Do you want to browse the internet without saving your browsing history in Brave? Opening a private tab in the Brave browser is a simple way to keep your browsing activity from appearing in your regular browsing history.
Whether you’re researching something personal, signing in to another account, or checking a website without mixing it with your usual browsing session, Brave’s private browsing feature can help.
Brave calls this feature a Private Window on desktop computers and a Private Tab on mobile devices. It allows you to browse without saving your private session’s browsing history to the regular local browsing history after you close the private session.
The best part is that you do not need to install an extension or change complicated browser settings. You can open a private window using a keyboard shortcut or the browser menu on Windows, Mac, and other supported platforms.
However, private browsing does not make you completely anonymous online. Websites, your internet service provider, and network administrators may still be able to observe certain aspects of your activity.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to launch private tabs in Brave, use keyboard shortcuts, manage multiple private tabs, and troubleshoot common problems.
Let’s get started.
How to Launch Private Tabs in Brave?
To launch a private tab in Brave, follow these steps:
- To get started, open the Brave browser on your computer or mobile device.
- On Windows or Linux, press Ctrl + Shift + N to open a new private window.
- On a Mac, press Command + Shift + N to open a new private window.
- On Android or iPhone, open Brave’s menu and select New Private Tab or the corresponding private browsing option.
- To open additional private tabs, use the tab switcher and select the option to create another private tab.
- When you’re finished browsing privately, close the private tabs or window to end the session.
Step 1: Open the Brave Browser
First, launch Brave on the device you want to use. If you’re using Windows 11 or Windows 10, click the Start button, type Brave, and select Brave Browser from the search results. You can also open it from a desktop shortcut or the taskbar if you’ve pinned it there.
On a Mac, open Brave from the Applications folder, Dock, or Spotlight Search. If you’re using an Android phone or iPhone, tap the Brave app icon on your home screen or in your app library.
Once Brave opens, you’ll usually see your regular browsing window with the address bar at the top. You can open a private session from this window without closing your existing tabs.
The navigation path is Start menu > Brave Browser > Regular browsing window on Windows.
Make sure you’re using the official Brave browser rather than a different Chromium-based browser, because menu labels and keyboard shortcuts can vary between applications. Once Brave is open, you’re ready to launch private browsing.
Step 2: Launch a Private Window Using a Keyboard Shortcut
The quickest way to open private browsing on a desktop computer is to use a keyboard shortcut. This method is convenient because you don’t have to search through the browser menu.
On a Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC, press Ctrl + Shift + N simultaneously. Brave should open a new private window. On Linux, this shortcut generally works as well.
If you’re using a Mac, press Command + Shift + N. Make sure you use the Command key rather than Ctrl.
After the new window opens, look for Brave’s private browsing screen. It indicates that you’re browsing privately rather than in a regular window.
The navigation path is Brave browser > Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows/Linux) or Brave browser > Command + Shift + N (Mac).
If the shortcut doesn’t work, click inside the Brave window and try again. Check that you aren’t using a keyboard shortcut assigned to another application or a system utility. You can also use the browser menu, as explained in the next step.
Step 3: Open a Private Window Through the Brave Menu
If you prefer using your mouse, Brave also lets you launch private browsing through its main menu. This is particularly helpful if you’re unfamiliar with keyboard shortcuts or using a keyboard that has a different layout.
Open Brave and click the three-line or three-dot menu button, depending on your version and platform. Look for the option labeled New private window and select it.
Brave will open a separate private window. You can then enter a website address in the address bar or search for something using your preferred search engine.
Follow this path: Brave menu > New private window > Enter a website address.
Keep in mind that a private window is separate from your regular browsing window. You can switch between them whenever you need to. Your regular tabs will remain open until you close them yourself.
If you don’t see the private window option, confirm that you’re using the standard Brave browser and that your browser or device is not managed by an administrator who has disabled private browsing.
Step 4: Launch a Private Tab on Android or iPhone
If you use Brave on your smartphone, the process is slightly different because mobile Brave uses a tab-based interface. Instead of opening a separate desktop-style window, you’ll generally open a new private tab.
On Android, launch Brave and tap the tab switcher near the top or bottom of the screen, depending on your layout. Look for the private browsing section or the option to create a new private tab. Select New Private Tab if it appears.
On an iPhone, open Brave and access the tab switcher. Depending on your version, you may see separate options for regular and private browsing. Switch to the private section and tap the button to open a new private tab.
