Fixed Safari Private Browsing Greyed Out on Mac (Sequoia/Sonoma Added)

Is Safari New Private Window not showing on Mac or MacBook? Some Websites are not opening on Safari Mac. In this article, I’ll walk you through the solutions to bring back private browsing on the Mac. The Private Mode is an amazing option to surf websites without being tracked by anyone and storing the cache and browsing history. However, every feature has its own advantages and disadvantages; some users keep the Safari Private mode disabled to avoid any inactivity made on their system, especially parental mode on Safari Mac.

If you haven’t disabled it, then it’s just a minor bug, though; kindly go through all the mentioned steps; sometimes, the feature unknowingly triggers. Moreover, loading up Safari with Tabs, Extensions, etc., affects the performance of the app and might result in this type of situation. Let’s see how to fix the private mode on Safari Mac.

Fix Safari Private Browsing Not Showing, or Greyed Out on MacBook, Mac

1. Disable Screen Time for Safari

When Screen Time for Safari is enabled, it won’t let you use the app, as Apple has added Screen Time to put restrictions on the apps and features. Make sure screen time for Safari is disabled. Otherwise, You can’t open any Adult website or Selected Website on a normal browser according to the restrictions applied. And the New Private Window read-only or hidden from the top Safari Menu [here’s the problem].

New Private Window Read only and Hidden and not Opening on Safari Mac

On MacOS Ventura

Step 1: Click on the Apple Logo from the top of the Mac Menu > Select System Settings.

Open Apple Menu Select System Settings on Mac

Step 2: Select Screen Time > Tap on Content & Privacy.

Select Screen Time Click on Content & Privacy on Mac

Step 3: Click on Content Restrictions under the Content & Privacy Section.

Click on Content Restrictions on Mac

Step 4: Select Unrestricted Access for Access to Web Content > Tap on Done.

Choose Unrestricted Access for Access to Web Content Select Done on Mac

Please make sure to verify if the issue has been resolved. If you encounter difficulties accessing the New Private Window at first, we suggest that you force-close all windows on your Mac and try accessing the New Private Window once again. If the issue persists, please try restarting your Mac and attempting to access it again.

On MacOS Monterey & Earlier

Step 1: Click on the Apple Logo From the Top Menubar > Select System Preferences.

Finder System Preferences option on Mac

Step 2: Tap on Screen Time.

Screen Time settings on macbook mac system preferences

Step 3: Select Content & Privacy > Check Unrestricted Access under the Web Content to allow all Websites access on Safari.

Enable Private mode restriction on Mac under Content & Privacy

Step 4: Now, Click on the New Private window on Safari Browser from the Top Mac Menu under File Menu. That’s it.

Restriction disabled for Private Browsing on Mac Safari

The Above settings are useful for the Admin of Mac Users. But if you are a guest or Using a Mac on Sharing. Then Restrictions are automatically enabled for the Website limit. So, Guest Login doesn’t allow to use of Private Browsing on Safari Mac. Follow the Below steps to allow change for the Guest users on Mac Safari, and Show up Private Browsing on Safari Mac.

Tips: Fix Safari Private Browsing Greyed out on iPhone

Disable Screen Time for Safari in Guest Mode

Is Safari Private Mode not working on Mac in Guest Mode? Have you determined the guest mode settings? If you give Guest User access on Mac and the same private mode is not working, then here’s what to do.

On MacOS Ventura

Step 1: Click on the Apple Logo from the top of the Mac Menu > Select System Settings.

Click on Apple Menu Select System Settings on Mac

Step 2: Now, Click on Users & Groups > Click on the Info button next to the Selected User Name.

Choose Users & Group Select info icon next to the selected User name on Mac

Step 3: Verify with your Mac login Password > Click on Unlock.

Verify with your Mac login Password on Mac

Step 4: Disable the Limit Adult Website > Select OK.

Disable Limit Adult Website Select OK on Mac

That’s it.

Follow the below steps for earlier macOS.

On MacOS Monterey & Earlier

Step 1: Click on the Apple Logo from the top Mac Menu > Select System Preferences.

Finder System Preferences option on Mac

Step 2: Choose Users & Groups.

Users & Groups settings on mac system Preferences

Step 3: Click on the Lock icon in the lower-left corner > Enter the administrator password to make changes > Click on the Guest User option on the side panel to Uncheck the Adult Websites option.

Turn off Limit Adult Website for Safari Mac for Guest User

Now, the Applied changes for the user on the same Mac can able to use private browsing on Safari Mac. Easy to use, turn on Private mode, and Open and search the Website that you want.

Disable Screen Time Restrictions on Mac Remotely

if you have more than one Mac under Family sharing or Your Personal Mac signed in with the same Apple ID So, here’s a Great option to Remotely manage Restrictions for Browsing on Safari Mac.

With macOS Catalina or newer, Apple added a feature that lets you manage the Mac remotely if it is added to the Family Sharing group. Meaning if your kid has a personal Mac, then you can create a Family Sharing group add the Mac, and control your Kid’s system remotely. If this is the case and Safari private browsing not working, then disable it.

Step 1: Click on the Apple Logo from the Top of the Mac Menu > Select the System Settings.

Open Apple Logo Select System Settings on Mac

Step 2: Click on Screen Time > Change the Apple Account From the side panel.

Select Screen Time Change the Apple Account from the side panel on Mac

Step 3: Swipe Down to Select Content & Privacy.

Click on Content & Privacy on Mac

Step 4: Enable Content & Privacy > Tap on Content Restrictions.

Enable Content & Privacy Select Content Restrictions on Mac

Step 5: Choose Unrestricted Access under the Access to Web Content > Tap on Done.

Choose Unrestricted Access under the Web Content Tap on Done on Mac

Force close Safari Browser or Restart Mac, then see applied changes. Also, Keep your Mac connected to the internet to apply changes remotely.

If the above settings are not available on your Mac, or Your Mac is not responding correctly, then you should go with More troubleshooting,

Quickly Check for Update your MacOS: Connect the MacBook, and Mac to the Wi-Fi before proceeding further. While updating macOS, all the first-party applications stored on the Mac will be updated.

On macOS Ventura or Later:

Step 1: Click on the Apple Logo From the Top of the Mac Menu > Select System Settings.

Open Apple Logo Select System Settings on Mac

Step 2: Choose General Option > Select Software Update.

Choose General Select Software Update on Mac

Step 3: Tap on Update Now.

Tap to Update Now on Mac

On macOS Monterey & Earlier: Click on the Apple icon. > Select Software Updates > Click on the Update Now button.

  • To Apply Changes or Effects, Restart your Mac once
  • Make Another Administrator account on Mac, then Check
  • Try Alternate Best Secure Browser for Mac.
  • Disable or Uninstall Antivirus Protection that Prevents unauthorized access to your Mac, Like Searching for something in Private browsing without someone knowing.
  • Still does not work, then Re-install macOS
  • Take an Appointment at Apple Genius Bar.

Stay Updated with more fixes and help from this article. Share your problem with us in the comments or Q&A Forum. We are happy to help you!

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Karly Wood

Karly Wood is a journalist based in Ohio who specializes in covering Apple and technology trends. With a varied experience in reporting on public safety, government, and education, her insights bridge multiple disciplines, providing readers with a well-rounded perspective on today's technological advancements. If you need to contact me, you can reach me at [email protected] or through (Facebook)

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