This article describes how to turn off the secret browsing feature, sometimes referred to as Incognito Mode, in well-known web browsers. Google Chrome for Windows, Macs, and Android devices, Firefox and Edge for Windows PCs, and Safari on iOS devices are all covered in the information.
How to Disable Incognito Mode in Chrome on the PC
Using a Registry modification, you may totally disable Chrome’s Incognito Mode on a Windows computer. It appears difficult, but it’s actually pretty simple:
- Choose Start, then enter “CMD” in the search field.
- Run as Administrator can be chosen by right-clicking the Command Prompt.
- Enter REG ADD HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesGoogleChrome /v IncognitoModeAvailability /t REG_DWORD /d 1 in the Command Prompt window.
How to Disable Incognito Mode in Chrome on the Mac
The steps for turning off Incognito Mode in Chrome on a Mac differ somewhat, but the outcome is the same. The way Macs handle registry editing is a major difference.
- Click Go > Utilities in the Finder.
- Launch the app for Terminal.
- Fill in the following:
- Enter the key.
How to Disable Private Mode in Firefox on the PC
Firefox does not refer to this feature as Incognito Mode. It’s Private Mode instead. However, you may still turn it off.
- Fire up Firefox.
- Select Add-ons from the Hamburger Menu in the top right corner of the browser window.
- In the search box at the top of the page, type “private begone.”
- From the search engine results, choose Private Begone. Private Browsing in Firefox will be fully disabled by this add-on.
- Choose Firefox Add.
- Select Add if the option to “Add Private Begone” pops up.
- Select Okay, Got It to finish the installation.
- Open Firefox again by shutting down any active instances. Firefox shouldn’t be able to be launched in a private window anymore.
How to Disable InPrivate Browsing in Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge requires a little more care when disabling InPrivate Browsing.
- Any active Microsoft Edge browser instances should be shut off.
- Enter “REGEDIT” into the search box after choosing Start.
- Select Registry Editor from the search results on the Start menu. Select Yes when Windows asks if you wish to let the program modify your computer.
- Locate HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPolicies in the tree in the left pane. Microsoft.
- Right-click Microsoft and choose New > Key from the menu.
- Give the key the name “MicrosoftEdge.”
- Click MicrosoftEdge (the key you just created) in the context menu and choose New > Key.
- Give the new key the name “Main.”
- Right-click the “Main” key. Choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value from the menu.
- The new key is called “AllowInPrivate.”
- Make sure the AllowInPrivate DWORD is set to 0 by double-clicking it. If it has a different value, set it to 0.
- Choose OK. The Registry Editor may now be shut.
- Restart the computer. The InPrivate option will no longer be available while using Microsoft Edge.
How to Disable Incognito Mode in Chrome on Android Phones
Android lacks a built-in method to turn off Chrome’s Incognito mode, unlike desktop computers. However, you can download a third-party program that accomplishes the same task.
- On your phone, open the Google Play app.
- Install the software when you find Disable Incognito Mode by performing a search for it.
- Open the app to disable incognito mode.
- Click Open Settings.
- DisableIncognitoMode should be enabled in the options window. When the app asks for permission, select Allow.
- To remove an app from the phone’s app screen, go back to it and tap the Hide symbol after Setting.
How to Turn Off Private Mode in iPhone Safari
The Content & Privacy Restrictions options in the Safari browser for iPhones allow you to turn off Private Mode.
- Go to Screen Time under Settings.
- Tap Turn on Screen Time on the Screen Time page.
- Tap Continue after reading a description of what the Screen Time feature can do.
- Tap This is My Child’s iPhone to start configuring parental controls for your child’s iPhone.
- Set the downtime hours during which the phone cannot be used if desired. Do the same for App Limits on the following page. On the Content & Privacy page, click Continue.
- To ensure that only you may change these settings, create a passcode.
- Then select Content & Privacy Restrictions. If the passcode is requested, enter it.
- By sliding the button to the right, Content & Privacy Restrictions can be enabled.
- Click on Content Restrictions.
- Click on Web Content. Hit the Limit Adult Websites button on the Web Content page.
How Browsers & Operating Systems Treat Private Browsing
On the PC, Mac, and Android, you can disable Chrome’s Incognito mode, but not on the iPhone. Instead, as Safari is iOS’s default browser, you can turn off private browsing on the iPhone. When it comes to Firefox and Microsoft Edge, you may disengage their private browsing modes on PCs but not on Macs.
You must be aware of the installed browsers on the devices and computers being used if you want to restrict someone’s browsing behavior. Limiting Safari on an iPhone, for instance, is useless if Chrome or Firefox are also loaded because you can’t turn off private browsing in those programs.