How to Turn ON/OFF Incognito Mode on iPhone Browsers
The Safari browser introduced its incognito mode back in 2005, which was a groundbreaking feature at the time. It gained immense popularity and remained exclusive to Apple devices. However, Google Chrome swiftly followed suit and introduced its own incognito mode in 2008. However, the incognito mode has presented challenges for parents who want to monitor their children’s online activities. To address this, we have prepared a guide on how to disable incognito mode on your iPhone.
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About Incognito Mode on iPhones
Unlike browsers such as Google Chrome and Firefox, Safari on the iPhone does not have an “incognito” mode; instead, it offers “Private browsing.” Private browsing functions similarly to incognito mode but provides enhanced security by ensuring that browsing data, including cookies and cache, is not traceable.
While private browsing is disabled by default, if someone has enabled it on your iPhone, you can disable it by following a few simple steps.
Steps to Turn Off Incognito Mode On iPhone Browser
To turn off private browsing on iPhones, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on “Screen Time.”
- Select “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”
- Tap on “Content Restrictions.”
- Scroll down and locate “Web Content.” Tap on it.
- Choose one of the options: “Limit Adult Websites” or “Allowed Websites Only.”
- “Limit Adult Websites” restricts access to adult content on the web.
- “Allowed Websites Only” allows access only to specified websites, such as trusted sources or popular platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
By adjusting these settings, you can control the browsing experience and prevent private browsing on your iPhone.
How to Turn On Private Browsing on iPhone
If you want to enable Private Browsing on your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on “Screen Time.”
- Select “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”
- Tap on “Content Restrictions.”
- Click on “Web Content.”
- Choose “No Restrictions” or “Unrestricted.”
- Open the Safari app on your iPhone.
- Tap on the Tabs icon.
- Switch to Private mode.
- Tap on “Done.”
By following these steps, you can enable Private Browsing on your iPhone and enjoy a browsing session that doesn’t save your browsing history or cookies.
How to See and Clean Private Browsing History on iPhone?
If you want to view and clear your Private Browsing history on your iPhone, follow these steps:
To view Private Browsing history:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “Safari.”
- Scroll down further and click on “Advanced.”
- Tap on “Website Data.”
- Here, you will see a list of websites visited in both normal and Private Browsing modes. However, only the names of the websites will be visible, not the full URLs.
To clear Private Browsing history:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “Safari.”
- Scroll down again and click on “Clear History and Website Data.”
- When prompted, tap on “Clear History and Data.”
Please note that clearing the history and data will delete all browsing history, both normal and Private Browsing, and it cannot be recovered.
Should You Turn Off Incognito Mode on your iPhone?
The advantages and disadvantages of using incognito or private browsing mode on an iPhone are subject to debate. Some people believe it is crucial for maintaining privacy, while others argue that the extra effort is not worthwhile.
Using incognito mode in your browser allows you to hide your online activities, preventing the storage of information such as cookies and browsing history. However, it’s important to note that some websites may still track your activity, even in private browsing mode.
Deciding whether to disable the “incognito” mode on your iPhone is a personal choice. If privacy is a priority for you, it is recommended to use incognito mode. However, if you don’t have significant concerns about your private life, there may be no noticeable difference between using incognito or private browsing mode.
If you want to ensure maximum privacy, even from the websites you visit, using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a recommended option. You can refer to our guide on the best VPNs currently available for more information.
The Bottom Line
That concludes our guide on how to disable incognito mode on your iPhone. We hope you found this guide helpful. It’s important to note that incognito mode does not provide complete privacy, as anyone with access to your phone can still view your browsing activities.
