Google Chrome Beta on iOS Lets You Lock Incognito Tabs With Face ID

[MacRumors]

Google is testing a new feature for its Google Chrome app for iOS, which will let Incognito tabs be locked with either Face ID or Touch ID on an iPhone or iPad.

As highlighted by 9to5Google, the latest Chrome beta will blur Incognito tabs in the Chrome app until confirmed with the iPhone's biometric authentication.

The feature can be enabled by going to Settings > Privacy > Lock Incognito tabs when you close Chrome. There's a similar option in the Google Search app that confirms identity with Face ID or Touch ID when returning to an incognito search session after 15 minutes, and there's also a privacy lock built into Google Drive.

Google has not updated the Chrome app for iOS since November as it is delaying new versions of most of its apps at the current time. It's not clear when the new feature might launch in the release version of Chrome, but Chrome 89 is expected to launch next month.

The Incognito tab locking feature is limited to beta testers at the current time, and according to 9to5Google, not all beta users are able to access the locking option as there is a server-side element involved.

Article Link: Google Chrome Beta on iOS Lets You Lock Incognito Tabs With Face ID

 

[MrTechAdvice]

No thanks. Safari is safe, fast, and transparent. no need for
chrome.

 

[LFC2020]

Yeah, Nah, no thanks, I’ll stick with the best browser in the world SAFARI. 😊

 

[IllinoisCorn]

Under the hood, Chrome for iOS is largely the same as Safari, so when people talk about Safari SPEED on iOS versus other browsers, they lose me.

 

[Piggie]

Correct me if I'm wrong.
But I'm sure I recall over the past many years, whenever they had those cracking/exploit competitions that they used to hold before Covid.
Safari was always the first to get hacked/cracked into.

Sure I remember hearing about this every year in the past.

 

[kuwxman]

Pretty cool idea, BUT...if someone was trying to access your locked Incognito tabs on your iOS device then wouldn't your device have already been compromised? Honest question. Just trying to wrap my head around when this would actually be useful.

 

[jk1221]

Pretty cool idea, BUT...if someone was trying to access your locked Incognito tabs on your iOS device then wouldn't your device have already been compromised? Honest question. Just trying to wrap my head around when this would actually be useful.

Well yes. I think it's more accidental if you let someone use your phone. Apple does it for Notes and some other slim things.

Email can have sensitive account information these days too and other types of apps. I have no idea why you cant lock any app you want like 3rd parties do. Outlook does it, I think Spark too if I remember correctly. Any app can require authentication to open it.

But we know Apple is allergic to allowing options for users.

 

[kiensoy]

Geez... then maybe this post is not for you guys. I’m not sure why the need of fanboys to go and attack the competition. I also use Safari but that sounds like a nice feature.

Yeah, Nah, no thanks, I’ll stick with the best browser in the world SAFARI. 😊

No thanks. Safari is safe, fast, and transparent. no need for
chrome.

 

[rebel22lax]

Pretty cool idea, BUT...if someone was trying to access your locked Incognito tabs on your iOS device then wouldn't your device have already been compromised? Honest question. Just trying to wrap my head around when this would actually be useful.

yea... but I look at it like this if someone were to break into your house that would suck but they can't break into your bedroom that would suck less

 

[luvbug]

So, they know what's in your shorts, but the blur your private browser tabs, that's great.

 

[Psychicbob]

Very secure. Only you and the whole of the Google Corp and all their business partners know what you’ve been looking at.

 

[jk1221]

Geez... then maybe this post is not for you guys. I’m not sure why the need of fanboys to go and attack the competition. I also use Safari but that sounds like a nice feature.

Not like it's the same engine under the hood since Apple restricts it or anything....

People are allergic to choice in the Apple echo chamber.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Pretty cool idea, BUT...if someone was trying to access your locked Incognito tabs on your iOS device then wouldn't your device have already been compromised? Honest question. Just trying to wrap my head around when this would actually be useful.

well...why do banks and password managers don't automatically unlock your account unless you scan your face?

if you're using your phone and someone yanked it out of your hand, that's probably why.

 

[LFC2020]

Geez... then maybe this post is not for you guys. I’m not sure why the need of fanboys to go and attack the competition. I also use Safari but that sounds like a nice feature.

Not attacking chrome, prefer safari over it 😊

 

[Aleco]

Seems like a feature barely anyone would use considering most close out their incognito tabs within minutes... 😉

 

[mi7chy]

Correct me if I'm wrong.
But I'm sure I recall over the past many years, whenever they had those cracking/exploit competitions that they used to hold before Covid.
Safari was always the first to get hacked/cracked into.

Sure I remember hearing about this every year in the past.

Safari to MacOS root escalation.

https://www.thezdi.com/blog/2020/3/17/welcome-to-pwn2own-2020-the-schedule-and-live-results

 

[freakomac]

It is neat feature, wish Apple gave the option in Safari.

 

[noSpeed]

There should be a option for Face ID unlock in a number of apps.

 

[HacKage]

Pretty cool idea, BUT...if someone was trying to access your locked Incognito tabs on your iOS device then wouldn't your device have already been compromised? Honest question. Just trying to wrap my head around when this would actually be useful.

If someone is using your phone for say sending a message or googling a phone number, they don't automatically just have access to your online banking.

Having your incognito tabs secured by Face ID is a great idea.

 

[HacKage]

Seems like a feature barely anyone would use considering most close out their incognito tabs within minutes... 😉

There's been a few instances whereby I was using an incognito tab, swiped up to close Chrome and completely forgot about it. I've then opened up Chrome later on and it may or may not have been an awkward fe seconds trying to close the most recent tab.

 

[rafark]

This sounds great. Something like this for safari would be useful. I currently have 48 private tabs.

 

[verified]

Is anyone using Chrome on Apple devices anyway? Love the nativity of Safari.

 

[fyun89]

They can lock in Chrome but not Gmail?

 

[IllinoisCorn]

Pretty cool idea, BUT...if someone was trying to access your locked Incognito tabs on your iOS device then wouldn't your device have already been compromised? Honest question. Just trying to wrap my head around when this would actually be useful.

It’s not.

 

[Chrism9621]

Chrome is way better than crappy safari