How to See Incognito History on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS?

Gaurav Rathore
Gaurav Rathore

Tech Writer

His write-ups blend creativity, personal experience, and tailored technical advice, meeting reader needs effectively.

8 min read

Ever wondered what is incognito mode and how to see incognito history? Better known as private mode or private browsing, incognito mode is an incredible feature that allows users to browse the web with utmost security and confidentiality. 

Although your search records, cookies, site data, and any information you entered in the forms will not be saved, the data accumulated by the websites you visited can still be out there in the open. 

So, it is highly important to keep track of your online activity. Ahead, in this guide, you will learn how to find incognito history across various operating platforms such as Windows, macOS, Android, and iPhone. 

What is Incognito Mode?

Incognito Mode

Incognito, in the literal sense, means concealing or disguising one’s identity, especially to avoid being noticed. It refers to private browsing that enhances privacy and confidentiality. Speaking of privacy, one should know how to see incognito history and how to get rid of it. 

The private browser sets up a different profile in this mode than the original session. Others who use the same device won’t see your activity, so you can surf the internet more privately.

All your browsing information is deleted once you end the session or close the tabs. However, surfing in a private mode doesn’t mean you are anonymous and untracked.

If you truly want to learn how to stay anonymous online, then scroll through this article for detailed instructions and understand how you can see your incognito browsing history history on different platforms. 

How to Find Incognito History on Windows? 

You can look at your search trails in various ways, even if you are navigating through the incognito mode. Check out the steps mentioned below: 

Instructions to View Your History

Below mentioned are the steps to check your incognito history on Windows.

  1. Simply click on the Start Menu, type cmd in the search bar, and click on open to run the Command Prompt.
    Click on open to run the Command Prompt
  1. Once the Command Prompt menu opens, enter the command code “ipconfig/displaydns”.
    Enter the command code
  1. Hit the Enter button and your DNS history will appear.  

How to Delete Your Incognito History?

Following are the steps to clear your incognito browser search history.

  1. As previously instructed, go to the Start Menu, open the Command Prompt, and click on Run as administrator.
    Click on run as administrator
  1. Write the command “ipconfig /flushdns” and press the Enter.
    Enter the command
  1. Press Enter and your incognito record is deleted. The message for the same will be shown in the Command Prompt
    Message for successful deletion of the history

Once you understand the steps to see your search record on a Windows PC and how to flush it from your system, let us know how to do the same on macOS

How to See Incognito History on macOS?

Even if you are browsing in private mode, your online search record is still visible to people who use your device. Here’s how you can check your online activity on macOS.

Instructions to View Your History

  1. On the Menu bar, click on the Go tab, select Applications, and then click on Utilities.
    Select the application button and click on utilities
  1. Double-click on Console.
    Click on the console
  1. Choose your device and enter the command “any:mdnsresponder” in the Search bar in the top right corner.
    Enter command
  1. Click on the Start button in the toolbar.
    Click on the start buttons
  1. Go back to the Utilities menu and click on Terminal.
    Click on Terminal
  1. Type the command “sudo killall -INFO mDNSResponder” and press Enter. Once prompted, enter your password
    Enter the command codess
  1. Go back to the Console and go through your browsing history.

How to Delete Your Incognito History?

Want to erase all your digital footprints? Follow these simple steps, and you can successfully delete your private search engine visits.

  1. Click on Go, then Utilities to open Terminal, the native command tool in macOS. 
    Select utilities
  1. Select Terminal.
    Click on the terminal
  1. Write the command sudo “killall -HUP mDNSResponder”, hit Enter, type in your Password and your activity log is clear. 
    Type the command and your passwords

Your DNS cache is all clear and your incognito browsing history has been successfully cleared. It’s that simple!

How to Find Incognito History on Android Phone?

You might know how to go incognito on phone, but what’s more important is to maintain your privacy, especially if you are sharing your Android device with someone else. 

Moving forward, it is now time to skim through the procedure of viewing and removing your private search history from your smartphone. 

Instructions to View Your Incognito History using Android Devices

Owing to the nature, if you simply want to view your previous private session on Android, there is no direct procedure to follow. However, there are still some methods via which you can access your search history. 

