Chrome Guest Mode vs Incognito: How Do the Browsing Modes Differ
You can browse the web using Chrome in three ways: normal browsing with different user profiles, private and guest browsing modes. In the first case, you can create different profiles, and each one will have its data – extensions, bookmarks, passwords, etc. The browsing activity will be separate for each user, and it remains even when you exit the browser.
Incognito and Guest modes are temporary browsing modes and the browser will clear your browsing history once you have left either. Do not be mistaken. We’ll explore the differences between Guest mode and Chrome’s incognito mode. Let's start.
Main difference between incognito mode and guest mode on Chrome
Private browsing mode is an extended version of normal mode to allow you to browse privately. In other words, you get most of the functionality of normal mode, but your browsing history is not saved. It allows existing Chrome users to browse privately without saving any information.
On the contrary, as the name suggests, the Guest profile is designed for guest users. Mainly for people who want to temporarily use your PC. It works in two ways. Firstly, it does not give access to your Chrome data to the guest user. Second, it also protects the privacy of the guest by not allowing you to view their browsing history once they exit the mode.
You can call it a slightly advanced and restricted version of incognito mode for temporary users. Learn more about guest mode and how it differs from normal browsing mode.
Availability
Private browsing mode is available on all platforms. You can use it on Windows, macOS, Android and iPhone. However, guest mode is limited to Windows and macOS only. On Android, you can use the Guest mode of Android itself.
What happens when you start incognito or guest mode on Chrome
When you launch one of the modes, a new window opens. You will see the bookmarks bar and the extensions authorized to operate in incognito mode. On the other hand, guest mode provides a blank profile.
Then you will not see a separate icon in the taskbar for Incognito. The icon will be supplied with your existing Chrome icon. Guest mode receives a separate icon in the taskbar.
You can use all three modes at the same time. However, Incognito and Guest modes can only be launched from normal mode. You cannot switch to Guest mode from Incognito and vice versa.
Difference in appearance
Incognito mode is black. Some might even confuse it with the dark mode of Chrome. If you don't like the default color, you can change the theme color of incognito mode.
Guest mode is always white, even if a theme is activated on your Chrome profile.
What happens to Google Sync
Google sync stops working when you're in guest mode or incognito mode. You haven't even offered the connection option as available in normal navigation mode.
What happens to bookmarks
You can create new bookmarks and access your existing bookmarks in incognito mode. Chrome supports multiple profiles and each user has their set of favorites. Favorites will be displayed for the Chrome profile from which you have opened incognito mode. If the bookmarks bar was active in normal mode, you will also see it in incognito mode.
Guest mode does not support bookmarks. You cannot create or view bookmarks. When you try to access bookmarks from its chrome URL: // bookmarks /, the following text will appear.
What happens to downloads
Your download history is shared between normal mode and private browsing mode. In other words, you can view the downloaded files via the normal navigation mode in Incognito. However, the same is not true for Guest mode. The Downloads section appears empty for each new session.
In addition, although you can download files in incognito mode and in guest mode, your download history will be cleared from Chrome once you exit the modes. This means that if you open chrome: // Downloads /, you will not see any record of files downloaded from Guest or Incognito mode. It also does not mean that the file is deleted from your PC. You can still access it from downloads or any other folder where you downloaded it.
Can you access the extensions
By default, the extensions do not work in incognito mode or in guest mode. However, Chrome allows you to enable extensions so that they also work in incognito mode. You will need to enable the setting individually for each extension.
To do this, open chrome: // extensions / and click Details next to the extension.
Activate the toggle for Allow in incognito mode. You will then see the extension icon in incognito mode as well.
Can the parameters be changed
Yes, in the incognito mode, when you click on Settings, you will be redirected to the normal Chrome settings. Thus, any parameter can be modified.
The guest user does not have access to your normal Chrome settings. The only setting that can be changed is the search engine for guest mode.
Can you view browsing history
Both modes do not offer the History option in the Chrome menu. However, if you try to open it via the CTRL + H shortcut or using the chrome: // history / URL, different things will happen. In the case of Incognito mode, you will see the browsing history of your normal profile.
In addition, in incognito mode, Chrome will automatically complete the search results from the browsing history in normal mode.
In Guest mode, you will be informed that the history is not available. In both cases, your history is not saved.
What Happens After Leaving Modes
When you close incognito or guest mode, Chrome will delete the following information:
- Browsing history – all pages you have visited
- biscuits
- Permissions you have granted to websites, such as the ability to access the camera or location
- Information you enter in forms
Thus, each new session will start from a blank list regarding the points mentioned above.
Who can see your information
Although the two private browsing modes hide your browsing history and other data locally (from other Chrome users and profiles), they don't make you invisible on the web.
In other words, the following media can still see your browsing activity:
- Websites you visit
- Websites you connect to
- Your Internet Service Provider
- Anyone who manages your network, such as an employer or a school
- Search engine
What happens to passwords and automatic logins
Both modes have access to your passwords or cookies, so you will need to reconnect to each website. And because they do not save their cookies or passwords, you will be logged out after you exit.
How to start and close incognito mode
To open incognito mode, launch Chrome and click the three dots icon at the top. Select New incognito window from the menu.
To exit incognito mode, close all incognito mode windows. Use the shortcut CTRL + SHIFT + N (Windows) and ⌘ + SHIFT + N (macOS) to start the mode. You can even still launch Chrome in incognito mode.
How to launch and close guest mode
To launch it, click on the profile icon at the top and select Open Guest window. Similar to Incognito, you can also still launch Chrome in guest mode.
To deactivate guest mode, close the guest mode windows or click the user icon at the top of the guest profile. Select Exit Guest from the menu.
When to use Guest or Incognito mode
The two have almost similar use cases. You can use them simultaneously with normal mode to connect to multiple accounts. For example, if someone wants to connect to Facebook, you can open private or guest browsing mode. That way, you don't need to log out of your account. Likewise, you can run multiple WhatsApp accounts.
Since you know that extensions don't work by default in incognito mode, you can use it to troubleshoot Chrome. In addition, since these modes do not have your cookies, you can check for price discrimination. In other words, some websites increase the price based on your search history. If they have no history, the data displayed will not be discriminated.
And, of course, use guest mode to allow someone else to browse for a temporary period.
Usage defines the difference
Guest mode is best suited for situations where you have to grant a stranger access to your computer or when you are using someone else's PC. Private browsing mode is ideal when you want to browse privately so that your history is not saved. You can open some websites directly in incognito mode.
Then: Are you having problems with Chrome? Correct it by resetting the Chrome settings. But before you do that, read what happens when you reset Chrome from the given link.