enable private browsing safari mac

How to turn on private browsing on a Mac computer in Safari

• You can turn on private browsing on your Mac computer in a Safari browser to use the internet without having your activity catalogued by your browser. 
• Private browsing is a good option to keep sensitive information from living in your web history or being saved to your iCloud account. 
• Here's how to turn on private browsing on a Mac computer by opening a new private window or using a keyboard shortcut. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

A private browser is a useful way to navigate the internet with minimal tracking, although the exact functions may vary slightly depending on which browser you are using. 

On Safari, private browsing means that websites won't be able to track your activity across sites, your visited websites aren't saved or stored on in iCloud, and your recent searches won't appear in the Smart Search field. 

You also won't have access to any saved AutoFill information when you visit websites, so keep that in mind if you need to log into a site.

With that in mind, here's how to open a private window on a Mac using the Safari web browser: 

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Macbook pro (from $1,299.99 at best buy), how to turn on private browsing on a mac in safari.

1. Open your Safari browser.

2. In the top toolbar, click "File."

3. Select "New Private Window."

The smart search field will show up with a dark background, which will signal that you are in private browsing mode. 

Alternatively, you could use the keyboard shortcut to open a private window in your Safari browser. To do that, you'd open a window in the browser, then press the shift, command and "N" keys.

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How to use private web browsing on Mac

Many web users prefer to keep their browsing history secret and private – from loved ones, colleagues, even total strangers and advertising companies.

There are a few ways to protect your privacy. You could delete your history at the end of every browsing session, or use a VPN to stay anonymous online (our recommendation is NordVPN but we have a separate roundup of the best Mac VPNs ). But for a simple and free solution, we recommend the use of private browsing mode.

For similar advice relating to phone and tablet, see How to use private browsing on iPhone & iPad .

Why your browsing history is at risk

Many of us share our Macs with other people, and you don’t want to worry about any embarrassing websites you’ve been looking at being discovered by your spouse or flatmate.

The classic excuse is that you’ve been ‘researching an anniversary present’ and don’t want to spoil the surprise, but if you’ve been seeking medical advice or applying for jobs online it would be entirely reasonable to want to keep that information to yourself. And, all joking aside, porn users are entitled to their privacy too, particularly if they have kids and don’t want them to stumble across any adult sites.

If you’re thinking of having one machine for sharing and another for the private stuff, bear in mind that it’s not as simple as you might think. Safari features such as Top Sites, Frequently Visited and the Smart Search Field automatically display your history as you use the browser, and iCloud syncs this information between your Apple devices. If you look at a website on your Mac it could pop up when somebody uses your iPhone or iPad or vice versa.

Even if you trust people not to bother searching through your history, they could still accidentally discover what you’ve been looking at when the browser offers it as an autocomplete suggestion.

iCloud privacy

If you’re looking for more things to worry about, there were reports in 2017 that Apple hadn’t been removing deleted Safari web histories from iCloud. We believe the company has since tackled the issue, but it’s another example of the ways in which browsing histories can leak out unexpectedly.

According to ElcomSoft, the data might have disappeared from the devices, but it was still on iCloud and easily recoverable.

“We discovered that deleting a browsing history record makes that record disappear from synced devices,” said company spokesperson Vladimir Katalov. “However, the record still remains available (but invisible) in iCloud… We were able to pull additional information about Safari history entries including the exact date and time each record was last visited and deleted!”

What is private browsing?

Private browsing is an optional mode available in most web browser software where no record is kept of the sites you visit. If you’re looking at a website and you’d rather keep it to yourself, you should turn on private browsing before entering the URL.

Apple has included private browsing as a feature in macOS and iOS since way back in Safari 5.1 (in Mac OS X Lion) and iOS 5.

Private browsing in Safari

The way private browsing works varies from browser to browser . We cover the four most popular Mac browsers individually, but if you’re using one of the more obscure ones, don’t despair: just check the File > menu and look for mention of a private window or similar. (Shift + Cmd + N often works too.)

The key thing with private browsing mode(s) is that it can be applied to certain windows only, so be careful. The fact that you opened a private window doesn’t mean you’ll still be covered if you go back to an old window you had open before (or a new one you open without private browsing applied).

In Safari, you open a new private window by Choose File > New Private Window (Shift + Cmd + N).

You’ll now be viewing a window in private browsing mode. Safari won’t remember any browsing or search history. Once again, it’s important to know that this only applies to this window that you have opened . You can tell it’s a private window because the Smart Search Field will be a dark grey colour.

If you open a new tab within the private window it will also be private. But if you open another window using the standard File > New Window (Cmd + N), it will not be a private browsing window. So be careful to use just the private window(s) for your browsing session.

Private browsing in Chrome

Chrome’s private browsing mode is called Incognito, but it’s otherwise the same idea. Select File > New Incognito Window, or press Shift + Cmd + N.

You’ll notice that Chrome’s Incognito windows are a totally different colour to its normal ones.

Private browsing in Firefox

Select File > New Private Window, or press Shift + Cmd + P.

Private browsing in Opera

Select File > New Private Window, or press Shift + Cmd + N.

Use Private Browsing windows

When you use Private Browsing windows, Safari doesn’t save your browsing history, and it asks websites you visit not to track you.

Use Private Browsing: Choose File > New Private Window, or switch to a Safari window that’s already using Private Browsing. A window that’s using Private Browsing has a dark address and search field with white text.

When you use a Private Browsing window:

Each tab in the window is isolated from the others, so websites you view in one tab can’t track your browsing in other tabs.

Safari doesn’t remember the webpages you visit or your AutoFill information.

Safari doesn’t store your open webpages in iCloud, so they aren’t shown when you view all your open tabs from other devices.

Your recent searches aren’t included in the results list when you use the address and search field.

Items you download aren’t included in the downloads list. (The items do remain on your computer.)

If you use Handoff , Private Browsing windows are not passed to your iOS devices or other Mac computers.

Safari doesn’t remember changes to your cookies or other website data. Safari also asks websites and others who provide those sites with content (including advertisers) not to keep track of your browsing, although it is up to the websites to honor this request.

Plug-ins that support Private Browsing stop storing cookies and other tracking information.

Websites can’t modify information stored on your device, so services normally available at such sites may work differently until you turn off Private Browsing.

Note:   None of the above applies in other Safari windows you may have open that don’t use Private Browsing.

Stop using Private Browsing: Close the Private Browsing window, switch to a different Safari window that isn’t using Private Browsing, or choose File > New Window to open a window that doesn’t use Private Browsing. To further enhance privacy:

Delete any items you downloaded while using Private Browsing windows.

Close any other Private Browsing windows that are still open, to prevent others from using the Back and Forward buttons to see pages you visited in them.

Besides using Private Browsing windows, you can manage cookies and data stored by all websites and have Safari ask all websites not to track you .

If you forget to use a Private Browsing window, you can clear your browsing history .

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How to go incognito in Safari on Mac

There may be times when you want complete privacy while browsing the web. Maybe you don’t want others to know which websites you visit or what items you download, or you may also just want to prevent sites from tracking you across browser tabs. The best way to achieve that is by learning how to go incognito in Safari on a Mac.

How to go incognito on Mac with private browsing in Safari

What happens when you use private browsing, how to exit private browsing in safari, how to always use private browsing in safari, what you need.

Mac computer

Safari browser

When you want to initiate a private browsing session in Safari on Mac, you have a few easy ways to do it.

• Use the Safari menu: With Safari open and active, select File from the menu bar and choose New Private Window .
• Use the Safari icon in the Dock: If you keep the Safari icon in your Dock, right-click it and select New Private Window .
• Use a keyboard shortcut: With Safari open and active, press Shift + Command + N on your keyboard.

Once you open a new private window, you’ll notice the appearance is slightly different. The Smart Search field (URL bar) has a dark background with white text.

You’ll also see a message letting you know that private browsing is enabled. Select the X on the right side to dismiss the message and then visit the websites you want.

Although you can browse the web as you normally would in Safari, there are some differences when you use private browsing.

• Any sites you visit, AutoFill details you use, or changes you make to cookies or website data are not saved.
• Your recent searches are unavailable in the Smart Search field.
• Items you download do not display in the Safari downloads list. However, they are still viewable in your Downloads folder.
• You cannot pass private windows using Handoff to your other devices.
• Any webpages you visit are not stored in iCloud and therefore unavailable when viewing Safari tabs on your other devices.
• Websites cannot track your browsing across tabs in Safari because each private browsing tab is isolated from the next.

When you finish using private browsing, you can simply close the Safari window. You can then select File > New Window or use the keyboard shortcut Command + N to initiate a non-private browsing session.

One additional way to go incognito on Mac is to always use private browsing in Safari. With a simple setting adjustment, you can have Safari open in a private window every single time.

Step 1: Open Safari and select Safari > Preferences from the menu bar.

Step 2: Go to the General tab.

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Step 3: Pick the drop-down next to Safari opens with and choose A new private window .

Step 4: Close the Preferences using the X on the top left corner.

Once you change this setting, you’ll use private browsing each time you open Safari. If you change your mind later, you can follow the same steps and select a different option in the Safari opens with drop-down list.

It’s easy to go incognito on a Mac, whether you go once in a while or all the time. Will you?

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That's probably not true, though. In fact, if you just take some steps to free up some memory, you might be able to make it last that bit longer.

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You rely on your MacBook for just about everything, so don’t you think it’s important to keep its battery topped off? After all, it is laptop, and while laptop batteries are stronger than ever these days, your MacBook likely won’t last a full day without its power adapter. But how does one know exactly how much juice a MacBook has left? Why, with the battery percentage indicator!

How-To Geek

How to always start safari in private browsing mode on a mac.

Keep your Safari browsing history private on your Mac by opening a new Private Browsing window every time you launch. Here's how.

Quick Links

What is private browsing in safari, how to always launch safari with a new private browsing window.

If you use Safari on a Mac and would like for your browsing history to stay private but don't want to always think about having to turn it on, there's a way to open a new private browsing window every time you launch Safari. Here's how.