Various third-party applications are out there to keep a tab on private browsing history. Furthermore, setting up parental control on Google Chrome can help you keep a detailed track of what your children are surfing. 

  • Firstly, open Google Chrome and click on the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
    click on the three vertical dots
  • Select the New Incognito tab from the list of options.
    New Incognito tab
  • Simply type “chrome://chrome/history/” in the Address Bar, and you will have your browsing history in front of you.
    Enter the command in the address bar

In Android, to clear your private mode search history you simply need to close all the incognito tabs, or you can also use certain Chrome extensions

How to Delete Your Incognito History?

  1. Open Google Chrome on your device, type “chrome://net-internals/#dns” in the Address bar, and hit Enter
    Open Google Chrome on your device
    Enter the commandss
  1. Press Clear host cache and exit from Chrome.
    click on clear host cache

Now you know how to clear or delete Chrome’s incognito search history if you are an Android user. If you want to learn how to do the same on iOS devices, follow through with this article. 

How to See Incognito History on iOS Devices?

Want to have a safe browsing experience? As has been noted, it is important to ensure that your private search log is safe and confidential. Furthermore, let us explore how you can quickly take a look at your digital footprint and clear it from your iOS smartphone. 

Instructions to View Your History

  1. Firstly, go to the home screen of your device, and open Safari.
    Open Safari
  1. Once you click on Safari, as shown in the image, click on Advance.
    Click on Advanced option
  1. Furthermore, click on Website Data.
    Click on Website Data
  1. Once you click on Website Data, you will be able to access the websites you visited. 
    Incognito search history

Instructions on How to Delete Your Incognito History on iOS devices

Many of us might think that being an iOS user, our incognito records cannot be retrieved at all. Well, this fact has been busted quite clearly by the above-mentioned steps, but it’s not like you cannot get rid of your search activity. Thankfully, it is very easy for an iOS user to clear the incognito cache.

  1. Simply open your device’s Control Center.
    Open Control Centre
  1. Click on the airplane icon to enable the flight mode.
    Enable flight mode

This will temporarily disable your Wi-Fi connection, and Bluetooth, and automatically clear your search history.

How to Browse the Internet Safely?

It is very important to maintain online privacy, as it protects your information or personal data from being exposed or misused. As the technology is evolving, children are more prone to cyber threats. 

If you are also concerned about your child’s safety, monitoring their online activity is necessary to safeguard them from cyber threats and phishing scams.

Moving forward, whether you are a first-time internet user or a pro surfer, it is always best to take some precautionary steps to shield your web history. Here are some well-tested tips and tricks to ensure your internet safety.

  • Irrespective of the device you use, your first contact with the internet is via web browsers. Make sure you are accessing updated browsers and plugins. Hackers can easily look for flaws and breach your security.
  • If you think your online activity is not monitored, then you are delusional. All the web pages you visit can keep track of the information you are consuming or putting out. Clearing your cookies and browser cache is one simple step to prevent it.
  • Regardless of how tech-savvy you are, installing antivirus and firewall protectors is the best investment you can ever make to enforce your online privacy.

Remember, the internet does not have the delete key. Any information you put out is going to stay there. Think twice before sharing any personal information like your contact details, bank details, or passwords. 

Conclusion

These methods are for educational purposes or personal usage only. Accessing someone else’s online search history without his/her consent is against privacy rules and regulations. 

Other than that, proxy networks, better known as VPNs or two-factor authentication, are the best possible measures to ensure encryption. Incognito mode is designed not to save your browsing history, however trails of your online activity can still be out there. 

FAQs

Does a VPN work with incognito mode?

Yes, a proxy network works well with incognito mode. While you are privately browsing, a VPN can encrypt online traffic.

Who can monitor my activity in incognito mode?

Your internet service providers, office/school network administrators, and the websites you visit can monitor your activity.

How do I remove incognito mode from my child’s phone?

You can’t remove incognito mode entirely. However, you can disable it and the option of parental control is always free.

Is incognito mode more private than regular browsing?

If you are trying to hide your activity from someone who you share your device with, then yes. But remember, your online log is still available in DNS cache.

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