Security News > 2021 > February > New Chrome for iOS feature locks Incognito tabs with Face ID
Google Chrome for iOS is getting a new privacy feature that lets you lock your opened Incognito tabs behind your iPhone's Face ID or Touch ID biometric authentication features.
If a user leaves their phone unlocked, someone can launch Chrome and view the currently open Incognito mode tabs.
To add additional privacy, Chrome Beta for iOS is now testing a new feature that prevents the browser from displaying Incognito tabs until they are first unlocked with Face ID. "You can add more security to your Incognito tabs with Touch ID or Face ID. When you return to the Chrome app, your Incognito tabs will be blurred until you confirm it's you," states Google Chrome Beta for iOS 89's release notes.
Once enabled, when you close Chrome for iOS and then open it again, you will now be allowed to see any opened Incognito tabs without first unlocking them with Face ID or Touch ID. Once Incognito mode is unlocked, you will not have to authenticate again until the browser is closed and opened again.
Install Apple's TestFlight iOS app on your iPhone or iPad. On the same device, visit the TestFlight invitation URL for Chrome Beta for iOS. When TestFlight opens, agree to the license agreement and install the Chrome Beta.
When Chrome is opened again, go into Settings > Privacy and enable the 'Lock Incognito Tabs when you close Chrome' setting, shown below.