Private Browsing is a mode where Safari doesn't save your browsing history, AutoFill information, changes to cookies, recent searches, and download history between sessions. The mode also inclues Apple-centric privacy features, such as preventing sharing of browsing information through iCloud . And if you have Handoff enabled, browsing windows do not get passed to your other Apple devices.

Even with all those features, you should be aware that Private Browsing mode does not conceal your browsing history from websites on the internet that might use your IP address to track you across sites , hosts of your network (such as a school or business), or your ISP.

Related: The Many Ways Websites Track You Online

First, launch Safari. In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click "Safari" and select "Preferences."

In the Preferences pop-up window, make sure you're on the General tab. Look for the option called "Safari Opens With:" located beside a drop-down menu.

Click on the drop-down menu and select "A New Private Window" from the list of options.

Close the Preferences window, quit Safari, and launch Safari again. You should see a window with a "Private Browsing Enabled" notice along the top.

Now you're free to use the window as you typically would . Just make sure you close it when you're done.

Related: Five Worthwhile Uses for Private Browsing Mode (Besides Porn)

It's worth noting that the option we just set only works when you first open Safari.  By default, new windows you open after that will not be private. If you want to open additional Private windows, you'll need to select File > New Private Window from the menu bar, or use the Shift+Command+N shortcut. Good luck, and happy browsing!

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How to Go Incognito in Safari on Mac: 3 Quick Ways

Hashir Ibrahim

Reviewed by

Last updated: October 21, 2023

Expert verified

Online privacy is a growing concern and many of us want to browse the internet without leaving a digital footprint. Whether you’re researching sensitive material, shopping for a surprise gift, or simply prefer not to have your browsing history logged, going incognito is a useful tool for maintaining your privacy.

For Mac users, the Safari browser offers a convenient and robust way to go undercover while you surf the web. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to go incognito in Safari on Mac, ensuring your browsing session remains your business and no one else’s.

Before We Begin

For enhanced online privacy, combine Safari’s private browsing feature with MacKeeper’s Private Connect VPN to conceal your IP address. Additionally, using MacKeeper’s Antivirus offers robust protection against spyware on your Mac.

What Is Safari Private Browsing Mode?

Safari’s Private Browsing Mode is a feature that allows you to browse the internet without saving your browsing history, search history, or form data. When you activate this mode, Safari won’t keep any cookies or temporary files that could be used to trace your online activities.

Private Browsing Mode aims to help you use the internet without leaving a record of your activities on your computer. So, in other words, this is the incognito mode on Safari.

What Happens When You Use Safari Private Browsing?

When you enable Private Browsing Mode in Safari, several changes occur to how the browser manages your data and online activity. Here are some key things that happen:

• 📜 No Browsing History : Safari won’t record the websites you visit, so you won’t see them in your history later.
• 🔍 Search History Cleared : Any search queries you enter will not be saved, so they won’t appear in the search bar’s dropdown suggestions in future sessions.
• 📝 No Form Data : Information entered into forms, like usernames, passwords, or search queries, is not stored.
• 🍪 Cookies and Site Data : Any cookies or site data obtained during your session are not saved, making it more difficult for websites to track you.
• 🗂️ Temporary Files : While temporary internet files like images may be stored to improve page load times during the session, they are deleted once you exit Private Browsing Mode.
• 🖥️ Open Tabs : Tabs opened in Private Browsing Mode won’t be stored in Safari’s Tabs feature for later retrieval.
• ⬇️ Downloads : Files you download will still be saved to your computer, but Safari won’t keep a record of these downloads within the browser.
• 🚫 Autofill Disabled : Features like Autofill for forms and passwords are disabled, meaning Safari won’t suggest information based on previous entries when you’re in Private Browsing Mode.
• 🔗 Extensions Limited : Some browser extensions may not work as expected in Private Browsing Mode to prevent them from tracking your activity.
• 🛡️ Isolated Session : Each Private Browsing window operates in isolation, meaning that if you open a new Private Browsing window, it won’t share cookies, history, or site data with the previous Private Browsing session.

While Safari’s Private Browsing Mode offers a good level of privacy, it is not entirely foolproof. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP), network administrators, and websites can still potentially identify you through your IP address.

How to Open a Private Window in Safari on Your Mac

Opening a private window in Safari on your Mac is a straightforward process that takes just a few seconds. Here are three ways to open a private window and go incognito in Safari on Mac:

Method 1: Using the Menu Bar

The most commonly used method for opening a private window in Safari is the menu bar. Follow these steps to go incognito in Safari on Mac via the menu bar:

• Open the Safari browser on your Mac.
• Click File in the menu bar.
• From the dropdown menu, choose New Private Window .

A new window should open with a dark search field, indicating you’re now in Private Browsing Mode.

Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Mac keyboard shortcuts are an excellent way to streamline your browsing experience, especially if you prefer using the keyboard over navigating through menus. So, if you’re looking to swiftly open a private window without taking your hands off the keyboard, follow these steps:

• If you haven’t already, launch the Safari browser.
• Press Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + N simultaneously.

This will open a new private browsing window instantly.

Method 3: Right-Click Option

If you’re comfortable using contextual menus that appear with a right-click, this option offers a speedy way to go incognito in Safari on Mac. Follow these steps to right-click on a Mac and go incognito in Safari:

• Launch your Safari browser.
• Right-click (or control-click) the Safari icon in the Dock.
• From the contextual menu that appears, select New Private Window .

A new window with a dark search field should appear, indicating that Private Browsing Mode is enabled.

How to Open a Private Tab in Safari

If you’re already in a regular browsing window in Safari, you can’t add a private tab to that window. Your only option for private browsing in this case is to open a new Private Browsing window. Then, add as many private tabs to that window as you like.

Follow these steps to open a new private tab within an existing private window:

• Open a new Private Browsing window in Safari. You can do this by clicking File in the menu bar and selecting New Private Window , or by using the keyboard shortcut Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + N .
• Once you’re in a Private Browsing window, click the plus ( + ) button in Safari’s toolbar at the top of the screen.

• Alternatively, you can press Command ⌘ + T on your keyboard.

• A new tab will open within the existing Private Browsing window, indicated by a dark search field, confirming that it’s also in incognito mode.

You can have a regular browsing window and a private window open side by side. Just make sure you don’t mix them up to maintain the level of privacy you desire.

How to Always Browse Privately in Safari

Now that you know how to go incognito in Safari on Mac, can browse privately whenever you want. But if you want to set up Safari so that it always starts with a Private Browsing window, there’s a simple way to make that happen.

Following these steps will configure Safari to open in Private Browsing mode by default:

• Navigate to Safari in the menu bar at the top, and select Settings .

• In Safari Settings window, click the General tab.

• Locate the Safari opens with option, click the dropdown menu button next to it, and select A new private window .

By following these steps, you’ll set Safari to automatically open a new Private Browsing window each time you launch the application. However, this setting only applies to the initial window at startup, any subsequent windows you open will be regular, non-private windows.

How to Turn Off Private Browsing on a Mac

Turning off Private Browsing in Safari on a Mac is a straightforward process. If you’re using Private Browsing and want to switch back to the standard browsing mode, here’s how you can do it:

• A Private Browsing window in Safari is characterized by a dark search field at the top.
• Simply close the Private Browsing window by clicking the red x button at the top left corner of the window.

• Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Command ⌘ + W .

• If you don’t have any other Safari windows open, you’ll need to open a new one. You can do this by clicking File in the menu bar and selecting New Window .

• Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Command ⌘ + N .

Once you leave Private Browsing, Safari will retain your browsing history, cookies, and other data unless you delete them manually.

Can You View Private Browsing History in Safari on Mac?

A key feature of Private Browsing in Safari is that it doesn’t retain your browsing history, search queries, or cookies once you close the Private Browsing window. This means that, by design, you can’t view the browsing history of a Private Browsing session once it’s closed.

However, while Safari’s Private Browsing mode doesn’t store your browsing history like a regular browsing session, the Terminal archive on Macs operates independently of Safari’s privacy features.

The Terminal archive contains records of all websites visited, including those accessed through Private Browsing. So, you can view your private browsing history in Safari on Mac through the Terminal archive.

How to Check Private Browsing History in Safari on a Mac

• Open the Console application by going to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Console .

• In the sidebar, click your Mac.

• Type the following into the search box:

• Click the Start button in the toolbar to display console messages.

• Enter your admin username and password and click Continue .

• Head to Utilities and open the Terminal application.

• Type the following command and press Enter :

• You will be prompted to enter your admin password.
• Go back to the Console application as described in Step 1.
• Here, you’ll find entries that correspond to your Private Browsing history.

Note that the website names will be displayed as IP addresses instead of website addresses.

How to Delete Private Browsing History Stored in Terminal Archive

• Navigate to Finder > Applications > Utilities and open the Terminal application.

• You will be asked to provide your administrative password to proceed.

Executing this command will clear the DNS cache, effectively erasing stored private browsing history. Be cautious not to modify other settings in the Terminal.

Is Private Browsing Enough to Hide Your Online Activity?

While Safari’s Private Browsing feature enhances your privacy to some extent, it doesn’t make you completely anonymous online. For instance, it won’t hide your IP address, which means websites and online services can still potentially identify you.

Likewise, Private Browsing Mode won’t prevent external tracking by advertisers or third-party websites. For these reasons, you should pair Private Browsing with additional security measures such as a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and antivirus software to create a more comprehensive privacy solution.

Heres’ how to use MacKeeper’s Private Connect VPN to protect your online privacy:

• Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac.
• Open the MacKeeper app on your Mac and click the Private Connect feature under the Privacy section.

• Select a server location from the VPN server location list. You can choose a server in your country for faster browsing or another country to bypass geo-restrictions.

• Click Turn On to activate Private Connect VPN.

• Once connected, you should see a notification indicating your VPN connection is active. You can also check your IP address online to confirm the change.
• When you’re done browsing, disconnect the VPN by clicking the Turn Off button.

What Else Can MacKeeper Do?

Besides offering a foolproof VPN feature, MacKeeper can help scan your Mac for viruses , remove login items from your Mac , delete duplicate files , and remove cache files from your Mac . Check out my MacKeeper review to learn more about its features.

