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How to Go Incognito in Safari on Mac: 3 Quick Ways

Hashir Ibrahim

Reviewed by

Last updated: October 21, 2023

Expert verified

Online privacy is a growing concern and many of us want to browse the internet without leaving a digital footprint. Whether you’re researching sensitive material, shopping for a surprise gift, or simply prefer not to have your browsing history logged, going incognito is a useful tool for maintaining your privacy.

For Mac users, the Safari browser offers a convenient and robust way to go undercover while you surf the web. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to go incognito in Safari on Mac, ensuring your browsing session remains your business and no one else’s.

Before We Begin

For enhanced online privacy, combine Safari’s private browsing feature with MacKeeper’s Private Connect VPN to conceal your IP address. Additionally, using MacKeeper’s Antivirus offers robust protection against spyware on your Mac.

What Is Safari Private Browsing Mode?

Safari’s Private Browsing Mode is a feature that allows you to browse the internet without saving your browsing history, search history, or form data. When you activate this mode, Safari won’t keep any cookies or temporary files that could be used to trace your online activities.

Private Browsing Mode aims to help you use the internet without leaving a record of your activities on your computer. So, in other words, this is the incognito mode on Safari.

What Happens When You Use Safari Private Browsing?

When you enable Private Browsing Mode in Safari, several changes occur to how the browser manages your data and online activity. Here are some key things that happen:

• 📜 No Browsing History : Safari won’t record the websites you visit, so you won’t see them in your history later.
• 🔍 Search History Cleared : Any search queries you enter will not be saved, so they won’t appear in the search bar’s dropdown suggestions in future sessions.
• 📝 No Form Data : Information entered into forms, like usernames, passwords, or search queries, is not stored.
• 🍪 Cookies and Site Data : Any cookies or site data obtained during your session are not saved, making it more difficult for websites to track you.
• 🗂️ Temporary Files : While temporary internet files like images may be stored to improve page load times during the session, they are deleted once you exit Private Browsing Mode.
• 🖥️ Open Tabs : Tabs opened in Private Browsing Mode won’t be stored in Safari’s Tabs feature for later retrieval.
• ⬇️ Downloads : Files you download will still be saved to your computer, but Safari won’t keep a record of these downloads within the browser.
• 🚫 Autofill Disabled : Features like Autofill for forms and passwords are disabled, meaning Safari won’t suggest information based on previous entries when you’re in Private Browsing Mode.
• 🔗 Extensions Limited : Some browser extensions may not work as expected in Private Browsing Mode to prevent them from tracking your activity.
• 🛡️ Isolated Session : Each Private Browsing window operates in isolation, meaning that if you open a new Private Browsing window, it won’t share cookies, history, or site data with the previous Private Browsing session.

While Safari’s Private Browsing Mode offers a good level of privacy, it is not entirely foolproof. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP), network administrators, and websites can still potentially identify you through your IP address.

How to Open a Private Window in Safari on Your Mac

Opening a private window in Safari on your Mac is a straightforward process that takes just a few seconds. Here are three ways to open a private window and go incognito in Safari on Mac:

Method 1: Using the Menu Bar

The most commonly used method for opening a private window in Safari is the menu bar. Follow these steps to go incognito in Safari on Mac via the menu bar:

• Open the Safari browser on your Mac.
• Click File in the menu bar.
• From the dropdown menu, choose New Private Window .

A new window should open with a dark search field, indicating you’re now in Private Browsing Mode.

Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Mac keyboard shortcuts are an excellent way to streamline your browsing experience, especially if you prefer using the keyboard over navigating through menus. So, if you’re looking to swiftly open a private window without taking your hands off the keyboard, follow these steps:

• If you haven’t already, launch the Safari browser.
• Press Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + N simultaneously.

This will open a new private browsing window instantly.

Method 3: Right-Click Option

If you’re comfortable using contextual menus that appear with a right-click, this option offers a speedy way to go incognito in Safari on Mac. Follow these steps to right-click on a Mac and go incognito in Safari:

• Launch your Safari browser.
• Right-click (or control-click) the Safari icon in the Dock.
• From the contextual menu that appears, select New Private Window .

A new window with a dark search field should appear, indicating that Private Browsing Mode is enabled.

How to Open a Private Tab in Safari

If you’re already in a regular browsing window in Safari, you can’t add a private tab to that window. Your only option for private browsing in this case is to open a new Private Browsing window. Then, add as many private tabs to that window as you like.

Follow these steps to open a new private tab within an existing private window:

• Open a new Private Browsing window in Safari. You can do this by clicking File in the menu bar and selecting New Private Window , or by using the keyboard shortcut Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + N .
• Once you’re in a Private Browsing window, click the plus ( + ) button in Safari’s toolbar at the top of the screen.

• Alternatively, you can press Command ⌘ + T on your keyboard.

• A new tab will open within the existing Private Browsing window, indicated by a dark search field, confirming that it’s also in incognito mode.

You can have a regular browsing window and a private window open side by side. Just make sure you don’t mix them up to maintain the level of privacy you desire.

How to Always Browse Privately in Safari

Now that you know how to go incognito in Safari on Mac, can browse privately whenever you want. But if you want to set up Safari so that it always starts with a Private Browsing window, there’s a simple way to make that happen.

Following these steps will configure Safari to open in Private Browsing mode by default:

• Navigate to Safari in the menu bar at the top, and select Settings .

• In Safari Settings window, click the General tab.

• Locate the Safari opens with option, click the dropdown menu button next to it, and select A new private window .

By following these steps, you’ll set Safari to automatically open a new Private Browsing window each time you launch the application. However, this setting only applies to the initial window at startup, any subsequent windows you open will be regular, non-private windows.

How to Turn Off Private Browsing on a Mac

Turning off Private Browsing in Safari on a Mac is a straightforward process. If you’re using Private Browsing and want to switch back to the standard browsing mode, here’s how you can do it:

• A Private Browsing window in Safari is characterized by a dark search field at the top.
• Simply close the Private Browsing window by clicking the red x button at the top left corner of the window.

• Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Command ⌘ + W .

• If you don’t have any other Safari windows open, you’ll need to open a new one. You can do this by clicking File in the menu bar and selecting New Window .

• Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Command ⌘ + N .

Once you leave Private Browsing, Safari will retain your browsing history, cookies, and other data unless you delete them manually.

Can You View Private Browsing History in Safari on Mac?

A key feature of Private Browsing in Safari is that it doesn’t retain your browsing history, search queries, or cookies once you close the Private Browsing window. This means that, by design, you can’t view the browsing history of a Private Browsing session once it’s closed.

However, while Safari’s Private Browsing mode doesn’t store your browsing history like a regular browsing session, the Terminal archive on Macs operates independently of Safari’s privacy features.

The Terminal archive contains records of all websites visited, including those accessed through Private Browsing. So, you can view your private browsing history in Safari on Mac through the Terminal archive.

How to Check Private Browsing History in Safari on a Mac

• Open the Console application by going to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Console .

• In the sidebar, click your Mac.

• Type the following into the search box:

• Click the Start button in the toolbar to display console messages.

• Enter your admin username and password and click Continue .

• Head to Utilities and open the Terminal application.

• Type the following command and press Enter :

• You will be prompted to enter your admin password.
• Go back to the Console application as described in Step 1.
• Here, you’ll find entries that correspond to your Private Browsing history.

Note that the website names will be displayed as IP addresses instead of website addresses.

How to Delete Private Browsing History Stored in Terminal Archive

• Navigate to Finder > Applications > Utilities and open the Terminal application.

• You will be asked to provide your administrative password to proceed.

Executing this command will clear the DNS cache, effectively erasing stored private browsing history. Be cautious not to modify other settings in the Terminal.

Is Private Browsing Enough to Hide Your Online Activity?

While Safari’s Private Browsing feature enhances your privacy to some extent, it doesn’t make you completely anonymous online. For instance, it won’t hide your IP address, which means websites and online services can still potentially identify you.

Likewise, Private Browsing Mode won’t prevent external tracking by advertisers or third-party websites. For these reasons, you should pair Private Browsing with additional security measures such as a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and antivirus software to create a more comprehensive privacy solution.

Heres’ how to use MacKeeper’s Private Connect VPN to protect your online privacy:

• Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac.
• Open the MacKeeper app on your Mac and click the Private Connect feature under the Privacy section.

• Select a server location from the VPN server location list. You can choose a server in your country for faster browsing or another country to bypass geo-restrictions.

• Click Turn On to activate Private Connect VPN.

• Once connected, you should see a notification indicating your VPN connection is active. You can also check your IP address online to confirm the change.
• When you’re done browsing, disconnect the VPN by clicking the Turn Off button.

What Else Can MacKeeper Do?

Besides offering a foolproof VPN feature, MacKeeper can help scan your Mac for viruses , remove login items from your Mac , delete duplicate files , and remove cache files from your Mac . Check out my MacKeeper review to learn more about its features.

Go Incognito in Safari on Mac and Start Secure Browsing

Navigating the web securely and privately is important, and understanding how Safari’s Private Browsing feature functions on your Mac is a significant step toward that goal. Private Browsing offers a level of protection, but it is not a replacement for more robust security measures, such as using a VPN or specialized security software.

Here are some more tips to make your browsing experience more secure:

• Make sure you clear your browser cache on Mac regularly to avoid your browser from crashing and lagging.
• If you notice suspicious toolbars in your browser, you should immediately remove unwanted toolbars from your Mac browser to prevent viruses from infecting your system.
• Ads and trackers are also a threat to your online privacy. Learn how to block unwanted ads on your Mac and keep them from affecting your productivity. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cookies saved in private browsing mode in safari.

Cookies are not saved in Private Browsing mode in Safari once you close the session. While the session is active, cookies may be stored temporarily to enable website functionality. However, these cookies are automatically deleted when you close the Private Browsing window, enhancing your privacy.

Does Safari private browsing hide your IP address?

No, Safari’s Private Browsing mode does not hide your IP address. While it prevents storing your browsing history, cookies, and form data, it doesn’t make you anonymous online. Your IP address is still visible to websites, your Internet Service Provider, and network administrators.

Is Safari the best option for privacy?

While Safari offers strong privacy features like Intelligent Tracking Prevention and built-in encryption, whether it’s the best option for privacy depends on your specific needs. Other browsers like Firefox focus extensively on privacy and offer advanced customization. It’s important to compare features and decide what best suits your privacy goals.

