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Learn how to exit private or incognito mode and permanently disable it
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Incognito Mode or Private Browsing is a feature that most web browsers have that allows you to browse the internet without saving your internet use as history. However, there are many inconvenient drawbacks to browsing in private mode. It can also be a challenge for parents and companies that want to monitor internet usage. This wikiHow article teaches you how to turn off private browsing as well as how to permanently disable it.
Turn Off or Disable Private Browsing
- On most web browsers, you can tap the menu icon (with three dots or three lines) and tap the option to open a new window to exit private or incognito mode.
- On Windows and Mac, you can use Command Prompt or Terminal commands to permanently disable private or incognito mode in various web browsers.
- On mobile devices, enable content restrictions using Screen Time (iPhone/iPad) or the Family Link app (Android) to disable private mode in Google Chrome or Safari.
Steps
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Turn off Incognito Mode on Google Chrome for desktop. Use the following steps to turn off Incognito Mode in Google Chrome on your PC or Mac:
- Click Incognito in the upper-right corner.
- Click Close Incognito .
- Open a new window or tab.
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Turn off Incognito Mode on Google Chrome for mobile. Use the following steps to turn off Incognito Mode for Google Chrome on mobile devices:
- Tap the icon that resembles a square with numbers (tabs) in the upper-right corner (Android) or lower right corner (iPhone/iPad).
- Tap the same icon again at the top of the page to switch to normal browsing.
- Tap the Plus (+) icon to open a new tab.
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Turn off Private Browsing in Safari for Mac. Use the following steps to turn off private browsing for Safari on a Mac:
- Click File in the menu bar at the top.
- Click New Window .
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Turn off Private Browsing in Safari for iPhone. Use the following steps to turn off Private Browsing on Safari for iPhone
- Tap the icon that resembles 2 squares stacked on top of each other in the lower-right corner.
- Tap the " # Tabs " button at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap the plus (+) icon to start a new tab.
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Turn off Private Browsing in Safari for iPad. Use the following steps to turn off Private Browsing in Safari for iPad:
- Tap the icon that resembles a screen with a menu in the upper-left corner.
- Tap Start Page at the top of the menu.
- Tap the plus (+) icon to start a new tab.
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Turn off InPrivate browsing in Microsoft Edge for desktop. Use the following steps to turn off InPrivate browsing in Microsoft Edge:
- Click the icon with three dots ( ⋯ ) in the upper-right corner.
- Click New Windows .
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Turn off InPrivate browsing in Microsoft Edge for mobile. Use the following steps to turn off InPrivate browsing on Microsoft Edge for mobile:
- Tap the icon that resembles a square with numbers in the menu bar at the bottom.
- Tap Tabs at the top.
- Tap the plus (+) icon to open a new tab.
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Turn off Private Browsing in Firefox for desktop. Use the following steps to turn off Private Prowsing in Firefox for PC or Mac:
- Click the icon with three lines ( ☰ ) in the upper-right corner.
- Click New Window
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Turn off Private Browsing in Firefox for mobile. Use the following steps to turn off Private Browsing in Firefox for mobile:
- Tap the icon that resembles a square with numbers (tabs) in the lower-right corner.
- Tap the same icon again next to the icon that resembles a mask in the bar at the top.
- Tap the plus (+) icon in the lower-right corner.
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Consider backing up your PC. Since this method involves editing sensitive components of your computer's operating system, backing up your information before continuing will prevent you from losing your data if your computer crashes.
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Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. You must be logged in as an administrator in order to do this. Use the following steps to open the Command Prompt as an administrator:
- Click the Windows Start menu.
- Type CMD .
- RIght-click the Command Prompt icon.
- Click Run as adminitrator .
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Enter one of the following commands and press ↵ Enter . This will create a new registry rule that disables private browsing for your web browser in Windows. Copy and paste one of the following commands into the Command Prompt and press Enter : [1] X Research source
- Disable Google Chrome Incognito Mode: REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome /v IncognitoModeAvailability /t REG_DWORD /d 1
- Disable Google Chrome Guest Mode: REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome /v BrowserGuestModeEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0
- Disable Microsoft Edge InPrivate Mode: REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge /v InPrivateModeAvailability /t REG_DWORD /d 1
- Disable Microsoft Edge Guest Mode: REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge /v BrowserGuestModeEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0
- Disable Firefox Private Mode: REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox /v DisablePrivateBrowsing /t REG_DWORD /d 1
- Disable Brave Incognito Mode: REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\BraveSoftware\Brave /v IncognitoModeAvailability /t REG_DWORD /d 1
- Disable Brave Guest Mode: REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\BraveSoftware\Brave /v BrowserGuestModeEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0
- Disable Brave Incognito Mode with Tor: REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\BraveSoftware\Brave /v TorDisabled /t REG_DWORD /d 1
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Type yes and press ↵ Enter . If there is already a registry item for Incognito Mode Availability, you will be asked if you want to overwrite it. Type yes and press Enter .
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Restart your web browser. If your web browser is currently open, close it and then reopen it.
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Close your web browser. If you have a browser open, you'll need to close it in order for these steps to work.
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Open the Terminal . Use the following steps to open the Terminal on your Mac:
- Click the magnifying glass icon in the upper-right corner.
- Enter Terminal into the search bar.
- Click the Terminal app.
