Browsing in private mode, or ‘Incognito‘, as Google calls it, protects users from various web trackers that could potentially jeopardize your privacy. We have already covered how you can open your browser in incognito mode by default in Windows 10, irrespective of whether you use Chrome, Firefox or Edge. Today, we will show you how you can always open  Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox in incognito (private) mode by default on Android.

The method of opening your browser in incognito mode by default is relatively similar for Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. We are using Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox for the demo below, but you can use the same method for Microsoft Edge and most other prominent Android browsers that offer an incognito browsing option. So let’s check out how you can open Chrome, Firefox or Edge in incognito (private) mode by default on your Android smartphone.

  • How to Open Incognito Tab in Google Chrome
  • How to Open Private Tab in Mozilla Firefox
  • Always Open Chrome or Firefox in Incognito (Private) Mode by Default
  • Always Open Firefox in Private Mode by Default Using Built-in Option

How to Open Incognito Tab in Google Chrome

You can easily open Google Chrome in incognito mode by default on your phone by following the tutorial below.

In incognito mode, Chrome will not store any information about that browsing session. Which means, all the browsing history, cookies and trackers from that session will be cleared when you exit the browser.

  • Open Firefox and tap on the Private Tab symbol (masquerade mask) to open a private tab. Another way to do it is by tapping on the tab counter [1] > Private Tab symbol [2] > “+ Private” sign [3].

Always Open Chrome or Firefox in Incognito (Private) Mode by Default

To always open your browser in incognito (private) mode by default, try the following trick:

Note: This method to open Chrome or Firefox in incognito or private mode by default requires Android 7.0 Nougat or higher. It works on most OEM ROMs and is also supported by most third-party launchers.

While the method above works for most browsers in the newer versions of Android, Firefox also offers a built-in option to open private windows by default every time. It works on all versions of Android, but is especially helpful for folks running Android Marshmallow and older. Here’s how you do it:

  • The first time you switch to private browsing, Firefox will show you an option to add a shortcut to open private tabs from your Home screen. Tap on it to add it to your device.

Surf the Web in Complete Privacy on Your Android Device

So you now know how to always browse using the incognito (private) mode by default on Android, using either Chrome, Firefox or Edge. While that’s one of the ways to maintain your online privacy, it is not the only thing you need to be mindful of. One of the best ways to ensure that your ISP (Internet Service Provider) doesn’t get to snoop on your connections is to change your DNS settings on your Android device. You can also try using a VPN on Android, if you want some extra privacy.