A Beginner’s Guide to Chrome’s Incognito Mode

Many users believe incognito mode in Chrome is the ultimate privacy solution. While it does provide a layer of local privacy, its limits often confuse beginners. This guide explains what incognito mode is, how to enable it, and why you should combine it with tools like UFO VPN for complete protection.

Megan Sullivan

Oct 3, 2025

Reading time 5 minutes

Table of Contents

What is Incognito Mode in Chrome?

what is incognito mode in chrome

Incognito mode Chrome allows you to browse without saving:

Browsing history
Site data and cookies
Form entries like email or login details

Once you close the incognito window, Chrome erases temporary data. However, downloads and bookmarks remain.

💡 Important: Incognito mode does not hide your activity from your ISP, employer, or the websites you visit.

How to Turn on Incognito Mode

how to turn on incognito mode

Enabling Chrome incognito is simple across devices:

macOS: Open Chrome → three dots “⋮” → New incognito window or shortcut ⌘ + Shift + N.
Windows: Open Chrome → three dots “⋮” → New incognito window or shortcut Ctrl + Shift + N.
Mobile (Android/iOS): Tap the three-dot menu in Chrome → New incognito tab.

A new window with the message “You’ve gone incognito” confirms it’s active.

How to Turn off Incognito Mode

how to turn off incognito mode

Windows
1. Press Win + R → type regedit.
2. Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome
  - (Create keys if they don’t exist.)
3. Right-click → New > DWORD (32-bit) → name it IncognitoModeAvailability → set Value = 1.
4. Restart Chrome. (Set to 0 or delete the value to re-enable.)
macOS
1. Open Terminal.
2. Run:
  
  sudo defaults write com.google.Chrome IncognitoModeAvailability -integer 1
3. Restart Chrome. (Use 0 to re-enable:
  sudo defaults write com.google.Chrome IncognitoModeAvailability -integer 0)

Mobile notes

Android / iOS: Chrome doesn’t provide a native “disable Incognito” switch.
- For kids’ devices, use Google Family Link / Screen Time to manage browsing and app access.
- You can also simply close Incognito tabs to end the session.

Tip: If you’re turning off Incognito to help a family member browse more safely, also enable SafeSearch, restrict extensions, and use a reputable VPN (e.g., UFO VPN) on public Wi-Fi to keep connections encrypted.

What Incognito Mode Hides

what incognito mode hides

What it hides:

Local browsing history from other users of your device
Temporary cookies and trackers during the session
Autofill data like usernames or passwords (unless saved manually)

What it doesn’t hide:

Your IP address
Online activity from your ISP, employer, or school network
Tracking by websites and advertisers
Downloads saved to your device

So while private browsing prevents someone else at home from seeing your searches, it doesn’t stop the wider internet from knowing what you do.

Why Incognito Mode Alone Isn’t Enough

why incognito mode alone isn't enough

For many beginners, incognito mode Chrome feels like full anonymity. But without IP masking, advertisers and ISPs still profile you. For stronger privacy:

VPN + Incognito = Better Protection
UFO VPN hides your IP address and encrypts all traffic, so even if websites try to track you during an incognito session, they see only the VPN server’s IP, not yours.
Public Wi-Fi safety
On café or airport Wi-Fi, incognito mode doesn’t stop hackers. A VPN encrypts your connection, keeping your data safe.
Bypassing restrictions
Incognito doesn’t unblock content. Free proxy VPN in UFO VPN lets you access geo-restricted platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer.

VPN vs. Incognito: Key Differences

Feature	Incognito Mode Chrome	UFO VPN
Hides browsing history	✅	✅
Hides IP address	❌	✅
Blocks ISP tracking	❌	✅
Encrypts traffic	❌	✅
Access to geo-blocked sites	❌	✅
Protection on public Wi-Fi	❌	✅

Clearly, the strongest privacy comes from using both.

🌟Get a VPN to protect your privacy in just 4 steps

Step 1 Download & Install UFO VPN

With 3000+ server in over 100 countries, UFO VPN is open to download as a free iPhone VPN, free Android VPN(with VPN APK), free Windows VPN and free Mac VPN. Install the app and sign up or log in.

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