How to Turn Off Incognito in Any Browser

Incognito mode, or private browsing, is a feature included in modern browsers. While it is useful for preventing certain browsing data from being saved, turning off incognito mode could also be practical. Many people want to permanently disable it, especially on shared devices, so that they can monitor internet activity :)

Understanding Incognito Mode and Its Purpose

Incognito or private browsing allows you to browse the web without saving:

• The browsing history of pages visited.
• Cookies and temporary data.
• Forms or searches performed.
• Keep your browsing way safe.

Incognito does not guarantee total anonymity, since your Internet provider and employer can still track your activity :)

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How to Turn Off Incognito Mode in Google Chrome 

Turn Off Incognito Mode in Chrome on Windows  

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type regedit.
3. Open Registry Editor.
4. Go to carpet: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
5. Then go to SOFTWARE.
6. Go to the POLICIES carpet.
7. Right-click on POLICIES, then press New and Key.
8. A new folder will appear; change its name to GOOGLE.
9. Then you will right-click again on it, press New, and Key.
10. Rename the folder to CHROME.
11. Then click on DEFAULT, press New, and DWORD (32-bit) value.
12. A new value will be created.
13. Rename to IncognitoModeAvailability
14. Right click on it and select Modify.
15. Change the value data to 1 and press OK.
16. Restart to disable Chrome's incognito mode.

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Turn Off Incognito Mode on Google Chrome for macOS  

1. Open Terminal.
2. Copy and paste the following command prompt:defaults write com.google.chrome IncognitoModeAvailability -integer 1
3. Press Enter to disable incognito mode in Chrome macOS.
4. Restart Chrome to verify incognito or private mode is disabled.

How to Stop Incognito Mode on Chrome for Android

1. Open Chrome default browser on Android.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Then to Privacy and Security.
4. Toggle Lock incognito tabs when you leave Chrome.

How to Turn Off Private Browsing on Chrome for iPhone and iPad 

1. Open Chrome web browser.
2. Tap on the square in the bottom right that has a number inside.
3. This indicates the number of incognito tabs to close.
4. In the bottom-left corner, go to Edit.
5. Press Close all tabs.
6. Tap the square button located in the top center.
7. Tap the Plus button at the bottom center to open a new window.

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How to Disable Private Browsing in Safari  

How to Turn Off Incognito Browser on Safari for iPhone and iPad  

1. Open Safari.
2. Type the two square symbol at the bottom right.
3. Close any incognito windows open.
4. Click on the Private option in the bottom center.
5. Check Start Page.
6. Then go to Google.
7. The Private Browsing mode will be disabled.

Disable Private Browsing on Safari for macOS  

On macOS, there is no official setting to disable private mode in Safari, but you can use Screen Time:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Search for Screen Time.
3. Press Content and privacy restrictions and enable it.
4. Navigate to Web Content.
5. Select Limit Adult Websites to get off incognito mode.

How to Stop Incognito Mode in Microsoft Edge  

Turn Off InPrivate Browsing in Microsoft Edge for Windows 

1. Open the Registry Editor and type: regedit.
2. Run as Administrator.
3. Go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER folder.
4. Go to the SOFTWARE folder.
5. Double-click on the POLICIES folder.
6. Double-click on MICROSOFT.
7. If you don't see the EDGE folder, right-click on the MICROSOFT folder.
8. Select New and Key.
9. Rename that folder as MicrosoftEdge.
10. Click on the newly created Edge folder and select New.
11. Choose the Main option. If you don't find it, you will need to create it as we just did.
12. On the right panel, click on the white area
13. Select new and then DWORD (32-bit value).
14. You will now name this value AllowInPrivate.
15. Click on it and set the value to 1 to disable InPrivate mode.
16. Restart Edge.

Turn Off Incognito Mode on Microsoft Edge for Mac  

1. Go to Finder.
2. Select Applications and Utilities.
3. Open the Terminal.
4. Copy and paste the following and press Enter: defaults write com.microsoft.Edge InPrivateModeAvailability -integer 1
5. Restart Edge to apply the changes.

How to Turn Off Private Browsing in Firefox Desktop and Mobile 

Stop Incognito Mode in Firefox on Desktop  

1. Press Windows + R and type regedit. Open the Registry Editor.
2. Go to the path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
3. Then go to SOFTWARE.
4. Go to the POLICIES carpet.
5. Right-click on POLICIES, then press New and Key.
6. A new folder will appear; rename it to MOZILLA.
7. Then click on it, press New and Key to create a new folder named FIREFOX.
8. Then click on New and Key, and select DWORD (32-bit) value.
9. A new value will be created.
10. Rename to DisablePrivateBrowsing.
11. Change the value data to 1 and then press OK (this disables incognito mode).
12. Restart Edge to apply all changes.

Disable Incognito Mode on Firefox for Mobile Devices

1. Open the Firefox app on your phone.
2. Tap the private icon of the hat and glasses at the top-right corner.
3. Again, tap on the private icon to switch to normal browsing mode

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 Conclusion

Incognito mode is pretty handy, but it does not always meet all needs. If you share a device or want more control over your browsing activity or that of others, disabling private browsing may be useful. Depending on the browser and operating system, the process for disabling incognito mode can vary, from modifying the registry to using your device settings :)

FAQ

How Do You Turn Off Incognito Browsing on Google Chrome?  

• Windows (Registry):

  1. Windows + R → regedit.
  2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE → SOFTWARE → Policies.
  3. Create the Google key and inside another Chrome.
  4. In Chrome, create DWORD (32-bit) named IncognitoModeAvailability.
  5. Set its value to 1.

• macOS (Terminal): Add defaults write com.google.chrome IncognitoModeAvailability -integer 1
• Android: Chrome Settings, Privacy and Security and Lock incognito tabs when you leave Chrome.
• iPhone: In Chrome, close all incognito tabs from the tab switcher and open a normal tab.

How to Turn Incognito Mode Off Permanently?

This is how to permanently disable incognito mode on desktop:

• Chrome Windows/macOS - with Registry/Terminal as above.
• Edge Windows - Registry → AllowInPrivate = 1 under the indicated keys.
• Edge macOS - defaults write com.microsoft.Edge InPrivateModeAvailability.
• Firefox desktop - Register under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE → SOFTWARE → Policies → Mozilla → Firefox creating DisablePrivateBrowsing = 1.

On mobile:

• Android: Option to block incognito tabs on exit (does not disable completely).
• iPhone/iPad: In Chrome, just close tabs; in Safari, you can disable the private browsing option with Screen Time → Restrictions → Web content → Limit adult sites.

How to Get Out of Incognito Mode? 

• Chrome (iOS/Android/desktop): Open the incognito tab switcher and press Close All; or close the incognito private window on desktop.
• Safari (iPhone/iPad): Tab switcher → tap Private and choose Home (you exit Private mode).

Can You Disable Incognito Mode on iPhone and Android?

• iPhone/iPad (Chrome): In Safari, you can turn off private browsing with Screen Time.
• Chrome on Android - Go to Settings, Privacy & Security and Lock incognito tabs when you leave Chrome.

How Do I Know If Incognito Mode Is Turn Off?

• On your desktop - Incognito mode no longer appears in the menu if you followed the steps and restarted your browser.
• iPhone and iPad (Safari with Screen Time): The Private button disappears from the tab switcher.
• Android (Chrome with incognito lock): When you exit Chrome, the incognito tabs are locked, and you will need to unlock them. If you don't see the option to open new ones, the control is active according to the settings applied in your guide.