Incognito Mode stops Chrome from saving your history, cookies, and form entries on the device you are using. It does not hide your activity from websites, your employer, your school, or your internet provider. Open it with Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows or Linux, or Command + Shift + N on a Mac. The session ends only when you close every Incognito window.
Before you start
- Applies to: Google Chrome on Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, Android, and iOS.
- You need: Nothing extra. Incognito is built into Chrome.
- Note: A school, workplace, or family-link administrator can disable Incognito Mode entirely.
What is Incognito Mode?
Incognito Mode is Chrome’s version of private browsing. It opens a session that runs separately from your main browser profile. In that session, Chrome does not save your browsing history, does not keep cookies or site data once you close every Incognito tab, and does not store form entries, passwords, or search history. You also start signed out of most sites, which gives you a clean slate.
When you close all Incognito windows, Chrome erases the session’s temporary data, so there is no visible trace of it left on the device.
Important: Incognito Mode hides your activity from other people using your device. It does not stop websites, employers, internet service providers, or network administrators from seeing what you do.
How do I open Incognito Mode on a computer?
- Open Chrome.
- Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
- Select New Incognito window.
Or use the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows, Linux, and ChromeOS, or Command + Shift + N on a Mac.
How do I open Incognito Mode on a phone or tablet?
- Open the Chrome app.
- Tap the tab overview icon, the square with a number in it.
- Tap the Incognito icon, the hat-and-glasses symbol.
- Tap + to open a new Incognito tab.
How do I know I am actually in Incognito Mode?
- The window uses a dark theme. If you do not normally run Chrome in dark mode, that is the quickest tell.
- The spy-hat icon and the word Incognito appear in the top corner of the window.
How do I end an Incognito session?
Close every Incognito tab and window. Closing one tab is not enough. The session, and the temporary data attached to it, only ends when the last Incognito window is gone.
What does Incognito Mode actually do?
- It does not save local browsing data. History, search entries, cookies, and site data are erased when the session ends.
- It starts a fresh session. Incognito does not carry over cookies or logins from your normal profile.
- It blocks third-party cookies by default.
- It disables most extensions, unless you have specifically allowed one to run in Incognito.
- It clears session data on exit, once all Incognito windows are closed.
What does Incognito Mode not do?
- It does not hide your IP address. Websites still see your IP and rough location.
- It does not stop real-time tracking. Cookies are not kept, but sites can still watch what you do during the session.
- It does not hide anything from your network. Employers, schools, and ISPs can still log your traffic.
- It does not delete downloads. Files you download stay on the device.
- It does not discard bookmarks. A bookmark saved in Incognito stays in Chrome afterwards.
- It does not protect you from malware, scams, or phishing.
- It does not remove ads. You still see them, they are just not saved for retargeting.
Which Incognito myths are wrong?
- “Incognito means total anonymity.” No. It hides browsing on the device, not online.
- “No one can track me.” Websites can still monitor your behaviour during the session.
- “There are no ads in Incognito.” Ads still show.
- “Downloads disappear.” They do not. They stay in your Downloads folder.
- “Google cannot track me.” If you sign in to a Google account, activity can still be logged to it.
- “Closing a tab ends the session.” Only closing every Incognito window does.
What is Incognito Mode genuinely useful for?
- Borrowed or shared computers. Nothing is left behind locally.
- A second account. Sign in to another account without signing out of your main one.
- Testing a website. See how a site behaves for a visitor with no cookies.
- One-off private browsing. Right-click any link and open it in an Incognito window.
Two things to remember while you use it: autofill will not offer your passwords, addresses, or cards, and you should delete downloaded files yourself if they matter.
What are the limits of Incognito Mode?
- The privacy is local only. Anyone observing the network still sees your traffic.
- It is not a security tool. There is no encryption or firewall involved.
- It can be turned off for you. Organisations and family managers can block it.
- You cannot restore closed Incognito tabs.
- Some sites detect it and restrict content accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
How is Incognito Mode different from regular browsing?
It does not save browsing history, cookies, or form entries. Regular browsing keeps all of that.
Will searches done in Incognito appear in my Google history?
Not if you stay signed out. If you sign in to your Google account, activity can still be recorded to it.
Can someone check what I browsed in Incognito?
Not from Chrome itself. Your network administrator, ISP, or monitoring software on the device may still have a record.
Are downloaded files deleted after the session?
No. They stay in your Downloads folder until you delete them.
Does Incognito Mode hide my location or IP address?
No. You would need a VPN or proxy for that.
How do I delete Incognito data?
Close all Incognito windows. Chrome clears the session automatically.
Can websites detect that I am using Incognito Mode?
Yes, some can, and they may restrict access to content because of it.
Is it safe to use Incognito on public Wi-Fi?
Incognito adds nothing to your security on a public network. Use a VPN and stick to HTTPS sites.
Can I make Chrome always start in Incognito?
On desktop, yes. Add --incognito to the target field of your Chrome shortcut. See how to make Chrome open in Incognito by default.
Related guides
- How to Make Chrome Always Open in Incognito Mode
- Why Incognito Mode Shows reCAPTCHA Prompts
- How to Disable Incognito Split Screen in Chrome
Bottom line
Incognito Mode is a good local privacy tool and a poor security one. Use it when you do not want history or cookies left on a device. If you need actual privacy from the network or from websites, pair it with a VPN, an ad blocker, and anti-tracking tools. Knowing exactly where the line falls is what makes it useful.