Go Incognito in Safari on Mac and Start Secure Browsing

Navigating the web securely and privately is important, and understanding how Safari’s Private Browsing feature functions on your Mac is a significant step toward that goal. Private Browsing offers a level of protection, but it is not a replacement for more robust security measures, such as using a VPN or specialized security software.

Here are some more tips to make your browsing experience more secure:

• Make sure you clear your browser cache on Mac regularly to avoid your browser from crashing and lagging.
• If you notice suspicious toolbars in your browser, you should immediately remove unwanted toolbars from your Mac browser to prevent viruses from infecting your system.
• Ads and trackers are also a threat to your online privacy. Learn how to block unwanted ads on your Mac and keep them from affecting your productivity. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cookies saved in private browsing mode in safari.

Cookies are not saved in Private Browsing mode in Safari once you close the session. While the session is active, cookies may be stored temporarily to enable website functionality. However, these cookies are automatically deleted when you close the Private Browsing window, enhancing your privacy.

Does Safari private browsing hide your IP address?

No, Safari’s Private Browsing mode does not hide your IP address. While it prevents storing your browsing history, cookies, and form data, it doesn’t make you anonymous online. Your IP address is still visible to websites, your Internet Service Provider, and network administrators.

Is Safari the best option for privacy?

While Safari offers strong privacy features like Intelligent Tracking Prevention and built-in encryption, whether it’s the best option for privacy depends on your specific needs. Other browsers like Firefox focus extensively on privacy and offer advanced customization. It’s important to compare features and decide what best suits your privacy goals.

Why can’t I open a private tab on Safari?

You can’t open a private tab on Safari within a regular window due to design choices aimed at enhancing user privacy and ease of use. Instead, Safari segregates private browsing into separate windows to prevent you from mixing up private and regular tabs, reducing the risk of privacy breaches.

I'm Hashir, a tech journalist with a decade of experience. My work has been featured in some of the top tech publications like MakeUseOf and MakeTechEasier. I have a bachelor's degree in IT, a master's in cybersecurity, and extensive knowledge of Apple hardware, specifically MacBooks. As the senior writer at MacBook Journal, I write in depth guides that help you solve any issues you have with your mac and unbiased reviews that help you make the right buying decisions.

Hi there! I'm Ojash, a tech journalist with over a decade of experience in the industry. I've had the privilege of contributing to some of the world's largest tech publications, making my mark as a respected Mac expert. My passion lies in exploring, using, and writing about MacBooks, and I enjoy sharing my expertise to help others make informed decisions and get the most out of their MacBook experience. Join me as we delve into the fascinating world of MacBooks together!

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Crank up Safari’s privacy to the max

By D. Griffin Jones • 6:00 am, March 20, 2024

• Top stories

Apple’s Safari web browser packs loads of privacy features that will keep your online activity hidden from ad networks, user tracking and data farms. But are you sure you have everything turned on? Some of Apple’s most important privacy-protecting features don’t come enabled by default.

In light of Google baking ever-more invasive user tracking into Chrome , there are even more reasons to use Safari instead . If you want to make the most out of the best and most secure mainstream browser, here’s how.

Turn on all Safari privacy features on iPhone, iPad and Mac

Toggle on safari privacy settings.

Safari offers a bunch of features to help protect your privacy even when you’re not in Private Browsing mode. Make sure you have them all turned on.

On iPhone and iPad

On an iPhone or iPad, open  Settings > Safari (scroll down a bit to find it). Then scroll down a bit on this page to the Privacy & Security section. I have all the features enabled: Prevent Cross-Site Tracking, Hide IP Address From Trackers, Require Face ID to Unlock Private Browsing  and Fraudulent Website Warning.

Then, scroll down to the bottom and tap Advanced . Set “Advanced Tracking and Fingerprinting Protection” to  All Browsing and then disable “Privacy Preserving Ad Measurement.” You can leave “Block All Cookies” disabled and “Check for Apple Pay” enabled, as changing those settings will break website functionality.

On a Mac, open Safari. In the menu bar, go to Safari > Settings… ( ⌘, ) and click on the Privacy tab.

First, enable Prevent cross-site tracking and  Hide IP address from trackers . Neither of these will have a significant impact on website functionality; they’ll simply make your browsing safer.

Then, click Advanced Settings for a few more options. In the Privacy section, set “Use advanced tracking and fingerprinting protection” to in all browsing . Leave “Allow privacy-preserving measurement of ad effectiveness”  unchecked .

Personally, I have “Allow websites to check for Apple Pay and Apple Card” checked and “Block all cookies” unchecked; changing these options will break website features.

How to enable iCloud Private Relay on iPhone, iPad and Mac

If you have an iCloud+ subscription, you’ll also want to turn on iCloud Private Relay for maximum protection . This feature works kind of like a VPN for your web browsing — your personal internet activity is funneled through an Apple server, so the websites you visit can’t track you as easily.

This premium Safari privacy feature is available to anyone with an iCloud+ subscription. With it, you also get cloud storage to back up your phone (which  everyone should do) and other features like Hide My Email . If you’re paying for iCloud+ subscription, you should take advantage of Private Relay on iPhone, iPad and Mac.

To do so on iPhone and iPad, go back to Settings , tap on your name at the very top, then tap iCloud > Private Relay . Turn it on.

To turn on Private Relay on a Mac, go to the  menu, then System Settings > iCloud > iCloud+ > Private Relay . Toggle it to on.

On iPhone, iPad and Mac, you can set your IP Address Location to choose how accurate or private you want it to be. Apple gives you two options: “Maintain general location” or “Use country and time zone.” The latter setting will offer more privacy in Safari at the expense of location-based features on the web being less fine-tuned for you.

How to turn on Private Browsing on iPhone, iPad and Mac

Using a Safari privacy feature called Private Browsing mode offers yet another layer of online anonymity . “With Private Browsing, Safari won’t remember the pages you visit, your search history, or your AutoFill information,” Apple says. “Private Browsing also blocks known trackers, removes tracking used to identify individual users from URLs, and adds protections against advanced fingerprinting techniques.”

To turn on Private Browsing on an iPhone or iPad, first open Safari. Then swipe up on the address bar or tap the Tabs button in the bottom-right. On the bottom, you’ll see a row of tab groups. Tap Private on the left to switch to Private Browsing. You may need to authenticate with Face ID before showing your private tabs.

From the Home Screen, there’s a shortcut to quickly enter Private Browsing . Tap and hold on the Safari icon and select  New Private Tab from the pop-up menu.

How to turn off Private Browsing on iPhone or iPad

Turning off Private Browsing works the same way on iPhone and iPad. Swipe up on the address bar or tap the Tabs button in the bottom-right. Select any of your other tab groups to the right to exit Private Browsing.

From the Home Screen, you can also tap and hold on the Safari icon and select  New Tab to quickly exit Private Browsing without opening it.

How to turn on Private Browsing on Mac

On a Mac, you can create a new Private Browsing window by hitting  File > New Private Window in the menu bar, or with the keyboard shortcut  ⇧⌘N .

Learn more about Safari

• 5 tips and tricks in Safari on iPhone
• How to block YouTube ads in Safari
• How to use Safari profiles
• 5 reasons to use Safari instead of Chrome
• How to create a Safari web app on the Mac

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How To Open Private Safari On Mac

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Introduction

When it comes to browsing the web, privacy and security are paramount. Whether you're conducting sensitive research, managing personal finances, or simply exploring the vast expanse of the internet, it's crucial to safeguard your online activities. Fortunately, Safari, the default web browser on Mac, offers a feature known as Private Browsing, which allows users to surf the web without leaving a trail of history, cookies, or other browsing data on their device. This feature is particularly useful when you want to maintain confidentiality and prevent websites from tracking your online behavior.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps to open a private Safari window on your Mac. By following these simple instructions, you can ensure that your online activities remain discreet and secure. Whether you're a seasoned Mac user or a newcomer to the platform, mastering the art of private browsing in Safari will equip you with the tools to navigate the web with confidence and peace of mind.

So, without further ado, let's delve into the world of private browsing and unlock the full potential of Safari's privacy features. Whether you're seeking to protect sensitive information, avoid targeted advertisements, or simply maintain a clean browsing slate, the ability to open a private Safari window is a valuable skill that every Mac user should possess. Let's embark on this journey together and discover the power of private browsing in Safari.

Step 1: Accessing Safari Preferences

To embark on the journey of private browsing in Safari, the first step is to access the Safari Preferences . This is where you can customize various settings and enable the private browsing mode. Here's how you can access Safari Preferences on your Mac:

Launch Safari : Begin by opening the Safari browser on your Mac. You can find the Safari icon in the Dock or by searching for it using Spotlight.

Navigate to the Menu Bar : Once Safari is open, look at the top of your screen for the Menu Bar. It's the horizontal bar that contains the Apple logo and various menu options.

Open Safari Preferences : Click on "Safari" in the Menu Bar to reveal a dropdown menu. From the options presented, select "Preferences." Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut "Command + ," to access Safari Preferences quickly.

Explore the Preferences Window : Upon selecting "Preferences," a new window will appear, showcasing a range of settings and options for Safari. This is where you can fine-tune your browsing experience and access the features that Safari has to offer.

By following these steps, you will successfully access the Safari Preferences, setting the stage for the next crucial step in enabling private browsing. With the Preferences window at your fingertips, you are now ready to delve into the realm of privacy settings and unlock the full potential of Safari's private browsing mode.

Step 2: Enabling Private Browsing

Enabling private browsing in Safari is a straightforward process that empowers you to surf the web without leaving behind a digital footprint. Once you have accessed the Safari Preferences, the next step is to activate the private browsing mode. Here's how you can seamlessly enable private browsing on your Mac:

Navigate to the Privacy Tab : Within the Safari Preferences window, you will notice a series of tabs at the top. Click on the "Privacy" tab to reveal a range of privacy-related settings and options.

Enable Private Browsing : In the Privacy tab, you will find the option to enable private browsing. Simply check the box next to "Enable private browsing" to activate this feature. Upon doing so, Safari will prompt you to confirm your decision, as enabling private browsing will close any existing windows and tabs.

