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On iPhone or iPad, open Safari’s tab controls and choose the Private tab group or New Private Tab. On a Mac, choose File > New Private Window. A dark address or Smart Search field indicates a private session on supported interfaces. Private Browsing limits what Safari saves on your device; it does not make you anonymous online.
Start a Private Browsing session on iPhone or iPad
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Open Safari and tap the tabs button. Depending on your software version, you can also find the action in Safari’s More controls.
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Select the Private tab group, or tap New Private Tab if that action is shown.
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Confirm that Safari is in private mode; on supported interfaces, the address or search field appears dark.
To return to ordinary browsing, open the tabs control and select a regular tab group. Switching away does not necessarily close your private tabs. For current labels and device-specific details, see Apple’s iPhone guide to private browsing and its instructions for turning Private Browsing on or off.
Start a Private Browsing session on Mac
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In Safari, choose File > New Private Window.
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Check for the dark Smart Search field, which identifies a private window.
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When finished, close the private window or switch to an ordinary Safari window.
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Apple’s Safari for Mac guide covers private windows and their protections.
What Safari Private Browsing does—and does not—hide
Private Browsing limits the browsing information Safari keeps in its ordinary local records. Apple says Safari does not remember pages visited, search history, or AutoFill information from a private session. Private tabs on iPhone and iPad also are not shared with your other Apple devices through open-tab syncing, even when you use the same Apple Account.
That is different from hiding your activity from every person or service. Private Browsing alone does not guarantee that websites cannot see your IP address, that your network provider cannot observe network activity, or that apps and online services do not retain information. Apple notes that apps can store information about searches and viewed content, so a private Safari session does not erase records held elsewhere.
Private Browsing’s tracking protections
Private mode includes tracking protections, but these are not the same as clearing local history or routing all internet traffic anonymously. Apple says Safari limits third-party cookies and data by default through Prevent Cross-Site Tracking. Its Privacy Report summarizes trackers encountered and prevented by Intelligent Tracking Prevention. Safari also removes tracking parameters from links in some circumstances.
On Mac, advanced tracking and fingerprinting protection is enabled by default in private windows. Apple warns that this can affect some site features; for an affected page, Safari offers a reload option that reduces privacy protections for that page.
On iPhone, Settings > Apps > Safari contains current privacy and search controls, though the available options depend on software version and device. You can choose a different search engine for Private Browsing. Apple’s iPhone privacy-browsing guide explains the available controls.
Lock private tabs against access on your device
If your concern is someone else opening a private session on a device they can use, enable the Private Browsing authentication requirement. Supported systems can require Face ID, Touch ID, a passcode, or a password when returning to private tabs. Apple says the feature is available starting with iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and Safari 17 or later on macOS Monterey 12 or later. Availability and the exact setting depend on the device and software. See Apple’s Locked Private Browsing instructions for setup steps.
Private Browsing and iCloud Private Relay are different
| Feature | What it is for | Requirement or limit |
|---|---|---|
| Safari Private Browsing | Limits what Safari saves in its local browsing records and includes tracking protections. | Built into Safari; it does not by itself hide your IP address or provide universal anonymity. |
| iCloud Private Relay | An optional service that sends Safari traffic through two separate internet relays. Apple says this is intended to prevent websites from seeing your IP address and exact location and to prevent network providers from collecting Safari browsing activity. | Requires an eligible iCloud+ subscription and is available only in supported countries or regions. It is not required to open a private tab. |
Apple describes the service and its limits in its iCloud Private Relay privacy overview. On iPhone, Hide IP Address options are separate settings; the available protection depends on eligibility and the selected setting.
Close the session and check for leftover traces
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Close private windows when you are done. Leaving a private tab group does not necessarily close its tabs, and someone with device access may be able to inspect open pages through navigation controls.
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Delete items downloaded during private browsing if you do not want them left on the device. Private Browsing does not remove downloaded files.
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Remember that activity recorded by other apps or services is outside Safari’s local browsing-history controls. Apple’s Personal Safety guide explains these privacy considerations.
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