Launch Private Tabs in Brave Browser [Guide]
Want to browse the web without saving your browsing history on your computer? Brave Browser’s private browsing feature lets you open a separate window for browsing websites without keeping a normal browsing history after you close that window.
Whether you’re checking personal information, shopping for a gift, or signing in to another account, private tabs can help keep your browsing activity separate from your regular sessions. Brave also offers a Private Window with Tor on supported desktop versions, which routes your traffic through the Tor network for additional privacy.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to launch private tabs in Brave on Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone.
Private Tabs in Brave
Private tabs in Brave allow you to browse websites in a private window without saving your browsing history in the browser’s regular history after you close all private windows. Brave generally removes private-session cookies and site data when the private session ends.
Private browsing is useful when you want to sign in to a different account, browse without mixing activity with your regular session, or keep visited pages out of your normal browser history.
However, private browsing does not make you completely anonymous online. Websites, your internet service provider, your employer or school network, and other monitoring systems may still be able to observe some of your activity.
Downloads and bookmarks you save can also remain on your device.
How to Launch Private Tabs in Brave
The quickest way to open a private window in Brave on Windows is to press Ctrl + Shift + N. On a Mac, press Command + Shift + N. You can also open the Brave menu and select New private window.
On mobile devices, open Brave and use its menu or tab switcher to find the private browsing option.
The exact layout may vary depending on your device and app version.
1: Open Brave Browser on Your Device
First, launch Brave Browser on your computer or mobile device. If you haven’t installed it yet, download it from Brave’s official website or your device’s official app store.
On Windows, click the Brave icon on your desktop or search for Brave using the Start menu. On a Mac, open Brave from the Applications folder or Dock.
If you’re using Android or an iPhone, tap the Brave app icon on your home screen or in your app library.
Wait for the browser to open. You may see your usual homepage, search bar, and open tabs. You don’t need to close your existing tabs before opening a private session. Brave keeps private browsing separate from your regular browsing session.
2: Launch a Private Window Using the Keyboard Shortcut
Using a keyboard shortcut is usually the fastest way to open private browsing in Brave on a desktop computer.
If you’re using Windows or Linux, open Brave and press Ctrl + Shift + N on your keyboard at the same time.
A new private window should appear. You’ll notice a private browsing indicator and a darker interface that distinguishes the window from your regular browsing session.
If you’re using macOS, press Command + Shift + N instead. This opens a new private window on supported desktop versions of Brave.
Once the window opens, click the address bar and enter the website you want to visit. You can also type a search query and press Enter to search the web.
Remember that the shortcut for a private window is different from the shortcut for a regular new tab. On desktop, Ctrl + T opens a standard new tab, while Ctrl + Shift + N opens a new private window.
3: Open a Private Window From the Brave Menu
If you prefer using your mouse, you can launch private browsing through Brave’s menu.
Open Brave and look at the upper-right corner of the browser window. Click the three-line menu or menu button, depending on your version.
Find the option labeled New private window and click it.
Brave will open a separate private browsing window. You can now visit websites without adding those pages to your normal browsing history.
If you want to visit multiple websites privately, you can open additional tabs within that private window. This keeps your private browsing activity together in the same session.
When you’re finished, close the private window. If you have several private windows open, close all of them to end the private browsing session and clear its temporary cookies and site data.
4: Open Private Tabs on an Android Phone
Brave also supports private browsing on Android, so you don’t need a computer to use this feature.
Unlock your phone and open the Brave app. Look for the tab switcher, which displays your open tabs, and tap it.
Depending on your Brave version, you may see separate controls for regular tabs and private tabs. Select the Private option or tap the menu and look for New private tab.
If Brave displays a private browsing screen, you’re in the right place. Tap the address bar and enter a website address or search term.
You can open additional private tabs using the tab switcher while keeping your regular tabs separate.
When you’re done, return to the private tab switcher and close your private tabs. Closing the private session helps remove its temporary browsing data.
