Enable incogonito mode in phone’s keyboard: A step-by-step guide

How to Use Incognito Mode on Popular Keyboard Apps for Enhanced Privacy

Incognito mode is an increasingly important feature for modern keyboard apps, especially when it comes to typing sensitive information such as passwords, One-Time Passwords (OTPs), credit card numbers, or private messages. Often, keyboard apps can automatically store copied content through clipboard history or fetch sensitive data, such as OTPs, directly from SMS messages. This can potentially put your privacy at risk, especially if others have access to your device. Fortunately, incognito mode on keyboards can help mitigate this risk by preventing sensitive data from being saved or stored, providing an extra layer of security.

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Many popular keyboard apps, such as Google’s Gboard, Apple’s default keyboard on iOS and iPadOS, and Microsoft’s SwiftKey, offer incognito mode, but the implementation of this feature varies across these platforms. Let’s dive into how incognito mode works on each of these popular keyboards, and how you can use it to enhance your privacy.

Why Incognito Mode Matters on Keyboards

Incognito mode, often referred to as “private mode” or “privacy mode,” is a feature that ensures sensitive data entered into a keyboard app is not saved or stored for future use. This includes:

Passwords and OTPs: These are often entered during login processes or two-factor authentication, making them critical pieces of information that need to be kept private.
Clipboard History: Many keyboards can access the clipboard and store copied data temporarily. This can inadvertently store passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive data.
App-Generated Content: Some apps allow the keyboard to autofill fields with information like email addresses, home addresses, and more, all of which need protection from prying eyes.

In incognito mode, the keyboard ensures that no personal data is retained after use. It also disables the storage of items copied to the clipboard and makes sure no sensitive input is accessible once you’re done. Here’s how the popular keyboard apps handle this feature.

Incognito Mode on Apple’s Keyboard (iOS/iPadOS)

Apple’s default keyboard in iOS and iPadOS doesn’t have an independent setting to manually toggle incognito mode on or off. Instead, incognito mode is activated automatically when you use Safari in private browsing mode. When Safari’s incognito mode is active, the keyboard automatically switches to incognito mode as well. This means that when you’re browsing privately, the Apple keyboard prevents any sensitive data from being stored.

Key Features of Incognito Mode in Apple’s Keyboard:

Automatic Activation: When you activate private browsing in Safari, the Apple Keyboard automatically switches to incognito mode.
Visual Change: The keyboard changes its appearance to a darker theme, providing a visual cue that privacy mode is active.
No Manual Toggle: There’s no manual toggle in the settings of the keyboard itself to enable or disable incognito mode outside of Safari.

This feature is especially useful for users who prioritize privacy while browsing or filling out forms in Safari. However, the lack of a manual toggle means that users cannot easily switch to incognito mode when using other apps or when typing outside of Safari.

Incognito Mode on Gboard (Android)

Google’s Gboard offers a similar approach to Apple’s keyboard in that it activates incognito mode automatically when Google Chrome is opened in incognito mode. This seamless experience ensures that sensitive data remains secure while browsing in Chrome, especially if you’re filling out forms, logging into websites, or accessing secure data.

Key Features of Incognito Mode in Gboard:

Automatic Activation: Gboard switches to incognito mode automatically when Chrome’s incognito mode is enabled.
Visual Change: When incognito mode is active, Gboard adds a border around the keys or changes its design to indicate that the mode is active. This serves as a visual cue to inform you that your data is not being saved.
No Manual Toggle: Similar to Apple’s keyboard, Gboard does not have a separate toggle to enable or disable incognito mode manually. It only activates when using Chrome’s incognito mode.

The automatic activation of incognito mode in Chrome makes it a great feature for users who want enhanced privacy while browsing or logging into websites on their Android devices. However, just like Apple’s keyboard, it doesn’t allow you to manually switch on incognito mode when using other apps or typing in non-browser contexts.

Incognito Mode on Microsoft SwiftKey

Microsoft’s SwiftKey is one of the few keyboard apps that allows users to manually toggle incognito mode on or off. This flexibility provides users with more control over their privacy, as they can activate incognito mode whenever they’re typing sensitive information, whether that’s a password, OTP, or private message.

How to Enable Incognito Mode on Microsoft SwiftKey:

Open SwiftKey Keyboard: Launch the SwiftKey keyboard by opening any app that requires text input (e.g., messaging apps, email clients, etc.).
Tap the Hamburger Menu: Look for the hamburger menu icon (three horizontal lines) located at the top-right corner of the SwiftKey keyboard.
Select the Incognito Icon: Tap on the Incognito Mode icon that appears in the menu. Once activated, the keyboard’s color will change to black, signaling that incognito mode is active.

Key Features of Incognito Mode in SwiftKey:

Manual Toggle: You can manually enable or disable incognito mode whenever needed. This gives users the flexibility to protect sensitive information during any typing session.
Visual Change: Once activated, the keyboard’s appearance changes to black, providing a visual indicator that incognito mode is in effect.
No Data Retention: While in incognito mode, SwiftKey will not store any sensitive input, such as passwords or OTPs, nor will it store any clipboard history.

This manual toggle feature makes SwiftKey a powerful tool for users who need to protect their data while using a variety of apps, not just browsers.

Why Incognito Mode is Important

Protect Sensitive Data: Whether you’re entering passwords, OTPs, or other sensitive data, incognito mode ensures that this information is not retained after use.
Prevent Clipboard History Exposure: Many keyboard apps can temporarily store copied items in the clipboard. Incognito mode prevents this data from being stored.
Privacy During Browsing: Browsing in incognito mode in browsers ensures that any information typed on websites or in forms is not saved to the device’s history.

Conclusion

Incognito mode on keyboard apps is an important privacy feature that helps protect sensitive data from being stored or exposed. While Apple’s Keyboard and Gboard activate incognito mode automatically when in Safari or Chrome’s incognito mode, SwiftKey offers the flexibility of manually toggling it on or off for any app. Whether you’re browsing securely or typing in sensitive information, enabling incognito mode ensures that your data remains private. Always remember to verify that incognito mode is activated when handling sensitive data, and choose the best keyboard app based on your privacy needs.