Why can’t I open a private tab on Safari?

You can’t open a private tab on Safari within a regular window due to design choices aimed at enhancing user privacy and ease of use. Instead, Safari segregates private browsing into separate windows to prevent you from mixing up private and regular tabs, reducing the risk of privacy breaches.

I'm Hashir, a tech journalist with a decade of experience. My work has been featured in some of the top tech publications like MakeUseOf and MakeTechEasier. I have a bachelor's degree in IT, a master's in cybersecurity, and extensive knowledge of Apple hardware, specifically MacBooks. As the senior writer at MacBook Journal, I write in depth guides that help you solve any issues you have with your mac and unbiased reviews that help you make the right buying decisions.

Hi there! I'm Ojash, a tech journalist with over a decade of experience in the industry. I've had the privilege of contributing to some of the world's largest tech publications, making my mark as a respected Mac expert. My passion lies in exploring, using, and writing about MacBooks, and I enjoy sharing my expertise to help others make informed decisions and get the most out of their MacBook experience. Join me as we delve into the fascinating world of MacBooks together!

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How to go incognito in Safari on Mac

There may be times when you want complete privacy while browsing the web. Maybe you don’t want others to know which websites you visit or what items you download, or you may also just want to prevent sites from tracking you across browser tabs. The best way to achieve that is by learning how to go incognito in Safari on a Mac.

How to go incognito on Mac with private browsing in Safari

What happens when you use private browsing, how to exit private browsing in safari, how to always use private browsing in safari, what you need.

Mac computer

Safari browser

When you want to initiate a private browsing session in Safari on Mac, you have a few easy ways to do it.

• Use the Safari menu: With Safari open and active, select File from the menu bar and choose New Private Window .
• Use the Safari icon in the Dock: If you keep the Safari icon in your Dock, right-click it and select New Private Window .
• Use a keyboard shortcut: With Safari open and active, press Shift + Command + N on your keyboard.

Once you open a new private window, you’ll notice the appearance is slightly different. The Smart Search field (URL bar) has a dark background with white text.

You’ll also see a message letting you know that private browsing is enabled. Select the X on the right side to dismiss the message and then visit the websites you want.

Although you can browse the web as you normally would in Safari, there are some differences when you use private browsing.

• Any sites you visit, AutoFill details you use, or changes you make to cookies or website data are not saved.
• Your recent searches are unavailable in the Smart Search field.
• Items you download do not display in the Safari downloads list. However, they are still viewable in your Downloads folder.
• You cannot pass private windows using Handoff to your other devices.
• Any webpages you visit are not stored in iCloud and therefore unavailable when viewing Safari tabs on your other devices.
• Websites cannot track your browsing across tabs in Safari because each private browsing tab is isolated from the next.

When you finish using private browsing, you can simply close the Safari window. You can then select File > New Window or use the keyboard shortcut Command + N to initiate a non-private browsing session.

One additional way to go incognito on Mac is to always use private browsing in Safari. With a simple setting adjustment, you can have Safari open in a private window every single time.

Step 1: Open Safari and select Safari > Preferences from the menu bar.

Step 2: Go to the General tab.

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Step 3: Pick the drop-down next to Safari opens with and choose A new private window .

Step 4: Close the Preferences using the X on the top left corner.

Once you change this setting, you’ll use private browsing each time you open Safari. If you change your mind later, you can follow the same steps and select a different option in the Safari opens with drop-down list.

It’s easy to go incognito on a Mac, whether you go once in a while or all the time. Will you?

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Tips and tricks for using Private Browsing on Mac

Private Browsing is a useful mode on Mac with Safari. It means websites you visit aren’t saved in your history, with iCloud, Smart Search, and more. Follow along for a look at how to use Private Browsing, the keyboard shortcut to quickly open a new private Safari window, setting it as your launch default, and more.

Table of contents

Keyboard shortcut for private browsing on mac, set private browsing as your default safari startup page, going further.

Using a Private Browsing window includes a number of privacy features. In a support document , Apple details how a Private Browsing window works as of macOS Big Sur and Safari 14.

• Browsing initiated in one tab is isolated from browsing initiated in another tab, so websites you visit can’t track your browsing across multiple sessions.
• Webpages you visit and your AutoFill information aren’t saved.
• Your open webpages aren’t stored in iCloud, so they aren’t shown when you view all your open tabs from other devices.
• Your recent searches aren’t included in the results list when you use the Smart Search field.
• Items you download aren’t included in the downloads list. (The items do remain on your computer.)
• If you  use Handoff , Private Browsing windows are not passed to your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or other Mac computers.
• Changes to your  cookies and website data  aren’t saved.

Below we’ll look at how to use Private Browsing on Mac but also a few extra tips and tricks to make it faster and easier to use.

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How to use Private Browsing on Mac

• To open a new Private window, click Safari in the menu bar > New Private Window
• There’s also an alert near the top that you’ve enabled Private Browsing (disappears when you start browsing)

Here’s how it looks:

• You’re probably used to the command + N shortcut for a new Safari window
• Just add shift to that to get a new Private window – command + shift + N
• If you like to use Private Browsing regularly, you can make it your default when Safari launches
• Click Safari > Preferences in the menu bar
• Select the General tab at the top
• Next to Safari open with click the dropdown and choose A new private window

• If you want to tweak the default settings for normal Safari windows, check out the options at the bottom of the Safari > Preferences > General
• At the bottom of the window, you can adjust the settings for when history and downloads are removed and more
• Also, head to Safari > Preferences > Security or Privacy to tweak your fraudulent website warnings, and settings for cookies, website data, and more.
• To clear your Mac’s cache, history, and cookies head to Safari > Clear History (read more in our full guide on that here )

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How to turn on private browsing on a Mac computer in Safari

• You can turn on private browsing on your Mac computer in a Safari browser to use the internet without having your activity catalogued by your browser. 
• Private browsing is a good option to keep sensitive information from living in your web history or being saved to your iCloud account. 
• Here's how to turn on private browsing on a Mac computer by opening a new private window or using a keyboard shortcut. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

A private browser is a useful way to navigate the internet with minimal tracking, although the exact functions may vary slightly depending on which browser you are using. 

On Safari, private browsing means that websites won't be able to track your activity across sites, your visited websites aren't saved or stored on in iCloud, and your recent searches won't appear in the Smart Search field. 

You also won't have access to any saved AutoFill information when you visit websites, so keep that in mind if you need to log into a site.

With that in mind, here's how to open a private window on a Mac using the Safari web browser: 

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Macbook pro (from $1,299.99 at best buy), how to turn on private browsing on a mac in safari.

1. Open your Safari browser.

2. In the top toolbar, click "File."

3. Select "New Private Window."

The smart search field will show up with a dark background, which will signal that you are in private browsing mode. 

Alternatively, you could use the keyboard shortcut to open a private window in your Safari browser. To do that, you'd open a window in the browser, then press the shift, command and "N" keys.

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Your Guide to Private Browsing in Safari

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What private browsing does in safari, how to use safari private browsing on iphone and ipad, how to use safari private browsing on a mac, how to disable safari private browsing on iphone and ipad, how to disable safari private browsing on a mac, key takeaways.

• Private Browsing in Safari hides browsing history, autofill details, downloads, and locks tabs after inactivity.
• Safari on Mac groups private and non-private tabs, while on iPhone it shows all tabs regardless of mode.
• To use Private Browsing in Safari, identify it by a dark address bar, "Private" indicator, or "Private" next to the site URL.

Most browsers offer a private browsing mode that aims to keep the websites you view off the record. But what exactly does it do in Safari and how do you get the best out of it?

First and foremost, Private Browsing keeps the website pages you visit out of your History . The aim is to prevent someone else from seeing which pages you have visited if they have access to your phone or computer.

In Safari, Private Browsing does a lot more than just hide URLs. It also:

• Prevents recent searches from showing up in your history.
• Stops remembering details you enter in forms for autofill.
• Keeps downloaded items from appearing in your Downloads list.
• Locks private tabs after a period of inactivity.
• Adds tracking and fingerprinting protection.

However, it’s important to note that Private Browsing does not stop you from being tracked altogether. Websites you visit will still be able to use various methods to track you, and will still have access to all data that you send them.

On macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, Safari groups private tabs together, and separates them from non-private tabs. On Mac, each Safari window is either private or non-private, and can have as many tabs as you want.

On iPhone, you can switch between private and non-private modes, each of which shows all tabs belonging to that mode.

You can spot when you’re viewing a private tab with these signs:

• The address bar has a dark background. This may be less noticeable if you’re using Dark Mode .
• On Mac, you’ll see a prominent Private indicator in the title bar.
• On iPhone, you’ll see Private alongside the site URL at the bottom of your screen.

The steps to enter Private Browsing mode are nearly identical on an iPhone and iPad. The only difference is that the tab icon is at the bottom of the screen on iOS and the top on iPadOS.

• Long-press the tab icon (two overlapping pages) on the bottom-right (iPhone) or top-right (iPad) of your screen.
• Tap the New Private Tab menu item.
• If locked, enter your passcode to unlock Private Browsing.

You can enter Private Browsing mode on macOS using either a menu item or a keyboard shortcut:

• Open the File menu and choose New Private Window .
• Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Shift + Cmd + n .
• Use the browser as you normally would. Any tabs you open from this window will open in the same window, in private mode.

You may want to prevent users of an iPhone or iPad from using Private Browsing mode at all. To do so:

• Open the Settings app.
• Tap on Screen Time .
• Under RESTRICTIONS , click on Content & Privacy Restrictions .
• If not already enabled, press the toggle next to Content & Privacy Restrictions to enable.
• Tap Content Restrictions .
• Change the Web Content setting to Limit Adult Websites .

The option to enter private mode will now be gone.

On macOS, the wording of certain options differs slightly, but the overall process is near-identical to iOS:

• Open System Settings via the Apple menu.
• Click on Screen Time in the left panel.
• Under the Restrictions section, click on Content & Privacy .
• Click Content Restrictions .
• Change the Access to Web Content setting to Limit Adult Websites .

Private Browsing will now be unavailable in Safari, although any existing private windows will stay open.

Of course, anyone can re-enable Private Browsing using the same process, in reverse. However, you can use Screen Time’s Lock Screen Time Settings option to set a passcode and enforce the setting permanently.

