When (and Why) You Might Need to Use an Incognito Browser

What Is Incognito Mode?

Incognito mode (also called Private Browsing or InPrivate mode, depending on your browser) is a special window that doesn’t save your browsing history, cookies, site data, or form inputs once you close it. It’s like a temporary browser session with a clean slate.

This doesn't make you invisible online; your internet provider, employer, or the websites you visit can still see what you're doing, but it does help avoid conflicts with saved data in your browser.

Why Use Incognito Mode?

Here are a few common situations where incognito can come in handy:

    •    You're previewing changes to a website that is currently in production and don’t want cached files or stored cookies getting in the way.

    •    You're troubleshooting login or session issues, and want to simulate a first-time visitor experience.

    •    You’re testing how a website behaves for a brand-new user (no login, no cookies, no saved data).

    •    You're logging into a different account without signing out of your main one.

    •    You want to browse privately without saving history or cookies to your browser.

How to Open an Incognito Window

IN GOOGLE CHROME

1. Click the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser.
2. Select New Incognito Window.
3. A dark-themed window will open with a little spy icon—this means you're browsing incognito!

SHORTCUT:
Windows: Ctrl + Shift + N
Mac: Command + Shift + N

IN MICROSOFT EDGE

1. Click the three dots in the top-right corner.
2. Select New InPrivate Window.
3. You'll see a dark browser window that says “InPrivate” in the corner.

SHORTCUT:
Windows: Ctrl + Shift + N
Mac: Command + Shift + N

IN MOZILLA FIREFOX

1. Click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top-right corner.
2. Choose New Private Window.
3. A purple-themed window will appear; you're now browsing privately!

SHORTCUT:
Windows: Ctrl + Shift + P
Mac: Command + Shift + P

IN SAFARI (MAC ONLY)

1. In the menu bar, click File > New Private Window.
2. You’ll see a darker search bar at the top, Safari is now in private browsing mode.

SHORTCUT:
Command + Shift + N

A Quick Note About Privacy

Incognito mode prevents your browser from saving your activity locally, but it doesn’t make you anonymous. Websites, internet providers, and network administrators can still see what you’re doing online.

Wrapping Up

If your website is currently in production or you are trying to troubleshoot a weird browser issue, incognito mode is a super useful tool to keep in your back pocket. It gives you a clean browser session—no cookies, no cache, no saved history—which can help you see things as a new visitor would.

Let us know if you need help testing your site or if things still aren’t showing up right!