Chrome for iPhone and iPad can hide or lock your Incognito tabs behind Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode. Go to Chrome Settings > Privacy and Security > Hide Incognito Tabs, then choose Lock Immediately with Device Authentication. Chrome then asks you to verify your identity every time you return to an Incognito tab.
This guide shows you where to find the setting, what the other options do, what happens when biometrics fail, and how the feature compares to Chrome’s lock on Android.
What You Need Before You Start
You need an iPhone or iPad running a recent version of the Google Chrome app, with Face ID, Touch ID, or a device passcode already set up in iOS. The setting is not tied to a specific Chrome version number.
How Do You Turn On Incognito Tab Locking in Chrome for iPhone?
- Open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu (More) in the lower-right corner.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Privacy and Security.
- Tap Hide Incognito Tabs.
- Select Lock Immediately with Device Authentication to require Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode before Incognito tabs reopen.
The Hide Incognito Tabs screen has two other options if you want something lighter than a full lock. Hide After a Few Minutes blurs your Incognito tabs after a short delay until you tap to continue, without asking for authentication. Don’t Hide leaves Incognito tabs visible as normal.
Once Lock Immediately with Device Authentication is on, any Incognito tabs lock every time you leave and return to Chrome. Tap Unlock with Face ID (or Touch ID, or your passcode) on the lock screen that covers your Incognito tabs to see them again.
How Do You Turn It Off or Change It?
- Go back to Settings then Privacy and Security.
- Tap Hide Incognito Tabs.
- Select Don’t Hide to remove the lock, or Hide After a Few Minutes for the lighter blur-only option.
FAQ
What happens if Face ID or Touch ID fails?
iOS falls back to your iPhone or iPad passcode, the same as any other Face ID or Touch ID prompt on your device. Enter your passcode to open your Incognito tabs.
Does Chrome on Android have the same lock?
Chrome for Android uses a simpler single toggle. Turn on Lock Incognito tabs when you leave Chrome in Settings then Privacy and security, and Chrome asks for your device’s screen lock, fingerprint, or face unlock whenever you return to an Incognito tab. It does not have the separate Hide After a Few Minutes or Don’t Hide options that iOS offers.
Why don’t I see Hide Incognito Tabs in my Chrome settings?
Update Chrome to the latest version from the App Store. The Lock Immediately with Device Authentication option also requires Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode already enabled on your device.
Does this lock my regular Chrome tabs too?
No. The setting only applies to Incognito tabs. Your regular tabs open normally without any extra authentication.
Keep Your Private Browsing Private
Locking Incognito tabs adds a quick layer of protection if someone else picks up your unlocked iPhone or iPad. It takes under a minute to turn on, and you can switch back to Don’t Hide just as easily if you change your mind.
Leave a Reply