Samsung Internet’s Secret mode keeps browsing history and cookies from being retained on your phone after you close all Secret mode tabs. It does not make you anonymous: Samsung warns that websites, your internet service provider, apps, and your phone manufacturer may still see activity or data. Find Secret mode in the browser’s tab manager, marked by a mask icon; labels may vary by app version or market.
How do I turn on Secret mode in Samsung Internet?
- Open Samsung Internet (also labeled Samsung Browser on Samsung’s current US support page).
- Tap the tab manager icon, usually a rectangle showing the number of open tabs.
- Tap the mask icon for Secret mode or choose “Turn on Secret Mode,” depending on the interface.
- If this is your first time, review the overview screen and tap Start if prompted.
- Check for the mask indicator in the address bar to confirm that Secret mode is active.
Samsung’s current US instructions are in How to use Secret mode in Samsung Browser. Samsung’s Canada guide describes the first-use overview and Start prompt: Maximizing privacy with Secret mode in Samsung Internet.
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What does Secret mode save or clear?
Samsung says browsing history and cookies from Secret mode are erased from the phone after all Secret mode tabs are closed. Its US support page also says search records are not saved. This describes browser data on the device; it does not mean that a website or another service has no record of activity.
You can save pages and bookmarks while using Secret mode. Samsung says those saved items remain visible only in Secret mode, rather than appearing in the regular browsing view. See Samsung’s Canada support guide and privacy overview.
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What Secret mode does not hide
Secret mode limits what Samsung Internet keeps on the phone; it is not a guarantee against tracking or network visibility. Samsung’s US support warning states: “Your activity and data may still be visible to websites, your internet service provider, apps, and phone manufacturer.” Do not treat the mask icon as proof that your traffic is hidden from those parties.
Which Secret mode settings can I change?
In Samsung’s current US instructions, open Tools (three vertical dots) > Settings > Personal browsing data > Secret mode settings. Available options may vary by app version and market.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
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- Use password: Set a password to protect Secret mode data.
- Allow screenshots in Secret mode: Control whether screenshots are allowed while Secret mode is active; Samsung lists this as a configurable setting.
- Stay in Secret mode after closing the browser: Automatically open tabs in Secret mode.
- Smart Anti-tracking: Adjust web-tracker protection and enable automatic CAPTCHA verification.
- Reset Secret mode: Erase data and restore default settings.
Smart Anti-tracking is a separate tracker-protection feature, not another name for Secret mode. Samsung describes ad blockers as third-party downloads. Details are in its Galaxy privacy overview.
How do I turn off Secret mode?
Use the tab manager to switch to All tabs and close the Secret mode tab, or close the browser from the phone’s Recents view. Samsung says Secret mode terminates when the Browser app is closed. History and cookies on the phone are cleared after all Secret mode tabs are closed; pages and bookmarks saved in Secret mode remain in its separate view.
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Why is Secret mode missing or grayed out?
Samsung says Secret mode is restricted for Samsung accounts registered as child accounts; the applicable age restrictions vary by country. If the account is not a child account and the option is still disabled, Samsung directs users to contact support within the browser:
- Open Tools > Settings > Contact us.
- Sign in, describe the issue, and submit a report.
These restrictions and the contact route are listed on Samsung’s US support page.
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- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
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