How to Go Incognito in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Opera

Incognito mode is a suitable security measure for private browsing. It restricts your browser from saving your data and browsing history, but it doesn’t provide much privacy & security like VPNs. Almost every browser offers Incognito mode but with different names.

Unlike VPNs, it doesn’t hide your IP address but prevents harmful websites from accessing your data. So it’s better to use private browsing mode with a top-notch VPN like ExtremeVPN. It will spoof your IP address and encrypt your data, adding up more security & privacy.

Every browser has a different method of accessing Incognito mode. This guide comprehensively covers all the major browsers and provides step-by-step instructions on accessing Incognito mode on a specific browser.

So let’s dive into the depth of our article and find out how to do an incognito mode search in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera.

How to Go On Incognito Mode in Google Chrome?

The following methods will help you open an incognito tab in Chrome:

Through Hot Keys

These Keyboard shortcuts will help you open incognito mode on Chrome:

• Ctrl+Shift+N (on Chrome OS, Linux, and Windows)
• ⌘+Shift+N (on macOS)

Through Settings

You can also open Incognito mode on Google Chrome through settings.

• Open a tab on Google Chrome and click on the three dots available at the top right corner of the screen.
• Select the “New Incognito Window” option from the dropdown menu.
• A new incognito window will open on your browser. You can use it usual browsing.

When you access Incognito mode on Google Chrome, it shows a disclaimer. The disclaimer states that Google Chrome will not save your information, including browsing history, site data, and cookies.

However, your ISP, your employer, and the website you visit can still monitor your activity.

You can close Incognito mode by clicking the “X” icon at the window’s top right corner. All tabs will close, and your browsing history will not be saved.

How to Use InPrivate Browsing in Microsoft Edge

InPrivate browsing is the Incognito mode in Microsoft Edge. Different browsers call private browsing mode with various names, but they all do the same job.

You can use InPrivate browsing in Microsoft Edge using two methods.

Through Hot Keys

These keyboard shortcuts will help you open InPrivate browsing mode on Microsoft Edge:

• Ctrl+Shift+N (on Chrome OS, Linux, and Windows)
• ⌘+Shift+N (on macOS)

Through Settings

You can also access InPrivate browsing mode via settings.

• Open a new tab on the Edge browser and click on the three dots at the top right corner of the screen.
• Select the “New InPrivate Window” option from the dropdown menu.
• A new InPrivate window will open on your Edge browser. Use it for your usual browsing.

Like Incognito mode on Google Chrome, it also shows a disclaimer. Read it thoroughly before starting to browse. Ensure that you always enable “Strict” tracking prevention mode. It will keep you safe from additional tracking.

However, it won’t hide your IP address; your ISP, employer, and websites can still track your activity. Therefore, use ExtremeVPN while using private browsing mode. Its strict privacy & security features keep you safe from prying eyes.

To close the InPrivate browsing window, click the “X” icon on the top right corner. All InPrivate browsing tabs will close without saving your browsing history.

How to Open Private Mode in Mozilla Firefox?

The private browsing mode on Mozilla Firefox is called Private Mode. The methods of opening Private mode in Firefox are similar to Edge and Chrome. So let’s discuss those methods.

Through Hot Keys

These keyboard shortcuts will help you open Private mode in Firefox:

• Ctrl+Shift+P (on Chrome OS, Linux, and Windows)
• ⌘+Shift+P (on macOS)

Through Settings

You can also access Private mode on Mozilla Firefox manually by following these steps:

• Open a new tab on Firefox and click the three lines icon at the top right corner.
• Select the “New Private Window” option from the dropdown menu.
• A new private window will open in your Firefox browser. You can use it for your usual browsing.

Firefox shows a disclaimer when you open Private mode that it doesn’t provide anonymous browsing. So, it’s better to use a VPN while accessing it.

You can close the Private mode window by clicking the “X” icon at the top right corner. It will close all the private browsing tabs without saving any information.

How to Use Private Browsing in Safari?

Like other incognito browsers, Safari also offers private browsing mode. You can open it on Safari by using these methods.

Through Hot Keys

Use these keyboard shortcuts to enable private browsing:

• ⌘+Shift+N

Through Settings

Follow these short and simple steps to open a Private window in Safari:

• Open a new tab on Safari, and click the “File” option from the top menu.
• Select the “New Private Window” option from the dropdown menu.
• A new private window will open on your Safari browser. Use it for your usual browsing.

You can close all incognito tabs by clicking the red “close” button at the top left of the screen. All your tabs will close without saving any data.

How to Open Private Mode in Opera?

Opening private mode in Opera is similar to the browser we discussed above. Follow these methods to access it effortlessly.

Through Hot Keys

With these keyboard shortcuts, you can open Private browsing mode on Opera:

• Ctrl+Shift+N (on Chrome OS, Linux, and Windows)
• ⌘+Shift+N (on macOS)

Through Settings

The second to open private mode is through settings. Follow these short and simple steps to access it quickly:

• Open a new tab on your Opera browser and click the “Opera” icon at the window’s top left corner.
• Select the “New Private Window” from the dropdown menu.
• A new private window will open in your Opera browser. Use it for your usual browsing.

Opera’s Private window also shows a disclaimer. It states that the private mode can only prevent other users using the same browser on this device from accessing your browsing history. 

It also recommends users use a VPN for more security & privacy. Therefore, use a high-end VPN like ExtremeVPN to enhance your browsing experience.

Click on the “X” icon at the window’s top right corner to close all incognito tabs.

Note: In private browsing mode, your browser will not save any information and browsing history. But other users with the same device can still monitor your incognito browsing history through DNS records. Therefore, remove your private browsing history from the DNS cache.

Which Private Browsing Mode Do You Like Best?

Using private browsing can be helpful when using a shared computer, as it prevents others from accessing your browsing history. We recommend experimenting with this browsing mode on different web browsers to discover your preferred choice. It would be highly appreciated if you could spare a moment to share your preferences with us by leaving a comment.

Conclusion

Using incognito mode on popular browsers like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, etc., can remove concerns related to digital security. Every browser has its features, allowing users to browse the internet without leaving traces. However, it is crucial to understand that it doesn’t provide much privacy & security like VPNs. Your ISPs, employer, and the websites you are accessing can still monitor your online activity. 

Therefore, we recommend you use it with a high-quality VPN like ExtremeVPN. It will mask your IP address, encrypt your data, and provide an additional layer of privacy.

Accessing incognito mode on majorly used browsers is almost similar and straightforward. After reading this guide, we hope you can now easily open private browsing mode on your preferred browser.

FAQs

When should I use incognito mode?

You can go incognito mode whenever you feel like opening a website in normal mode will affect your privacy. Some people use it while accessing their crypto wallets, shopping, and streaming.

How to turn off incognito mode?

On almost all majorly used browsers, you can turn off incognito mode by clicking the “X” icon at the window’s top left or right corner. However, if you are using private mode on Safari, you can close it by clicking on the red “Close” button at the window’s top left corner.

How using a VPN can enhance my privacy and security?

Private browsing mode only prevents the browser from saving your information and browsing. However, it doesn’t hide your IP address; your ISP, employer, and website can still monitor your online activity. A VPN masks your IP address, encrypts your data, provides an additional privacy layer, and lets you browse anonymously.