• Private Browsing

How To Go Incognito On Mac's Safari Browser

You may be familiar with " Incognito Mode " as a common feature on most web browsers these days — including Safari on a Mac desktop or laptop. Basically, Incognito Mode acts as a sort of buffer that lets you visit various websites without Safari, Chrome, etc., from keeping track of and saving your browser history.

It's an option that has a few situational benefits, like if you share your computer with someone else and you don't want them knowing what sites you're using. For example, you might be gift shopping, and you don't want to regularly clear out the history cache. It's a baked-in setting with Safari on iPhones, but Mac computers are different.

Before you start setting up  Incognito Mode up, be aware: it does not offer the same level of anonymity and protection as something like a VPN . It prevents the browser and Mac (or other devices you may use with Safari) from saving your browsing history, yes, but it won't prevent the websites themselves from tracking your activity or viewing your location.

Setting Safari to Incognito Mode

You have two choices when it comes to Incognito Mode — using it one time or making it the default. To set it up for a single browsing session:

• Open Safari and select File from the top of the screen.
• Choose New Private Window from the drop-down menu (the Search field at the top of a private window is dark and the text is white).
• Use the browser window as usual, then close the window when you're finished with Incognito Mode.
• Once the private window is closed you'll have to open a new one to begin using it again.

If you would prefer to have your browser stay in Incognito Mode all the time :

• Open Safari and select Safari from the top of the screen.
• Choose Settings, then select General.
• Select "Safari opens with."
• Choose "A new private window."

You can turn this setting off later if you change your mind, or choose File > New Window to open another window while the setting is turned on. It will be open non-private tab while still maintaining the privacy setting. These steps also apply to most versions of macOS you might be using, from High Sierra up through Ventura.

How to browse the web privately in Safari

Use Safari’s private browsing mode to surf the internet without having all of your information tracked and recorded. Private browsing prompts Safari to block websites from tracking your search behavior. The browser won’t remember any webpages you visit and your search history won’t get logged. Follow along with us to learn how to open Safari in private browsing mode on your iPhone, iPad and Mac.

How private browsing mode works

Browsing the internet in Safari’s private-browsing mode strengthens your online privacy. When surfing the web privately, website tracking is limited and none of your browsing history or login information is saved. This prevents others with have access to your device to view a list of websites you visited. Read: How to turn off Safari website tinting

Browsing certain websites privately in Safari ensures that those histories don’t pop up in everyone’s faces. For instance, you may want to perform a web search incognito or browse adult websites privately. As mentioned, private tabs don’t appear in Safari’s history. And to boost your privacy even further, private tabs also won’t show up in the list of synced tabs on your other devices.

• Private browsing : Private browsing won’t remember your search history, show the pages you visit or reveal any automatically filled passwords. Private browsing also blocks some websites from tracking your search behavior.
• Regular browsing : Public browsing isn’t private so it will in fact record your browsing and searching history, as well as your Autofill information like saved passwords.

Of course, Safari allows you to manually clear your browsing history and website data, including cookies, at any time. But with private browsing mode, you don’t need to do that because nothing gets remembered in the first place.

How to use private browsing in Safari for iPhone

To open a new private browsing tab on your iPhone or iPod touch, you must choose the Private tab group from the browser’s New Tab screen.

• Open Safari on your iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 15.0 or later.
• Touch the New Page  icon in the bottom-right corner.
• Hit “ ⌄ ” in the center of the tab bar at the bottom of the screen, then choose Private.
• Touch  Done to start browsing the web privately.

When in private browsing mode, Safari appears black or dark instead of white or gray. Specifically, the URL field turns gray and uses white text. You will also see a message near the top of the private window saying “Private Browsing Mode”.

When opening multiple private tabs, Safari nests them under a group titled “Private”.

To close a single private tab, hit the New Page icon to get thumbnails of all your private tabs, then swipe left each of the private tabs you wish to close. To exit private browsing mode, first touch the New Page button in the bottom-right corner, then choose Private . Now simply select a different, non-private tab group and then hit Done  in order to switch to it.

How to use private browsing in Safari for iPad

Entering private browsing mode in Safari for iPad requires bringing the browser’s sidebar into view. The sidebar includes all the private tab options you need.

• Open Safari on your iPad with iPadOS 15.0 or later.
• Hit the sidebar icon near the top-left corner to open the Safari sidebar.
• From the Safari sidebar on the lefthand side, choose the option labeled Private .

Doing so creates a new tab in a group dubbed “Private”. You can open multiple private tabs in this tab group. Private tabs don’t leave traces in the Safari history nor do they appear in the list of tabs on your other devices.

To hide your private tabs and exit private browsing mode, switch to a different tab group from the Safari sidebar. Don’t worry, any open private tabs you have will reappear the next time you invoke the private browsing mode.

Forcing mobile Safari to always open in private mode

Unfortunately, Apple hasn’t provided a toggle in iOS/iPadOS to force Safari to always open in private browsing mode similar to macOS Monterey. Thankfully, there’s a simple trick that’ll let you do just that.

The trick is in creating a new private tab like you normally would and leaving it intact when you exit Safari. Doing so makes your private tabs persist across sessions, with Safari automatically showing your private tabs the next time you launch the browser.

If you exit private mode though, the next tab you open won’t be private. Safari will default to opening private windows each time you launch it.

How to use private browsing in Safari for Mac

You can open a new private browsing window in Safari on your Mac either by leveraging a dedicated menu option or invoking a special keyboard shortcut.

• Open Safari on your Mac
• Click Safari’s File menu, then choose New Private Window .

Doing so creates a new private window that has dark-colored borders, with the URL field set against the white text to distinguish it from regular Safari windows. You will also see a message near the top of the private window saying “Private Browsing Enabled”.

To open a private window faster, hit Shift (⇧) – Command (⌘) – N on the keyboard.

Forcing desktop Safari to always open with a private window

You can also force Safari for Mac to automatically launch in private browsing mode.

• Open Safari on your Mac.
• Click the Safari menu, then choose  Preferences .
• In the Safari preferences window, select the  General  tab.
• Click the menu next to  Safari opens with , then choose  A new private window .

Safari will default to opening in private browsing mode each time it’s launched.

A support document on the Apple website instructs people who don’t see this option to tick  Close windows when quitting an app  in  System Preferences → General .

To close the current private window, simply close it. Switching to a non-private Safari window or opening one will also turn off private browsing temporarily until you click the private window again. Apple advises closing all private windows when you’re done using Safari’s private browsing mode in order to prevent other people from clicking Safari’s back and forward buttons to see pages you visited in the private windows.

What private browsing mode in Safari actually does

Wondering what all of the features of Safari’s private browsing mode are? Apple notes in support documents for Safari for iPhone , iPad and Mac that all of the following are true:

• All of your tabbed windows are isolated from one another, so none of the websites that are open in your private window can see what other websites you might have open in the same window.
• All of your login sessions and AutoFill information will be forgotten the next time the web browser is used.
• Any of the webpages that you have open are kept out of iCloud so that other devices won’t have access to any of the webpages you have open in the private browsing window. Also, your recent searches won’t appear as suggestions when typing a search phrase into the URL field.
• All of your search results from searches performed in a private browsing window are hidden and not stored.
• Anything you download while in the private browsing window is not saved in your download history (downloaded items still end up in your Downloads folder or designated download location).
• Private windows are not passed to other devices when Handoff is turned on.
• All websites you visit are asked not to track you and Safari won’t remember cookie information from your current private browsing window when you begin your next browsing session.
• Any plug-ins you have installed will also be limited to tracking your information from the private browsing window.

Use private browsing to surf the web anonymously

Your online privacy is important, and you should never give it up!

Most people won’t want to do all their web surfing privately. Browsing the internet publicly has its advantages, like better website personalization, the ability to view your browsing history and so forth. Read: How to reverse Safari’s polarizing redesign in iOS 15

Browsing certain websites privately in Safari ensures that those histories don’t pop up in everyone’s faces. Private browsing is useful even if you’re the only user of your device because you never know when you’ll be sharing a screen with someone in the future when you go surfing the web. For instance, you may wanna prevent others from knowing what you were looking up in the past such as when you were shopping for the holidays.

So whenever you feel like hiding all traces of your online activity in Safari, remember to switch to the private browsing mode before doing any web surfing.

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How to use private web browsing on Mac

Many web users prefer to keep their browsing history secret and private – from loved ones, colleagues, even total strangers and advertising companies.

There are a few ways to protect your privacy. You could delete your history at the end of every browsing session, or use a VPN to stay anonymous online (our recommendation is NordVPN but we have a separate roundup of the best Mac VPNs ). But for a simple and free solution, we recommend the use of private browsing mode.

For similar advice relating to phone and tablet, see How to use private browsing on iPhone & iPad .

Why your browsing history is at risk

Many of us share our Macs with other people, and you don’t want to worry about any embarrassing websites you’ve been looking at being discovered by your spouse or flatmate.

The classic excuse is that you’ve been ‘researching an anniversary present’ and don’t want to spoil the surprise, but if you’ve been seeking medical advice or applying for jobs online it would be entirely reasonable to want to keep that information to yourself. And, all joking aside, porn users are entitled to their privacy too, particularly if they have kids and don’t want them to stumble across any adult sites.

If you’re thinking of having one machine for sharing and another for the private stuff, bear in mind that it’s not as simple as you might think. Safari features such as Top Sites, Frequently Visited and the Smart Search Field automatically display your history as you use the browser, and iCloud syncs this information between your Apple devices. If you look at a website on your Mac it could pop up when somebody uses your iPhone or iPad or vice versa.

Even if you trust people not to bother searching through your history, they could still accidentally discover what you’ve been looking at when the browser offers it as an autocomplete suggestion.

iCloud privacy

If you’re looking for more things to worry about, there were reports in 2017 that Apple hadn’t been removing deleted Safari web histories from iCloud. We believe the company has since tackled the issue, but it’s another example of the ways in which browsing histories can leak out unexpectedly.

According to ElcomSoft, the data might have disappeared from the devices, but it was still on iCloud and easily recoverable.

“We discovered that deleting a browsing history record makes that record disappear from synced devices,” said company spokesperson Vladimir Katalov. “However, the record still remains available (but invisible) in iCloud… We were able to pull additional information about Safari history entries including the exact date and time each record was last visited and deleted!”

What is private browsing?

Private browsing is an optional mode available in most web browser software where no record is kept of the sites you visit. If you’re looking at a website and you’d rather keep it to yourself, you should turn on private browsing before entering the URL.

