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How to turn on private browsing on a Mac computer in Safari

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It's easy to turn on private browsing on a Mac by opening a new private window in Safari. Shutterstock
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A private browser is a useful way to navigate the internet with minimal tracking, although the exact functions may vary slightly depending on which browser you are using. 

On Safari, private browsing means that websites won't be able to track your activity across sites, your visited websites aren't saved or stored on in iCloud, and your recent searches won't appear in the Smart Search field. 

You also won't have access to any saved AutoFill information when you visit websites, so keep that in mind if you need to log into a site.

With that in mind, here's how to open a private window on a Mac using the Safari web browser: 

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How to turn on private browsing on a Mac in Safari

1. Open your Safari browser.

2. In the top toolbar, click "File."

3. Select "New Private Window."

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Click on New Private Window to turn on private browsing.  Devon Delfino/Business Insider

The smart search field will show up with a dark background, which will signal that you are in private browsing mode. 

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The search field will turn dark when you're in a private window, and you will see information about private browsing.  Devon Delfino/Business Insider

Alternatively, you could use the keyboard shortcut to open a private window in your Safari browser. To do that, you'd open a window in the browser, then press the shift, command and "N" keys.

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Devon Delfino is a Brooklyn-based freelance journalist specializing in personal finance, culture, politics, and identity. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Los Angeles Times, Teen Vogue, Business Insider, and CNBC. Follow her on Twitter at @devondelfino.