Confirm the Action : After checking the box to enable private browsing, a confirmation dialog will appear, informing you that enabling private browsing will close all open windows and tabs. If you're ready to proceed, click "Enable" to initiate private browsing mode.

Private Browsing Activated : Once you confirm the action, Safari will transition into private browsing mode. You will notice the interface change slightly, indicating that private browsing is now active. Additionally, a pop-up message will inform you that your browsing history will not be saved while in private browsing mode.

Begin Private Browsing : With private browsing successfully enabled, you are now free to explore the web with the assurance that your browsing history, cookies, and other site data will not be retained by Safari. This provides a secure and discreet environment for conducting online activities without leaving behind any traces on your Mac.

By following these steps, you can effortlessly enable private browsing in Safari, unlocking a realm of privacy and security as you navigate the digital landscape. Whether you're conducting sensitive research, accessing confidential information, or simply seeking a clean browsing slate, the ability to activate private browsing in Safari empowers you to take control of your online privacy.

Now that you have successfully enabled private browsing, let's proceed to the next step and explore how to effectively utilize private Safari for a secure and confidential browsing experience.

Step 3: Using Private Safari

Now that you have successfully enabled private browsing in Safari, it's time to harness the full potential of this feature and explore the seamless experience it offers. Using Private Safari on your Mac allows you to browse the web with enhanced privacy and security, ensuring that your online activities remain discreet and leave no trace on your device. Here's how you can make the most of Private Safari:

1. Secure Online Transactions

When engaging in online banking , shopping, or any form of financial transactions, Private Safari provides an added layer of security. By preventing the retention of browsing history, cookies, and other site data, Private Safari reduces the risk of sensitive information being stored on your device, enhancing the confidentiality of your online transactions.

2. Confidential Research and Browsing

Whether you're conducting research on sensitive topics, exploring personal health information, or simply delving into confidential subjects, Private Safari offers a secure environment for your browsing activities. With no browsing history or site data being saved, you can navigate the web with the assurance that your online exploration remains private and discreet.

3. Avoiding Targeted Advertisements

Private Safari helps mitigate the impact of targeted advertisements by preventing the accumulation of browsing history and cookies. This means that your online behavior while using Private Safari remains separate from your regular browsing activities, reducing the likelihood of targeted ads based on your private browsing sessions.

4. Testing Websites and Sessions

For web developers, testers, or individuals seeking to explore websites without affecting their regular browsing environment, Private Safari serves as a valuable tool. By using Private Safari, you can engage in website testing and session exploration without altering your standard browsing data, ensuring a clean and isolated browsing experience.

5. Enhanced Privacy for Multiple Users

In shared or public Mac environments, Private Safari offers enhanced privacy for each user. When multiple individuals utilize the same device, Private Safari ensures that each user can engage in private browsing sessions without impacting the browsing data or privacy of other users, fostering a secure and personalized browsing experience for all.

By leveraging the capabilities of Private Safari, you can navigate the web with confidence, knowing that your online activities remain confidential and secure. Whether you're safeguarding sensitive information, conducting research, or simply seeking a private browsing environment, Private Safari empowers you to explore the digital realm with peace of mind and discretion.

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How to Use Safari's Private Browsing Mode

This article explains how to use Safari's Private Browsing mode, which prevents your browsing history from being logged on your Apple devices. It's a useful feature if you're buying gifts online for friends or family, for instance, and you don't want anyone with access to your devices to find out what you're up to.

Using Safari's Private Browsing Mode

Enabling Private Browsing limits Safari in three important ways: It prevents the browser from creating a history of the pages you visit, it stops AutoFill information like website usernames and passwords from being remembered, and any tabs you open won't be stored in iCloud .

Also, for added peace of mind when you browse privately, Safari automatically prevents cross-site tracking , and requests that sites and third-party content providers don't track you as a rule. Additionally, the privacy mode stops sites from modifying any information stored on your iOS device, and deletes cookies when you close the associated tab.

To enable Private Browsing in Safari, follow these steps.

• Open Safari on your iPhone or iPad , tap the Pages icon (consisting of two squares) to bring up the open tabs view, and then tap the profile icon, centered at the bottom of the screen.

• When you're done browsing, return to the open tabs view, individually swipe any open tabs to close them if you wish.
• Tap the profile icon again, then choose your regular profile at the top. Your private browsing session is now cleared from memory.

Clearing Existing Browsing History

When you clear your browsing history on a device running iOS 11 or higher, the same logs are cleared on any other devices signed into your ‌iCloud‌ account. The following methods also clear all cookies and web data on the device you're currently using, although AutoFill information remains unchanged.

The first method outlined below allows you to either limit the clearing of history, cookies and website data to a specific timeframe, or to delete your existing web history altogether.

• Open Safari and with a tab open, tap the Bookmarks icon (the open book) located at the bottom of the screen.
• Tap the tab at the top of the screen with a clock symbol, and you'll see a history of your browsing activity.
• To remove instances of recorded visits to specific web pages, swipe leftwards across individual logs in the list and tap the red delete button that appears.
• To delete the entire browsing history list, tap Clear .
• Choose the timeframe to clear ( Last hour , Today , Today and yesterday , or All history ), choose the profile or select All Profiles , then tap Clear History .

The second method of wiping your browsing history might be considered the 'nuke' option, since it clears all history, cookies and website data on that device, regardless of when the sites were accessed.

• Open the Settings app and scroll down to Safari in the list.

And that's it. Note that these built-in Safari features only make you safer from discovery by other people in the same household.

If your privacy concerns extend to a desire for enhanced security and anonymity online, consider subscribing to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service that offers an iOS client or supports OpenVPN ( Private Internet Access and ProtonVPN are two popular options), and using a Tor-powered browser for iOS .

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Top Rated Comments

This article explains how to use Safari's Private Browsing mode, which prevents your browsing history from being logged on your Apple devices. It's a useful feature if you're buying gifts online for friends or family, for instance, and you don't want anyone with access to your devices to find out what you're up to.

I can really use this info, because I’m always “buying gifts”. ;) :cool:

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How to use Safari Private Browsing in macOS Sonoma

Beth Dakin, Apple's Senior Manager, Safari Software Engineering, said during the WWDC keynote that Safari "was the first browser to introduce private browsing." She wasn't kidding - Private Browsing came in with Safari 2.0 in 2004 .

After almost 20 years, the idea has remained the same, even as Apple has introduced new aspects as it has with the forthcoming macOS Sonoma.

Use Private Browsing now and Safari, as ever, does not add to your browser history, and it doesn't record your searches. Nicely, a private window on one of your devices will not automatically open up on your other devices.

How to use Private Browsing on the Mac

• Open Safari on the Mac
• Choose File , New Private Window , or
• Press Shift-Command-N

That opens a new private window and any tab you create within that window will also be private.

That continues to be the case if you close one private among many. However, if you close a last remaining private tab, you're back to regular, non-private browsing.

Similarly, if you close the window — by clicking in the red traffic light icon at top left — you also shut down private browsing.

How to use Private Browsing on iOS 17 and iPadOS 17

• Open Safari
• Tap on the Tabs button (the overlapping squares icon) at bottom right
• Tap on the center icon (three lines with bullets in front)
• From the list of Tab Groups that appears, scroll to almost the bottom
• On the screen that now says "Private Browsing is Locked," tap Unlock
• Unlock with Face ID

Once again, you're now in private browsing and any tab you create will also be a private one.

You can close any private browsing tab by tapping on the Tabs button, then on the small X that appears at top right of each tab thumbnail.

To get out of private browsing on the iPhone or iPad, tap on the center icon at the bottom of the screen and switch to a different tab group.

Only the Private tab group can actually be private, no other one can.

"Private browsing now... completely blocks known trackers from loading on pages," continued Dakin, "and removes tracking from URLs as you browse in private browsing."

And she also pointed out the most visible change to the feature. Now when you have not been actively clicking or scrolling in a private window for a short time, the Mac, iPhone, or iPad assumes you've stepped away from your device.

Consequently, it locks the private window. So all anyone approaching your device can see is that you are using Private Browsing.

They can't see any of the content, and of course they can't unlock the Safari window without the right password, Touch ID , or Face ID.

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How to Enable Private Browsing Mode in Safari on Your Mac

When you’re browsing the web in Safari on your Mac the browser tracks quite a bit about your browsing habits. Such as which websites you visit, what you searched for, and more.

Luckily, Safari includes a feature called Private Browsing that fixes all of that. When in Private Browsing mode, Safari won’t remember your search or browsing history, no pages are cached, and AutoFill is forgotten.

Here’s how to turn on Private Browsing for your browsing session. These instructions work on macOS Sierra, but they are similar for earlier versions .

• Launch Safari on your Mac.
• Click on the “ File”  menu and then click “ New Private Window.”  (Keyboard combo fans can simultaneously press “ command + shift + N ” on the keyboard.
• A new window appears with a search field with a darker background, in place of the usual white one. This indicates you’re using a private browsing window.

Note: Only the new Private window, and any of the windows you spawn form that Private window will have Private Browsing enabled. Your original browsing window (the one with the light background in the search field) will still be tracked as per your privacy settings.

Also, please take note that while Safari doesn’t track your moves online, and forgets everything as soon as the Private browsing window is closed, you shouldn’t feel like you’re invisible. Your ISP, and any government boys looking over your shoulder, can still see what you’re doing, and track your activities. Use a VPN to browse totally incognito.

For more tips and tricks on how to make better use of your Mac, iOS device, Apple Watch, or Apple TV, be sure to  visit the “How To” section of our website .

• Privacy Policy
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[ULTIMATE GUIDE] Everything About Private Browsing in Safari and How to Browse Privately on Mac/iPhone/iPad

Quick Navigation

• Part 1: How to Activate Private Browsing in Safari on Mac
• Part 2: How to Deactivate Private Browsing Mode in Safari Mac?
• Part 3: Clear Safari Private Browsing History in One-Click- Macube Cleaner
• Part 4: How to Enable Private Browsing in Safari on iPhone/iPad
• Part 5: How to Remove Private Browsing Mode in Safari on iPhone/iPad

Whether you are surfing the internet using a friend’s device or not, the private browsing mode on Safari will save you the stress of wiping your browsing data, such as search history, cookies, and caches, all of which slows down browsing speed and also exposes your online privacy. The private browsing mode lets you navigate the internet with minimal tracking.

