If you use a third-party keyboard, you may also encounter some issues with Private Browsing. So, to keep your private tabs private, either close them all before exiting Safari or update your iOS. If you’re still using iOS 8, Safari will still save your open tabs in Private Browsing. There are a couple of other things to keep in mind while using it. Other Considerations with Private Browsing Mode Google even faces a $5 billion lawsuit for allegedly misleading users.īefore you swear off Safari for its lack of privacy, consider how it’ll be the same with most popular browsers. Private Browsing Mode may not be as secure as you’d think, but the same is true of Google’s Incognito. If you were hoping to avoid targeted ads, Private Browsing won’t help you there either. So, think twice before you try to use it to break any IT policies. If you’re on your work or university’s Wi-Fi, Private Browsing Mode won’t keep you hidden from the IT department.

Websites, your internet service provider (ISP) and advertisers can still see everything. While it hides your browsing habits from anyone who gets on your iPhone, it doesn’t block everyone. What it doesn’t do may be more significant than what it does. Private Browsing Doesn’t Block Everything Beyond that, though, it doesn’t do much in way of protecting your privacy. Not saving cookies or AutoFill information makes sure that other users can’t find any lingering evidence of it. It hides your activity from other people who may use your iPhone. It’ll also prevent some websites from creating cookies, which would allow them to track your phone. Like they say, it won’t create any new browsing history and your AutoFill won’t save anything. Their website tells you the same, and there’s a reason for this vagueness.Īpple doesn’t say much about Private Browsing Mode because it doesn’t do all that much. When you open it, some text tells you that it won’t save your history, visited pages or AutoFill information. You can think of this option as Apple’s answer to Google Chrome’s Incognito Mode.Īpple’s descriptions tell you what it is, but not in much detail. One, a plus sign, if for creating a new tab and the other enables Private Browsing Mode. When you tap the new window icon in Safari, it gives you two more options on the bottom bar. So, what is Safari’s Private Browsing Mode and just how secure is it? If you’ve spent much time in Safari on your iPhone, you’ve probably noticed an option labeled “Private.” Whether or not you’ve used it, what exactly it does may not be clear at first.

Private browsing safari iphone