I created this video to show how to use Incognito Mode in Safari, also called “Private Browsing.” It’s one of the fastest ways to protect your session from saving search history, cookies, or autofill data.

Whether you’re testing a website, logging into a client account, or just want to browse without saving data, Safari’s private mode is built for this. It works across Mac, iPhone, and iPad — and it only takes a second to activate.

In the video, I cover both desktop and mobile versions.

On macOS:

  • Open Safari
  • Go to File > New Private Window or use the shortcut Shift + Command + N
  • The new window will have a dark address bar — this means it’s private
  • Once you close the window, all cookies, search history, and form data are gone

On iOS:

  • Open Safari
  • Tap the tabs icon in the bottom-right
  • Select “Private” from the options
  • Tap + to open a new private tab

I also explain what Private Mode does and doesn’t do. It hides your session locally — so no history is saved — but it doesn’t make you anonymous on the internet. Your IP address is still visible to sites and your ISP. For full privacy, you’d want to combine this with a VPN.

That said, it’s super helpful for things like:

  • Checking how your site looks for logged-out users
  • Avoiding autofill during signups or tests
  • Quickly browsing without messing up ad targeting or recommendations

Do you use Incognito/Private Mode often in Safari, or are you more of a Chrome power user?