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Always Launch Google Chrome in Incognito Mode

Privacy is what we all need in this internet era and Incognito Mode (Private browsing) on Google Chrome partially helps in achieving it.

Here is how you can by default open Google Chrome in Incognito mode on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS and iPadOS.

For more information and detailed blog post, visit How to Always Launch Google Chrome in Incognito Mode on Geek Dashboard

macOS

Achieving this behavior is simple on Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.

However, in macOS, we need to make use of the Automator app and a simple shell script for the same.

I have made a simple Automator app for macOS named Google Chome Incognito to make things easier.

To use this Automator app, click on the above button and download Google Chrome Incognito.zip file to your device. Extract it and you find the Google Chrome Incognito

Replace the old Chrome icon with the Google Chrome Incognito you just downloaded. Clicking on it always launches Google Chrome in Incognito mode.

Shell Script used in Automator app

GOOGLE_CHROME="Google Chrome"
GOOGLE_CHROME_APP_PATH="$(dirname "$(dirname "$0" | sed -e "s%/Contents/Resources$%%")")"
GOOGLE_CHROME_APP_NAME="$(basename "$(dirname "$0" | sed -e "s%/Contents/Resources$%%")" | sed -e "s/\.app$//")"
GOOGLE_CHROME_PATH="$(mdfind 'kMDItemContentType == "com.apple.application-bundle" && kMDItemFSName = "'"$GOOGLE_CHROME.app"'"' | head -1)"

if [ -z "$GOOGLE_CHROME_PATH" ]; then
    GOOGLE_CHROME_PATH="$GOOGLE_CHROME_APP_PATH/$GOOGLE_CHROME.app"
fi


if [ -e "$GOOGLE_CHROME_PATH" ]; then
    if [ $(ps -u $(id -u) | grep -c "$GOOGLE_CHROME_PATH/Contents/MacOS/Google Chrome") -gt 1 ]; then
        osascript -e 'tell application "'"$GOOGLE_CHROME"'"' \
                  -e '  set IncogWin to make new window with properties {mode:"incognito"}' \
                  -e '  set URL of active tab of IncogWin to "chrome://newtab"' \
                  -e 'end tell'
    else
        open -n "$GOOGLE_CHROME_PATH" --args --incognito --new-window "chome//:newtab"
    fi

    osascript -e 'tell application "'"$GOOGLE_CHROME"'" to activate'
fi

exit 0

Alternative Script

/Applications/Google\ Chrome.app/Contents/MacOS/Google\ Chrome --incognito

Credit: Adrian Zaugg

Windows

  1. Open Start Menu and search Google Chrome
  2. Right click on Google Chrome and select Properties
  3. Click on Shortcut tab
  4. Added space and append -incognito in the Tagret field.
  5. Click Apply and then Okay

Before: C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe.”

After: C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe.” -incognito

Linux

  1. Right click on Google Chrome icon
  2. Select Properties
  3. Click on Basic tab
  4. Added space and append -incognito in the Command field.
  5. Click Close to save changes.

Android

  1. Long Press Google Chrome icon on home screen
  2. From Qick Shortcuts, drag and drop New Incognito tab to your home screen to create a Incognito shortcut.
  3. Replace actual Google Chrome icon with above shortcut.

iOS and iPadOS

  1. Tap and hold on empty space of your home screen.
  2. Select + icon on top right.
  3. Scroll down and select Google Chrome
  4. Add Google Chrome Quick Actions widget to your home screen.
  5. Tap on Incognito Search to open launch incognito window.