Going incognito in YouTube on an iPhone is a simple process that allows you to watch videos privately without affecting your search history or recommendations. All it takes is a few taps within the YouTube app, and you’re set to browse anonymously.
Once you’ve gone incognito, YouTube won’t keep track of the videos you watch or searches you make. Your viewing history will be blank, and your recommendations will remain unaffected by your incognito session.
Introduction
In today’s digital age, privacy is a hot topic. With tech companies collecting data on our every click, it’s no wonder people are looking for ways to keep their browsing habits to themselves. Enter ‘Incognito mode’—a feature that allows you to browse without leaving a trace. While most people associate incognito browsing with web browsers, did you know that you can go incognito on YouTube as well? This feature is especially handy for iPhone users who frequently use the YouTube app to watch videos on the go.
Why would you want to go incognito on YouTube? Perhaps you want to watch a tutorial on a sensitive topic without having it pop up in your recommendations later. Or maybe you’re planning a surprise for someone and don’t want your search history to give it away. Whatever the reason, going incognito in YouTube on your iPhone is a simple and effective way to maintain your privacy. It’s relevant to anyone who uses YouTube and is concerned about their online privacy.
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Go Incognito in YouTube on an iPhone
This tutorial will guide you through the steps to enable incognito mode in the YouTube app on your iPhone, ensuring your viewing activity remains private.
Step 1: Open the YouTube app
Launch the YouTube app on your iPhone.
When you open the YouTube app, make sure you’re logged into your account. The incognito mode option is only available when you’re signed in.
Step 2: Tap on your profile picture
Click on your profile picture in the top right corner of the app.
Your profile picture is your gateway to many account settings, including the option to go incognito.
Step 3: Select ‘Turn on Incognito’
Find and tap the ‘Turn on Incognito’ option from the menu.
If you can’t see this option, make sure your app is updated to the latest version. Incognito mode is a relatively new feature and may not be available in older versions of the app.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Privacy | By going incognito, your searches and watched videos won’t influence your recommendations or be saved in your history. |
| Surprise Planning | If you’re planning a surprise that requires watching related videos, incognito mode ensures they won’t pop up later and spoil the surprise. |
| One-time Searches | For one-time searches on topics you’re not generally interested in, incognito mode prevents cluttering your history and recommendations. |
Going incognito in YouTube on your iPhone offers a layer of privacy that prevents the app from saving any traces of your activity during that session. It’s perfect for those times when you want to watch something without leaving a digital footprint.
Planning surprises without leaving a trail of your plans in your YouTube history is another advantage of incognito mode. It allows you to research and watch related videos without the risk of someone finding out.
We all have those one-time curiosities or need to lookup something out of the ordinary. With incognito mode, you can do so without affecting your usual recommendations or video history, keeping your YouTube experience tidy.
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| No History | You cannot keep track of videos watched in incognito mode, so if you want to find them later, you’ll need to remember to save them elsewhere. |
| Limited Functionality | Some features, like subscribing to channels or liking videos, are disabled in incognito mode. |
| Temporary | Incognito mode remains active only during the session and will turn off after a period of inactivity or when you close the app. |
Going incognito means that your viewing history won’t be saved. If you find a video you like, you’ll need to make a note of it elsewhere because you won’t find it in your history later.
Some YouTube features are not available in incognito mode. If you want to subscribe to a channel or like a video, you’ll have to switch back to regular mode or remember to do it later.
Incognito mode isn’t permanent—it automatically turns off after a period of inactivity or when you exit the app. So, every time you want to go incognito, you’ll need to manually turn it on.
Additional Information
When using incognito mode on YouTube, your activity might still be visible to your employer, school, or internet service provider. It’s also worth noting that incognito mode on YouTube is a session-based feature. This means that once you close the app or after a certain period of inactivity, incognito mode will turn off, and you’ll be back to browsing with your account as usual.
Another thing to keep in mind is that while incognito mode is excellent for privacy, it may also limit some functionality. For instance, while you may want to watch videos without affecting your recommendations, remember that you also won’t be able to contribute to a video’s like count or comment on it while in incognito mode. If interactivity is important to you, you may need to weigh the pros and cons of going undercover.
Lastly, remember that while you’re incognito, YouTube won’t offer you personalized recommendations. It can be a refreshing break from your regular feed, but if you rely on YouTube’s algorithms to discover new content, you’ll be on your own in incognito mode.
Summary
- Open the YouTube app on your iPhone.
- Tap on your profile picture.
- Select ‘Turn on Incognito’ from the menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does incognito mode affect YouTube recommendations?
No, when you go incognito, your activity won’t affect your recommendations.
Can I still like or comment on videos in incognito mode?
No, liking and commenting are disabled in incognito mode.
Will incognito mode hide my activity from my employer or school?
Incognito mode only affects your activity on the YouTube app. Your employer or school might still be able to see your activity through their network.
How long does incognito mode last on YouTube?
Incognito mode lasts until you turn it off, close the app, or after a period of inactivity.
Can I save videos to watch later in incognito mode?
No, since your history isn’t recorded in incognito mode, you can’t save videos to your account. You’ll need to save them elsewhere.
Conclusion
Going incognito in YouTube on your iPhone is a straightforward process that brings with it the freedom to explore and watch videos without leaving a digital trail. Whether it’s for privacy, surprise planning, or one-time searches, incognito mode offers a solution for watching content without impacting your recommendations or history.
Remember, while incognito mode provides a layer of privacy, it also comes with some limitations like the inability to interact with videos or save them to your history. Keep in mind that while you’re incognito, your activity within the app is private, but it may still be visible to external entities like your school or internet service provider. Happy private viewing!
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.