However, mind you, for you to use this browsing mode, you have to activate it from your Safari browser, since it's not the default browsing mode. There are several ways to go about this depending on the Apple device you are using. We will discuss this here in this post as we look at how to browse privately on Safari. Keep reading.

What Is Private Browsing?

Private browsing is a feature tucked into many browsers, such as Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and more, to protect your online privacy. The feature is designed to help you conceal your browsing data so that whatever browser you are using doesn't have anything about your browsing session. It offers a great way to minimize tracking.

Why should you use private browsing in Safari Mac?

Private browsing mode comes in handy when you want to surf the internet using Safari on Mac for the following reasons:

• Privacy Protection

When you activate the private browsing mode on your Safari browser, your browsing data is hidden. No one can track or know which website you visited. Also, your browsing preference is completely safe, since cookies and cached are completely disabled I'm private browsing.

• Improved Browsing Speed  

Private browsing improves your browsing speed, thereby enhancing your browsing experience. You might be wondering how possible. Well, browsing search history, caches, and cookies take up little browsing storage which slows down the operations of a web browser.

Part 1. How to Activate Private Browsing in Safari on Mac

Having discussed the importance/reasons for using private browsing, let's explore how to activate the feature in Safari Mac. Check out the detailed guide down here to get this done:

How to start a private browsing session in Safari

Step 1: Go to the bottom of your Mac home screen and click on the Safari icon in the dock panel to launch the corresponding browser screen.

Step 2: At the upper left corner of the page that appears, locate the File button, and click on it. You should get a flyout menu without several options in response to your click. Select New Private Window to proceed.

Alternatively, you can hold down Shift + Command + N on your keyboard to open a private browsing screen.

Step 3: The next screen that appears is the private browsing page. You will notice a dark Smart Search field on the page just as seen below:

This signifies that you are using incognito or private browsing mode on Safari.

How to open a private tab in Safari

If you are looking to browse multiple private browsing screens, you may have to launch several tabs to ease and hasten your activity. A simple way to do this on your Safari browser is given below:

Step 1: Once you get on the private browsing screen, locate and click on the + icon in the toolbar section. Alternatively, you can press down Command + T .

Step 2: Once done, a new private browsing tab will open. Use the step 1 procedure as many times as you like to launch as many private tabs as you like.  

• If you are just opening Safari and you haven't activated the private browsing mode, all screens that open when you use the Command + T (or click the + icon in the toolbar section) buttons are in normal browsing mode. Your data will be recorded in this mode.

Steps to always browse privately in Safari

For folks that want to go incognito or private browsing mode permanently, use this instructional guide to achieve this:

Step 1: Run the Safari browser on your Mac computer by clicking on the corresponding button in the dock panel.

Step 2: Next, click on the Safari button at the topmost left corner of the browser page and select Settings from the options. If you don't want to use this approach, you can hold down the Command + ,  buttons to open the Preference window. Here's what the Preference window looks like:

Step 2: Click on the General tab, then head to where you have Safari opens with  and click the drop-down menu beside it. Select A new private window .

Step 3: Close the window and start using the Safari private browsing mode to surf the internet anytime any day.

Part 2. How to Deactivate Private Browsing Mode in Safari Mac?

No longer interested in the private browsing mode in Safari Mac? You can deactivate private browsing easily and quickly using the steps down here:

Step 1: Close the current private browsing page by tapping the  Red icon situated at the upper left corner of the Safari page, or use the Command + W to get the same result.

Step 2: Next, launch the Safari browser again and head to where you have the File icon. Click on the corresponding button, then choose New Window to use the regular window for your internet activities.

• The guide above works best when you haven't configured Safari to browse privately permanently. However, if you’ve done that, kindly follow these instructions down here:
• 1. Run Safari and click on the Safari button at the top left corner of the page that comes up.
• 2. Click Settings and navigate to the General tab.
• 3. Now select A new window from the flyout menu beside Safari opens with .

Part 3. Clear Safari Private Browsing History in One-Click- Macube Cleaner

Safari private browsing isn’t completely safe to use, as the browser still reveals some crucial info about you. The Safari private mode stores your IP address, plus download history in its database. If you want to be completely anonymous (safe), you need to install a privacy protection tool that offers top-notch services.

There are several tools you can count on, but we recommend the Macube Cleaner - a multipurpose software program dedicated to offering five star privacy protection services to end-users. This software protects online privacy by simply clearing your browsing data on web browsers such as Safari, Chrome and Firefox.

Macube Cleaner powers one of the best cleaning algorithms that clears your entire Mac to optimize its operations within the shortest time frame. With the simplified interface layout and impressive features tucked into this software, Mac users can quickly create over 500+ GB of memory space with just a few clicks.  

Free Download Free Download

Key Features

• 1-click to clear your Safari private and regular browsing mode without compromising users’ data.
• The fastest Mac cleanup suite with a fast speed to scan and delete unwanted files or data.
• Simplified user interface with easy-to-grasp features you can count on to help you clean up your Mac and optimize the operations.
• Supports over 5+ cleaning modes, such as duplicate finder, uninstaller, large and old files cleaner, file shredder, and many more.
• Macube Cleaner is highly secured, so it's safe to use.

Steps to Clear Safari Private Browsing History

With the simple guide below, you can clear your private browsing history in the Safari browser on your Mac using Macube Cleaner:

Step 1:  Download and install Macube on your Mac computer. Load the software, and click on the Privacy  icon on the left sidebar. (I revised it)

Once done, tap the blue Scan  button to proceed.

Step 2:  Next, the Macube Cleaner will run a quick check on your Mac computer, scanning the Safari, Chrome, and Firefox browsers. When the scanning is over, the software will display the browsing data for each web browser on the left sidebar, just as seen below:

Step 3:  Select the Safari browser, and the corresponding browsing data, including search history, downloads, cookies, and caches, will come up on the right hand panel. Select the browsing history to delete by ticking the box beside the URL link.

Once this is finished, click Clean  and Macube Cleaner will proceed to clear your private browsing history.

Part 4. How to Enable Private Browsing in Safari on iPhone/iPad

If you don't own a Mac computer but have another Apple device like iPhone or iPad, you can also activate the private browsing mode on Safari. The procedure to follow is super easy, and quick.

Once you enable private browsing on Safari, your browsing data is safe and Apple can't track your web activity. Also, no data from your private browsing session will sync to Cloud. This means none of your iCloud-connected devices would have your browsing history.

Choose any of the guides that correspond with your iDevice to enable private browsing on it:

• Click on the Safari browser button on your Home Screen and the page shown below will pop up:

• Next, click the Tabs button located at the bottom right corner of the page. Once done, this page will be displayed on your iPhone screen:

• Click on the [Number] Tabs to launch the window labeled Tab Groups , just as seen below:

• Now click Private and select Done to activate private browsing mode on your Safari browser.

Alternatively,

• You can just hold down the Tabs button at the bottom right corner of your Safari browser page.
• Select Private or New Private Tab  and the private browser window will come up.
• Mind you, the private browsing window will display a black or dark search field instead of white.

• On your iPad Home Screen, find the Safari browser icon and click on it.
• Next, hold down the Tabs button, which is situated in the top right corner of the Safari browser page.

• Choose New Private Tab  to switch from regular mode to private browsing mode.

• Once done, the search field will turn black as opposed to the white color shown when you are using the regular mode.

Part 5. How to Remove Private Browsing Mode in Safari on iPhone/iPad

You can always exit the private browsing mode in Safari on your iPhone or iPad. Here's how to do this for the different iDevices:

• While you are on the Safari browser page, click on the Tabs button.
• Next, hit the Private drop-down menu at the center of the page to access Tab Groups .
• Now click on the [Numbers] Tab  to activate regular browsing mode.

• On the Safari browser page, locate the Tabs button at the top right corner. Click the button to proceed.

• Next, hit the Private drop-down icon and you get the response window down here:

• Now choose the [Number] Tabs and Safari will exit private browsing mode immediately.

Private browsing on Safari a secure way to protect your online privacy while surfing the internet on any Apple device, whether iPhone, iPad or even the Mac computer system. When you activate the function, your browsing data remain hidden. However, mind you, this function doesn’t keep you anonymous completely.

For instance, downloaded files are trackable, as Safari private browsing doesn’t hide them. Also, your IP can be tracked while using the Safari private mode. If you want to remain anonymous, then you need to install the Macube Cleaner to come to your rescue. The software helps you clear your entire browsing session, both in regular and private browsing mode. You should try the software out today!

People Also Read

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• Editorial guidelines

Links on Super Easy may earn us a commission. Our Editorial Guideline .

How to Private Browsing on Mac

Updated: September 19, 2022

33 Revisions

Private browsing means you’re surfing the web without storing your search history. If you don’t want others to know which website you’ve been looking at, you need to enable the private browsing mode.

Private Browsing on Safari

Safari is a built-in browser on Mac. You can easily enable private browsing mode on Safari and enjoy surfing. There’s are two ways to enable private browsing:

WAY 1 : Open Safari and hold the Command + Shift + N keys together. The new Private browsing window will jump out.

WAY 2 : Open Safari and click File > New Private Window .

Then search the web as you normally do.

When you’re done, just close the window.

Always open with Private Browsing

If you want your Safari always open windows with Private Browsing, you can follow the steps below.

• Open Safari.

Private Browsing on Chrome

If you’re a Chrome user, you can also use the private browsing mode. In Chrome, this mode is called Incognito.

• Open Chrome.

You’ll only browse in private when you’re using an Incognito window.

To exit the private browsing mode, just close the window.

Private Browsing on Firefox

With 2 clicks, you can enable the Private browsing on Firefox.

• Open Firefox.
• Click File > New Private Window. Or press the Command + Shift + N keys together.

