YouTube on Android Gets Incognito Mode

Sometimes, you'd rather not have the videos watched on YouTube remembered, but the only way to really stop that happening is to sign out of your account. However, anyone watching YouTube on an Android device now has a much simpler alternative: Incognito mode!

As 9to5Google reports, Google started testing an Incognito mode for YouTube in May, but it wasn't until this week that the feature started rolling out for all Android users. Now, instead of signing out of your account, it's possible to enable the new mode in your settings. The Sign Out button then changes to read "Turn on Incognito." Tapping it will bring up the message "You've gone incognito."

There will be regular reminders Incognito mode is enabled, the most visual of which is Google's hat and shades icon in the top right corner. At the bottom of the app it will also have the text "You're incognito."

When enabled, it won't be possible to add videos to playlists, for example, because your activity isn't being saved. However, your activity may still be visible "to your employer, school, or internet service provider." It's only Google not saving it as part of your account history.

Disabling Incognito mode clears any session activity and normal service resumes. Whatever you were watching shouldn't feature or influence any of the YouTube recommendations you get.

If you are eager to take advantage of Incognito mode, then you need to be using version 13.25.56 of the YouTube app. As Android apps auto-update from the Google Play store, that version may already be installed on your device assuming you've allowed the app update to happen.