If you believe that using incognito mode completely conceals your online actions, you’re mistaken. There are different ways which you can view and delete incognito history. Let’s explore the procedure to view and erase browsing history in incognito mode:
What is Incognito Mode?
Incognito mode, referred to as private browsing or in-private mode as well, prevents your device from retaining your browsing history. It also refrains from storing temporary data, like cookies and website login details, which aids in maintaining the secrecy of your online actions from future users of the same device.
However, does incognito mode actually leave any residual traces, and is there a possibility of uncovering your incognito activity once your browsing session concludes? While regaining access to your incognito history might pose a challenge, it’s not an insurmountable task. Continue reading to discover how to access your incognito history.
Whether your intention is to revisit your incognito history in search of a particular gift you looked up the other night or to ensure the complete erasure of your incognito history, we will present a couple of methods you can attempt.
How to See Incognito History
To access your incognito browsing history, you have the option to employ resources such as the DNS cache or third-party applications to retrieve your confidential browsing information. Although there isn’t a direct method akin to reviewing your browsing history within your browser, the DNS cache serves as a useful point of departure.
Here’s the process for checking your incognito history:
View Incognito History Via DNS Cache
If you’re utilizing a Windows device, it’s possible to access your incognito history from the DNS cache, even subsequent to the conclusion of your browsing session.
The Domain Name System (DNS) plays the role of linking a website’s URL, or web address, with its corresponding IP address. When you input a URL into your web browser, a DNS server locates the IP address associated with that website, facilitating your actual visit to the site.
This information is recorded within the DNS cache, even when you’re engaged in incognito browsing. The DNS cache contributes to enhancing your browsing speed by eliminating the necessity for your browser to consistently query the DNS server each time you wish to revisit a specific site.
In the event that you require the retrieval or erasure of your incognito history — or the complete deletion of your browsing history — such actions can be accomplished using the DNS cache on a Windows device.
Here’s the procedure to review your browsing history via the DNS cache:
1. Type “cmd” into the search bar of the Start menu to initiate the opening of Command Prompt. Subsequently, select “Run as administrator.”
2. Input the command “ipconfig/displaydns” and press Enter. This action will present you with a detailed history of your DNS cache.
It’s important to note that the ability to check incognito history via the DNS cache is specific to Windows devices. Alternative operating systems like macOS or mobile devices might not provide such a straightforward avenue for examining incognito history within the DNS cache.
If you’re using a Windows device, you can see your incognito history in your DNS cache, even after your browsing session ends.
Use Apps to View Incognito History on Android or iOS
If your intention is solely to observe the incognito browsing history on your smartphone without erasing the data, employing an application is the way to go for inspecting incognito history.
Parental control applications serve the purpose of assisting parents in monitoring their children’s screen activities, yet they can also serve as a means for you to examine the incognito browsing history on either your Android phone or iPhone.
These applications generate reports on browser history, encompassing all the websites you’ve visited or searched, even in the context of incognito mode. The reports furnish comprehensive particulars about the date, time, and frequency of your visits. Certain apps may even gather records of keystrokes while you’re engaged in private browsing.
Bear in mind that incognito mode exclusively shields your browsing history from being accessible to other users of your device. The incognito history and data are automatically eliminated from your browser, alleviating the need for manual clearance of your browser history. Nonetheless, the incognito history data remains stored on your device. Now, let’s delve into the process of completely erasing incognito history.
How to Delete Incognito History
For a thorough eradication of incognito history, it’s essential to first search for incognito history data within your DNS cache and subsequently eliminate any residual information. The process of clearing the DNS cache varies slightly depending on your specific device and operating system. Here’s a guide on how to erase incognito history on the most prevalent devices.
How to Delete Incognito History on Windows
Below are the steps to clear the DNS cache and erase incognito history on Windows:
1. Open the Windows Start menu and type “cmd” to launch the Command Prompt. Choose “Run as administrator.”
2. Enter the command “ipconfig/flushdns” and press Enter to clear the DNS cache, which holds all the recorded incognito history on your device.
You can also try Systweak VPN which is the Best VPN for PC for Private Browsing.
How to Delete Incognito History on Mac
For Mac users, the procedure involves utilizing Terminal, the native command-line tool, to eliminate the DNS cache and erase incognito history. Follow these steps:
Click on Go > Utilities to access Terminal.
Choose Terminal.
Within Terminal’s command-line window, input the command: “sudo dscacheutil -flushcache;sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder”.
You’ll be prompted to input your computer password for DNS cache flushing.
Please note: This command is effective across all macOS versions, from OS X Lion to macOS Big Sur. However, if you’re using OS X 10.10.1, 10.10.2, or 10.10.3, use the following command instead: “sudo discoveryutil udnsflushcaches;sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcaches”.
Following these steps will clear your DNS cache and eliminate your incognito browsing history. As an additional measure, we recommend also clearing your browser caches on your Mac.
How to Delete Incognito History on Android
Below are the steps to remove incognito search history on an Android phone using Chrome:
1. Launch Google Chrome and type chrome://net-internals/#dns into the address bar.
2. Select “DNS” from the left-hand panel, and then click on “Clear host cache” to eliminate DNS data and erase your incognito history.
How to Delete Incognito History on iPhone
Deleting incognito history on an iPhone is straightforward as well. Here’s how:
Swipe upwards from the bottom of your iPhone screen to access the Control Center.
Tap the airplane icon to activate Airplane Mode. This will temporarily disable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and your phone’s signal, automatically clearing your DNS cache.
Tap the Airplane Mode icon again to deactivate it and resume regular phone usage. You can repeat these steps whenever you wish to delete your incognito history on your iPhone.
Now you’re equipped with the knowledge to review your incognito history, clear your DNS cache, and even delete your incognito history on both mobile and desktop devices. For comprehensive online privacy, consider utilizing a dedicated secure and private browser.
Verdict:
You can view the incognito history and can easily delete it. To remove incognito history on different devices you have to perform different steps. These steps to perform are very to follow and once these steps are performed all the incognito history will be removed.
