Chrome Incognito Mode is useful when you do not want Chrome to save a browsing session to the local history, cookies, or site data on that device. It is not the same as being anonymous online, so it is important to know the boundary.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Google Chrome on Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, or iPad when you want a private local browsing session, such as checking a gift price, signing into a second account, or searching without leaving a Chrome history entry on the device.
Open Incognito Mode on Windows or Mac
Regular Chrome windows and Incognito windows can stay open at the same time.
- Open Chrome.
- Click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
- Choose New Incognito Window.
- Or use Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Cmd+Shift+N on Mac.
- Look for the dark Incognito window and the glasses icon to confirm the mode is active.
- When finished, close every Incognito window. Chrome then removes that session’s local history, cookies, and site data from the device.
Open Incognito Mode on Android or iPhone
On mobile, Incognito opens as tabs inside the Chrome app.
- Open Chrome.
- Tap the three-dot menu. On many Android layouts it is at the top right; on iPhone it may be at the bottom right.
- Tap New Incognito Tab.
- Use the dark tab area to confirm you are in the Incognito group.
- Use the tab switcher to move between regular and Incognito tabs.
- Close each Incognito tab when done, or use Close all Incognito tabs if your Chrome version shows it.
More control
What Incognito removes
After all Incognito windows or tabs are closed, Chrome removes the history, cookies, and site data from that Incognito session on the device you used. The next person using the same computer should not see that session in Chrome history.
What Incognito does not hide
Your internet provider, employer, school, network administrator, and the websites you visit can still see activity at their level. Incognito does not hide your IP address or make network traffic invisible.
Logging in still identifies you
If you sign into a Google account, shopping account, social account, or work account inside Incognito, that site knows it is you. Websites may also recognize general clues such as IP address or browser fingerprinting.
Use the right privacy tool
If your goal is to avoid saving history on this device, Incognito fits. If your goal is to hide activity from a network or internet provider, a reputable VPN is the more relevant tool.
Sources
- Google Chrome Help – Browse in private (2025)
- Google Chrome Help – Manage Incognito mode in Chrome (2025)
- Google Support – About activity controls for your Google Account (2025)