The general navigation path is Brave app > Tab switcher > Private browsing > New Private Tab.
Once the private tab opens, enter the website address you want to visit. If your mobile interface uses different labels, check the available tab-switcher options and Brave’s current app instructions.
Remember that private tabs and regular tabs are separate browsing sessions. Switching between them does not automatically close your existing tabs.
Step 5: Open and Manage Multiple Private Tabs
Sometimes, one private tab isn’t enough. For example, you might want to compare products on two websites, research a topic, or sign in to separate accounts without mixing those pages into your regular browsing session.
Brave allows you to open multiple private tabs, where supported by the current version of the browser. On desktop, open another private window with Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows or Command + Shift + N on Mac. You can then open multiple tabs within that private window using the new-tab button or Ctrl + T on Windows and Linux, or Command + T on Mac.
On mobile, access the private tab section and use the new-tab button to create another private tab.
The navigation path is Private browsing window > New tab > Enter another website address.
You can switch between your private tabs through the tab bar or tab switcher. This makes it easy to compare pages without returning to your regular browsing session.
However, remember that private browsing doesn’t automatically block tracking scripts, advertisements, or malicious websites. Use Brave’s available privacy protections and exercise the same caution you would during regular browsing.
Step 6: Close Private Tabs When You’re Finished
When you’re done browsing, close your private tabs or windows to end the session. On Windows or Linux, click the X on the private window. On a Mac, close the private window using its window controls.
On mobile devices, open the tab switcher and close individual private tabs or use the available option to close private tabs, if your version provides one.
Follow this path: Private window or tab switcher > Close private tabs or window.
Brave does not normally retain the private session’s browsing history in your regular local browsing history after the private session ends. However, files you download and bookmarks you save may remain on your device.
Also, closing a private tab does not delete records that may already exist elsewhere, such as website account activity or network logs. If you signed in to a website, that service may still have information associated with your account.
What Brave Private Browsing Does and Doesn’t Do?
Private browsing is useful, but it’s important to understand its limits. When you use a private window, Brave generally avoids saving the session’s browsing history, cookies, and site data in the same way it does during regular browsing. Temporary private-session data is cleared when the private session ends, subject to the browser’s behavior and any active private windows.
However, private browsing does not hide your IP address from websites or your internet service provider. Your employer, school, or network administrator may also be able to monitor network activity on a managed network.
The navigation path is Brave menu > New private window > Browse privately.
For stronger privacy, review Brave’s Shields settings and consider whether you need additional protections, such as a reputable VPN. A VPN changes how your network traffic is routed, but it does not make you completely anonymous.
Use private browsing when you want to separate a session from your regular local browsing history, not as a guarantee that nobody can see what you do online.
FAQs
1. How do I open a private tab in Brave on Windows 11?
Open Brave and press Ctrl + Shift + N. A new private window should appear. You can also select Brave menu > New private window.
2. What is the keyboard shortcut for private browsing in Brave on Mac?
Press Command + Shift + N to open a new private window in Brave on macOS.
3. Can I open private tabs in Brave on my phone?
Yes. Open the Brave app, access the tab switcher, and select the private browsing section or the New Private Tab option. The exact interface may vary by app version.
4. Does Brave private browsing hide my IP address?
No. Private browsing does not hide your IP address from websites or your internet service provider. It mainly limits what browsing data Brave saves locally for the private session.
5. Do private tabs disappear when I close Brave?
Private-session tabs generally do not remain available as regular browsing history after the private session ends. If you want to keep a website accessible, save it as a bookmark, but remember that bookmarks remain on your device.
6. Why can’t I open a private window in Brave?
Private browsing may be unavailable if browser policies or device restrictions disable it. Check whether your device is managed by a school, employer, or administrator. You can also update Brave and try the menu option again.
7. Can I use extensions in a Brave private window?
Some extensions can be allowed to run in private windows, but they generally require you to enable the relevant permission in the extension settings. Only allow extensions you trust, because they may affect your privacy.
Final Words
Opening private tabs in Brave is straightforward once you know where to look. On Windows and Linux, use Ctrl + Shift + N. On a Mac, use Command + Shift + N. On mobile, open the tab switcher and select the private browsing option.
You can create multiple private tabs, switch between them, and close them when you’re finished. This feature is helpful for keeping temporary browsing activity separate from your regular local browsing history.
Just remember that private browsing is not the same as complete online anonymity. Websites and network providers may still observe certain activity, and downloaded files or saved bookmarks can remain on your device.