How to Turn Off Incognito Mode in Your Browser Permanently

Many users need to disable Incognito browsing to maintain browsing history for reference, prevent family members from hiding online activities, or ensure work computers maintain proper records. If you’re wondering how to get out of Incognito mode permanently, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through the process of disabling Incognito browsing across popular browsers including Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox, giving you complete control over your browsing experience.

Can You Disable Incognito Mode Permanently?

Yes, you can disable Incognito mode permanently, but there’s an important distinction to understand first. Simply exiting Incognito mode by closing your current private browsing window is different from permanently disabling the feature altogether. Exiting only ends your current private session, while permanent disabling prevents anyone from opening Incognito mode on your device at all.

Permanently turning off Incognito mode requires more advanced steps than just closing a window, often involving registry edits, group policies, or extensions depending on your browser. These methods effectively remove the option to browse privately, ensuring all browsing activity is recorded in the history.

How to Disable Private Browsing in Chrome

Chrome’s Incognito mode can be permanently disabled, but the process works differently depending on your operating system. While Google doesn’t provide a simple toggle in Chrome’s settings to turn off Incognito mode, there are system-level changes you can make to restrict access to this feature. Follow the appropriate instructions below based on your device to permanently disable Chrome’s private browsing capability.

Windows

To disable Incognito mode in Chrome on Windows, you’ll need to edit the Windows Registry:

1. Close all Chrome windows completely
2. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog
3. Type regedit and press Enter to open Registry Editor
4. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome
   • If the Google or Chrome folders don’t exist, right-click on the parent folder and select New > Key to create them
5. In the Chrome folder, right-click on an empty space in the right panel and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
6. Name this new value IncognitoModeAvailability
7. Double-click on the new entry and set its value to 1 to disable Incognito mode
8. Click OK and close Registry Editor
9. Restart Chrome for changes to take effect

Once completed, the Incognito option will be grayed out in Chrome’s menu, preventing users from opening private browsing sessions.

MacOS

On a Mac, you’ll need to create a configuration file to disable Chrome’s Incognito mode:

1. Close Chrome completely
2. Open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities)
3. Create the required directory by typing:

sudo mkdir -p /Library/Managed\ Preferences

4. Create and edit a configuration file:

sudo nano /Library/Managed\ Preferences/com.google.Chrome.plist

5. Paste the following code into the editor:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
  <key>IncognitoModeAvailability</key>
  <integer>1</integer>
</dict>
</plist>

6. Press Control + O to save the file, then Control + X to exit
7. Set proper permissions with:

sudo chmod 644 /Library/Managed\ Preferences/com.google.Chrome.plist

8. Restart Chrome for the changes to take effect

After completing these steps, Incognito mode will be disabled in Chrome on your Mac.

iPhone/iPad and Android

Unfortunately, Chrome does not officially allow disabling Incognito mode on mobile devices through settings or system controls. Neither iOS nor Android provides native options to permanently disable private browsing in Chrome.

On these devices, you can only:

• Exit Incognito mode by closing all Incognito tabs
• Tap the tabs switcher (square icon) and close the Incognito tab group
• Use parental control apps that restrict Chrome entirely if Incognito mode is a concern

For parents concerned about monitoring browsing activity, consider using family link or screen time controls to manage Chrome usage rather than trying to disable Incognito specifically.

How to disable private browsing in Safari

Safari’s private browsing mode is available on both macOS and iOS/iPadOS devices, allowing users to browse without saving history, cookies, or search data. Unlike some browsers, Safari doesn’t include a direct option within its settings to permanently disable Private mode. However, Apple provides robust Screen Time and parental control features that can effectively restrict access to private browsing. These system-level controls offer a reliable way to prevent private browsing across your Apple devices.

MacOS

To disable Private Browsing in Safari on macOS using Screen Time:

1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen
2. Select System Preferences (or System Settings in newer macOS versions)
3. Click on Screen Time
4. Select Content & Privacy in the sidebar
5. If Screen Time isn’t enabled yet, click Turn On Screen Time
6. Click the Content tab
7. Under “Web Content,” select Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only
8. Click the Apps tab
9. Scroll down to find Safari, and make sure it’s allowed
10. Click the Options button (gear icon) near Safari
11. Check the box for Disable Private Browsing
12. Click Done to save your changes

For older macOS versions using Parental Controls instead of Screen Time:

1. Open System Preferences
2. Select Parental Controls
3. Select a user account to modify
4. Click the Web tab
5. Select either Try to limit access to adult websites or Allow access only to these websites
6. Click the Other tab
7. Check the box for Disable Private Browsing in Safari
8. Click Apply to save your changes
9. These settings will prevent the selected user account from using Safari’s private browsing feature.

iPhone/ iPad

To disable Private Browsing in Safari on an iPhone or iPad using Screen Time:

1. Open the Settings app
2. Tap Screen Time
3. If Screen Time isn’t enabled, tap Turn On Screen Time and follow the setup
4. Tap Continue and select whether this device is for yourself or your child
5. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions
6. If not already enabled, toggle the switch to turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions
7. Enter a Screen Time passcode when prompted (make sure to remember this code)
8. Tap Content Restrictions
9. Under “Web Content,” select either Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only
10. Go back to the previous screen
11. Tap Allowed Apps and ensure Safari is enabled
12. Return to the main Screen Time screen
13. Tap Safari (you may need to scroll down to find it)
14. Toggle off Private Browsing
15. Tap Back to save your changes

After completing these steps, Safari will no longer allow private browsing sessions on your iOS/iPadOS device. When someone attempts to open a private tab, they’ll receive a notification that this feature has been restricted. These restrictions will remain in place until you change the Screen Time settings, ensuring consistent browsing history tracking across your device.

