Chrome Guest Mode vs Incognito: How Do the Browsing Modes Differ

Chrome Guest Mode vs Incognito: How Do the Browsing Modes Differ
I'm sure you must have heard about Chrome's private browsing mode. But do you know that there is a similar but different mode? Nicknamed Guest Mode, it is part of the Chrome feature of multiple users and allows you to browse privately. But the incognito mode does the same. So what's the difference? That's what we'll tell you. In this article, we will compare guest mode and incognito mode in Chrome.

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You can browse the web using Chrome in three ways: normal browsing with different user profiles, private browsing and guest modes. In the first case, you can create different profiles, and everyone will have their data – extensions, bookmarks, passwords, etc. The navigation activity will be distinct for each user, and it remains even when you exit the browser.

Incognito and Guest modes are temporary browsing modes and the browser clears your browsing history once you have left one or the other. Do not be mistaken. We will deepen the differences between Guest mode and Chrome's incognito mode. Let's start.

The primary difference between incognito and guest mode on Chrome

Private Browser Mode is an extended version of Normal Mode for you to navigate privately. In other words, you get most of the features of normal mode, but your browsing history is not saved. It allows existing Chrome users to browse privately without saving any information.

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On the contrary, as its name indicates, the guest profile is designed for guest users. Mainly for people who want to temporarily use your PC. It works in two ways. First, it does not give access to your Chrome data to the guest user. Secondly, it also protects the privacy of the guest by not allowing you to view his browsing history once he leaves the mode.

You can call it a slightly advanced and restricted version of the 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 Android Guest mode 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 bookmark bar and extensions allowed to work in incognito mode. On the other hand, guest mode provides a blank profile.

Then you will not see any separate icon in the taskbar for Incognito. The icon will be provided with your existing Chrome icon. Guest mode receives a separate icon in the taskbar.

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You can use all three modes at the same time. However, the Incognito and Guest modes can only be started from normal mode. You can not 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 do not like the default color, you can change the theme color of the incognito mode.

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Guest mode is always white, even if a theme is enabled on your Chrome profile.

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What Happens to Google Sync

Google sync stops working when you use Guest mode or Incognito mode. You have not even offered the connection option as available in normal browsing 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 a set of favorites. Thus, the favorites will be displayed for the Chrome profile from which you have opened Incognito mode. If the bookmark bar was active in normal mode, you will also see it in incognito mode.

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Guest mode does not support bookmarks. You can not create or view bookmarks. When you try to access bookmarks from its chrome: // bookmarks / URL, the following text appears.

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What happens to the downloads

Your download history is shared between normal mode and incognito mode. In other words, you can view downloaded files via the normal navigation mode in Incognito. However, it is not the same for guest mode. The Downloads section appears blank for each new session.

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In addition, although you can download files in incognito and guest mode, your download history will be erased from Chrome once you exit the modes. This means that if you open chrome: // Downloads /, you will not see any record of downloaded files from Guest or Incognito mode. It 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, extensions do not work in incognito mode or 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.

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Enable Toggle for Allow in incognito mode. You will then see the extension icon in incognito mode as well.

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Can the settings be changed

Yes, in the case of private browsing mode, when you click 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 parameter that can be changed is the search engine for guest mode.

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Can you view the 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 by 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 normal browsing history.

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In guest mode, you will be informed that the history is not available. In both cases, your history is not saved.

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What happens after leaving the modes

When you turn off incognito or guest mode, Chrome will delete the following information:

  • Browsing History – all the pages you visited
  • biscuits
  • Permissions you have granted to websites, such as the ability to access the camera or location
  • Information you enter in the forms

Thus, each new session will start from a blank list regarding the points mentioned above.

Who can see your information

Although both private browsing modes hide your browsing history and other data locally (from other users and Chrome profiles), they do not 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
  • Whoever manages your network, like an employer or a school
  • Search engine

What happens to passwords and automatic connections

Both modes have access to your passwords or cookies, so you will need to log back in to each website. And because they do not register their cookies or passwords, you will be disconnected after your exit.

How to start and close Incognito mode

To open incognito mode, launch Chrome and click on the three-dot icon at the top. Select New Private Browser Window from the menu.

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To exit incognito mode, close all incognito windows. Use the shortcut CTRL + SHIFT + N (Windows) and ⌘ + SHIFT + N (macOS) to start the mode. You can even start 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 still launch Chrome in guest mode.

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To turn off guest mode, close the guest mode windows or click the user icon at the top of the guest profile. Select Exit Guest in the menu.

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When to use Guest or Incognito mode

Both have almost similar use cases. You can use them simultaneously with the normal mode to connect to multiple accounts. For example, if someone wants to connect to Facebook, you can open a private or guest browsing mode. In this way, you do not need to log out of your account. Similarly, you can run multiple WhatsApp accounts.

As you know that extensions do not 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 displayed data will not be discriminated.

And, of course, use guest mode to allow someone else to navigate for a temporary period.

The use defines the difference

Guest mode is best suited for situations in which you have to grant a stranger access to your computer or when using the PC of someone else. Private Browsing Mode is ideal when you want to navigate privately so that your history is not saved. You can open some websites directly in incognito mode.

Then: Is Chrome causing you problems? Correct it by resetting the Chrome settings. But before doing that, read what happens when you reset Chrome from the given link.

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