Most extensions are turned off in incognito by default, and you have to manually turn them back on
When you open an incognito window, your browser disables nearly all extensions automatically. This happens in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. The extension simply will not run unless you change a setting — it is not broken, and it is not a glitch. Your browser does this because incognito mode is designed to keep your activity private, and extensions can track what you do, store data about your visit, or send information to a server.
You can turn individual extensions back on for incognito if you want them to work. The steps differ slightly by browser, but the idea is the same: you tell your browser "I trust this extension in private mode, turn it on." Once you do, that extension will run every time you use incognito, until you turn it off again.
Not every extension will work even if you turn it on. Some extensions are built in a way that simply does not function in incognito mode, no matter what you do. This is rare, but it happens. Most of the time, though, if an extension is off in incognito, it is because you have not given it permission yet.
Key Takeaways
- Extensions are disabled in incognito mode by default in all major browsers to protect your privacy.
- You can manually turn on individual extensions for incognito use through your browser settings, and they will stay on until you disable them.
- Password managers and ad blockers are the most common extensions people want to run in incognito, and both work fine once enabled.
- Some extensions genuinely cannot function in incognito mode due to how they were built, but this is uncommon.
- Turning on an extension in incognito does not affect how it works in your regular browsing mode.
How to turn extensions on in Chrome incognito
Open Chrome and go to the three-line menu in the top right corner. Click Extensions, then Manage Extensions. You will see a list of all your installed extensions. Find the one you want to use in incognito and click on it.
Look for the section labeled Allow in incognito. You will see a toggle switch next to it. Click the toggle to turn it on. The switch will turn blue, and the extension is now active in incognito windows. Close this page and open a new incognito window — the extension should now work.
If you change your mind later, go back to the same page and toggle it off. The extension will stop running in incognito but will continue to work normally in your regular browser windows.
How to turn extensions on in Firefox incognito
Firefox calls incognito mode "Private Browsing." Open Firefox and click the three-line menu in the top right. Go to Add-ons and themes, then click Extensions on the left side.
Find the extension you want to use in private browsing. Click on it to open its details page. Look for the section that says Run in Private Windows. You will see a dropdown menu that currently says Not Allowed. Click the dropdown and select Allow.
Firefox will ask you to confirm. Click Allow again. The extension is now turned on for private browsing windows. Open a new private window and the extension will be active.
How to turn extensions on in Edge incognito
Edge uses the same system as Chrome because both browsers run on the same engine. Click the three-dot menu in the top right and select Extensions, then Manage Extensions.
Find your extension and click on it. Look for Allow in InPrivate — InPrivate is Edge's name for incognito mode. Toggle the switch on. The extension will now run in InPrivate windows.
How to turn extensions on in Safari incognito
Safari handles this differently than other browsers. Open Safari and go to Safari in the menu bar, then click Settings. Click the Extensions tab.
You will see a list of your extensions on the left. Click the extension you want to use in private browsing. On the right side, look for a dropdown menu that says Allow in Private Browsing. Change it from Never to Always. Close the settings window and open a private window — the extension will now work.
Why your password manager or ad blocker might not work in incognito
Password managers and ad blockers are the two extensions people most often want to run in incognito. Both work fine once you turn them on in your browser settings. If your password manager is not filling in your login information in an incognito window, the extension is probably still disabled — go back and check the toggle.
Sometimes a password manager will ask for permission the first time you use it in incognito. You may see a popup asking "Allow this extension to run in private windows?" Click yes, and it will remember your choice. If you do not see this popup, go to your browser settings and turn it on manually using the steps above.
Ad blockers work the same way. Once you turn them on for incognito, they will block ads in private windows just like they do in regular browsing. If ads are still showing up, the extension is not actually on yet — check your browser settings.
What to do if an extension still does not work in incognito
If you have turned an extension on in your browser settings and it still is not working in incognito, the extension itself may not support private browsing. This is uncommon, but it does happen with older extensions or ones that were built for a specific purpose.
Check the extension's page in your browser's store — Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, Microsoft Edge Add-ons, or Safari App Store. Look at the reviews or the description to see if other people mention problems in incognito mode. If the extension genuinely does not work in private browsing, there is no setting that will fix it. You would need to use a different extension or use regular browsing mode instead.
If you think the extension should work but is not, try removing it and reinstalling it. Sometimes this fixes permission issues. Go to your extensions page, click the remove button, then go back to the store and install it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning on an extension in incognito change how it works in regular browsing?
No. Turning an extension on for incognito mode does not affect its behavior in your normal browsing windows. The two settings are separate. You can have an extension turned on in regular mode and off in incognito, or vice versa.
Will my extensions remember what I do in incognito windows?
No. Incognito mode is designed so that your browser does not save your history, cookies, or site data. Most extensions respect this and do not store information about what you do in incognito windows, even if they are turned on. Some extensions like password managers will still work, but they are not recording your activity.
Can I turn on all my extensions for incognito at once?
No, you have to turn them on one at a time through your browser settings. There is no bulk option. However, you only have to do this once per extension — once it is on, it stays on until you manually turn it off.
What if I see an extension running in incognito but I did not turn it on?
Some extensions, like built-in password managers or security tools, may be turned on by default in incognito mode. Check your browser settings to see which extensions have permission. If you do not want an extension running in incognito, go to its settings and toggle it off.
Do I need to turn extensions on in incognito every time I open a private window?
No. Once you turn an extension on for incognito in your browser settings, it will stay on every time you open a private window. You only need to change the setting once, unless you decide to turn it off later.