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Enter one of the following terminal commands and press ↵ Enter . This will create a new system setting that disables Private or Incognito mode on your Mac. Copy and paste one of the following commands into the Terminal and press Enter : [2] X Research source
- Disable Google Chrome Incognito Mode: defaults write com.google.chrome IncognitoModeAvailability -integer 1z
- Disable Google Chrome Guest Mode: defaults write com.google.Chrome BrowserGuestModeEnabled -bool false
- Disable Firefox Private Mode: defaults write /Library/Preferences/org.mozilla.firefox DisablePrivateBrowsing -bool TRUE
- Disable Microsoft Edge InPrivate Mode: defaults write com.microsoft.edge InPrivateModeAvailability -integer 1
- Disable Microsoft Edge Guest Mode: defaults write com.microsoft.edge BrowserGuestModeEnabled -integer 0
- Disabling Brave Incognito Mode: defaults write com.brave.Browser IncognitoModeAvailability -integer 1
- Disable Brave Guest Mode: defaults write com.brave.Browser BrowserGuestModeEnabled -bool false
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Restart your Mac. For the changes to take effect, you must restart your Mac. Click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner and click Restart to restart your Mac.
- To reinstate Incognito Mode again, re-enter the command in the Terminal and change the integer value to "0" instead of "1".
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Click the Apple icon. It's in the upper-left corner of the Window. This displays a drop-down menu.
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Click System Settings or System Preferences . It's in the Apple menu.
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Click Screen Time . On newer versions of macOS, it's in the menu bar to the left. It has an icon that resembles an hourglass.
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Click Content & Privacy . It's next to a red icon that has a circle with a line through it.
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Enter your administrative password. In order to make changes to the Screen Time settings, you must enter your administrative password.
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Click the toggle switch next to "Content & Privacy." It's at the top of the page. This enables Content & Privacy restrictions.
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Click the radio option next to "Limit Adult Websites". This turns on web restrictions for Adult websites. It also disables the Private Window in Safari. [3] X Research source
- If you want to allow certain websites, click Allowed Sites and enter the websites you want to allow.
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Download the Google Family Link app. It has an icon that resembles a blue, green, and yellow striped kite. You can find the Family Link app in the Google Play Store on Android. [4] X Research source
- You must have a Google account for yourself on your devices and child's account to link to.
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Set up Google Family Link. Once you download the app, you'll need to log into your Google account and link your child's Google account. This is how you can set parental controls on their devices . Once connected, you'll be able to edit permissions and access.
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Make sure your child is logged into their account. Your child will need to be signed into their Google account on their device. Once they are logged into their Google account on their device, Incognito mode will be disabled in Google Chrome. [5] X Research source
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Tap your child's account. This should be on the Family Link's home page.
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Tap Content restrictions . It's on the main page of your Child's account.
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Make sure all Google Play content requires approval. Since the Family Link app only applies to Google Chrome, you will need to make sure your child cannot download any other web browsers. Use the following steps to require approval for all Google Play purchases and downloads:
- Tap Google Play .
- Tap Require Approval for .
- Tap the radio option next to "All content."
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Open your iPhone's/iPad's Settings . It's a grey app with gears that you'll likely find on the Home Screen.
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Tap Screen Time . It's next to a purple icon that resembles a magnifying glass. This displays the Screen Time Settings.
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Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions . It's next to a red icon with a cross-circle.
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Tap the toggle switch next to "Content & Privacy Restrictions." This enables content and privacy restrictions on your device.
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Tap Content Restrictions . It's near the top of the Content & Privacy Restrictions menu.
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Tap Apps . It's below "Allowed Store Content."
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Tap Don't Allow Apps . This will prevent unapproved apps from being downloaded. Since Screen Time only disables Private Browsing in Safari, you will want to make sure your child can't download any other web browsers.
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Tap Content Restrictions . It's at the top of the page. This returns to the previous menu.
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Tap Web Content . It's the option in the middle of the menu. This displays options for restricting web browser content.
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Tap Limit Adult Websites . It's the second option in the menu. In addition to restricting adult content, this option also disables Private browsing.
- If you want to allow certain websites, tap Allow and enter the websites you approve of.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do I turn off private browsing on my iPad?Community AnswerIf you choose "Limit Adult Content," under Settings/General/Restrictions/Websites it will not allow the history to be cleared until it is changed back to "All Websites."
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QuestionHow can I block an Android device from my Netgear router?Community AnswerCreate a private network passcode, or limit the bandwidth allocation on outgoing data, adjustable by IP.
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QuestionHow do I turn off private browsing on an Android device?Community AnswerClose the private tab on your device. The first tab is under the options on the bottom left.
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Warnings
- Most browsers don't support disabling of private or incognito browsing. Your best course of action when attempting to prevent unauthorized private access is to install a set of parental controls that can monitor Internet use while in incognito/private mode.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://sc1.checkpoint.com/documents/Infinity_Portal/WebAdminGuides/EN/Harmony-Endpoint-Admin-Guide/Topics-Common-for-HEP-HB/Browser-Settings.htm
- ↑ https://www.igeeksblog.com/how-to-disable-safari-private-browsing-on-mac/
- ↑ https://www.guidingtech.com/disable-safari-private-browsing-mac/
- ↑ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.kids.familylink&hl=en_US&gl=US
- ↑ https://support.google.com/families/answer/7087030?hl=en&sjid=16404751465167313741-NA
About This Article
Article Summary
X
1. Click the Windows Start menu and type "Regedit".
2. Click Registry Editor
.
3. Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_KEY" > "SOFTWARE" > "Policies" > "Google" > "Chrome".
4. Right-click and add a new DWORD (32 Bit) value in "Chrome.
5. Name the new value "IncognitoModeAvailability".
6. Open "IncognitoModeAvailability" and change the value to "1".
7. Click Apply
followed by Ok
.
8. Restart your computer.
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 305,164 times.
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