How To Open Incognito Mode In Google Chrome [2026 Guide]

I’m going to teach you how to open incognito mode in Google Chrome. Incognito mode is a handy feature if you want to browse the internet more privately. Chrome will not save your browsing history, cookies, site data, or any information you enter in forms.

It doesn't make you invisible on the web. Your activity might still be visible to websites you visit, your employer, or your internet service provider. For everyday private browsing needs, incognito mode is a great tool.

If you want more help enabling this feature first, see how to enable Incognito mode in Chrome. The steps below make it quick to open whenever you need it.

Open from the menu

Launch your Google Chrome browser. Direct your attention to the top right corner and click the three-dot menu.

Click the three-dot menu to open the drop-down menu. Select the option labeled New Incognito window. This takes you straight into incognito mode.

Keyboard shortcut

You can also open it instantly with a shortcut. Press the keys below together to open an Incognito window.

Ctrl + Shift + N

For a deeper walk-through of starting a private session, see this guide to opening a private or Incognito session.

Recognize the Incognito window

A new window will pop up with a distinct dark theme and a clearly marked icon. You will also see a brief message explaining what Incognito does and does not save. This helps you understand the limits of your current session.

End or switch sessions

You are set to browse privately. Close the window to end the session. Any tabs you open in this window will also follow incognito rules.

If you need to switch back to regular browsing, open a new window or tab outside the incognito session. You can also work with more than one private window; see open extra Chrome Incognito windows for tips.

Good uses

Incognito mode is useful for online shopping across multiple user accounts. It helps when researching sensitive topics. It also works well whenever you need a cleaner browser slate.

Privacy still has limits

Incognito is helpful for privacy on your device, but it is not a total privacy solution. Your activity might still be visible to websites, your employer, or your internet service provider. For more secure browsing, consider additional precautions such as a VPN service.

Final thoughts

Opening Incognito in Chrome is quick from the three-dot menu or with the shortcut. Remember what it does and what it does not save so you can browse with the right expectations. Close the window when you are done to end the private session.