If you can’t find the private browsing option, update Brave through the Google Play Store and check the app’s menu again.
5: Open Private Tabs on an iPhone
If you’re using Brave on an iPhone, you can access private browsing directly through the mobile browser.
Open Brave Browser and tap the tab switcher. Look for a Private tab option or a control that switches between regular and private browsing.
Select the private browsing mode and open a new private tab if one isn’t already available. Enter a website address in the address bar or search for something online.
Depending on the app version, the controls may appear in a slightly different location. If the option isn’t immediately visible, check the tab switcher and the browser menu.
When you finish browsing, close your private tabs. This helps end the private session and remove temporary private browsing data.
Keep in mind that private browsing doesn’t automatically hide your activity from websites, network administrators, or your internet provider.
6: Use Brave’s Private Window With Tor
Brave offers another desktop browsing option called Private Window with Tor. Unlike a standard private window, this feature routes browsing traffic through the Tor network to provide additional network-level privacy.
To try it, open Brave on a supported desktop version and click the browser menu. Look for New private window with Tor.
Select the option to open a Tor private window. Brave will establish a connection through the Tor network, which routes traffic through multiple relays.
This option can help make it harder for websites to identify your original IP address. However, it doesn’t guarantee complete anonymity, and signing in to personal accounts can still identify you.
Avoid installing unfamiliar extensions or changing advanced settings without understanding their privacy implications. Also, remember that Tor browsing may be slower than ordinary browsing because traffic takes a different route.
If you don’t see the Tor option, your Brave version or platform may not support it. Standard private windows are still available for ordinary private browsing.
Close Private Tabs When You’re Finished
Opening a private window is only part of the process. You should also close it when you’re done if you want to end the private session.
On a Windows computer, click the X in the corner of the private window. On a Mac, close the private window using its window controls.
On Android or iPhone, open Brave’s tab switcher and close the private tabs you no longer need. If the app offers a control to close all private tabs, you can use it to end the session more quickly.
Closing private tabs removes the session’s temporary cookies and site data, but it doesn’t necessarily erase files you downloaded or bookmarks you saved. Those items may remain on your device.
If you used a website that allows you to sign in, it’s also a good idea to sign out before closing the session, especially when using a shared computer.
Fix Problems When Brave Won’t Open Private Tabs
If the keyboard shortcut doesn’t work, make sure Brave is the active application and try opening a private window from the menu instead.
If the private browsing option is missing, update Brave to the latest version available for your device. On mobile, check the official app store. On desktop, open Brave’s menu and look for About Brave to check for updates.
If you’re using a computer managed by a school or workplace, an administrator may have restricted private browsing. In that case, you may need to contact the administrator rather than trying to bypass the restriction.
If the private window opens but a website doesn’t work correctly, try clearing the website’s regular browsing data or checking whether the site requires cookies or a sign-in. Private sessions start with separate temporary site data, so some websites may behave differently.
FAQs
1. What is the shortcut to open a private tab in Brave?
On Windows and Linux, press Ctrl + Shift + N to open a new private window. On a Mac, press Command + Shift + N.
2. Does Brave save browsing history in private mode?
Brave doesn’t add pages visited in a private session to its regular browsing history after the session ends. However, downloads, bookmarks, and activity recorded by websites or network providers may remain.
3. Can I open multiple private tabs in Brave?
Yes. You can open multiple tabs within a private window on desktop or use the private tab switcher on mobile. These tabs share the same private browsing session.
4. Is Brave private browsing completely anonymous?
No. Standard private browsing mainly limits the browsing data saved locally by the browser. Websites, internet providers, and network administrators may still be able to observe activity. Brave’s Tor window provides additional privacy, but it doesn’t guarantee complete anonymity.
5. Can I use private tabs in Brave on Android and iPhone?
Yes. Brave supports private browsing on both Android and iOS. Open the tab switcher or browser menu and look for the private browsing option.