Apple has included private browsing as a feature in macOS and iOS since way back in Safari 5.1 (in Mac OS X Lion) and iOS 5.

Private browsing in Safari

The way private browsing works varies from browser to browser . We cover the four most popular Mac browsers individually, but if you’re using one of the more obscure ones, don’t despair: just check the File > menu and look for mention of a private window or similar. (Shift + Cmd + N often works too.)

The key thing with private browsing mode(s) is that it can be applied to certain windows only, so be careful. The fact that you opened a private window doesn’t mean you’ll still be covered if you go back to an old window you had open before (or a new one you open without private browsing applied).

In Safari, you open a new private window by Choose File > New Private Window (Shift + Cmd + N).

You’ll now be viewing a window in private browsing mode. Safari won’t remember any browsing or search history. Once again, it’s important to know that this only applies to this window that you have opened . You can tell it’s a private window because the Smart Search Field will be a dark grey colour.

If you open a new tab within the private window it will also be private. But if you open another window using the standard File > New Window (Cmd + N), it will not be a private browsing window. So be careful to use just the private window(s) for your browsing session.

Private browsing in Chrome

Chrome’s private browsing mode is called Incognito, but it’s otherwise the same idea. Select File > New Incognito Window, or press Shift + Cmd + N.

You’ll notice that Chrome’s Incognito windows are a totally different colour to its normal ones.

Private browsing in Firefox

Select File > New Private Window, or press Shift + Cmd + P.

Private browsing in Opera

Select File > New Private Window, or press Shift + Cmd + N.

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Today's NYT Connections Hints and Answer for June 17 (#372)

Today's nyt connections hints and answer for june 16 (#371), proton drive is getting even better, quick links, what is private browsing in safari, how to always launch safari with a new private browsing window.

If you use Safari on a Mac and would like for your browsing history to stay private but don't want to always think about having to turn it on, there's a way to open a new private browsing window every time you launch Safari. Here's how.

Private Browsing is a mode where Safari doesn't save your browsing history, AutoFill information, changes to cookies, recent searches, and download history between sessions. The mode also inclues Apple-centric privacy features, such as preventing sharing of browsing information through iCloud . And if you have Handoff enabled, browsing windows do not get passed to your other Apple devices.

Even with all those features, you should be aware that Private Browsing mode does not conceal your browsing history from websites on the internet that might use your IP address to track you across sites , hosts of your network (such as a school or business), or your ISP.

Related: The Many Ways Websites Track You Online

First, launch Safari. In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click "Safari" and select "Preferences."

In the Preferences pop-up window, make sure you're on the General tab. Look for the option called "Safari Opens With:" located beside a drop-down menu.

Click on the drop-down menu and select "A New Private Window" from the list of options.

Close the Preferences window, quit Safari, and launch Safari again. You should see a window with a "Private Browsing Enabled" notice along the top.

Now you're free to use the window as you typically would . Just make sure you close it when you're done.

Related: Five Worthwhile Uses for Private Browsing Mode (Besides Porn)

It's worth noting that the option we just set only works when you first open Safari.  By default, new windows you open after that will not be private. If you want to open additional Private windows, you'll need to select File > New Private Window from the menu bar, or use the Shift+Command+N shortcut. Good luck, and happy browsing!

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How to Go Incognito or Private Mode on Safari Mac

The private or Incognito browsing mode on Safari allows users to visit websites without Safari remembering the websites that were visited. This is helpful for users who want to keep their browsing history private or avoid seeing advertisements based on past browsing history. 

I am Andreas, and I’m a tech enthusiast and an avid Mac user. When I search the web, and I don’t want my browsing history tracked or saved, I use private mode most of the time when I search on Google.

Method 1: Browse Privately Only One Time

Method 2: browse privately by default, how to turn off incognito or private mode on safari, why safari won’t allow me to open a private tab, will the wifi owner be aware of what i search for, conclusion , step-by-step guide on how to go private mode on safari mac.

There are two methods for going incognito or private mode on Safari Mac.

If you want your Safari to browse privately only once, do the following. 

Step 1: Launch “ Safari” .

Step 2: Open the “File” dropdown menu and click on the “ New Private Window” . This will open up a private window for you to browse safely.

Safari can be set up to open new private browsing windows by default. 

Step 2: Click on the “ Safari” menu and select “ Preferences” .

Step 3: Go to the “ General” tab, click on the “ Safari Opens With” menu and choose “ A New Private Window” .

That’s it. Simple, right?

Here are some questions related to the topic, I’ll answer them briefly below.

 In the Safari program on your Mac, close your private window, click on the red circle icon, and in the File menu, select the new window tab.

Safari starts a new virtual window when you use private mode. As a result, you’ll need to open a new private window by opening a new Private Browsing session. It is impossible to merge regular and private sessions within a single window because they are configured to operate differently. 

WiFi router logs are conserved, and WiFi owners can see which sites you have visited, so your WiFi surfing history is nowhere private and secure. Furthermore, WiFi administrators can review your surfing history and even use a network sniffer to look at your private data.

Safari offers a private browsing feature to help you hide your online activity from other people. This is the best way to complete personal purchases, look for responses to tricky inquiries, or avoid making embarrassing discoveries. 

I hope you found this article helpful and that you’ve learned how to browse privately on the web. If you have any questions about this topic, let me know in the comments.

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Why Use a Private Browser on Mac

A private browser, also known as incognito mode or private mode, is a feature available in popular web browsers like Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera. It offers users a more secure and private online browsing experience. There are several reasons why you might want to use a private browser on your Mac:

• Protecting Your Privacy: When you browse the internet using a private browser, your browsing history, cookies, and other data are not stored on your computer. This can help prevent websites, advertisers, and third-party trackers from collecting information about your online activities.
• Browsing Anonymously: Private browsers don’t keep a record of your browsing history, which means your searches and visited websites are not saved. This can be useful if you’re researching sensitive topics or want to keep your online activities private.
• Testing Websites: If you’re a web developer or designer, using a private browser can be beneficial for testing websites. It allows you to view the website as a new user, without any previous cached data or cookies influencing the browsing experience.
• Avoiding Cookie-Based Personalization: Private browsing mode disables most tracking cookies, preventing websites from personalizing content or displaying targeted ads based on your previous browsing behavior.
• Signing in with Multiple Accounts: If you have multiple online accounts on a particular website, using a private browser can help you sign in to each account simultaneously without needing to log out and log back in.

By using a private browser on your Mac, you can maintain a certain level of anonymity and privacy while browsing the internet. It’s important to note, however, that private browsing does not make you completely anonymous or protect you from other forms of tracking, such as your IP address being monitored by your internet service provider or the websites you visit.

Now that you understand the benefits of using a private browser on your Mac, let’s explore how to open a private browser window on Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera.

How to Open a Private Browser Window on Safari

Safari, the default web browser on macOS, offers a private browsing feature called “Private Window.” Follow these steps to open a private browser window on Safari:

• Launch the Safari browser on your Mac.
• Click on “File” in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
• In the drop-down menu, click on “New Private Window.”
• A new window will open, indicating that you are in a private browsing session. You can also identify a private window by the dark theme and the “Private” label in the address bar.
• You can now browse the internet privately in this window. Keep in mind that any websites you visit or files you download will not be saved in your browsing history or downloads folder.
• Once you are done with your private browsing session, simply close the private window, and Safari will not retain any data from that session.

Opening a private browser window on Safari is a quick and easy way to browse the internet privately and securely. It’s important to remember that while using a private window helps protect your privacy on your local device, it does not make you anonymous to websites or network providers. Additionally, any bookmarks or saved login information will not carry over to a private browsing session, so you may need to re-enter passwords or log in to websites again.

Now that you know how to open a private browser window on Safari, let’s move on to learning how to open a private browsing tab on Safari .

How to Open a Private Browsing Tab on Safari

Opening a private browsing tab on Safari allows you to keep your browsing activities separate from your regular browsing session. Follow these steps to open a private browsing tab on Safari:

• In the drop-down menu, click on “New Private Tab.”
• A new tab will open with a dark theme, indicating that you are in a private browsing session. You can also identify a private tab by the “Private” label next to the tab name.
• You can now browse the internet privately in this tab. Any websites you visit in this tab will not be saved in your browsing history, and any cookies or temporary files created during the private browsing session will be deleted when you close the tab.
• When you are finished with your private browsing session, simply close the private tab, and Safari will not retain any data from that session.

Opening a private browsing tab on Safari is a convenient way to keep your browsing activities separate from your regular browsing session without needing to open a separate private window. It’s important to note that while private browsing can help protect your privacy on your local device, it does not make you completely anonymous on the internet or protect you from other forms of tracking.

Now that you know how to open a private browsing tab on Safari, let’s move on to learning how to open a private window on Google Chrome.

How to Open a Private Window on Google Chrome

Google Chrome offers a private browsing feature called “Incognito Mode,” which allows you to browse the internet privately and without saving your browsing history. Here’s how you can open a private window on Google Chrome:

• Launch Google Chrome on your Mac.
• Click on the three dots icon in the upper-right corner of the browser window to open the Chrome menu.
• In the drop-down menu, hover over “New Window” and then click on “New Incognito Window.”
• A new window will open with a dark theme and a warning message stating that you have gone incognito. You can also identify an incognito window by the icon in the upper-left corner of the window.
• You can now browse the internet privately in this window. Any websites you visit or files you download will not be saved in your browsing history or download history.
• Once you are done with your private browsing session, simply close the incognito window, and Chrome will not retain any data from that session.

Opening a private window on Google Chrome is a simple way to protect your privacy and prevent your browsing history from being saved. It’s important to note that while browsing in incognito mode, your internet service provider, employer, or websites you visit may still be able to track your online activities.

Now that you know how to open a private window on Google Chrome, let’s move on to learning how to open an incognito window on Mozilla Firefox.

How to Open an Incognito Window on Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox offers a private browsing feature called “Private Window” or “New Private Window,” which allows you to browse the internet privately and without saving your browsing history. Here’s how you can open an incognito window on Mozilla Firefox:

• Launch Mozilla Firefox on your Mac.
• Click on the three horizontal lines icon in the upper-right corner of the browser window to open the Firefox menu.
• A new window will open with a dark theme and a brief explanation of what private browsing does. You can also identify a private window by the purple mask icon in the upper-right corner of the window.
• You can now browse the internet privately in this window. Any websites you visit or information you enter will not be saved in your browsing history, and any cookies created during the private browsing session will be deleted when you close the window.
• Once you are done with your private browsing session, simply close the private window, and Firefox will not retain any data from that session.

