Edge privacy settings on Android: Relaxed level

What for: To leave no tracks.

By default, Microsoft Edge saves a list of pages you visit, files you download, and other information. It helps you find the websites you need and use them comfortably. However, if you share your smartphone, important personal info may be revealed to others. To avoid this, use the private browsing mode. The browser will delete all browsing data from private windows and tabs when you close them, but it won't affect browsing history and website data logging in general.

To activate the private mode:

1. Tap the three dots at the bottom of the screen;
2. Swipe up from to open the whole menu;
3. Select New InPrivate tab.

What for: To set the privacy and security level that suits you.

By default, Microsoft Edge protects your privacy when browsing and blocks trackers that collect information about your Internet activities, such as:

• Social media trackers — snippets of code that social networks post on their own and third-party websites. For example, X(Twitter) might embed this type of code in the "share" button on a news portal to find out what websites you visit and track your interests.
• Cookies — small objects containing information about your system and page settings that the website saves on your device.
• Fingerprinters — scripts that record information about your browser and device, such as the screen resolution, system language, installed extensions and other settings.
• Other tracking elements — code snippets embedded in website content, such as banners, buttons, video players and other page elements.

In addition, Microsoft Edge protects you against malicious scripts such as cryptominers, which secretly draw on your device resources.

To configure tracking prevention:

1. Tap the three dots at the bottom of the screen;
2. Open Settings;
3. Go to Privacy and Security;
4. Tap Tracking prevention and select the level that suits you:
5. Basic. Microsoft Edge will block fingerprinters and terminate dangerous scripts.
6. Balanced. In addition to fingerprinters and dangerous scripts, Microsoft Edge will block the tracking tools of advertising networks.
7. Strict. Microsoft Edge will block most tracking tools, including its website's own cookies.

InPrivate mode always uses the strict tracking prevention setting.

Downside: If you select the strict tracking prevention level, some websites may work incorrectly.

What for: To avoid distractions.

Websites can send you in-browser notifications about new messages or posts etc. It is convenient, yet multiple notifications may distract you from work. Moreover, some dishonest developers may also use notifications for ads and spam. You can revoke previously given permissions to send notifications and stop websites from requesting them in the future:

1. Tap the three dots at the bottom of the screen;
2. Select Settings;
3. Go to Site permissions;
4. Turn off Notifications;
5. To prevent individual websites from sending you notifications, select them from the list and disable Notifications for them.