If you’re looking for how to turn off private browsing, you’re not alone. Many people use incognito or private mode to browse without saving history—but sometimes, especially for parents or shared devices, you need to disable it.
I’m going to guide you through the steps to disable private browsing across popular browsers, explain why you might want to do it, and offer real-world solutions that actually work.
Why You Might Want to Turn Off Private Browsing
Before diving into how to do it, let me explain why turning off private browsing can be important.
Sometimes, privacy isn’t the main goal. You may want to:
- Monitor children’s online activity
- Prevent access to adult or inappropriate content
- Track browsing history on shared or work devices
- Maintain better control over internet usage
Private browsing (also known as incognito mode, InPrivate, or private window) prevents storing history, cookies, and site data. This sounds good in theory but can pose risks when misused—especially by kids or employees.
What Is Private Browsing or Incognito Mode?
Let’s first understand what we’re disabling.
Private browsing allows users to access the internet without storing:
- Browsing history
- Search queries
- Cookies or login sessions
- Form autofill data
It exists in browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and others under different names, like Incognito Mode in Chrome or InPrivate in Edge.
While it doesn’t make you anonymous online, it does offer some surface-level privacy on a local device.
How to Turn Off Private Browsing in Google Chrome
Google Chrome doesn’t offer a built-in switch to turn off incognito mode, but I’ll show you a workaround using the Windows Registry or macOS Terminal.
For Windows Users
You can block Incognito mode using the Registry Editor:
- Press Windows + R, type
regedit, and hit Enter. - Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome - If the Chrome key doesn’t exist, right-click on Google, choose New > Key, and name it Chrome.
- Inside the Chrome key, right-click and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
- Name it IncognitoModeAvailability
- Double-click it and set its value to 1
- Restart your computer.
Now when you open Chrome, you won’t see the New Incognito Window option.
For macOS Users
You’ll need to use Terminal:
- Open Terminal
- Type:
defaults write com.google.chrome IncognitoModeAvailability -integer 1 - Press Enter, then restart Chrome.
To re-enable incognito, set the value back to 0.
How to Turn Off Private Browsing in Safari
Safari on iOS and macOS handles private browsing a bit differently. Here’s how to disable it.
For iPhone or iPad Users
You can’t directly turn it off in Safari, but you can use Screen Time restrictions.
- Go to Settings > Screen Time
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions
- Enable it, then go to Content Restrictions
- Tap Web Content and choose Limit Adult Websites
When this is enabled, the Private option disappears in Safari.
For macOS (MacBook or iMac)
There’s no official way to disable Private Browsing in Safari on Mac, but you can monitor activity using Screen Time or third-party parental control tools like:
- Net Nanny
- Qustodio
- Norton Family
How to Turn Off Private Browsing in Firefox
Firefox users have more flexibility. Thanks to its open-source nature.
For Windows or macOS
You can disable Private Browsing using about:config:
- Type
about:configin the Firefox address bar and press Enter. - Accept the warning to proceed.
- Search for
browser.privatebrowsing.autostart - Set it to true to always launch in private mode or false to disable.
But here’s the catch—there’s no built-in setting to completely disable the private window option. You’ll need add-ons or enterprise policies to enforce this.
Tip: Firefox ESR (Extended Support Release) can be managed via policies in an enterprise or school setting to disable private mode.
How to Disable InPrivate Browsing in Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge uses “InPrivate” mode, and you can block it using Windows Group Policy or Registry Editor.
Using Group Policy (Windows Pro or Enterprise)
- Press Windows + R, type
gpedit.msc, and hit Enter. - Navigate to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge > InPrivate Mode Availability - Double-click and set it to Disabled
Using Registry Editor (Windows Home)
- Open
regedit - Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge - Add a new DWORD called
InPrivateModeAvailability - Set the value to 1
Restart Edge, and the InPrivate option will be gone.
Using Parental Control Software to Turn Off Private Browsing
If you’re not comfortable with system-level changes, or if you want an easier way, use parental control apps. I’ve personally tested a few.
Some great tools that let you block or monitor private browsing:
- Qustodio – Simple UI, works on all platforms.
- Net Nanny – Offers alerts and remote access control.
- Bark – Especially good for monitoring teen activity.
- Kaspersky Safe Kids – Budget-friendly with robust features.
These tools don’t just block private browsing—they monitor app usage, time spent online, and even filter content.
Can You Turn Off Private Browsing on Android?
On Android, private browsing (incognito) is available in Chrome and other browsers. Disabling it requires a bit of creativity.
Use Safe Browsing or Third-party Apps
- Use Google Family Link to limit browsing.
- Some apps like Safe Browser or SPIN Safe Browser block incognito features.
- Rooted phones can use custom hosts files or tools like AppBlock.
There’s no universal "switch" in Android, but controlling browser access can give you the same effect.
Can You Turn Off Private Browsing on iPhone?
Yes, and I mentioned it earlier. Use Screen Time > Content Restrictions to block adult websites, and it will automatically remove the Private option in Safari. It’s one of the easiest and most effective solutions for iOS.
Final Thoughts
You’ve seen how to turn off private browsing across different devices and browsers. While not all platforms make it easy, there’s always a way.
Whether you’re a parent, employer, or just someone who wants more control over device usage, disabling private browsing can be a strong first step.
Use built-in controls where possible, and rely on third-party apps for extra support. The method you choose depends on your comfort level with tech and how strict you want to be.
Quick Recap of Options
Here’s a quick summary of how to turn off private browsing:
- Chrome: Use Registry Editor (Windows) or Terminal (Mac)
- Safari (iPhone): Use Screen Time > Content Restrictions
- Firefox: Use about:config or enterprise policy
- Edge: Use Group Policy or Registry
- Android: Use Family Link or safe browsers
- Parental Control Apps: Great for non-tech users
Have You Faced These Issues?
I’d love to hear from you.
- Have you ever caught someone misusing private browsing on your device?
- Which method worked best for you?
- Do you use parental control apps or prefer system tweaks?
Let me know in the comments or shoot me a message—your insights could help someone else!