Incognito mode test: can websites tell I am in a private window?
Incognito and private windows do not keep cookies or history after you close them, but they do not make you invisible. This test asks the FingerPrint Checker server whether your current window looks like a private one. Run it in a normal window and then in a private window to compare. The check works in Chrome and Firefox on desktop; other browsers return "cannot tell".
Tip: run it here, then open a private window (Ctrl+Shift+N in Chrome, Ctrl+Shift+P in Firefox) and run it again.
What incognito mode does and does not do
- It does: start without your cookies, logins and history, and delete them when you close the window.
- It does not: hide your IP address, your browser and device, or what you do from your employer, school or internet provider.
- It does not: stop a website from recognising your browser again. The browser fingerprint is largely the same in a private window.
Why websites check for private browsing
News sites with a monthly article limit use it to stop the limit being reset by opening a private window. Sign-up and free-trial forms use it as one sign, among many, that someone is starting over to claim an offer again. On its own, private browsing is normal and says nothing bad about a visitor.
Which browsers this test covers
The check gives a yes or no answer in Chrome and Firefox on desktop. In Safari, Edge, other browsers and on phones it answers "cannot tell" rather than guessing. A "cannot tell" result is not a "no".
Frequently asked questions
Can websites detect incognito mode?
Sometimes. In some browsers a site can tell that a window is private; in others it cannot. Run this test in a normal window and in a private window to see what your browser reveals.
Am I anonymous in incognito mode?
No. Incognito removes cookies and history when you close the window. Your IP address and browser fingerprint stay the same, so websites can still recognise the browser.
Why does my visitor ID stay the same in a private window?
Because it comes from the browser and device, not from a cookie. See the browser fingerprint test for the full picture.
Private window, same browser
See the visitor ID your browser gets, and whether it comes back unchanged in a private window.
Run the browser fingerprint test