How To Use Safari Private Browsing (And Why You May Not Want To)

Safari Private Browsing is a useful option for users who want to browse the internet privately on their Apple devices. But is it as private as it claims? In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about Safari Private Browsing. 

We cover how to use it, its limitations, and alternative solutions that protect your personal information, including privacy-focused browsers and the best VPNs for macOS or iOS.

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What is Safari Private Browsing?

Safari’s private browsing, or incognito mode, lets users surf the internet without the browser logging or saving activity data. This includes cookies, search history, and autofill information.

In Safari Private Browsing mode, the browser doesn’t log any browsing history, search queries, or form data. It also restricts any websites you visit from storing cookies and site data on your mobile or desktop browser.

All session traces are erased when you close the anonymous browsing window. This is especially useful for users who share a device or want to keep their browsing activity private.

How to use private browsing in Safari

Enable private browsing in Safari on your Mac, iPhone, and iPad to enjoy a more private browsing experience. Follow these straightforward steps to activate this feature on each device.

On macOS

1. Open a Safari window.
2. Click on File in the top-left corner of the menu bar.
3. Select New Private Window from the dropdown menu. A new window with a dark address bar opens, indicating you're now in private browsing mode.

On iOS

1. Open Safari on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the tabs icon (two overlapping squares) in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
3. Tap Private to switch to the Private browsing screen, or tap the menu bar and select Private.
4. Tap the + icon to open a new private browsing tab.

Everything below reflects Safari as of iOS 26. Apple has changed how Private Browsing works more than once in recent releases, so the steps may look different on older software.

1. Open Safari on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the tabs icon (two overlapping squares).
3. Tap All Tabs.
4. Swipe right on the tab bar until Private Browsing opens, then tap Unlock.

To leave Private Browsing, tap the tabs icon, tap All Tabs, then swipe left to any other Tab Group. Your private tabs stay open, and Private Browsing locks again behind them.

Set a different search engine for private tabs

Safari lets you run one search engine for normal browsing and another for Private Browsing, so a privacy-focused engine only kicks in when you want it.

1. Open Settings, tap Apps, then tap Safari.
2. Turn off Also Use in Private Browsing.
3. Tap Private Search Engine and choose one.

Why Safari locks your private tabs

If you have a passcode set on your device, Safari locks Private Browsing when you're not using it. That's why you might get a Face ID or passcode prompt when you switch back to a private tab. It doesn't always lock right away.

You can control this in Settings > Apps > Safari, where you'll find Require Passcode to Unlock Private Browsing, plus Face ID or Touch ID options on supported models.

How to set Safari Private Browsing as default

Enable private browsing as your default on your Mac to save time by following these straightforward steps:

1. Open Safari.
2. Click on Safari in the top-left corner of the menu bar and then System Settings in the dropdown menu.
3. In the Preferences menu, select General.
4. Safari opens with a dropdown menu you can select.
5. Select A new private window.

Unfortunately, you can't set Safari Private Browsing as a default in iPhone privacy settings or on iPads, so you’ll have to enable privacy mode each time you surf the web on these devices.

Is Safari Private Browsing actually private?

Yes and no. Safari's private mode does more than hide your history. When you open a private window or tab, Apple turns on advanced tracking and fingerprinting protection by default. That blocks connections to companies that identify your device by fingerprinting, and it strips known tracking parameters out of the URLs you visit.

Private Browsing also isolates your tabs from each other, so a site you open in one private tab can't follow you into another. Private Browsing on iOS also automatically disables any Safari extension with access to your browsing data.

Safari Private Browsing prevents your browser from saving your browsing history, search queries, and cookies locally. On its own, Private Browsing doesn't hide your IP address or encrypt your traffic. Safari does hide your IP from known trackers by default, and if you subscribe to iCloud+, iCloud Private Relay encrypts your Safari traffic and routes it through two separate relays so websites and your network provider can't see your IP address or build a profile from your browsing. Private Relay isn't available in every country, and it only covers Safari.

If you're using Private Browsing alone, your internet service provider (ISP), network administrators, and certain websites can still track your online activities. Third parties might intercept your data if you're using public Wi-Fi or an unsecured network.

While Safari Private Browsing protects your privacy by not storing your activity on your device, it doesn't guarantee complete anonymity or protect you from all potential threats. To enhance your online privacy and security, consider using additional tools to encrypt your traffic, like a virtual private network (VPN).

Should I use Safari Private Browsing?

Whether you should use Safari Private Browsing typically depends on your privacy needs. If you want a layer of privacy that prevents the storage of your browsing history, cookies, and search queries, it is right for you.

Users can avoid targeted ads and keep their browsing activity private from other users on shared devices. You might also use one of our recommended Safari ad blockers to prevent third-party cookies from tracking you (and get rid of those annoying ads at the same time).

One catch: on iPhone and iPad, Safari automatically turns off extensions that can read your browsing data whenever you're in Private Browsing, and that includes most ad blockers. If you're relying on an ad blocker, check whether it's still active before you assume private tabs are ad-free.

Alternatives to Safari Private Browsing

For those looking for secure and private browsing, there are a few alternatives to Safari Private Browsing. These options include real privacy-focused browsers and VPNs.

Privacy-focused browsers

Privacy browsers are internet browsers that offer stronger privacy protection than regular web browsers. They provide additional protections, such as blocking cookies, preventing website tracking, and encrypting your data while you browse the web. 

Unlike Safari Private Browsing mode, which only prevents local storage of history and passwords on the computer, privacy browsers also block third-party tracking and prevent websites from collecting data about you.

Tor Browser, a free, open-source web browser, is designed to give users anonymity and maximum privacy. It routes user internet traffic through the Tor network, which involves numerous volunteer-operated servers. As a result, it conceals your IP address, making it extremely difficult for others to track your online activity. 

Although Tor can increase your privacy, browsing speeds may slow due to the extra routing.

In addition to Tor, other privacy-focused browsers, such as Brave and Firefox Focus, prioritize privacy and security. They include built-in features such as ad blockers, tracking protection, and automatic data clearing when you close the browser.

Virtual private network (VPN)

A VPN encrypts your internet connection by routing your traffic through a secure server in a location of your choice. This hides your IP address and makes it harder for anyone to monitor your online activity. 

VPNs are an excellent way to keep your data secure. They also help you bypass geo-restrictions and access websites or streaming services from other countries, since most offer multiple servers worldwide.

A VPN differs from private browsing because it provides an extra layer of security by encrypting all data passing through the tunnel and preventing hackers from accessing sensitive information like credit card numbers or logins. 

If you want to buy a VPN subscription for your Apple device but don't know where to start, you can't go wrong with one of these top VPNs we've tested.

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Bottom line

While Safari Private Browsing offers some privacy benefits, it's not a foolproof way to protect your information online. Be aware of its limitations and consider alternatives, such as a high-quality VPN, a privacy-focused browser, or a premium ad blocker, to improve your online privacy and security.

By combining these tools and adopting good internet safety habits, you can better protect your personal data and stay safe online. 

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Ryan L. Clancy brings a working engineer's perspective to digital security writing. He holds a Master of Engineering from the University of Limerick and spent five years as a mechanical engineer and engineering manager in New York City — experience that shapes how he analyzes VPN encryption protocols and parental monitoring apps beyond what vendor specs say. He has authored more than 220 articles for All About Cookies and has been published in Forbes and MakeUseOf.