Want to watch YouTube videos without leaving a trace on your iPhone? Going incognito is your best bet. It’s a handy feature that lets you browse privately, so your searches and watched videos don’t influence your recommendations or viewing history. Here’s a quick guide on how to do it.
Step by Step Tutorial: Going Incognito in YouTube on an iPhone
Before diving into the steps, let’s clarify what we’re about to do. By enabling incognito mode on YouTube, you ensure that your activity, such as the videos you watch or search for, isn’t saved to your account. This can be useful for a variety of reasons, whether you’re planning a surprise or simply want to keep your interests private.
Step 1: Open the YouTube app on your iPhone
Once you’ve opened the app, you’ll be on the home screen where you can see all the trending videos and your subscriptions.
Step 2: Tap on your profile picture
Your profile picture is usually in the top right corner of the screen. Tapping it will bring up a menu with several options.
Step 3: Select ‘Turn on Incognito’
In this menu, you’ll find the ‘Turn on Incognito’ option. Tap it to activate incognito mode.
Step 4: Enjoy browsing privately
Once selected, your profile picture will be replaced with the incognito icon, a little spy-like figure with a hat and glasses. This means you’re now in incognito mode and can browse without leaving a trace.
After completing these steps, you’ll be in incognito mode until you decide to turn it off. To exit incognito, simply tap on the incognito icon in the top right corner and select ‘Turn off Incognito.’ This will return you to your regular YouTube experience with personalized recommendations and saved search history.
Tips: Making the Most of Incognito Mode in YouTube on an iPhone
- Remember that incognito mode only prevents YouTube from saving your activity to your account, it doesn’t hide your activity from your internet service provider or employer if you’re using a work phone.
- Incognito mode is temporary – if you close the app or become inactive for a period of time, you’ll be signed out of incognito mode.
- While in incognito mode, you won’t be able to see your subscriptions, inbox, or library. This is because you’re technically signed out of your account.
- Use incognito mode when exploring new content that you don’t want to influence your recommendations, like a new music genre or a cooking tutorial.
- If you want to switch back to the regular mode, just tap the incognito icon and select ‘Turn off Incognito.’
Frequently Asked Questions
Does going incognito in YouTube on my iPhone hide my activity from everyone?
No, incognito mode only hides your activity from being recorded onto your YouTube account. Your internet provider and anyone who can access your phone can still see your activity.
Can I still access my playlists and subscriptions in incognito mode?
No, since you’re not signed into your account in incognito mode, you won’t be able to access your personalized content like playlists and subscriptions.
Will YouTube still show me ads in incognito mode?
Yes, you’ll still see ads, but they won’t be based on your YouTube activity since that’s not being tracked.
What happens to the videos I watch in incognito mode once I turn it off?
Any videos watched in incognito mode won’t be saved to your viewing history, so once you turn it off, it’ll be as if you never watched them.
Can I still save videos to watch later in incognito mode?
No, you can’t save videos to your ‘Watch Later’ playlist in incognito mode because you’re not signed into your account.
Summary
- Open the YouTube app.
- Tap on your profile picture.
- Select ‘Turn on Incognito.’
- Browse privately.
Conclusion
Going incognito in YouTube on your iPhone is a breeze and can come in handy for those moments when you want a little privacy in your viewing habits. Whether you’re indulging in a guilty pleasure, researching a surprise party, or just exploring new content without biasing your recommendations, incognito mode is the tool for the job. It’s a simple switch that ensures your YouTube activity stays your business alone – at least as far as your YouTube history is concerned. Remember, this feature doesn’t make you invisible on the internet, but it does give you a clean slate on the app. So next time you’re on YouTube, why not go undercover and experience the freedom of browsing incognito?
Matt has been working with WordPress and creating content using this powerful content management system for years. While he has written about many other tech topics, WordPress is one of his favorites.
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