How to Start a Private Browsing Session

In some instances of troubleshooting your website, it may be necessary to clear your web browser’s cache. However, since clearing your cache will log you out of currently logged in sessions, you can circumvent the need to clear your cache, by using a private browsing session.

What is Private Browsing?

A private browsing session initializes a new session for browsing the internet without recording the activity during the session to your history. Additionally, for the duration of the private browsing session a new, separate cache is utilized. With a new private browsing session, you can complete a task as if you had cleared your cache without actually deleting your browser’s cache.

Open a Private Browsing Session

In the following sections, you can learn how to create a private browsing session in each of the most popular web browsers.

Desktop/Laptop

The following sections contain the steps to take to open a private browsing session using Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox on your desktop (or laptop) computer. Simply click on the button labeled with the web browser you are using to expand the steps you should take to open a private browsing session.

  1. Open the Google Chrome web browser application on your computer.
  2. Click on the vertical three (3) dot menu.
  3. Click on New incognito window.

  1. Open the Mozilla Firefox web browser application on your computer.
  2. Click on the horizontal three (3) line menu.
  3. Click on New Private Window.

  1. Open the Microsoft Edge web browser application on your computer.
  2. Click on the horizontal three (3) dot menu.
  3. Click on New InPrivate Window.

  1. Open the Safari web browser application on your computer.
  2. Click on File.
  3. Click on New Private Window.

Tablet/Mobile Devices

The following sections contain the steps to take to open a private browsing session using the Android, iOS, and Windows operating system (OS) on your tablet (or mobile) device. Simply click on the button labeled with the OS you are using to expand the steps you should take to open a private browsing session.

  1. Tap on the Chrome app icon.
  2. Tap More.
  3. Tap New Incognito tab.

  1. Tap on the Safari app icon.
  2. Tap on the Tabs icon.
  3. Tap on the Private link.
  4. Tap on or Done.

  1. Tap on the Internet Explorer app icon.
  2. Tap on the Tabs icon (to the left of the address bar).
  3. Tap on the three (3) dot menu (in the lower right).
  4. Tap on the new inprivate tab button.
JB
John-Paul Briones Content Writer II

John-Paul is an Electronics Engineer that spent most of his career in IT. He has been a Technical Writer for InMotion since 2013.

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