To turn off or exit incognito mode on an iPhone, you generally need to close the private browsing tabs in Safari or Chrome. If the goal is to disable incognito mode permanently (especially on Safari), it requires using Screen Time content restrictions to block private browsing. Here are the key methods: Exiting Incognito Mode Temporarily:
- In Safari: Open Safari, tap the "Tabs" button (overlapping squares at the bottom right), then close all incognito/private tabs by swiping left. After closing them, you will browse in regular mode with history saved.
- In Chrome: Open Chrome, tap the tabs button at the bottom right, then switch from incognito tabs to regular tabs or tap "Turn Off Incognito Mode" from the menu.
Permanently Disabling Incognito (Private Browsing) in Safari:
- Open Settings on the iPhone.
- Go to Screen Time.
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn it on.
- Choose Content Restrictions > Web Content.
- Select "Limit Adult Websites." This removes the private browsing option in Safari, disabling incognito mode permanently.
- Optionally, you can also disable Safari completely under Allowed Apps if desired.
Disabling incognito mode via Screen Time is effective for parents or administrators who want to restrict private browsing on an iPhone, while simply closing tabs works for users who want to stop incognito temporarily. This approach applies to the latest iPhone iOS versions available as of 2025.