Opening an incognito window on Mozilla Firefox is a great way to protect your privacy and keep your browsing activities separate from your regular browsing session. It’s important to note that while browsing in private mode, your internet service provider, employer, or websites you visit may still be able to track your online activities.

Now that you know how to open an incognito window on Mozilla Firefox, let’s move on to learning how to open a private browsing window on Opera.

How to Open a Private Browsing Window on Opera

Opera, a popular web browser known for its speed and security, offers a private browsing feature called “Private Window.” Follow these steps to open a private browsing window on Opera:

• Launch Opera on your Mac.
• Click on the “Menu” button in the upper-left corner of the browser window.
• In the drop-down menu, hover over “New Private Window” and then click on it.
• You can now browse the internet privately in this window. Any websites you visit or data you enter in this window will not be saved in your browsing history or cookies.
• Once you are done with your private browsing session, simply close the private window, and Opera will not retain any data from that session.

Opening a private browsing window on Opera ensures that your browsing activities are not saved and that your online privacy is protected. It’s important to note that while using a private browser window can help maintain your privacy on your local device, it does not make you completely anonymous on the internet or protect you from other forms of tracking.

Now that you know how to open a private browsing window on Opera, you can enjoy a more secure and private browsing experience on your Mac.

Benefits of Using a Private Browser on Mac

Using a private browser on your Mac offers several benefits that can enhance your online browsing experience and protect your privacy. Here are some of the key advantages of using a private browser:

• Enhanced Privacy: When you use a private browser, it prevents your browsing history, cookies, and other data from being saved on your device. This helps protect your privacy by preventing websites, advertisers, and third-party trackers from collecting information about your online activities.
• Anonymous Browsing: Private browsing allows you to browse the internet without leaving behind any traces of your online activities. By not saving your browsing history or search queries, private browsers help maintain a certain level of anonymity while engaging in online activities.
• Protection from Tracking: Private browsing modes disable most tracking cookies, which are used by websites to collect data on your browsing behavior. By blocking these cookies, private browsers help prevent websites from personalizing content, displaying targeted ads, or tracking your online movements.
• Multiple Account Management: Private browsing can be beneficial if you have multiple accounts on a particular website. Using a private browser allows you to sign in to each account simultaneously, without the need to log out and log back in or switch between user profiles.
• Preventing Browser Autofill: Private browsing modes do not utilize your previously saved data, such as autofill forms or stored passwords. This feature can be particularly helpful when using a shared computer or accessing sensitive information on public networks.

While it’s important to remember that private browsing does not make you completely anonymous or protect you from all forms of tracking, it does provide an additional layer of privacy and control over your online activities.

By using a private browser on your Mac, you can enjoy a more secure browsing experience and have greater control over your online privacy. Now that you understand the benefits of using a private browser, let’s explore how to customize privacy settings in Safari .

How to Customize Privacy Settings in Safari

Safari offers various privacy settings that allow you to customize your browsing experience to suit your needs. By adjusting these settings, you can enhance your privacy and control how Safari handles your data. Here’s how you can customize privacy settings in Safari on your Mac:

• Open Safari on your Mac.
• Click on “Safari” in the menu bar at the top of the screen, and then select “Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
• In the Preferences window, click on the “Privacy” tab located at the top.
• You will see several privacy options that you can customize. Some of the important ones include:
• Prevent cross-site tracking: Enabling this option helps prevent websites from tracking your browsing activities across different sites, limiting the information advertisers and trackers can collect about you.
• Block all cookies: Activating this option blocks all cookies from being stored on your computer. While this may enhance privacy, it may also affect the functionality of some websites that rely on cookies for logins or customization.
• Manage website data: Clicking on this button allows you to view and remove stored data for individual websites. This can help you manage and control the information that websites store on your device.
• Ask websites not to track me: Enabling this option sends a request to websites you visit, asking them not to track your online activities. However, compliance with this request is voluntary and may not be followed by all websites.
• Customize these settings based on your preferences by checking or unchecking the boxes next to each option.
• Once you have configured your privacy settings, you can close the Preferences window.

Customizing privacy settings in Safari gives you greater control over how your data is handled and helps protect your online privacy. It’s important to regularly review and update these settings to align with your privacy preferences.

Now that you know how to customize privacy settings in Safari, let’s move on to learning how to clear browsing history and other data from a private browser window on your Mac.

How to Clear Browsing History and Other Data from a Private Browser Window on Mac

Clearing your browsing history and other data from a private browser window is essential to maintain your privacy and remove any traces of your online activities. If you use a private browser window on your Mac and want to clear this data, follow these steps:

• In the private browser window, click on the “History” tab in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
• In the drop-down menu, click on “Clear History.”
• A new window will appear, allowing you to customize the data you want to clear. You can choose to clear your browsing history, cookies, cached data, and other website data from the past hour, day, week, or all time.
• Select the desired time range or choose “all history” to remove all data from the private browser window.
• Click on the “Clear History” button to initiate the deletion process.
• Once the process is complete, your browsing history and other data will be deleted from the private browser window.

Clearing your browsing history and other data from a private browser window ensures that no one else using your device can access this information and helps maintain your privacy. It’s important to note that clearing this data only affects the specific private browser window you are using and does not impact your overall browsing history or data stored in other browsers or accounts.

Remember, clearing your browsing history and data should be done regularly if you want to maintain your privacy. By doing so, you can enjoy a fresh and private browsing experience each time you open a private browser window on your Mac.

Now that you know how to clear browsing history and other data from a private browser window, let’s explore some tips for maintaining online privacy while using a private browser window on your Mac.

Tips for Maintaining Online Privacy While Using a Private Browser Window on Mac

While using a private browser window on your Mac can enhance your online privacy, there are additional steps you can take to further protect your personal information. Here are some tips for maintaining online privacy while using a private browser window:

• Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN): Consider using a VPN service to encrypt your internet connection and hide your IP address. This helps protect your online activities from being monitored by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and adds an extra layer of privacy.
• Disable Location Sharing: Be mindful of location-sharing permissions, as websites may request access to your location data. Disable or limit the sharing of your location information unless it is necessary for the functionality of a particular website or application.
• Avoid Suspicious Websites and Downloads: Be cautious when visiting unfamiliar or potentially malicious websites. Stick to reputable sources for downloads and avoid clicking on suspicious links that may lead to phishing or malware-infected sites.
• Regularly Update Browsers and Plugins: Ensure that your browser and plugins are up to date to benefit from the latest security patches and enhancements. Updated software reduces the risk of vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers.
• Be Mindful of Online Forms: Exercise caution when entering personal information on online forms. Verify the legitimacy and security of the website before submitting sensitive data, and try to minimize the amount of personal information shared whenever possible.
• Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Create strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts to prevent unauthorized access. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple sites and consider using a reliable password manager to help you generate and securely store complex passwords.
• Regularly Clear Cookies and Cache: Once you are done using a private browser window, clear your cookies and cache. This helps remove temporary files and data that may contain information about your browsing activities.
• Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Activities: Public Wi-Fi networks may not be secure, making it easier for hackers to intercept your data. Avoid accessing sensitive information, such as online banking or personal email, when connected to public Wi-Fi networks.
• Be Cautious with Extensions and Add-ons: Be selective when installing browser extensions or add-ons, as they may have access to your browsing data. Only install trusted extensions from reputable sources and regularly review and remove any unnecessary ones.

By following these tips, you can enhance your online privacy and protect your personal information while using a private browser window on your Mac. Remember to exercise caution and remain vigilant to stay one step ahead of potential threats.

Now that you have learned these valuable tips, you can enjoy a safer and more private online browsing experience on your Mac.

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BROWSING SAFARI IN INCOGNITO MODE

I use a MacBook Pro 14. I am unable to use private mode on Safari, and incognito mode on Chrome. I have reasons to believe that my laptop is being monitored and controlled via Remote Desktop. I received this laptop as a gift and I believe that my laptop is being managed by the giver.

The file menu does not give me the option to use a private window, nor does the shortcut (command+shift+N) work. Is there a way to bypass these two options?

Secondly, my passkey does not work on chrome in private or normal mode. Though these problems are not always present, they occur often. How do I resolve this issue, and if Remote Desktop is being used my laptop, is there a way I can stop it?

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 14.4

Posted on Apr 5, 2024 10:48 AM

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Apr 5, 2024 12:19 PM in response to kristobea

As nice as it must have been to receive your MacBook Pro as a gift, whoever gave it to you should have complied with Apple's instructions, here: What to do before you sell, give away , trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support (I added the boldface ).

From what you describe, he or she did not do that, and yes your concerns are justified.In an abundance of caution I'd erase that Mac. Follow those instructions to the best of your ability.

The short answer is no. I don't know of anything other than a remotely managed Mac that would prevent you from doing that. Erase the Mac to ensure the removal of any remote management profiles or any other eavesdropping ability.

How to Disable Safari Private Browsing on Mac

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer specializing in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Microsoft Windows, and Google web apps. Besides Guiding Tech, you can read his work at iPhone Hacks, Online Tech Tips, Help Desk Geek, MakeUseOf, and Switching to Mac.

Atish is a seasoned tech enthusiast fueled by caffeine and a Computer Science engineering degree. He stumbled into the blogging world in 2015 and hasn't looked back. Over 2000+ articles later, his work has been featured on sites like Gizbot, Firstpost, PhoneArena, GSMArena, and IBTimes. At GT, he's your go-to guy for how-tos, invaluable tips, and troubleshooting guides that actually work. He's also an SEO and digital marketing whiz and content strategist, so his tech takes are always on point and ethical.

If you hand over your Mac to someone else, you may not know what they were up to during their browsing sessions. Now,  put kids into the equation , and that becomes a severe issue due to the numerous harmful websites out there. That is why you should know how to disable Safari Private Browsing on Mac.

But before we begin with the article, it is vital to know the risks associated with disabling Private Browsing on Safari for Mac. When you disable Private Browsing, your browsing history, cookies, and other browsing data are stored, which can compromise your privacy.

However, on the flip side, it also offers benefits such as personalized browsing experiences and easier access to previously visited sites. With this understanding, let’s begin with the article.

