How to Open a Private/Incognito Browser

Introduction

Private browsing, also called incognito mode, is a privacy feature available in some web browsers. While using a private browser, the user's browsing history is not saved and their local data, including cookies and cache, are cleared upon exit. 

OIT Help Desk technicians may ask you to try using private browsing while troubleshooting issues related to myUAH, Duo, Google 2-Step Verification, and more. Utilizing private browsing during troubleshooting can help identify issues arising from stored cache and cookies.

Read below for instructions on entering private browsing mode in:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Microsoft Edge
• Apple's Safari

Steps for Google Chrome

Desktop Computer (Windows & Mac)

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the three-dot icon at the top right corner of the window.
3. Click New Incognito window.

To return to regular browsing in Chrome, select the same three-dot icon and click New window.

Mobile App

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Tap the three-dot icon that is either at the bottom right or top right corner of the screen.
3. Tap New Incognito Tab.

To return to regular browsing in the Chrome app, select the same three-dot window and tap New Tab.

Steps for Mozilla Firefox

Desktop Computer (Windows & Mac)

1. Open Firefox.
2. Click the three-line icon at the top right corner of the window.
3. Click New private window.

To leave private browsing in Firefox, select the same three-line icon and click New window.

Mobile App

1. Open Firefox.
2. Tap on the tab icon (rectangle containing a number) at the top or bottom of the screen.
3. Tap on the mask icon near the top of the screen.
4. Tap the plus (+) icon at the bottom right of the screen.

To leave private browsing in the Firefox app, tap the same tab icon and then tap the leftmost tab icon at the top of the screen.

Microsoft Edge

Desktop Computer (Windows & Mac)

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three-dot icon at the top right corner of the window.
3. Click New InPrivate window.

To return to regular browsing in Edge, select the same three-dot icon and click New window.

Mobile App

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Tap the three-line icon at the bottom right of the screen or three-dot icon at the top right of the screen.
3. Tap New InPrivate tab.

To return to regular browsing in the Edge app, select the same three-line icon and tap Home. Then, tap Exit InPrivate mode.

Steps for Safari

Desktop Computer (Mac)

1. Open Safari.
2. Click File.
3. Click New Private Window.

(Image credit: Jim Tanous)

To leave private browsing in Safari for Mac, click File and then click New Window.

Mobile App

1. Open Safari.
2. Tap the tabs icon (stacked rectangles) at the bottom or top right of the screen.
3. Tab the drop-down next to # Tabs to bring up the Tab Groups screen.
4. Tap Private.
5. Tap the plus (+) icon to open a new private tab.

To leave private browsing in the Safari app, select the same stacked-tabs icon, then tap Private and # Tabs.

Still Need Help?

If you need help completing these steps or experience an issue along the way, please contact the OIT Help Desk!