Bonus Tip: Hide your IP address from your school/company/ISP

You should know that private browsing only stops storing your searching history, but won’t hide your device’s IP address. Also, if you don’t want your activity to be seen by your school/company/ISP (Internet Service Provider), Private Browsing mode won’t help.

But don’t worry, VPN service could let you keep your information from them safely.

VPN stands for  Virtual Private Network . When you’re using this service, your IP address will be masked. So VPN can bypass geo-restrictions to get all add-ons and media streaming you desired and protects you from snooping eyes to secure your data. If you are browsing without a VPN, the Internet Service Provider can public your IP address, your personal data is at risk. Through VPN, your ISP ( Internet Service Providers) doesn’t know what you are streaming. VPNs can lead you directly to the server without passing by the ISP to reduce the speed loss and avoid the restrictions. And your personal data is protected as well.

With a VPN, your internet speed will be more stable. Because VPN reduces the internet speed loss to provide you better user experience.

If you have any suggestions and questions, please leave your comment below. Thanks for reading.

By Iris Zheng

I have worked as a content writer for years and have found great joy and meaning in this profession. As a member of a company's writing team, I have benefited from continuous training and learning opportunities. These experiences have not only improved my research skills and learning abilities but have also enabled me to quickly find valuable and accurate information in the vast sea of data.

My previous work in banking instilled meticulous work habits in me. I carefully inspect and verify information I collect with the aim of providing readers with authentic and reliable content. My skills and cautious nature not only allow me to offer robust support to readers in my professional life but also position me as a source of information and advice for my family and friends in my personal life.

I derive immense enjoyment and a profound sense of accomplishment from assisting others. If my articles are able to assist you in any way, it would be both an honor and a personal achievement. This motivation will continue to inspire me to pursue constant improvement and produce more valuable content.

Contributor(s):

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iPhone User Guide

• iPhone models compatible with iOS 17
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• Setup basics
• Make your iPhone your own
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• Expert advice from Apple Support
• What’s new in iOS 17
• Turn on and set up iPhone
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• Get started with FaceTime
• Make FaceTime calls
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• Track daily activity and change your move goal
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• Work out together using SharePlay
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• Get started with Freeform
• Create a Freeform board
• Draw or handwrite
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• Get started with Health
• Fill out your Health Details
• Intro to Health data
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• Intro to Home
• Upgrade to the new Home architecture
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• Write in your journal
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• Read aloud text and labels around you
• Set up shortcuts for Detection Mode
• Add and remove email accounts
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• Use Hide My Email
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• Change settings for spoken directions
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• Delete significant locations
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• Use the level
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• About iMessage
• Send and reply to messages
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• Queue up your music
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• Listen to lossless music
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• Get personalized recommendations
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• See what your friends are listening to
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• Change the way music sounds
• Get started with News
• Use News widgets
• See news stories chosen just for you
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• Follow your favorite teams with My Sports
• Listen to Apple News Today
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• Browse and read Apple News+ stories and issues
• Download Apple News+ issues
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• Get started with Notes
• Add or remove accounts
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• Use iCloud Photos
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• Set up or join an iCloud Shared Photo Library
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• Listen to podcasts
• Follow your favorite podcasts
• Use the Podcasts widget
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• Share Tab Groups
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• Bookmark favorite webpages
• Save pages to a Reading List
• Find links shared with you
• Annotate and save a webpage as a PDF
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• Get extensions
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• Clear your cache
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• Use passkeys in Safari
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• Subscribe to Apple TV+, MLS Season Pass, or an Apple TV channel
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• Watch Major League Soccer with MLS Season Pass
• Control playback
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• Add identity cards
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• Use Express Mode
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• Tell Siri about yourself
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• Change Siri settings
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• Get started with Screen Time
• Protect your vision health with Screen Distance
• Set up Screen Time
• Set communication and safety limits and block inappropriate content
• Charging cable
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• Use EarPods
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• Pair Magic Keyboard
• Enter characters with diacritical marks
• Switch between keyboards
• Use shortcuts
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• Change typing assistance options
• External storage devices
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• Share your internet connection
• Allow phone calls on your iPad and Mac
• Use iPhone as a webcam
• Hand off tasks between devices
• Cut, copy, and paste between iPhone and other devices
• Stream video or mirror the screen of your iPhone
• Start SharePlay instantly
• Use AirDrop to send items
• Connect iPhone and your computer with a cable
• Transfer files between devices
• Transfer files with email, messages, or AirDrop
• Transfer files or sync content with the Finder or iTunes
• Automatically keep files up to date with iCloud
• Use an external storage device, a file server, or a cloud storage service
• Intro to CarPlay
• Connect to CarPlay
• Use your vehicle’s built-in controls
• Get turn-by-turn directions
• Change the map view
• Make phone calls
• View your calendar
• Send and receive text messages
• Announce incoming text messages
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• Play audiobooks
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• Rearrange icons on CarPlay Home
• Change settings in CarPlay
• Get started with accessibility features
• Turn on accessibility features for setup
• Change Siri accessibility settings
• Open features with Accessibility Shortcut
• Change color and brightness
• Make text easier to read
• Reduce onscreen motion
• Customize per-app visual settings
• Hear what’s on the screen or typed
• Hear audio descriptions
• Turn on and practice VoiceOver
• Change your VoiceOver settings
• Use VoiceOver gestures
• Operate iPhone when VoiceOver is on
• Control VoiceOver using the rotor
• Use the onscreen keyboard
• Write with your finger
• Use VoiceOver with an Apple external keyboard
• Use a braille display
• Type braille on the screen
• Customize gestures and keyboard shortcuts
• Use VoiceOver with a pointer device
• Use VoiceOver for images and videos
• Use VoiceOver in apps
• Use AssistiveTouch
• Adjust how iPhone responds to your touch
• Use Reachability
• Auto-answer calls
• Turn off vibration
• Change Face ID and attention settings
• Use Voice Control
• Adjust the side or Home button
• Use Apple TV Remote buttons
• Adjust pointer settings
• Adjust keyboard settings
• Adjust AirPods settings
• Turn on Apple Watch Mirroring
• Control a nearby Apple device
• Intro to Switch Control
• Set up and turn on Switch Control
• Select items, perform actions, and more
• Control several devices with one switch
• Use hearing devices
• Use Live Listen
• Use sound recognition
• Set up and use RTT and TTY
• Flash the LED for alerts
• Adjust audio settings
• Play background sounds
• Display subtitles and captions
• Show transcriptions for Intercom messages
• Get Live Captions (beta)
• Type to speak
• Record a Personal Voice
• Use Guided Access
• Use built-in privacy and security protections
• Set a passcode
• Set up Face ID
• Set up Touch ID
• Control access to information on the Lock Screen
• Keep your Apple ID secure
• Use passkeys to sign in to apps and websites
• Sign in with Apple
• Share passwords
• Automatically fill in strong passwords
• Change weak or compromised passwords
• View your passwords and related information
• Share passkeys and passwords securely with AirDrop
• Make your passkeys and passwords available on all your devices
• Automatically fill in verification codes
• Automatically fill in SMS passcodes
• Sign in with fewer CAPTCHA challenges
• Use two-factor authentication
• Use security keys
• Manage information sharing with Safety Check
• Control app tracking permissions
• Control the location information you share
• Control access to information in apps
• Control how Apple delivers advertising to you
• Control access to hardware features
• Create and manage Hide My Email addresses
• Protect your web browsing with iCloud Private Relay
• Use a private network address
• Use Advanced Data Protection
• Use Lockdown Mode
• Use Stolen Device Protection
• Receive warnings about sensitive content
• Use Contact Key Verification
• Turn iPhone on or off
• Force restart iPhone
• Back up iPhone
• Return iPhone settings to their defaults
• Restore all content from a backup
• Restore purchased and deleted items
• Sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone
• Erase iPhone
• Install or remove configuration profiles
• Important safety information
• Important handling information
• Find more resources for software and service
• FCC compliance statement
• ISED Canada compliance statement
• Ultra Wideband information
• Class 1 Laser information
• Apple and the environment
• Disposal and recycling information
• Unauthorized modification of iOS

Browse privately in Safari on iPhone

Visit sites privately

You can use Private Browsing to open private tabs that don’t appear in History on iPhone or in the list of tabs on your other devices. Tabs in Private Browsing aren’t shared with your other Apple devices, even if you’re signed in with the same Apple ID .

If you have a passcode set on your iPhone, Private Browsing locks when it’s not in use. Private Browsing may not lock immediately.

Swipe right on the tab bar at the bottom of the screen until Private Browsing opens, then tap Unlock.

Note: Any Safari extensions you have installed that have access to browsing data are automatically turned off in Private Browsing. To turn on an extension in Private Browsing, see Use extensions .

Choose a search engine for Private Browsing

Tap Private Search Engine, then choose a search engine.

View the Privacy Report

Safari helps prevent trackers from following you across websites and viewing your IP address. You can review the Privacy Report to see a summary of trackers that have been encountered and prevented by Intelligent Tracking Prevention on the current webpage you’re visiting. You can also review and adjust Safari settings to keep your browsing activities private from others who use the same device, and help protect yourself from malicious websites.

Use iCloud Private Relay to browse the web with more privacy

When you subscribe to iCloud+ , you can use iCloud Private Relay to help prevent websites and network providers from creating a detailed profile about you. When iCloud Private Relay is turned on, the traffic leaving your iPhone is encrypted and sent through two separate internet relays. This prevents websites from seeing your IP address and exact location while it prevents network providers from collecting your browsing activity in Safari.

See Protect your web browsing with iCloud Private Relay on iPhone to learn how to:

Turn iCloud Private Relay completely on or off for your iPhone.

Turn iCloud Private Relay on or off for a specific Wi-Fi or cellular network.

Turn iCloud Private Relay off temporarily.

Set the specificity of your IP address location.

Temporarily allow a website to see your IP address

If a website relies on IP filtering, monitoring, or rate-limiting, it might require your IP address to be visible. You can turn off iCloud Private Relay temporarily for that website only.

Note: iCloud Private Relay isn’t available in all countries or regions. See the iOS and iPadOS Feature Availability website .

