Skip to main content

Google's latest iOS app update makes incognito searches sneakier than ever

google
Ken Wolter /123rf
Google is updating the Google app for iOS to make it a little easier for you to search the web privately. The company has not only updated the app to an include an incognito mode, but it is also taking steps toward making those searches more secure.

For example, the company is letting you lock up private searches with Touch ID, essentially meaning that if someone else gets their mitts on your phone, they will not be able to access the private, incognito tabs you opened.

The change will make using incognito tabs a lot more convenient. Currently, Google does not close incognito tabs when you leave the app, so by requiring users have their fingerprint read by Touch ID, Google is removing one of the only drawbacks of incognito tabs — the possibility that friends can easily open up your phone and see what you have been doing.

It is important to keep in mind that there are a few limitations to incognito mode — your internet service provider, and possibly your employer if you are using the internet at work, can still see what you are searching. If you are searching for things through the Google search engine, Google will be able to see what you search too, so keep that in mind.

Along with these new features, Google also updated the app to allow for YouTube videos to be watches in Search. All you have to do is search for a video and it will show up, then you can hit the play button.

Last but not least, Google tweaked the code of the app to make it less likely to crash — a nice change for those that use the Google iOS app a lot.

Editors' Recommendations

Christian de Looper
Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…
No, the Journal app on your iPhone isn’t spying on you
Apple Journal app on an iPhone 15 Pro.

If you've spent any time on Facebook, TikTok, or any other social media site over the last couple of days, there's a chance you've seen people claiming that your iPhone is spying on you — specifically, with a feature called "Journaling Suggestions."

One post I stumbled across on Facebook made it sound rather frightening, warning me that the feature shares my FULL NAME and EXACTLY where I'm located to anyone nearby. The post told me to go and toggle the setting off immediately because it was "Very scary stuff!!"

Read more
7 hidden iMessage features you need to be using
hidden iMessage features.

Apple's iMessage is a widely used messaging app with over 1 billion active users. It was launched in 2011 and is deeply integrated into Apple devices, allowing iPhone, iPad, and Mac users to exchange text messages, photos, videos, and more seamlessly across platforms.

Over the years, Apple has introduced many new features to the Messages app. You probably use some of them every day, but others are easy to overlook and forget about it. Below are a few of our favorite hidden iMessage features — and ones you should be using if you aren't already.
Pinning messages

Read more
Apple Sports app looks to rule live scores and stats on iOS
The Apple Sports app on an iPhone.

As if what it's done with MLS Season Pass wasn't proof enough that Apple is serious about sports, today we have another example. Enter Apple Sports, a new app for iPhone that aims to be the only app you'll need for live sports scores, real-time stats, and more.

Apple Sports is available today in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Inside it you'll find the likes of MLS, NBA, college basketball, Premier League, Bundesliga, LaLiga, Liga MX, Ligue 1, and Serie A — and that's just for starters. We're still in the offseason for sports like Major League Baseball, the NFL and college football, and the National Women's Soccer League and WNBA, but you'll see them all in Apple Sports once games begin.

Read more