Chrome Story

Chrome to Allow Screenshots in Incognito Mode (Android)

Google is working on a Chrome feature for Android, allowing users to take screenshots while browsing in Incognito mode.

Update: You can test this now with the Canary version of Chrome. Here is a screenshot of Chrome Story in Incognito mode.

I thought this was a feature?

I remember the first time I tried taking screenshot while using Incognito mode on Android. There was an error message saying I can’t do that.

Well, that’s a good feature I thought. You are browsing in a private mode and you shouldn’t be allowed to take screenshots.

Looks like I was wrong.

Google is working on a new feature that will allow users to take screenshots while browsing in the Incognito mode on Android.

Incognito Screenshot

The Chrome team has added a new exerimental flag to the source code today called “Incognito Screenshot”.

As the name suggests, this gives the ability to take screenshots while browsing in private mode.

“Incognito Screenshot: Enables Incognito screenshots on Android. It will also make Incognito thumbnails visible.”

Further, the code change request description describes this feature in a bit more detail as follows:

“Add flag to enable Incognito screenshots on Android.

Enabling user-triggered screenshots in Incognito mode is not possible
now due to an external dependency (b/145247758). As a short term solution until the dependency is fixed, a flag is added to enable it for users/developers who need it.”

The dependency bug is private, but the original feature request (or a bug?) is available for us to review. The bug, as you would expect, says that users should be allowed to take screenshots while browsing Incognito.

Do you want this feature?

We should this change in action soon on the Canary channel of Chrome. While we wait for this, I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Do you think we should be allowed to take screenshots of Incognito tabs? Let me know in the comments section below.

Source: Chromium Gerrit and Chromium Bugs.

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One response to “Chrome to Allow Screenshots in Incognito Mode (Android)”

  1. bro

    We should have an option (a flag or setting) that allows taking a screenshot. I do not want to root my phone in order to take a screenshot. Would be OK to have such option disabled by default though.

    I mainly use the incognito mode when I want to browse to something without polluting the history or relying on existing cookies in my browser. E.g. to log in with alternative account to see some info. And I want to be able to extract that info by simply making a screenshot.

    Note: I am able to use built-in screen recording option on my Samsung S9+ phone to record the screen and got a video with a content of the incognito tab page.

    Reply

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