How to Use Screen Time to Turn Off Private Browsing on Safari

Screen Time made its debut on the iPhone and iPad alongside iOS 12. Not only does it provide the ability to keep a tab on the activities across all of your iOS devices, but it also contains a healthy dose of web content restrictions. The adult content restriction, in particular, not only blocks all NSFW content but also deactivates Safari’s Private Browsing tabs .

Let’s begin with the steps.

Step 1: Press the ‘Command + Space’ key on your keyboard to open Spotlight Search. Then, type Settings or System Settings , and hit the Return key.

Step 2 : In the Settings window, go to Screen Time on the left pane.

Step 3 : On the right pane, scroll down, and under Restrictions, click on ‘Content & Privacy.’

Step 4 : Under ‘Content & Privacy,’ toggle on the feature.

Step 5 : Now, click on Content Restrictions.

Step 6 : In the pop-up modal, click on the chevron (arrow) drop-down icon next to the ‘Access to Web Content’ option.

Step 7 : From the drop-down menu, choose ‘Limit Adult Websites.’ Then, click Done.

And that’s it. Private Browsing in Safari is now disabled. You can no longer open Private Browsing windows within Safari — the New Private Window option on the Safari File menu will appear grayed out, and the related ‘Shift + Command + N’ keyboard shortcut will also not work.

If you want to re-enable Private Browsing in Safari on your Mac, head back into Settings > Screen Time > click ‘Content & Privacy’ > Content Restrictions > Access to Web Content > Unrestricted Access.

Synced Devices and Screen Time Passcodes

If you have other macOS or iOS devices tied to your Apple ID , your restrictions will also carry over to them by default. If you want to stop that from happening, follow the below steps.

Step 3 : On the right pane, scroll down, and below ‘Content & Privacy’ toggle off ‘Share across devices.’

There you go. The settings you made on the current device will not get synced across your other Apple device. Additionally, you can also set up a Screen Time Passcode , which will help prevent anyone else from messing around with your Screen Time settings.

How to Get Rid of Private Browsing in Guest Mode

By default, macOS imposes adult content filters when logged in as a guest user. That means Private Browsing in Safari is already disabled. But if that doesn’t appear to be the case, then here’s what you must do:

Step 2 : From the left pane, navigate to ‘Users & Groups.’ On the right pane, click on the ‘i’ button right next to the Guest User.

Step 3 : Toggle on ‘Allow guests to log in to this computer.’

Step 4 : To enable this setting, you’ll need to enter your Mac’s password.

Step 5 : Once enabled, toggle on ‘Limit adult websites.’

This should disable Private Browsing windows when using Safari as a guest. However, all data within the Guest User account is deleted each time that a user signs out, which kind of beats the purpose of having Private Browsing disabled in the first place. But imposing limits on NSFW content is still a major plus point.

That said, if you have any queries we missed addressing, check out the FAQ section below.

FAQs on Disabling Safari Private Browsing on Mac

No, Safari does not have a built-in feature to password-protect Private Browsing. Once it’s disabled, anyone with access to your computer can enable it again.

Disabling Private Browsing does not delete your existing browsing history. However, your future browsing activities will be recorded in the history if Private Browsing is turned off.

No, Safari does not provide built-in tools for monitoring or tracking Private Browsing activity.

Turn off Private Browsing

Now that you know how to disable Safari Private Browsing on Mac, you can know what goes on when someone else uses your Mac. You may also want to know how to disable incognito mode in  Google Chrome  and  Microsoft Edge .

Was this helpful?

Last updated on 23 February, 2024

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.

DID YOU KNOW

Dilum Senevirathne

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• Help Center
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Browse in Incognito mode

• On your computer, open Chrome.

You can also use a keyboard shortcut to open an Incognito window:

• Windows, Linux, or Chrome OS: Press Ctrl + Shift + n .
• Mac: Press ⌘ + Shift + n .

You can switch between Incognito windows and regular Chrome windows. You'll only browse in private when you're using an Incognito window.

You can also choose to block third-party cookies when you open a new Incognito window. Learn more about cookies .

Close Incognito mode

If you have an Incognito window open and you open another one, your private browsing session will continue in the new window. To exit Incognito mode, close all Incognito windows.

If you find a number next to the Incognito icon at the top right, you have more than one Incognito window open. To close an Incognito window:

• On your computer, go to your Incognito window.

Related articles

• Let others browse Chrome as a guest
• Delete browsing data in Chrome

Was this helpful?

Safari User Guide

• Get started
• Go to a website
• Bookmark web pages to revisit
• See your favourite websites
• Use tabs for webpages
• Import bookmarks and passwords
• Pay with Apple Pay
• Autofill credit card info
• View links from friends
• Keep a Reading List
• Hide ads when reading
• Translate a web page
• Download items from the web
• Add passes to Wallet
• Save part or all of a webpage
• Print or create a PDF of a webpage
• Interact with text in a picture
• Change your homepage
• Customise a start page
• Create a profile
• Block pop-ups
• Make Safari your default web browser
• Hide your email address
• Manage cookies
• Clear your browsing history
• Browse privately
• Prevent cross-site tracking
• See who tried to track you
• Change Safari settings
• Keyboard and other shortcuts

Browse privately in Safari on Mac

When you browse privately , the details of your browsing aren’t saved and the websites you visit aren’t shared with your other Apple devices.

Open Safari for me

Browse privately one time

A private browsing window has a dark Smart Search field with white text.

Browse as you normally would.

When you use Private Browsing:

Browsing initiated in one tab is isolated from browsing initiated in another tab, so websites you visit can’t track your browsing across multiple sessions.

Webpages you visit and your AutoFill information aren’t saved.

Your open web pages aren’t stored in iCloud , so they aren’t shown when you view all your open tabs from other Apple devices.

Your recent searches aren’t included in the results list when you use the Smart Search field.

Items you download aren’t included in the downloads list. (The items do remain on your computer.)

If you use Handoff , private browsing windows aren’t handed off to your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or other Mac computers.

Changes to your cookies and website data aren’t saved.

Websites can’t modify information stored on your Mac, so services normally available at such sites may work differently until you use a non-private window.

Note: None of the above applies in non-private Safari windows you may have open.

Always browse privately

Click the “Safari opens with” pop-up menu, then choose “A new private window.”

Open Desktop & Dock settings for me

Stop browsing privately

Do any of the following to further enhance privacy:

Delete any items you downloaded while using private windows.

When you use Private Browsing, Use advanced tracking and fingerprinting protection is turned on by default. This setting blocks connections to data collection companies that use advanced fingerprinting techniques (a way of identifying your device based on data gathered while you browse), and known tracking parameters are removed from all URLs. You can turn this setting on for all browsing; see Change Advanced settings in Safari . Some website features may be affected when advanced tracking and fingerprinting protection is turned on. If the website you’re viewing is affected, choose View > Reload Reducing Privacy Protections.

Besides using private windows, you can manage cookies and data stored by all websites and prevent cross-site tracking .

If you forget to use a private window, you can clear your browsing history .

• Encuentra Proveedores

Los mejores navegadores de internet

Conoce nuestras recomendaciones para una mejor experiencia de navegación.

• Funciona de forma nativa con los servicios de Google
• Sincroniza a través de múltiples dispositivos
• Outperforms the competition in speed

• Bloquea criptomineros
• Previene la toma de huellas dactilares
• Stores passwords locally

• Ofrece alta personalización
• Protege contra Phishing
• Syncs data between devices

Nuestra elección: ¿Cuál es el mejor navegador de internet?

Google Chrome es nuestra elección para el navegador web más completo que puedes obtener. Es rápido y es compatible de forma nativa tus servicios de Google, como Gmail y Google Drive. Puedes realizar una búsqueda dentro de la barra de direcciones, agrupar las pestañas de tu navegador y más. ¿Prefieres el modo oscuro? Puedes activarlo, o incluso Chrome también admite temas.

Pasamos muchas horas comparando los mejores navegadores web en términos de velocidad realizando muchas pruebas en Windows y macOS. Proporcionamos los resultados en nuestra sección Metodología en donde podrás conocer más a detalle sobre cuál es el navegador web más rápido de acuerdo al sistema operativo de tu ordenador.

¿Necesitas más velocidad para potenciar tu navegador?

Tu velocidad de Internet puede disminuir la velocidad incluso del navegador web más rápido del planeta, y seguro no quieres eso. Ingresa tu código postal a continuación y descubre las ofertas de internet rápido en tu área.

Contenido : La mejor opción | Características Clave | Especificaciones | Los navegadores más rápidos | Nuestro veredicto | Metodología |  Preguntas Frecuentes

Contenido :

• La mejor opción
• Características Clave
• Especificaciones
• Los navegadores más rápidos
• Nuestro veredicto

Metodología

Preguntas frecuentes, los 6 mejores navegadores web.

• La mejor opción: Google Chrome
• Mayor seguridad: Mozilla Firefox
• Más personalización: Vivaldi
• Mejor para redes sociales: Opera
• El mejor para usuarios de macOS: Apple Safari
• La mejor opción para usuarios Windows: Microsoft Edge

Características clave en los navegadores de internet

El mejor navegador web debe ser rápido y limpio (en otras palabras minimalista). No querrás un navegador que esté tan repleto de funciones que acapare los recursos de tu sistema y cargue las páginas tan lento que parezca que usas una conexión a internet por teléfono.

Y bien, mientras que la velocidad es necesaria, la seguridad también debe ser una prioridad. Los navegadores de Internet deben protegerte de rastreadores, piratas informáticos y espías de internet.

El mejor navegador —Google Chrome

Características

• Compatible con servicios de Google
• Puedes agrupar pestañas
• Superó a los otros navegadores en nuestras pruebas

Compatibilidad

• Escritorio: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS
• Móvil: iOS, iPadOS, Android

Código Base

Datos que este navegador recopila sobre tí

• ID de Usuario
• ID de Dispositivo
• Datos de Audio

Y más (ver Privacidad de la App )

Google Chrome es el navegador web más rápido que puede obtener en una máquina con Windows. Superó a la competencia en tres de cuatro pruebas ,  superando incluso al más reciente navegador Edge de Microsoft, que ahora se basa en Chromium , en todas las pruebas excepto en una.

En Mac, Chrome tuvo un excelente rendimiento, superando a Safari en dos de cuatro pruebas . Es una buena alternativa a Safari, pero los problemas de recopilación de datos de Chrome son un poco desconcertantes. Si te preocupa cómo Google usa tus datos, entonces Safari o Microsoft Edge pueden ser una mejor alternativa.

