Incognito mode shortcut (private browsing window)
In Chrome and Edge press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or ⌘⇧N (Mac) to open an incognito window. In Firefox it's Ctrl+Shift+P / ⌘⇧P.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incognito window — Chrome / Edge | ⌘⇧N | Ctrl+Shift+N | |
| Private window — Firefox | ⌘⇧P | Ctrl+Shift+P | |
| Private window — Safari (Mac) | ⌘⇧N | — | |
| Close the private window | ⌘⇧W / ⌘Q | Ctrl+Shift+W / Alt+F4 | |
| New normal window | ⌘N | Ctrl+N |
Open an incognito window in Chrome or Edge
Press Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or ⌘⇧N on Mac. A dark incognito window opens that does not save your browsing history, cookies or form data after you close it. It's handy for signing into a second account, checking how a page looks logged-out, or searching on a shared computer.
Firefox uses a different key
Firefox calls it Private Browsing and uses Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or ⌘⇧P (Mac) — note the P, not N. Safari on Mac uses ⌘⇧N like Chrome.
What incognito does and does not hide
Incognito stops the browser on this device from keeping your history and cookies. It does not hide your activity from your employer, school, internet provider or the websites you visit. For that you need a VPN or other tools. To leave incognito just close the window with Ctrl+Shift+W / ⌘⇧W. See also open a new window and open a new tab.
FAQ
What is the incognito mode shortcut?
In Chrome and Edge press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or ⌘⇧N (Mac). In Firefox use Ctrl+Shift+P / ⌘⇧P.
Why doesn't Ctrl+Shift+N work in Firefox?
Firefox calls it Private Browsing and uses Ctrl+Shift+P (⌘⇧P on Mac) instead of N.
Does incognito mode make me anonymous?
No. It stops your browser from saving history and cookies on this device, but your internet provider, employer and the sites you visit can still see your activity.