Privacy has been a spearhead for Apple for years, and Safari’s private mode is one of the ways to browse the web more securely. iPhoned shows how it works.
What is a private window?
Safari has had the option to open a private window for quite some time now. Using private windows is a simple way to access the web more securely, as Safari takes several actions to better protect your privacy. For example, websites can no longer follow you on the internet, for example to show you personalized advertisements. This includes plugins you may have installed. In addition, Safari does not save which websites you have visited.
That is how it works
A handy feature, but the problem is that Safari opens a normal window by default when you open the browser. You can open a safer window via ‘File> New private window’ in the menu bar, but you may find it more convenient that this is done by default. As a result, all you have to do is tap the Safari icon on your Mac to get started in a private window. Follow the steps below to set it up.
- Open Safari on your Mac and click on ‘Safari> Preferences’ in the menu bar;
- The settings screen will then appear. Go to ‘General’;
- Then make sure that the option ‘A new private window’ is set behind ‘Open Safari with’. Once you have done this, the browser will always automatically open private mode.
Private windows on iOS
You can also use private windows in the iOS version of Safari. Although it is actually not possible – like on the Mac – to enable the mode by default, there is a trick to do this.
First, open a private window in Safari on your iPhone or iPad and don’t turn the mode off when you switch to another app. If you leave the private window in the foreground, you will automatically see it when you restart Safari later.
→ Looking for more? Check out our overview with useful iPhone and Mac tips!