Private browsing, also known as incognito mode, is a feature in most web browsers that lets you browse the internet without storing local data that could potentially be retrieved later. This mode helps protect your privacy when you’re accessing the internet on a shared or public computer. However, there might be times when you want to disable this feature.
Here’s how you can turn off private browsing in some of the most popular web browsers.
Google Chrome:
1. Close all Incognito Windows:
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner to open the browser’s settings window.
- Click on “New Incognito Window”. This will open a new window with private browsing turned on.
- To exit incognito mode, simply close the incognito window.
Please note that disabling incognito mode permanently involves advanced settings and is not recommended for everyday users.
2. Disable Incognito mode from Settings (Optional)
While closing the windows disables private browsing for the current session, you can further prevent accidental incognito use by adjusting settings.
Open Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, and select “Settings.” Navigate to “Privacy and security” and then “Site settings.” Under “Permissions,” click on “Incognito mode.” Here, you can disable the toggle switch next to “Allow sites to save and read cookie data while Incognito.” This ensures websites can’t store information even within an Incognito session.
Mozilla Firefox:
1. Close all Private Windows:
- Open Firefox.
- Locate and select the three horizontal lines icon situated at the top right of your screen.
- Choose either ‘Options’ or ‘Preferences’, followed by ‘Privacy & Security’.
- Continue scrolling downwards until you encounter the ‘History’ segment.
- From the drop-down list, opt for ‘Remember history’.
- Deselect the checkbox that reads ‘Always use private browsing mode’.
- To apply these changes, you’ll need to restart Firefox.
2. Prevent Accidental Private Browsing (Optional):
Firefox doesn’t offer a dedicated setting to disable private browsing entirely. However, you can prevent accidental use by modifying keyboard shortcuts.
Open Firefox, go to “Settings” (three horizontal lines icon) and select “Keyboard Shortcuts.” Search for “New Private Window” and either delete the assigned shortcut or change it to a less convenient key combination.
Microsoft Edge:
1. Close all InPrivate windows:
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner to open the browser’s settings window.
- Click on “New InPrivate Window”. This will open a new window with private browsing turned on.
- To exit InPrivate mode, simply close the InPrivate window.
Please note that disabling InPrivate mode permanently involves advanced settings and is not recommended for everyday users.
2. No option to disable InPrivate browsing:
Unlike Chrome, Edge currently doesn’t offer a way to disable InPrivate mode through settings. However, keeping keyboard shortcuts for launching InPrivate browsing in mind can help avoid accidental use.
Safari (Desktop):
- Close all Private windows: Locate and close all windows with a darkened address bar and the word “Private” displayed next to the URL. Close them individually or right-click the group of private windows and choose “Close All Private Windows.”
- Prevent Accidental Private Browsing (Optional): There’s no dedicated setting to disable private browsing. You can modify keyboard shortcuts to minimize accidental use. Open Safari, go to “Preferences” and then “Keyboard.” Search for “New Private Window” and either delete the assigned shortcut or change it to a less convenient key combination.
Safari (Mobile):
1. Close all Private tabs:
- Open Safari.
- Touch and hold the Tabs button.
- Tap “New Private Tab” to start private browsing.
- To exit private browsing, tap the Tabs button again.
- Tap “Private” to show the Tabs Groups list.
- Tap the number of tabs at the top of the Tabs Groups list.
Please note that disabling private browsing in Safari requires changing your device’s Screen Time settings and is not recommended unless necessary.
2. Turn off Private Browsing:
Disabling private browsing on Mobile Safari is slightly different. Open Settings, scroll down, and tap “Safari.” Under “Privacy and Security,” toggle the switch next to “Prevent Cross-Site Tracking” to off. This disables private browsing mode entirely.
Opera
- Open Opera.
- Tap and tap “Private mode”.
- To exit private mode, you have two options:
- Exit private mode – Selecting this option allows the private mode to remain active in the background while you continue with your regular browsing.
- Leave and close private tabs – choosing this option clears all private tabs.
Please note that disabling private browsing in Opera requires changing your device’s settings and is not recommended unless necessary.
Remember:
- Disabling private browsing only affects your current session. Once you close the browser and reopen it, you’ll have the option to use private browsing again.
- Private browsing doesn’t guarantee complete anonymity. Your internet service provider (ISP) can still see your browsing activity. And websites might be able to track you using fingerprints or other methods.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while private browsing is a useful feature that can help protect your privacy, it can be turned off in most browsers if needed. However, it’s important to remember that turning off private browsing could leave your browsing history and other private information vulnerable, especially on shared or public computers. Always consider your privacy needs and use private browsing accordingly.
