Nine Uses for Safari Private Windows

While private browsing windows do not really give you privacy, they are useful for a variety of things. You can use them to log into the same site as multiple users, or to view your own site or accounts as someone who is not logged in at all. You can search and shop without building up a history that can haunt you later on. It is also useful for giving presentations and getting around soft paywalls.

Comments: 6 Responses to “Nine Uses for Safari Private Windows”

    Bruce
    6 years ago

    As always, great info. I think even with all "Search" options in prefs turned off, there is a privacy "leak" when using Safari or Firefox private windows: the URL/search bar will show my bookmarks. Even with private windows if I type a letter into the URL/search bar, any bookmark starting with that letter shows up in a list. This could be embarrassing in some circumstances if I bookmarked an address I would rather others not see during my presentation.

    Nick
    6 years ago

    On a related note, I totally got away from Google for searching,, now use DuckDuckGo. Even if I didn't sign into Google I was amazed how it kept my search history and also shared it with other websites. But the private window is even better suggestion, thanks Gary.

    Laraine
    6 years ago

    I feel so stupid. I've been using a Mac since 1 May 1986 and this is the first I've heard of this little trick. And apparently it's been around for about 10 years! Thanks so much for this little video.

    6 years ago

    Bruce: You can turn that off in Safari, Preferences, Search. But it would be great if you could have it off in Private mode and on in other cases.

    Carol
    6 years ago

    Thanks for that. I rarely remember to do it. I also rarely remember to clear the cache--doesn't that periodically help get rid of those ads and restore/refresh the browsing results?

    6 years ago

    Carol: No, clearing your cache is something you don't typically need to do. It will not help with ads or browsing results. Clearing your cache will slow you down a bit as it means your pages will load fresh the next time, requiring more time and bandwidth.

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