Tap Show IP Address.

Your IP address remains visible to that website until you leave the website or close its Safari tab. iCloud Private Relay remains on for other websites.

To turn off or pause iCloud Private Relay for all websites, see Protect your web browsing with iCloud Private Relay on iPhone .

Control privacy and security settings for Safari

Prevent Cross-Site Tracking: Safari limits third-party cookies and data by default. Turn this option off to allow cross-site tracking.

Hide IP address: Safari automatically protects your IP address from known trackers. For eligible iCloud+ subscribers, your IP address is protected from trackers and websites as you browse in Safari. If this option is off, your IP address isn’t hidden.

Fraudulent Website Warning: Safari displays a warning if you’re visiting a suspected phishing website. Turn this option off if you don’t want to be warned about fraudulent websites.

Camera: Choose whether Safari websites can use your camera without asking you first. Tap Camera, then choose Ask, Deny, or Allow.

Microphone: Choose whether Safari websites can use your microphone without asking you first. Tap Microphone, then choose Ask, Deny, or Allow.

Location: Choose whether Safari websites can use your location without asking you first. Tap Location, then choose Ask, Deny, or Allow.

VPNoverview.com Privacy Anonymous Browsing Everything You Need to Know About Safari Private Browsing

Everything You Need to Know About Safari Private Browsing

Ever wondered what Safari Private Browsing does exactly? Chances are it might not be giving you the level of online privacy you expect. Safari Private Browsing does have some perks, including:

• Stopping Safari from remembering the websites you’ve visited
• Not storing any new usernames, passwords, payments cards, and other information you input into private browsing
• Forgetting any search engine queries you’ve run
• Allowing you to save money by avoiding marketing cookies that might inflate prices

However, this is pretty much all the privacy that you’ll get with Safari Private Browsing. This incognito mode  won’t cloak your IP address, encrypt your internet traffic, or make you safe on public Wi-Fi . Private browsing still leaves you pretty exposed to a lot of the risks that come with connecting to the internet.

For true online anonymity, you’ll need to use a VPN to change your IP address . We’re big fans of ExpressVPN, one of the fastest VPNs in the industry.

Below, you’ll find more information on how to use Safari Private Browsing on all your Apple devices, as well as more details on how this incognito mode does and doesn’t protect your privacy.

If you use a Mac, iPhone, or iPad, then chances are you’ve encountered Safari Private Browsing before. Whether you’re shopping for a partner’s gift or want to snoop on a long-lost colleague’s LinkedIn, there are many reasons why you might want to use private mode in Safari.

In this article, we answer the question, what is Safari Private Browsing ? We’ll also tell you what this handy tool can’t  do to save you any embarrassment or risk to your online security.

What is Safari Private Browsing?

There’s a little more to this method of browsing than meets the eye, but we’ll go into specifics further down in this article. The point is, for a more private experience, you can use Safari’s incognito mode . You’ll be logged out of all accounts, and Safari won’t autofill user logins, passwords, or payment information. When you turn on private browsing, Safari won’t remember :

• Your search engine history
• Webpages you’ve visited
• Browsing activity or history

You should, however, be aware of a major drawback of this tool on Macs: your browsing activity likely isn’t as hidden as you might think. Websites you visit can still see who you are and what you’re doing . You can read more about this in our general incognito mode article .

With Macs, Private Browsing information is logged in a different place, as well: your Terminal archive.

Beware the Mac Terminal archive

On Macs, there’s something called the Terminal archive , and it’s as scary as it sounds — well, for fans of privacy at least. It’s a treasure trove for snoops. The Terminal archive contains all of the websites you visit , whether you’re using Safari Private Browsing or not. This is because your Mac stores static images and other files when you visit a website for the first time. This makes future visits to these sites and page loading much faster, as your Mac pulls the relevant files from the Terminal archive.

This command-line function also lets you make systemic changes to your Mac . For most users, there’ll never be a need to make any changes in the Terminal archive, and you shouldn’t if you don’t know what you’re doing. You could end up breaking something critical in your computer’s operating system if you tinker with the Terminal.

However, it is good to know that, even when you’re using Safari’s Private Browsing mode, your online activity is logged here.

Make your Safari Private Browsing truly private

By now, you might be asking yourself: how do I clear the cache on my Mac? Well, today’s your lucky day.  Below, you’ll find a brief, step-by-step guide to clearing the cache on a Mac . Just make sure not to do anything else while inside the Terminal.

• Open “ Finder ,” then search for “ Terminal ” in the search bar.
• Run the  Terminal  application.
• Paste the following text into the Terminal and hit enter: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

You may have to enter your Admin password to proceed. This is going to flush the DNS cache.

Remember that you shouldn’t do anything else inside of the Terminal application unless you know what you’re doing. It only takes a short command to nuke files or entire directories in this app forever! So, tread carefully.

Why You Should Use Safari Private Browsing on Macs and iOS

We can hypothesize all we want, but you’ve probably got a good idea of why you  use private browsing. According to a 2018 research study , the most common reason people use private browsing is so others that are using a shared device can’t see what they’re doing. This comes down to protecting two things from other users of your device:

• Their personal data
• Their browsing activity

Fortunately, these are two things that Safari Private Mode manages to do wonderfully. Below, you can read more about what else Safari Private Browsing does for you .

Online privacy

• Your browser won’t remember what websites you’ve visited.  Anything you browse while you’re in private browsing mode won’t be remembered by Safari. So, if you start shopping online for gifts or a product that you find embarrassing, you won’t usually have to worry about your friends or family coming across your browsing history.
• Safari won’t suggest usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and so   on.  You’ve probably noticed that Safari can remember usernames, passwords, credit cards, and other information when you use it for the first time. If you tell your Mac, smartphone, or tablet to remember those details, they’ll be automatically filled in the next time you visit the website. With Safari Private Mode enabled, these kinds of details won’t be stored: you won’t be prompted to save or autofill them at all.
• Your search engine queries won’t be remembered . If you’ve been shopping for gifts or trying to self-diagnose, you probably don’t want other users of the computer to see what you’ve searched for . Normally, you’ll see suggested searches popping up in search engines like Google. Based on your past searches and clicks, some links might be colored purple instead of blue, too. In private browsing mode, these won’t appear, nor will any new searches be stored.

How to pay less with Safari Private Browsing

There’s more to private mode options than just online security. You could also save money with Safari Private Browsing, as you won’t be quoted higher prices for products you’ve already viewed. When you visit a website, cookies (small text files) are stored on your computer by your browser.

These kinds of cookies aren’t delicious or rewarding at all. Instead, they allow the site to track you and figure out that you’re interested in, for example, a particular holiday destination. This can result in you seeing higher airfares, hotel booking fees, and more. Just turn on Safari’s Private Browsing to s top cookies from being stored on your browser and avoid hiked prices.

How to Go Incognito on Safari

Safari Private Browsing on a Mac

Using  Safari Private Browsing  on a Mac is simple. If you’re reading this on a Mac, you can skip step one in our step-by-step guide below:

• Open Safari on your Mac.
• Click on “ File ” in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
• Select “ New Private Window .” This will open a new private tab, but you can open as many private tabs in your tab bar as you need.

It’s that simple. Now, any new tab you open within this new private browsing window will be a private browsing tab. Give it a whirl by opening some new private tabs and navigating to a website you frequently log into. You’ll notice that your username and password aren’t suggested for autofill as they usually would be .

Also, you’ll know that you’re in private browsing, as the URL bar will have a gray background rather than the usual white. Just remember to ignore or close your existing browser window if you had any open. If in doubt, check the background color of the URL bar.

Finally, to  turn off private browsing in Safari , simply click the red cross in the corner of the browser window as you usually would.

Safari Private Browsing on an iPhone

Using  Safari’s private browsing mode on an iPhone or iPad is fairly straightforward and could increase your privacy on an iPhone . If you’re running  iOS 14 or earlier , simply follow the steps below:

• Open  Safari on your phone.
• Tap on the “ Tabs ” button. That’s the two small squares in the bottom-right corner of your Safari window on iPhone.
• A new option called “Private” should appear.
• Tap “ Private ” and you’ll be taken to a blank screen confirming that you’re using Private Browsing Mode . You’ll notice that it’s using the same gray color scheme as Safari for Mac.
• Lastly, click on the small “ + ” (plus) icon to launch a private browsing window.

If you’re using  Apple’s latest iPhone update, iOS 15.1.1 , you’ll need to follow a slightly different (and hey, we’ll say it — more confusing) set of steps:

• Tap on the “ Tabs ” button.
• Tap where it says “ X Tab(s) ” – this number will reflect the number of windows you have open.
• Tap “ Private .”
• Now, you’re in Private Browsing mode and can click the small “ + ” (plus) icon to launch a new private window.

Again, turning off private browsing in Safari for iPhones or iPads is simple. Just press the same “ Private ” button that you used to enable the feature. Don’t forget, if you have multiple private tabs open, they won’t close automatically. Swipe each tab closed before you exit private mode if you want to leave no trace.

How to Set Safari Private Browsing as the Default

If you’d rather always browse privately, you can also set Safari Private Browsing as your default, so that it opens automatically whenever you open a new tab or window. Check out the step-by-step instructions below for a Mac :

• Make sure your active application is Safari, then select “ Safari ” from your Mac’s toolbar at the top of your screen. Click on “ Preferences ” next, which can also be accessed using the keyboard shortcut “ Command ” + “ , ” (that’s Command, plus a comma).
• Now, you should see the Privacy window for Safari. Click on the “ General ” tab.
• Next to “Safari opens with”, select “ A new private window ” from the drop-down list.

While you  can’t automatically use Safari Private Browsing by default on mobile , there are some options for minimizing what’s remembered, stored, or recommended. Here’s how you get there:

• Open the “ Settings ” application.
• Scroll down until you see “ Safari ” and tap on that option.