Aún así, a pesar de las preocupaciones sobre la privacidad, Chrome es un gran navegador si usas otros servicios de Google. Probablemente sea el navegador predeterminado ideal para estar alternando en distintos dispositivos como Windows, Android y iOS.

¿El Modo Incógnito realmente oculta tus búsquedas de Google y otros más?

No, la función de modo de incógnito de Chrome no te protege por completo. Solo tiene la intención de ocultar tus actividades de otras personas que usan el mismo dispositivo y navegador. Google incluso confirmó en una presentación judicial en marzo de 2021 que los usuarios no son “invisibles” cuando abren una ventana en modo de incógnito.

La compañía aseguró que la actividad del usuario podría ser visible para sitios web y análisis y anuncios de terceros.

En Resumen: Chrome es el navegador más rápido en Microsoft Windows y una excelente alternativa a Safari en MacOS en términos de velocidad. Solo es importante tener en mente que esa velocidad y beneficios vienen con la recopilación de datos antes mencionados.

• Tiene una enorme biblioteca de extensiones
• Sincronización entre dispositivos
• Muchas recolección de datos personales
• Alto uso de memoria

Mejor navegador de internet en seguridad —Mozilla Firefox

• Almacena contraseñas de manera local
• Ocupa el puesto más bajo de velocidad dentro de nuestras pruebas
• Computadora: Windows, macOS, Linux

Código base

Datos que este navegador recopila sobre ti

• Información de contacto

El navegador Firefox de Mozilla no es conocido por su velocidad. Cayó en el último lugar en la mayoría de nuestras pruebas para Windows y macOS, aunque eso no es realmente preocupante. Firefox tiene más que ver con las características de seguridad que con la velocidad, lo cual es ideal si te preocupa más bloquear malware que cargar páginas rápidamente.

Firefox recibió un rediseño en 2021. Mozilla cambió las pestañas, menús y el aspecto general, lo que le dio a Firefox una nueva interfaz moderna. Y además, Firefox realiza un esfuerzo adicional por manternete seguro en línea con herramientas como DNS-over-HTTPS , que encripta las solicitudes del navegador en lugar de enviar la información en texto sin formato.

¿Cómo mejorar la seguridad de tu red?

Asegúrate de consultar nuestra lista de los mejores routers para seguridad . También ofrecemos una guía sobre cómo mantener tu router seguro si no necesita uno nuevo.

En conclusión: Si deseas un navegador de internet que priorice la seguridad y no la recopilación de datos, entonces Firefox es tu mejor opción. Solo recuerda que no es el navegador más rápido disponible.

• Protege contra software espía
• Bloquea casi todas las ventanas emergentes
• Consume mucha memoria
• Se queda atrás de otros navegadores en velocidad

Más personalización —Vivaldi

• Proporciona una alta personalización
• Protege contra el phishing
• Se sincroniza entre distintos dispositivos
• Móvil: Android

Vivaldi breathes new life into the tired, repetitive web browser design. Here you can customize the start page, create and use a custom theme, customize and move the menu, customize the toolbar, and so on. You can also assign browser commands to keyboard shortcuts, map commands to gestures, and assign quick commands to the Function keys.

En términos de velocidad, no es el navegador más rápido del planeta, al menos no todavía. Es el más joven de los mostrados, por lo que hay margen de mejora. Su rendimiento estuvo entre el tercero y el último en las pruebas con macOS y ocupó el cuarto lugar en las mismas cuatro pruebas ejecutadas en Windows.

Vivaldi es un excelente navegador intermedio en términos de rendimiento.

En conclusión: Vivaldi es excelente para personalizar la experiencia de tu navegador, solo no esperes velocidad de Chrome o Safari.

• Muchas opciones de personalización
• No disponible para iPhone o iPad

El mejor para redes sociales —Opera

• Viene con VPN incorporado
• Herramientas para redes sociales
• Proceso de verificación con sitios web

Datos que este navegador toma de tí

• Diagnosticos

El navegador Opera de Opera Software es excelente si deseas herramientas de redes sociales integradas. La barra lateral del navegador incluye accesos directos a Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram y otros tres que puedes anclar a la ventana del navegador. Opera también proporciona un componente VPN incorporado, por lo que puede evitar que empresas de terceros rastreen tus datos a través de Internet.

En nuestra PC Windows, Opera se mantuvo como el tercer navegador más rápido al realizar pruebas, quedando detrás de Chrome y Microsoft Edge. Experimentó un nivel de rendimiento similar en macOS, quedando por detrás de Safari, Chrome y Microsoft Edge en nuestras cuatro pruebas.

Opera tiene un modo de “ahorro de batería” que reduce la actividad de fondo y detiene las animaciones, pero descubrimos que estaba deshabilitado antes de ejecutar nuestras pruebas.

¿Cuáles son las VPN más rápidas que puedes usar?

Entre las VPN más rápidas disponibles en la actualidad se incluyen ExpressVPN, IPVanish y Hotspot Shield.

En conclusión: Opera es un buen navegador web si deseas una VPN integrada y herramientas sociales. Además proporciona un rendimiento intermedio en términos de velocidad.

• Incluye VPN incorporada
• Incluye herramientas sociales integradas
• Carga algunos sitios web incorrectamente
• Actualizaciones con menos frecuencia que Chrome

Mejor para macOS—Apple Safari

• Proporciona un informe de privacidad limpio
• Soporta extensiones
• Muestra vistas previas de pestañas
• Compite con Chrome en velocidad en Mac
• Computadora: macOS
• Móvil: iOS, iPadOS
• Nitro, WebKit

Safari es un excelente ejemplo de cómo Apple optimiza su software para Mac. Es rápido, de diseño simple y algo personalizable. Admite extensiones de Chrome, vistas previas de pestañas para usuarios avanzados y traducciones sencillas usando la barra de menú. Y aunque siempre recomendaremos Firefox como el mejor navegador para seguridad , Safari incluye un panel de informes de privacidad que muestra todos los sitios web que te han rastreado en Internet.

El inconveniente de Safari es que no puedes instalarlo en nada más que en dispositivos Apple. Eso significa que podemos medir su rendimiento solo en macOS, por lo que no hay números basados en su desempeño en Windows. Dicho esto, Safari y Chrome compitieron por el navegador más rápido, y ambos ocuparon los primeros lugares en dos de las cuatro pruebas. Si quieres velocidad, cualquiera de estas opciones servirá muy bien.

No más Safari para Windows

Safari 5.1.7 fue la última versión lanzada en Windows. Si bien puedes encontrar algunos enlaces de descarga en línea, Apple suspendió el soporte a Windows en 2012. No recomendamos este navegador para usuarios de Windows debido a la falta de actualizaciones y atención al cliente.

Bottom line: Safari is the best browser for Macs, hands down. Stick with Safari if you also have an iPhone or iPad. However, if you use other platforms like Windows and Android, Chrome is the better multiplatform solution—if you can ignore Chrome’s data collection woes.

• Corre super rápido en Mac
• Usa poca memoria
• No está disponible fuera del ecosistema de Apple
• Tiene una biblioteca de extensiones limitada

Mejor para Windows—Microsoft Edge

• Apila pestañas verticalmente
• Agrupa los sitios web en colecciones
• Soporta Dolby Audio y 4K
• Compite con Chrome en velocidad en Windows
• Computadora: Windows, macOS
• ID de dispositivo
• Historial de navegación
• Diagnósticos

El navegador Edge original era un desastre a pesar de los esfuerzos de Microsoft. Utilizaba el motor EdgeHTML interno de la empresa y realmente no podía competir con Chrome. Microsoft eliminó su motor patentado a principios de 2020 y eligió Chromium en su lugar, la base del navegador utilizada en Chrome, Opera, Vivaldi, Brave y más.

Ahora Microsoft Edge está disponible en la mayoría de las plataformas y es muy competitivo en términos de velocidad. En Windows, le dio competencia a Chrome, quedando solo un pelo detrás del navegador de Google en tres de cuatro de nuestras pruebas . En macOS, Chrome y Microsoft Edge tenían un rendimiento casi idéntico, ambos por detrás de Safari.

¿Qué pasó con internet explorer?

Fue posible usar Internet Explorer 11 en Windows 10 hasta el 15 de junio de 2022, y para Windows 11 simplemente no estuvo disponible. Microsoft Edge ahora incluye un modo Internet Explorer compatible con con versiones anteriores para sitios web más antiguos.

En conclusión: Microsoft Edge es un excelente navegador nativo para Windows y una buena alternativa a Safari en macOS si necesita un navegador que se ejecute fuera del ecosistema de Apple.

• Sincroniza entre distintos dispositivos
• Incluye un visualizador de PDF
• No cuenta con versión para Linux
• Recopila el historial de tu navegador

¿Cuáles son los navegadores de internet más rápidos?

Para determinar el navegador más rápido de nuestra lista, realizamos cuatro pruebas diferentes tres veces por navegador, determinamos el promedio y comparamos los resultados.

En Windows, descubrimos que Chrome era el navegador más rápido, seguido deMicrosoft Edge (con la versión más reciente que basada Chromium).

En macOS, Safari y Chrome compartieron el primer lugar como el navegador más rápido, seguidos de Microsoft Edge.

En todas las pruebas, Firefox fue el navegador más lento de nuestra lista.

Puedes ver los resultados completos de la prueba en la sección de Metodología .

Especificaciones y características del navegador

Un navegador web es un software que descarga datos de un servidor remoto y los muestra en tu pantalla. Es tu ventana interactiva a la World Wide Web, una vista que existe solo cuando abre una pestaña e ingresa una dirección. Todos los navegadores brindan esta función básica, pero hay cinco elementos que debes tener en cuenta al considerar las opciones de tu navegador.

Debes buscar un navegador que cargue páginas rápidamente y pueda ejecutar aplicaciones sin disminuir su velocidad. Un navegador debe tener una huella relativamente pequeña en la memoria de tu sistema, así no afectando el rendimiento de tus otros programas y aplicaciones mientras navegas por Internet.

Seguridad y Privacidad

Un navegador debe establecer conexiones seguras con los sitios web. También debe proporcionar medios para bloquear anuncios maliciosos, rastreadores entre sitios, criptomineros y lectores de huellas dactilares. Los usuarios deben tener herramientas para bloquear y eliminar cookies, asegurar sus contraseñas y usar el navegador sin preocuparse de cómo recopila sus datos.

Obtén más información sobre los mejores navegadores de Internet para la seguridad.

