How to lock incognito tabs in Chrome on Android and iOS

Unlike other browsers on your smartphone, Google Chrome allows you to lock incognito mode with a Fingerprint or Face ID.

Published By: Pranav Sawant | Published: Feb 06, 2023, 02:17 PM (IST)

Highlights

  • Google Chrome allows you to lock Incognito mode on Android and iOS devices.
  • Incognito tabs can be locked with a fingerprint on phones.
  • Locking incognito mode is the great way to do away secure your private searches.

Google Chrome, unlike some other browsers, comes with several security features. It has features such as a password manager, safe browsing, and safety check. Also Read: Google adds bookmarks bar to Chrome on Android tablets and foldables

Sometime back, Google also updated the app to make the Incognito experience better on smartphones. It introduced fingerprint/facial locking for Incognito tabs on the Chrome browser. Also Read: CERT-In issues data theft warning for macOS and Chrome users: What you should do

With the help of fingerprint/facial lock, you can secure your private searches. Although this feature was accessible for some time, not many know about it. That said, in this article, we'll show how you can lock incognito tabs on Google Chrome on Android and iOS. Also Read: Google turns Chrome into an AI assistant with Gemini, it can browse for you now

How to fingerprint/facial lock Google Chrome's Incognito tabs

Before we get started make sure you are on the latest version of Google Chrome. You can check if the app is updated on PlayStore/App Store. Once you are on the latest version of the app, follow the steps below.

Android

On Android, you'll first need to enable the reauthentication option.

Step 1: Open Google Chrome on your Android device

Step 2: Head to the flags page by entering the following URL - chrome://flags

Step 3: Search Reauthentication for incognito in the search bar

Step 4: Once you follow the third step, you should see 'Enable device reauthentication for Incognito.', tap on the Default option.

Step 5: Select Enabled from the list of options and relaunch the app

Step 6: Now, tap on the three dots in the upper right corner

Step 7: Tap on Settings

Step 8: Open the Privacy and Security tab

Step 9: Turn on the 'Lock incognito tabs when you leave Chrome' option

Now, whenever you close the app in between your surfing in incognito mode, all the incognito tabs will be locked with a fingerprint

iOS

If you are on iOS, the reauthentication option should be enabled by default.

Step 1: Open Google Chrome on your iPhone or iPad.

Step 2: Tap on the three dots in the bottom right corner.

Step 3: Tap on Settings.

Step 4:Open the Privacy and Security tab.

Step 5: Turn on the 'Lock incognito tabs when you leave Chrome' option.

Now, your incognito tabs will be locked with the Face ID.

That's it. That's how you can easily lock your incognito tabs on Chrome.

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