Browse in Incognito mode

You can browse the web more privately in Incognito mode.

Incognito limits what’s saved to your device

When you’re browsing in Incognito, Chrome limits the information that’s saved to your device. This can be useful, for example, when you're using a shared computer or shopping for a gift.

When you open an Incognito window, Chrome starts a separate browsing session. Your Incognito session ends when you close all Incognito windows.

When you browse in Incognito:

• Chrome doesn’t automatically sign you into your Google Account or other websites: This won’t change how data is collected by the websites you visit and the services they use, including Google. Sites may still be able to gather information about you even when you’re not signed in.
• After your Incognito session ends, Chrome doesn't retain site data or a record of the sites you visited: During your Incognito session, Chrome temporarily keeps some information, like cookies and site data, to help websites work and support navigation. This information is removed when the Incognito session ends.
• Chrome retains bookmarks that you save and files that you download when you exit Incognito: Bookmarks you add and reading list items you save will be available in your regular browsing sessions. Files that you download will remain on your device until you delete them.

While Incognito can help keep your browsing private on your device, it doesn’t make you invisible. Websites you visit, including Google sites, and organizations that manage your network, like your school, employer, or internet service provider, may be able to observe your activity in Incognito. Websites you visit that use Google services also share information about your activity on their sites with Google, including for advertising purposes, as described in the Privacy Policy.

Open Incognito mode

To start an Incognito session:

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Chrome .
2. To open a new Incognito tab, tap More New Incognito Tab .

Tips:

• To check if you’re on an Incognito tab, tap Switch tabs .
• To find if you have any open Incognito tabs, swipe right. At the top, an Incognito tab shows the Incognito icon .

Switch between Incognito and regular tabs

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Chrome .
2. Tap Switch tabs .
3. To switch between Incognito tabs and regular Chrome tabs , swipe right or left.

Open links in Incognito mode

When you open a link from another app or a text message, you can choose to open the link in an Incognito tab in Chrome.

Open all links in Incognito mode Open a link in Incognito mode

Lock Incognito tabs

For additional privacy from other people who use your device, you can lock your Incognito tabs. By default, Incognito tabs will be hidden when you leave Chrome for a while. In Chrome settings, you can choose what happens to Incognito tabs when you leave Chrome.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Chrome .
2. Tap More Settings Privacy and security.
3. Select Hide Incognito tabs.
4. Select an option:
   • Lock immediately with device authentication: Tabs are locked, and you’ll need device authentication like Face ID, TouchID, or passcode to access them. This depends on your device’s settings.
   • Hide after a few minutes: After a few minutes, tabs blur until you tap to continue.
   • Don’t hide: Tabs are not blurred or locked.

Close Incognito mode

If you open another tab in Incognito mode, your private browsing session continues in the new tab. To exit, close all Incognito tabs.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Chrome .
2. Tap Switch tabs .
3. At the top, tap the Incognito icon .
4. On the left, select Edit Close All Tabs.

Related resources

• Browse Chrome as a guest
• Delete browsing data in Chrome