How to Enable or Disable Lock for Incognito on Chrome browser

The Chrome browser has a security feature that allows you to lock the incognito mode from unauthorized access. It locks the open incognito tabs when you leave or switch away from the Chrome browser app without completely exiting the incognito windows.

It uses the device’s lock pattern, biometric, face ID, etc., to protect the incognito mode. We must validate ourselves to open the existing private browser session or even turn on or off the locking feature from the settings menu.

Currently, the feature is available for mobile devices, including Android tablets and iPads. Perhaps, it may be introduced even on the Chrome desktop browser.

Note: The feature to lock tabs on Chrome only works for incognito mode; you can still visit the regular tabs without any authentication or security. Tap the See other tabs option on the lock screen window to access other open tabs.

Incognito Lock for Chrome Android

The Android phones have fingerprint and face match as biometrics that can be used for unlocking the incognito mode. We can enable or disable the option from the Chrome browser settings as below:

1. Open the Chrome browser on Android.
2. Tap on the More menu and select Settings.
3. Select the Privacy and Security option from the list.
4. Toggle the switch for the Lock Incognito tab when you leave Chrome option.
   
5. Verify the lock authentication to enable the incognito lock.

It will ask for the biometric or screen unlock when reopening the incognito window on Chrome Android.

You can also use the screen lock pattern for unlocking Chrome Incognito mode on Android.

To disable the lock for incognito in Chrome, toggle the switch to turn off the option from the privacy and security page on the Chrome Android app.

Incognito Lock for Chrome iPhone

The iPhone device has the Face ID unlock that can be used for locking the incognito mode for unauthorized access. Here are the steps to customize the Chrome settings:

1. Launch the Chrome browser on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the More  menu and select the Settings menu.
3. Open the Privacy and Security settings option.
4. Toggle the switch for Lock incognito tabs when you close Chrome option.
   
5. Verify your biometric authentication to turn on the incognito lock.

When you reopen the active incognito mode tab, it will ask for biometric or passcode authentication.

We can also use the screen lock passcode for authentication if the Face ID is not configured on the device.

Similarly, to disable the locking security for incognito in Chrome iPhone, you need to toggle the switch to turn off the option from the privacy and security page.

Bottom Line

Protecting unauthorized access to incognito mode is a great feature that the Chrome browser has added. It uses biometric authentication or a screen lock to unlock the private browsing mode.

The lock only gets activated if you’ve closed the Chrome browser without terminating the active incognito mode session. Even if the browser is killed from the task manager, the incognito window will be protected until the user is verified or completely closed the session.