Personalización

Aunque no deseas que tu ventana a Internet esté enmarcada con una interfaz repleta de funciones, es una buena ventaja tener la posibilidad de personalizar. La mayoría de los navegadores de nuestra lista proporcionan medios para la personalización.

Por ejemplo, puedes aplicar un tema en Chrome obtenido de Chrome Web Store . Puedes crear temas en Vivaldi, reposicionar el menú o crear tu propia versión.

El mejor navegador debe ser compatible con los últimos estándares de Internet, como HTML5 y WebGL .

Una buena manera de corroborar la compatibilidad de un navegador es usando el sitio web de prueba de HTML5 o la utilidad en línea de prueba de HTML5 de AnTuTu . Además, no querrás instalar un navegador que no pueda acceder a todas las funciones modernas de un sitio web, como las aplicaciones web.

Fácil navegación

La personalización da puntos a favor pero además querrás buscar un navegador que sea fácil de usar. La mayoría de los navegadores de los que hablamos aquí lo son. Con menús que aunque están escondidos son intuitivos y fácil de acceder. La configuración debe estar a solo un clic de distancia, y los marcadores deben ser fáciles de guardar y cargar.

¿Buscas acelerar tu internet?

Es posible que tu navegador o plan de Internet no sea el problema. Proporcionamos 10 maneras de acelerar tu internet Wi-Fi.  También enumeramos formas de acelerar tu conexión a Internet sin pagar un centavo.

Nuestro Veredicto: Google Chrome es el mejor navegador de internet

Google Chrome es rápido, por supuesto es compatible con los servicios de Google de forma nativa y está disponible en todas las plataformas. Nos parece la mejor opción en velocidad, siendo tan bueno como Safari en macOS y Microsoft Edge en Windows. También es una alternativa firme si no deseas utilizar esos navegadores nativos.

Microsoft Edge es un excelente navegador de tercer lugar al que se puede acceder en casi todas las plataformas. Es casi tan rápido como Chrome y Safari e incluye algunas funciones que lo hacen destacar frente a la competencia.

Sin embargo, si deseas un navegador más seguro, Firefox es el camino a seguir, aunque es el navegador más lento de nuestra lista.

Contenido relacionado

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Para determinar la velocidad de un navegador hicimos lo siguiente:

• Instalamos una desde cero cada uno de ellos, sin complementos ni extensión.
• Cerramos todos los programas y procesos innecesarios.
• Corrimos cuatro diferentes pruebas 3 veces.
• Los resultados fueron en base al promedio de resultados.

Para probar Microsoft Edge y Safari en sus plataformas nativas, ejecutamos pruebas comparativas del navegador en dos computadoras portátiles separadas: Windows y macOS . Enchufamos ambos para obtener el máximo rendimiento de potencia.

Usamos una Lenovo ThinkPad con el procesador Intel Core i7-10850H de 6 núcleos, 16 GB de memoria del sistema y un SSD de 500 GB para estas pruebas.

Chrome mostró el mejor desempeño, ocupando el primer lugar en tres de las cuatro pruebas. Microsoft Edge siempre quedó en segundo lugar, salvo en una prueba en la que cambió de asiento con Chrome. Firefox fue nuestro peor desempeño del lote de navegadores.

JetStream 2

Esta prueba mide qué tan rápido un navegador carga datos y qué tan rápido ejecuta el código; los números más altos son mejores.

Speedometer

Esta prueba mide la capacidad de respuesta de las aplicaciones web mediante la simulación de la entrada del usuario.

Basemark Web 3.0

Esta herramienta realiza 20 pruebas (escala de mapa, dibujo, etc.) en una sola sesión. También es popular para probar la duración de la batería de una computadora portátil, ya que pasa por todas las pruebas hasta que la batería se agota.

MotionMark 1.2

Esta prueba evalúa la capacidad del navegador para renderizar y animar escenas complejas dentro de una velocidad de fotogramas establecida.

macOS Big Sur

Usamos una MacBook Air 2018 (A1392) con una CPU Intel Core i5-8210Y de 2 núcleos, 8 GB de memoria del sistema y una SSD de 128 GB para estas pruebas. Hay una gran diferencia de procesador entre esta máquina y la computadora portátil Lenovo, por lo que volvimos a ejecutar los puntos de referencia para comparar Safari con la competencia en la misma CPU Core i5.

En general, Safari y Chrome se enfrentaron por el navegador más rápido en macOS. Safari obtuvo el primer puesto en dos pruebas, mientras que Chrome dominó en las otras dos. Microsoft Edge fue la mejor alternativa a Safari y Chrome, mientras que Firefox tuvo el rendimiento más bajo de los seis.

Esta prueba mide qué tan rápido un navegador carga datos y qué tan rápido ejecuta el código; mientras más altos los números, mejor.

Esta herramienta realiza 20 pruebas (escala de mapa, dibujo, etc.) en una sola sesión.

Navegador de Internet vs navegador web: ¿Cuál es la diferencia?

Aunque tendemos a usar ese término, no existe tal cosa como un “navegador de Internet”. Internet es una red global de cables, servidores y conmutadores: es el hardware necesario para enviar información a tus ojos. Un navegador es un software que accede a la World Wide Web.

En otras palabras, nos conectamos a Internet y usamos la web. Pero dado que “internet” es más fácil de leer y escribir que “World Wide Web”, normalmente nos quedamos con el primer término.

¿Qué es una red privada virtual (VPN)?

Tal como lo dice su nombre una red privada virtual crea una conexión privada y segura entre su dispositivo y el destino. Es necesario contar con un software instalado en tu dispositivo que cifre tus datos y establezca una conexión directa y encriptada a un servidor VPN. Luego, el servidor descifra tus datos y los envía como texto sin formato al destino.

En general, una VPN evita que el destino vea tu ubicación geológica, dirección IP y sistema operativo.

¿Quieres ver cómo una VPN afecta tu velocidad?

Corre nuestra prueba de velocidad con un VPN activo. Después de eso corre la prueba nuevamente pero con el VPN desactivado y compara los resultados.

Hacer Test de Velocidad

¿Qué es el ID de un dispositivo?

Un identificador de dispositivo (ID) es una cadena única de números derivados de otros números de identificación de hardware almacenados en tu dispositivo. Los navegadores utilizan esta información para identificar su dispositivo.

¿Qué es un ID de usuario?

Un identificador de usuario (ID de usuario) es un perfil único creado por el navegador y almacenado localmente como una cookie. Este perfil incluye información como la de tu procesador, almacenamiento, resolución de pantalla y sistema operativo.

¿Qué es Chromium?

Chromium es el código open-source gratuito de Google que proporciona a todos los desarrolladores de navegadores de Internet. Estos desarrolladores pueden compilar el código de Google con componentes patentados y diseños únicos (Microsoft Edge) o compilar el código “tal cual” (Chromium).

¿Qué es HTML5?

HTML5 es la quinta generación de HyperText Markup Language (HTML), el lenguaje de programación que crea sitios web que ves en tu navegador. Hay tres componentes en HTML5: hojas de estilo en cascada (CSS) que dictan cómo se muestran los elementos de la página web, JavaScript que ejecuta componentes interactivos y código HTML que lo une todo.

HTML5 elimina la necesidad de complementos de navegador, como Adobe Flash, Silverlight y Java

¿Qué es WebGL?

Web Graphics Library (o WebGL ) es una interfaz de programación de aplicaciones (API) que permite que un navegador represente gráficos 2D y 3D. Estos elementos están escritos en JavaScript y OpenGL ES para la web y se ejecutan en los núcleos gráficos de tu dispositivo, no en tu procesador. WebGL elimina la necesidad de un complemento de navegador, lo que elimina los riesgos de seguridad y proporciona una mejor animación.

Para ver WebGL en acción, visita el sitio web Obtener WebGL para ver un cubo girando en tu navegador sin ningún software adicional.

¿Qué es HTTPS?

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (o HTTPS) es una versión segura del protocolo de capa de aplicación que se utiliza para entregar archivos HTML, videos y más a través de Internet.

En pocas palabras, el navegador (cliente) envía una solicitud al servidor que aloja un sitio web. A su vez, el servidor envía los archivos apropiados a tu dispositivo que se ensamblan dentro de tu navegador. Estos archivos residen en tu dispositivo como caché.

Los navegadores y servidores que admiten HTTPS se comunican mediante el protocolo criptográfico Transport Layer Security para cifrar la conexión entre el sitio web y el navegador, no los datos reales. Esta conexión encriptada evita que los intrusos obtengan sus datos, pero solo mientras están en camino.

¿Qué es DNS-over-HTTPS?

DNS-over-HTTPS es un medio para enviar una consulta del navegador a través de una conexión segura.

Abreviatura de Sistema de nombres de dominio, DNS esencialmente traduce las URL alfabéticas en números adecuados. Por ejemplo, cuando escribes “google.com” en su barra de direcciones, un servicio de DNS consulta tu libreta de direcciones y ve que la dirección numérica es 172.217.2.110. Luego envía la solicitud de tu navegador en consecuencia.

Por lo general, esta solicitud se acelera a lo largo de las autopistas de Internet como texto sin formato. Una conexión segura no ocurre hasta que el sitio web responde a tu navegador, un apretón de manos, por así decirlo. Con DNS sobre HTTPS, un navegador compatible envía tu consulta a un servidor DNS compatible mediante una conexión cifrada. Esta conexión evita que los intrusos vean tus hábitos de navegación.

• Apple, “ Google Chrome ,” June 3, 2021. Accessed July 22, 2021.
• Bloomberg, “ Google Must Face Suit Over Snooping on ‘Incognito’ Browsing ,” March 13, 2021. Accessed August 11, 2021.
• Microsoft, “ What is Internet Explorer (IE) Mode? ” Accessed April 8, 2022.

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Author - Mauricio Lozano

Graduado como licenciado en Relaciones internacionales con acentuación en Mercadotecnia, Mauricio Lozano cuenta con experiencia en diferentes áreas de telecomunicaciones y administración. Tras 7 años de experiencia (y contando) en editorial y posicionamiento SEO, actualmente en Clearlink se enfoca en la creación de contenido de telecomunicaciones para Highspeedinternet.com/es y WhistleOut.com.mx. Creando artículos que van desde temas básicos de configuración de tus servicios hasta planes y ofertas con los distintos proveedores de telefonía celular e internet.

Editor - Cara Haynes

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