Safari’s Private Browsing just got new features — here’s how to use them
TO KEEP UP with Apple’s ongoing focus to protect user privacy, Private Browsing in Safari has been beefed up with even more features that shield from prying eyes.
Most web browsers’ private modes will delete your search history when you finish a session, and they won’t store autofill information. However, Safari goes further. Private Browsing in Safari means all known trackers are blocked from loading on web pages, and any characters added to web addresses in order to track you are stripped.
In macOS Monterey, Ventura and Sonoma running Safari 17 or later, private browsing windows now lock after a period of inactivity or when your Mac sleeps. This Locked Private Browsing requires Touch ID, Face ID or a passcode or password to unlock. Your Mac will have this on by default; iPads or iPhones can activate it if they are running iOS 17/iPadOS 17 or later.
HOW TO Use Private Browsing
To start a private browsing session, launch Safari, click the File menu and choose New Private Window. A new Safari window will open and you’ll see “Private” in the toolbar and a card on the homepage with information.
Launch Safari and tap the Tab Group button at the bottom–right of the screen. Swipe right on the tab bar at the bottom of the screen until you see a Private Browsing Mode window. Or tap the Private button.
Launch Safari on iPad, then tap the Tab Group button on the right of the toolbar. Tap the head–and–shoulders icon, then tap Private. Choose “Turn on Locked Private Browsing” or Not Now. Tap Done.
Locked Private Browsing is turned on by default. To turn it off, cli
