TL;DR
To go incognito in Safari on Mac:
- Open Safari on your Mac.
- Press Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + N.
- A new private browsing window will open.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
I’ve always wanted an easy way to keep my browsing private, and Safari’s private browsing turned out to be the perfect solution. In this post, I’ll show you how to use it on your Mac to protect your privacy in just a few simple steps.
How to Open a Private Window in Safari on Your Mac
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Opening a private window in Safari on your Mac is a straightforward process that takes just a few seconds. Here are three ways to open a private window and go incognito in Safari on Mac:
1. Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Mac keyboard shortcuts are an excellent way to open a private window without taking your hands off the keyboard, follow these steps:
- Launch the Safari browser.
- Press Shift ⇧ + Command ⌘ + N simultaneously.
This will open a new private browsing window instantly.
2. Using the Menu Bar
Follow these steps to go incognito in Safari on Mac via the menu bar:
- Open the Safari browser on your Mac. Click File in the menu bar.
- From the dropdown menu, choose New Private Window.
A new window should open with a dark search field, indicating you’re now in Private Browsing Mode.
3. Right-Click Option
Follow these steps to right-click on a Mac and go incognito in Safari:
- Launch your Safari browser. Right-click (or control-click) the Safari icon in the Dock.
- From the contextual menu that appears, select New Private Window.
A new window with a dark search field should appear, indicating that Private Browsing Mode is enabled.
How to Always Browse Privately in Safari
You can also set Safari to always open in Private Browsing mode by adjusting the browser’s settings. Follow these steps to configure Safari to open in Private Browsing mode by default:
- Open the Safari browser on your Mac.
- Navigate to Safari in the menu bar at the top, and select Settings.
- In the Safari Settings window, click the General tab.
- Locate the Safari opens with option, click the dropdown menu button next to it, and select A new private window.
By following these steps, you’ll set Safari to automatically open a new Private Browsing window each time you launch the application. However, this setting only applies to the initial window at startup, any subsequent windows you open will be regular, non-private windows.
How to Turn Off Private Browsing on a Mac
Turning off Private Browsing in Safari on a Mac is a straightforward process. If you’re using Private Browsing and want to switch back to the standard browsing mode, here’s how you can do it:
- A Private Browsing window in Safari is characterized by a dark search field at the top.
- Simply close the Private Browsing window by clicking the red x button at the top left corner of the window.
- Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Command ⌘ + W.
- If you don’t have any other Safari windows open, you’ll need to open a new one. You can do this by clicking File in the menu bar and selecting New Window.
- Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Command ⌘ + N.
Once you leave Private Browsing, Safari will retain your browsing history, cookies, and other data unless you delete them manually.
Safari’s Private Browsing Mode doesn’t fully protect your privacy since your IP address can still be tracked. For better protection, use MacKeeper’s Private Connect VPN. It hides your IP address and encrypts your connection. Just install MacKeeper, choose a server, and turn on the VPN for more secure browsing.
Browse Privately in Safari on Mac
Secure and private browsing is crucial, and Safari’s Private Browsing helps you protect your online activity. For added security, consider pairing it with a VPN or security software.
Here are some more tips to make your browsing experience more secure:
- Remove suspicious toolbars from your Mac browser to avoid potential viruses.
- Block ads and trackers to protect your privacy and maintain productivity.
- Regularly clear your browser cache on Mac to prevent crashes and lag.
