy that goes beyond your search history. By encrypting your connection and masking your IP address, a VPN helps keep all your online activity private from prying eyes like your ISP, hackers, and advertisers.
FAQ
What happens when you use private browsing?
Private browsing makes your browser act like it doesn’t have any data about you or your browsing habits. Any information collected during a private browsing session, like your search history, gets deleted once a private window or tab is closed.
Does private browsing hide your IP?
No, private browsing doesn’t hide your IP address — it only hides your browsing history from other users on the same device. To hide your IP while you surf the internet, you need a tool like a VPN.
Does private browsing mode work on Wi-Fi?
Yes, private browsing works on Wi-Fi. The way you connect to the internet doesn’t really matter — private browsing works on a cable connection or mobile data as well.
However, it’s important to note that private browsing doesn’t hide your info from your ISP or your Wi-Fi router’s network admin. It only keeps your browsing data private from other users on the same device.
Who can see your private browsing history?
Here’s who can see your activity when you use a private/incognito browsing mode:
- Your ISP: they can see the websites you visit;
- Your school/employer: if you’re on a school or work network, network admins can monitor traffic;
- Websites you visit: private browsing doesn’t hide you from sites that have tracking or fingerprinting tools.
What is the main purpose of privacy browsing?
The main purpose of private browsing mode is to stop your browser from saving local data — like your browsing history, cookies, and search queries — once you close the window.
That said, sites can still identify you by your IP address. As a result, if you’re using a shared IP, you may trigger extra bot or security checks because websites see what looks like a brand-new user coming from an address used by other people.
Using a dedicated IP that’s unique to you, however, creates a more stable situation. Even without cookies, websites see a single, consistent user from a trusted IP. This makes private browsing smoother and far less likely to result in constant verification prompts.
How do you check private browsing history?
You generally can’t see private browsing history after the session ends. The DNS cache can sometimes hint that a domain was accessed recently, but it’s easy to clear or obscure. As a result, it’s not a reliable way to check private browsing history.
