A private or incognito tab is a feature that allows you to browse the web without saving your browsing history, cookies, or other data on your device. This can help you protect your privacy and prevent others from seeing your online activity.
Ability8 uses this method when a user needs to open 2 different user accounts or profiles on the one pc or browser so the profile data does not clash.
Ability8 also uses this method if the app is failing to start or is not functioning correctly because there is corrupt or out of date data in the browser cache and by opening in a private tab the cache data is avoided. If the app runs normally in the private or incognito tab detailed below, but not in a normal browser tab, this implies the browser cache should be cleared, follow this link for further instructions - Clear Cache.
Different web browsers have different names and methods for opening a private or incognito tab.
Here are some common examples:
Chrome
Chrome calls its private browsing mode Incognito. To open an Incognito tab, follow these steps
1. Open the Chrome browser on your device.
2. Click on the More tab, which is the symbol with three dots in the upper-right corner of your browser window.
3. Choose New Incognito Window from the drop-down menu.
4. A new window will open with a dark background and a spy icon in the top-left corner. You can also tell that you are in Incognito mode by looking at the address bar, which will have a Incognito label next to it.
5. Start browsing privately! You can open multiple tabs in the same Incognito window. To exit Incognito mode, close all the tabs or the window.
Microsoft Edge
Edge calls its private browsing mode InPrivate. To open an InPrivate tab, follow these steps
1. Open the Edge browser on your device.
2. Open the menu by selecting the three dots in the upper-right corner of your window.
3. Select New InPrivate Window from the drop-down menu.
4. A new window will open with a blue background and an InPrivate icon in the top-left corner. You can also tell that you are in InPrivate mode by looking at the address bar, which will have an In Private label next to it.
5. Start browsing privately! You can open multiple tabs in the same InPrivate window. To exit InPrivate mode, close all the tabs or the window.
Firefox
1. Open the Firefox browser on your device.
2. Click on the Menu button, which is the symbol with three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner of your browser window.
3. Choose New Private Window from the drop-down menu.
4. A new window will open with a purple background and a mask icon in the top-right corner. You can also tell that you are in Private Browsing mode by looking at the address bar, which will have a Private Browsing label next to it.
5. Start browsing privately! You can open multiple tabs in the same Private Browsing window. To exit Private Browsing mode, close all the tabs or the window.
Safari
Safari calls its private browsing mode Private Browsing. To open a Private Browsing tab, follow these steps:
1. Open the Safari browser on your device.
2. Click on the File menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
3. Choose New Private Window from the drop-down menu.
4. A new window will open with a dark background and a Private icon in the top-right corner of the address bar. You can also tell that you are in Private Browsing mode by looking at the address bar, which will have a Private Browsing Enabled message below it.
5. Start browsing privately! You can open multiple tabs in the same Private Browsing window. To exit Private Browsing mode, close all the tabs or the window