Private browsing on Google lets you surf without leaving a trace. It's useful for several reasons, but how do you turn it on and off?

Here is a guide to using private browsing on Google, knowing if you are in private mode, locking and clearing private tabs, and understanding the limitations and tips of this feature.

What is private browsing on Google?

Private browsing on Google lets you surf the web without saving your history , cookies , data , or passwords . When you close private tabs or windows, nothing is saved on your device . This means no one can see or access what you've done online.

Why use private browsing on Google?

There are several reasons why you might use private browsing on Google. For example, you can use it to:

• Protecting your privacy : If you share your device with others, you can use private browsing to prevent them from seeing what you do online, or from accessing your accounts or personal information.
• Avoid spoilers : If you want to watch a movie or series without knowing the outcome, you can use private browsing to search for information without Google suggesting results that could spoil the suspense.
• Accessing geo-restricted content : If you want to access content that is not available in your country, you can use private browsing to bypass the geographical restrictions imposed by some websites.
• Compare prices online : If you want to buy a product or service online, you can use private browsing to compare prices without websites detecting your interest and changing their prices based on your behavior.

How do I activate private browsing on Google?

To enable private browsing on Google, you need to open a private browsing tab or . The procedure varies depending on the type of device and browser you're using. Here's how to do it on a computer, Android, and iOS device.

On a computer

If you are using the Google Chrome browser on a computer, here's how to enable private browsing:

• Click on the three-dot in the top right corner of the browser window.
• Select “ New private browsing window ” or press Ctrl+Shift+N on your keyboard.
• A new private browsing window will open, with a mask icon in the top right corner. You can search there without leaving any traces on your device.

On Android

If you are using the Google Chrome browser on Android, here's how to enable private browsing:

• Open the Google Chrome on your device.
• Tap the three-dot in the top right corner of the screen.
• Select “ New private browsing tab ”.

• A new private browsing tab opens, with a mask icon at the bottom of the screen. You can search there without leaving any trace on your device.

On iOS

If you are using the Google Chrome browser on iOS, here's how to enable private browsing:

• Open the Google Chrome on your device.
• Tap the three-dot in the bottom right corner of the screen.
• Select “ New private browsing tab ” or press the square button in the bottom left corner of the screen and swipe left until you see the “ Private browsing ” option.
• A new private browsing tab will open, with a mask icon in the top right corner. You can search there without leaving any trace on your device.

How do I disable private browsing on Google?

To disable private browsing on Google , you need to close any private browsing tabs or windows you have open. The procedure varies depending on the type of device and browser you are using. Here's how to do it on a computer, Android, and iOS device.

On a computer

If you are using the Google Chrome browser on a computer, here's how to disable private browsing:

• Close the private browsing window you opened by clicking the cross in the top right corner of the browser window or by pressing Alt+F4 on your keyboard.
• You return to normal navigation mode , with your usual tabs.

On Android

If you are using the Google Chrome browser on Android, here's how to disable private browsing:

• Close any private browsing tabs you have open by tapping the three-dot menu in the top right corner of the screen and selecting “Close all tabs” or by tapping the square button in the bottom right corner of the screen and swiping the tabs left or right.
• You return to normal navigation mode , with your usual tabs.

On iOS

If you are using the Google Chrome browser on iOS, here's how to disable private browsing:

• Close any private browsing tabs you have open by tapping the three-dot menu in the bottom right corner of the screen and selecting “Close all tabs” or by tapping the square button in the bottom left corner of the screen and swiping the tabs left or right.
• You return to normal navigation mode , with your usual tabs.

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How can I tell if I'm in private browsing mode on Google?

To check if you're in private browsing mode on Google, look for the mask icon in your browser. The icon's position and color may vary depending on your device and browser. Here's how to check it on a computer, Android, and iOS device.

On a computer

If you are using the Google Chrome browser on a computer, here's how to tell if you are in private browsing mode:

Look at the top right of the browser window. If you see a gray mask icon , it means you are in private browsing mode. If you don't see this icon, it means you are in normal browsing mode.

On Android

If you are using the Google Chrome browser on Android, here's how to tell if you are in private browsing mode:

Look at the bottom of the screen. If you see a gray mask icon, it means you are in private browsing mode. If you don't see this icon, it means you are in normal browsing mode.

On iOS

If you're using the Google Chrome browser on iOS, here's how to tell if you're in private browsing mode:

Look at the top right of the screen. If you see a gray mask icon , it means you are in private browsing mode . If you don't see this icon, it means you are in normal browsing mode.

What are the limits of private browsing on Google?

Private browsing on Google is not a magic bullet for protecting your online privacy . It has limitations that you should be aware of and consider before using it.

Here are some of the main limitations of private browsing on Google:

• Private browsing does not prevent websites , employers , or internet service providers from seeing your online activity. In fact, private browsing does not hide your IP address or location , which allows websites to identify and track you.
• Private browsing does not prevent malware or viruses from infecting your device . In fact, private browsing does not protect your device against cyberattacks such as spyware, ransomware, or Trojans.
• Private browsing does not prevent targeted advertising or third-party cookie tracking. In fact, private browsing does not block ads or cookies placed by third-party websites, such as social networks, video platforms, or advertising networks.

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How to enhance the privacy of your browsing on Google?

To enhance the privacy of your browsing on Google , there are additional solutions to private browsing that you can use.

Here are some of the main solutions to enhance the privacy of your browsing on Google:

• Use a VPN to hide your IP address and location . A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a service that allows you to browse the internet securely and discreetly. It changes your IP address and location , preventing websites, employers, or internet service providers from knowing who you are and what you are doing online.
• Use an ad and tracker blocker to reduce your exposure to third-party ads and cookies. An ad and tracker blocker is software or a browser extension that allows you to block ads and cookies from third-party websites. This helps protect your browsing data and avoid annoying or intrusive ads.
• Use a privacy-respecting alternative search engine , such as DuckDuckGo or Qwant. A privacy-respecting alternative search engine is a service that allows you to search the web without collecting or storing your personal data. This way, you can maintain your anonymity and avoid biased or personalized recommendations from Google.

FAQ

What are the advantages and disadvantages of private browsing on Google?

Private browsing on Google has advantages and disadvantages that you should be aware of before using it. Here are some of the main ones:

Benefits

• It protects your privacy by not storing your browsing data on your device.
• It allows you to access content that might be blocked or censored in your country.
• It allows you to compare prices online without being influenced by the marketing strategies of websites.
• It allows you to avoid spoilers or unwanted recommendations from Google.

Disadvantages

• It does not prevent websites, employers, or internet service providers from seeing your online activity.
• It does not prevent malware or viruses from infecting your device.
• It does not prevent targeted advertising or third-party cookie tracking.
• It does not save your preferences, settings, or passwords, which may make your browsing experience less convenient.

What is the difference between private browsing and secure browsing?

Private browsing is a feature that allows you to surf the web without leaving any trace of your activity on your device. It does not save your history, cookies, form data, passwords, or downloads.

Safe browsing is a feature that allows you to surf the web while avoiding dangerous or fraudulent websites. It warns you if you try to access a website that contains malware, phishing attempts, or inappropriate content.