How to disable Incognito Mode on Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge

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      Most desktop and mobile browsers have an Incognito or private mode for anonymous web browsing. It’s an effective way to enjoy logged-out sessions and private searches without leaving your browsing history. To prevent your children from abusing the Incognito window, turn it off on your home PC, Mac, iPhone, and Android phone.



      There isn’t a direct way to turn off Incognito Mode on Chrome and other browsers. You can’t turn off the function from browser settings. You need to use the Terminal app on Mac, Command Prompt on Windows, and other hacks on your mobile to disable the private mode and monitor every online activity of your little one.


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      How to disable Incognito Mode in Chrome on Windows

      You can turn off Chrome’s Incognito Mode on Windows via the Command Prompt. Close all Google Chrome services on Windows and go through the tutorial below.

      1. Press the Windows key and search for Command Prompt.
      2. Select Run as administrator.
        open Command Prompt on Windows

      3. Type the command below and press Enter: 
        REG ADD HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesGoogleChrome /v IncognitoModeAvailability /t REG_DWORD /d 1
        disable private window in Chrome

      4. Reboot your PC and launch Google Chrome without a private browsing function.
        Incognito window disabled on Chrome

      How to turn off Incognito Mode in Chrome browser for Mac

      Like Windows, we will use Terminal on Mac to turn off Incognito Mode in Chrome for Mac.

      1. Press Command + Space, search for Terminal, and press Return.
      2. Enter the following command and press Return: 
        defaults write com.google.chrome IncognitoModeAvailability -integer 1z
        disable incognito mode on Chrome for Mac

        ​

      Reboot your Mac and launch Google Chrome without Incognito Mode. You can use the command below to turn on the same in Chrome.

      defaults write com.google.chrome IncognitoModeAvailability -integer 0z


      Disable InPrivate mode in Microsoft Edge on Windows

      Do you prefer the built-in Microsoft Edge browser over Firefox and Chrome on Windows? Since it is an integral part of Windows, you’ll tweak Registry Editor to turn off InPrivate Browsing. Follow the steps below to make changes.

      1. Press the Windows key and search for REGEDIT. Press Enter. If the system asks permission to allow the program to make changes to the computer, click Yes.
      2. Head to the following path. 
        HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoft
      3. Right-click Microsoft and expand New. Select Key.
        Registry Editor on Windows

      4. Name it MicrosoftEdge.
      5. Right-click MicrosoftEdge (the one you created) and head to New > Key to create another key called Main.
        create a new key for Microsoft Edge on Windows

      6. Right-click Main key and expand New. Select DWORD (32-bit) Value.
        create a DWORD value

      7. Name it InPrivateModeAvailablity. Double-click it and set it to 1. Click OK.
        Microsoft Edge InPrivate Mode key

      8. Close Registry Editor and reboot your PC.
        tweak registry editor on windows

      Launch Microsoft Edge, and the InPrivate option shouldn’t appear now.

      Workaround: Enable content restrictions on Safari for iPhone

      You can’t remove the private browsing option in Safari on an iPhone. However, you can activate content restrictions and prevent adult sites from loading in the app.


      1. Launch Settings and scroll to Screen Time.
      2. Select Content & Privacy Restrictions.
        screen time on iPhone

        content restriction on iPhone

      3. Enable the same toggle. Select Content Restrictions.
        enable content restriction on iPhone

      4. Tap Web Content. Select Limit Adult Websites.
      5. You can also tap Allowed Websites and give access to only specific websites.
      6. Tap Add Website at the bottom to allow specific web addresses in Safari.
        web content on Safari

        web content restriction on safari

      You can set a Screen Time passcode to prevent others from making changes in the Screen Time menu.

      Tip: Lock Incognito Mode on iPhone and Android

      If your little one frequently uses your phone for studying, gaming, and other purposes, use the steps below to lock Incognito Mode with biometrics.

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      Safari for iPhone and iPad

      Apple recently added an option to lock the Private browsing mode on the iPhone. Here’s how to enable it.

      1. Open Settings and scroll to Safari.
      2. Scroll down and turn on the toggle beside Require Face ID to Unlock Private Browsing.
        safari settings on iPhone

        lock safari private mode with Face ID

      Chrome for iPhone

      Now that iOS lets you change the default browser, some users prefer Google Chrome to browse the web. It also supports biometric protection in Incognito Mode. Follow the steps below to enable it.


      1. Launch Chrome and tap the three-dot menu at the bottom.
      2. Open Settings.
      3. Scroll to Privacy and security.
        Open Chrome Settings

        privacy and security on Chrome

      4. Turn on the Lock incognito tabs when you close Chrome toggle.
        lock incognito tab on Chrome for iPhone

      Chrome for Android

      1. Launch Chrome and tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner. Open Settings.
      2. Scroll to Privacy and security.
      3. Turn on Lock Incognito tabs when you leave Chrome.
        privacy on Chrome for Android

        lock incognito mode on Chrome for Android

      From now on, the app asks for authentication when someone tries to access Incognito Mode in Chrome.

      Remove access to Incognito Mode

      While Incognito Mode is a valuable add-on for your browser, it may expose your little ones to inappropriate content. You can also lock the same with biometrics on your iPhone or Android phone. If you want better control over your child’s phone, activate paternal controls to explore security features and supervise their Google account. Check our dedicated guide to create a Google Family Group and enjoy other perks with your family members.

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