How to disable private browsing in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge’s private browsing feature is called “InPrivate” mode, which functions similarly to other browsers’ private browsing options by not saving history, cookies, or site data. Disabling InPrivate browsing isn’t available through Edge’s standard settings menu and requires changes at the system or policy level.

These methods are particularly useful for parents, network administrators, or anyone who needs to ensure browsing activity is always tracked. Follow the relevant instructions below based on your operating system to permanently disable InPrivate browsing in Microsoft Edge.

Windows

On Windows computers, the most effective way to disable InPrivate browsing in Microsoft Edge is by using the Group Policy Editor (available in Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions):

1. Close all Microsoft Edge windows
2. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog
3. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor
4. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge
5. Look for the policy named “Configure InPrivate browsing” or “Allow InPrivate browsing”
6. Double-click on this policy
7. Select Enabled (to configure the policy)
8. From the dropdown menu, select “Disable InPrivate browsing”
9. Click Apply and then OK
10. Restart Microsoft Edge for the changes to take effect

For more detailed information and alternative methods, you can refer to Microsoft’s official guide on configuring InPrivate browsing.

If you’re using Windows Home edition which doesn’t include the Group Policy Editor, you can use the Registry Editor instead:

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge
   • If this path doesn’t exist, create the necessary keys by right-clicking and selecting New > Key
3. Right-click in the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
4. Name it InPrivateModeAvailability
5. Double-click on it and set the value to 1
6. Restart Microsoft Edge

MacOS

To disable InPrivate browsing in Microsoft Edge on macOS, you’ll need to use Terminal to create a configuration file:

1. Close all Microsoft Edge windows
2. Open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities)
3. Create the necessary directory structure by typing:

sudo mkdir -p /Library/Managed\ Preferences

4. Enter your administrator password when prompted
5. Create and edit a configuration file by typing:

sudo nano /Library/Managed\ Preferences/com.microsoft.Edge.plist

6. Paste the following XML code into the editor:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
  <key>InPrivateModeAvailability</key>
  <integer>1</integer>
</dict>
</plist>

7. Press Control + O to save the file, then press Enter
8. Press Control + X to exit the editor
9. Set the proper permissions by typing:

sudo chmod 644 /Library/Managed\ Preferences/com.microsoft.Edge.plist

10. Restart Microsoft Edge for the changes to take effect

After completing these steps, the InPrivate browsing option should be disabled in Microsoft Edge on your Mac. Users will no longer be able to open InPrivate windows, ensuring that all browsing activity is recorded in the browser’s history.

How to get out of Incognito mode in Firefox?

Unlike Chrome, Edge, and Safari, Mozilla Firefox does not offer any built-in method to disable private browsing, nor can it be turned off through operating system-level configurations. Firefox’s commitment to user privacy means there are no official browser policies, registry tweaks, or command-line options that can permanently remove the private browsing feature. This presents a challenge for parents, network administrators, or organizations who need to ensure browsing activity is always tracked.

Alternative approaches

While you cannot completely disable private browsing in Firefox, consider these privacy-focused browser alternatives:

• Parental Control Software: Applications like Net Nanny, Qustodio, or Norton Family can monitor all browsing activity at the system level.
• Firefox Extensions: Some extensions can detect private browsing usage, but they can’t fully prevent access and can be easily disabled.
• Administrative Controls: Consider application whitelisting, network-level monitoring, or user account restrictions to limit unauthorized browsing.

Alternative browsers with controllable private browsing

If disabling private browsing is essential, consider switching to:

• Google Chrome: Offers registry and policy options to disable Incognito mode
• Microsoft Edge: Provides Group Policy controls for disabling InPrivate browsing
• Safari: Can restrict private browsing through Screen Time and parental controls

Privacy-focused alternatives

If you value Firefox’s privacy features but need more control, consider privacy-focused browsers that still offer some administrative options, such as Brave, Vivaldi, or Ungoogled Chromium. These balance privacy with the ability to implement some level of oversight.

Conclusion

If you’re interested in not just controlling browser history but truly safeguarding your personal information online, explore Incogni’s data removal services. Incogni helps you remove your personal information from data broker databases, reducing your digital footprint and protecting you from unwanted tracking, targeted advertising, and potential identity theft.

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FAQs

What is the shortcut to turn off Incognito mode?

You can use a keyboard shortcut — press Ctrl (or Cmnd) + W to close the active Incognito tab. If you have multiple Incognito tabs open, press Ctrl (or Cmnd) + Shift + W. This shortcut will close all opened Incognito tabs.

How do I switch from Incognito back to normal?

To exit Incognito mode and return to normal browsing, simply close all private browsing windows. You can do this by clicking the X in the top corner of each Incognito window or by using the keyboard shortcut (Alt+F4 on Windows/Linux or Command+W on Mac).

Once all private windows are closed, any new browser window you open will automatically be in normal mode, with your regular history, bookmarks, and saved passwords available again.

How does Incognito mode work?

Incognito mode prevents your browser from saving local browsing history, cookies, and site data on your device. However, it doesn’t make you anonymous online.

Websites can still identify your IP address and track your activity, employers or schools can monitor your browsing on their networks, and your ISP can still see which sites you visit. Incognito simply provides privacy from other users of your device, not from the internet itself.

Many users need to disable Incognito browsing to maintain browsing history for reference, prevent family members from hiding online activities, or ensure work computers maintain proper records. If you’re wondering how to get out of Incognito mode permanently, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through the process of disabling Incognito browsing across…