Firefox for Android lets you open sites in private browsing tabs, so you can search and browse without the browser saving any history.

This feature also allows you to:

• Launch private browsing directly from your home screen without opening Firefox regular browsing first.
• Close all private tabs.
• Open links in private browsing by default.

Start a private browsing session

To start a private browsing session:

1. On the Firefox home screen, tap the mask button at the top of the screen to switch to Private Browsing.
   
2. On the Private Browsing home screen, enter your search or website address in the address bar.

Or switch to Private Browsing via the tab view:

1. Tap the numeric tab icon next to the address bar.
   
2. Tap the mask icon at the top to view private tabs.
   
3. Tap the plus + button to open a new private tab.

Switch to regular browsing

1. Open the tab view by tapping the numeric tab icon next to the address bar.
   
2. You will see your open private tabs. To switch to the regular browsing, tap the numeric tab icon at the top.
   

Add a private browsing shortcut

Adding a private browsing shortcut to your home screen lets you launch Firefox in private browsing by default.

The first time you switch to private browsing, an option to add a shortcut to open private tabs from your Home screen shows up. Just tap Add shortcut and follow the prompt from your device.

You can also do it later manually:

1. Tap the three-dot menu button.
   
2. Tap Settings.
3. Select Private browsing under Privacy and security.
4. Tap Add private browsing shortcut.
5. Follow the prompt to add the icon to your home screen.

Open links in private tabs by default

You can set Firefox to always open links from other apps in private browsing:

1. Tap the three-dot menu button.
   
2. Tap Settings.
3. Select Private browsing under Privacy and security.
4. Enable Open links in a private tab.

Allow screenshot in private browsing

You can choose to allow or disable the ability to take screenshots in private browsing mode.

1. Tap the three-dot menu button.
   
2. Tap Settings.
3. Select Private browsing under Privacy and security.
4. Toggle Allow screenshots in private browsing.

Close all private tabs

1. Open the tab view by tapping the numeric tab icon next to the address bar. The number shows how many private tabs you have open.
   
2. Tap the three-dot menu button at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select Close all tabs.
4. Tap Close tabs in a confirmation dialog that shows up.
5. A Tabs closed notification will briefly appear. Tap UNDO to reopen the tabs.