Each time you load a web page in the Google Chrome browser on your computer, potentially sensitive data is stored on your hard drive. If other people use your computer, keep things private by browsing in Incognito Mode.

What to Know

  • Select the Chrome main menu button (three vertical dots in the upper-right corner). Choose New Incognito Window.Alternatively, press Ctrl+Shift+N on Chrome OS, Linux, and Windows, or press Cmd+Shift+N on Mac OS X or macOS.While in Incognito Mode, Chrome does not save your browsing history, cookies, site data, or information entered in forms.

How to Open Incognito Mode in Chrome

Data files are used by your computer for a variety of purposes, ranging from keeping a history of the sites you visited to saving site-specific preferences in small text files known as cookies. Chrome Incognito Mode removes most private data components so they are not left behind at the end of the current session.

Select the Chrome main menu button, represented by three vertically placed dots and located in the upper-right corner of the browser window. When the drop-down menu appears, choose New Incognito Window.

To launch incognito mode using a keyboard shortcut, press Ctrl+Shift+N on Chrome OS, Linux, and Windows, or press Cmd+Shift+N on Mac OS X or macOS. You can also open a new incognito window with the File menu on a Macintosh.

You’ve Gone Incognito: The Incognito Window

A new window opens declaring, “You’ve gone incognito.” A status message, as well as a brief explanation, displays in the main portion of the Chrome browser window. You might also notice that the graphics at the top of the window are a shade darker, and the Incognito Mode logo displays in the upper-right corner. While this logo is displayed, all history and temporary internet files are not recorded and stored.

What Incognito Browsing Means

When you browse privately, no one else who uses your computer can see your activity. Bookmarks and downloads are saved, however.

While you are in Incognito Mode, Chrome does not save:

  • Information entered in formsBrowsing historyCookies and site data

Browsing incognito does not make you anonymous on the internet. It merely means your browsing session is sanitized on your own computer.

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