Now, you’ll have the choice to use a number of features. You can:

• Disable search engine suggestions
• Disable Safari suggestions specifically
• Turn off autofill for Safari , either for personal information, payment information, or both
• Disable “ Favorites “, which you can save in your Safari app’s home screen
• Turn off “ Frequently Visited Sites “, which appear below your favorites

In this menu, you can also  prevent cross-site tracking and  block all cookies on the websites that you visit. In the event that you forget to launch Safari Private Browsing, these options should give you at least a little more privacy whenever you go online.

Is Safari Private Browsing Safe?

That last risk is surprisingly common on public Wi-Fi networks  too. Bear in mind that private browsing doesn’t protect you against malware (malicious software) either, nor does it protect your payment information or other personal details . For true online anonymity and to  improve your online security , you should give serious thought to using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) .

How to use a VPN with Safari Private Browsing

Using a VPN along with Safari Private Browsing should give you the online security you’re looking for. In addition to avoiding any logged browsing history or search history , you’ll be much harder to track and enjoy greater online anonymity. You can check out the many advantages of a VPN for more information. Want to get started right away? The following steps will only take a few minutes of your time:

• Choose a VPN provider and create an account. We recommend checking out our list of the best VPNs if this is new ground for you. Alternatively, ExpressVPN is a market-leading VPN provider that we’re always happy to recommend.
• Download and install  the VPN software onto your Mac. You can also download ExpressVPN for mobile on your iPhone. Other premium providers like NordVPN, CyberGhost, and Surfshark all offer really slick mobile apps for iOS, too.
• Log into your account , either in the desktop software or the mobile app.
• Choose a VPN server in a country of your choice. If you’re purely interested in online security, then the location you choose isn’t  too  important (though some will be faster than others). However, if you want to  save money on subscriptions , for example, you should give it some more thought.
• Connect to the VPN server . When you connect, you’ll be  changing your IP address to mirror the VPN server’s IP. It’s safe, legal ( in most countries ), and best of all, it’ll give you far greater online security than simply using Safari Private Browsing alone.

Safari Private Browsing is perfect for hiding those Christmas or birthday purchases from your family before the big day. It’s also a great way to save money on flights, hotels , or other purchases. However, it won’t do much for your online security. If you want  truly private browsing , then use a VPN along with Safari private mode.

Interested in exploring other private browsers? Check out these articles below:

• How Anonymous Is DuckDuckGo?
• Is Vivaldi Browser Safe?
• How to Set Up Firefox as an Anonymous Browser

Do you want to know how to enable private browsing on Safari? Are you wondering how much privacy Safari Private Browsing actually gives you? You’ll find these answers and more in our frequently asked questions below.

To turn on Private Browsing in Safari for Mac, follow these simple steps:

• Make sure Safari is the active application that you’re using.
• Click on  File in the menu bar along the top of the screen.
• Click on  New Private Window to switch to private browsing mode.

To turn on Private Browsing in Safari for iPhone or iPad, the process is much the same:

• Open the  Safari application.
• Tap on the  Tabs icon (the two small squares in the lower-right corner of your screen).
• Tap on  Private to switch to private browsing.
• Click on the small  + (plus) icon to open a new private browsing tab.

Check out our full article for more information on Safari Private Browsing.

No. Safari Private Browsing, like any browser’s private mode, won’t protect you against a lot of online threats. Your IP address will still be visible to many third-party individuals and organizations. For example, your ISP will know what websites you’ve visited, and hackers could determine your location using your IP (though some private modes do limit location tracking). For true online privacy and anonymity, you’re safer using a VPN like ExpressVPN .

With Private Browsing, it’s more difficult for websites to track you, since cookies are cleared the moment you close the browser — but it’s not impossible. Your ISP (Internet Service Provider), employer, school, or college could still see your internet history . That is, unless you use a VPN along with the incognito mode.

Yes. The owner of an internet connection can absolutely check up on your browsing session if they have the right technical knowledge. Some routers can be set up to remember all URLs a device accesses. So, if you’re trying to fly under your parents’ radar, for example, they could potentially bust you using the family router, even if you’re exclusively using private browsing modes.

For true anonymity , you’ll want to use a VPN. With a VPN connection, all of your internet traffic is encrypted, which gives you far better anonymity and privacy than using private browsing on its own.

Chris Bluvshtein Author

Senior journalist.

Chris is a tech journalist with many years’ experience covering online privacy and cybersecurity. He’s also a published author and works as a Product Manager for some of the most innovative software development companies.

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Hi Chris , I’m finding while using private mode in safari my sound is being cut out and I have not been able to find a way to reconnect it. I use it on a iPad with a vpn and trend anti spam for protection as much as it can in private mode. I have not been able to find any reason as to why this is happening.

Hey Wayne, I've done a bit of digging, and I've found something that might be worth a try. It seems that recent versions of Safari have a built-in feature that can prevent audio from playing when you visit a website; it's enabled by default too. Give this a try and let me know if the issue goes away: 1. Open the Safari menu and click preferences 2. Click on the websites tab 3. Look for the setting: "When visiting other websites", which has a drop-down selection beside it 4. Change this setting so that it allows websites with media to play sound. You can alternatively add individual websites to this list if you'd rather have control over which ones can play sound by default.

Hi Chris Just tried your Terminal Commands, I am running macOS Monterey The Terminal Commands Below are not working dscacheutil -cachedump -entries Host dscacheutil -flushcache

You're right. Thank you for pointing it out to us! There is a new terminal command you'll now need instead: "sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder". We've adjusted the article to reflect this. Hope this helps!

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Take a look at our overview of the most trustworthy, fast, and safe VPN services. Extensively tested by our experts.

How to Always Open Private Browsing by Default on Android and iPhone

Jump right into Incognito mode when you launch your web browser.

Quick Links

How to launch your iphone browser in private browsing mode, how to launch your android browser in incognito mode.

Tired of having to manually switch to an incognito tab every time you want to surf the web privately? There are easier ways to go about this on your phone. We'll teach you how to open your browser in private mode on Android and iPhone.

If you use Safari as the default browser on your iPhone , you're probably familiar with the steps to open a Private Browsing tab—tap the Tabs icon, swipe right on the tab bar, and then tap the screen. This is far from convenient if you regularly use Safari's Private Browsing feature.

So, the next time you want to browse privately, long-press the Safari app icon and select New Private Tab from the context menu. Note that you may not see this if you haven't opened a private tab in Safari before.

If you use other popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, you can long-press the respective app's icon to see similar options like Incognito Search or New InPrivate Tab .

You can open a web browser in private mode on Android by following the same steps. Just long-press the app icon and choose the New Private Tab or New Incognito Tab option from the context menu.

Additionally, Android lets you create a Home screen shortcut for this context menu item. You can use it to launch a private browsing tab on Android with a single tap.

Long-press your browser's app icon on your Home screen, then long-press the New Private Tab or New Incognito Tab option, depending on your browser. Doing so will create an app icon you can drag and drop anywhere on the Home screen.

The next time you want to open a private tab, you simply need to tap this app shortcut. From my testing, I found that Firefox, Chrome, Edge, and Opera have these context menu options.

If you use Chrome, you can use its Home screen widget to quickly open an Incognito tab. To add this widget, long-press on any empty area on your Android phone and select Widgets . Type "Chrome" in the search field and expand the dropdown to see all available widgets. Scroll down, select the Chrome Shortcuts widget, and tap Add .

When you want to use it, simply tap the Incognito icon in the widget to launch Chrome in private mode. And while you're at it, you can follow our tips to enhance Chrome's Incognito mode on Android .

With these simple workarounds, you can always launch your browser in private mode. However, you should know that browsing incognito isn't fully private, and you can still be tracked . Fear not, though; there are several other ways to browse the web anonymously .

Apple May Give FineWoven Accessories 1 More Season Before Ending the Line

T here's an update to the rumor about FineWoven, an Apple creation made of 68% postconsumer recycled content and used for phone cases, smartwatch bands and the like. On Sunday, Kosutami, a noted Apple leaker, said in a  post on X  that the company had ended production of the new material less than a year after its launch. And in a new post to X on Tuesday , Kosutami said there will be one more "season" of FineWoven items, even featuring some new colors, before it's gone for good. It's not clear how long the material will continue to be used or which new colors will be introduced.

FineWoven was big news when it was first announced in September 2023 as an eco-friendly alternative to leather  for Apple accessories. Apple cited the sizable environmental impact of leather production and praised FineWoven's subtle luster and suede-like feel, but apparently it wasn't as durable as the company needed it to be.

Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

If the rumors of the material's discontinuation are true, they wouldn't be terribly surprising. Apple refreshed its case lineup just last month  and included some snazzy new springlike colors, and none of the refreshed cases were from the FineWoven brand. The refreshed watchbands also failed to include any new FineWoven variants. 9to5Mac  noted that Apple downplayed FineWoven last week when the company bragged about its environmental initiatives over the last year. 

So if FineWoven is going to be phased out, the writing is clearly on the wall. Kosutami noted that Apple is allegedly working on a new nonleather material to replace FineWoven. We'll likely hear more about that when the iPhone 16 launches in September, since Apple likes to announce new iPhone accessories with the new iPhone every year. That is, of course, provided that the rumor is true.

FineWoven was falling apart

The biggest issue with FineWoven is its durability. CNET's Patrick Holland took the iPhone 15 Pro Max's FineWoven case for a spin last year and found some notable durability issues. First, a few drops of salt water from the stingray exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences permanently stained the case. 

After just one week of use, the case also developed a circular indentation formed where the phone was charged on a MagSafe charger. An accidental tumble into some avocado toast left a dark stain in one corner. Wiping the MagSafe case with soapy water and a soft cloth fixed most of the issues, but even after a thorough clean, the case looked old and beat up after just one week.

Holland wasn't alone in his assessment. There are hundreds of reports, YouTube videos and social media posts from journalists, consumers and influencers showing how easily the case could be damaged. In one notable example, YouTube reviewer Dave2D was able to scuff the case with one swipe of his fingernail.

There are some examples online of people liking the case and even defending some of the criticisms. After all, a fingernail can leave a permanent mark on leather as well. However, the micro twill cases also had a reputation for peeling, falling apart and hanging onto grime a lot more than Apple's old leather cases. It was bad enough that we omitted the material from our best iPhone 15 case list . 

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