Microsoft Edge for Android is about to copy one of Chrome’s best private browsing features

Microsoft is quietly working on a feature that brings Edge for Android closer to its Chromium-based sibling, Chrome. The new addition, currently in testing, lets users lock InPrivate browsing sessions with a PIN or biometric login—a feature Chrome users have had for years. This small but meaningful upgrade adds an extra layer of privacy, especially on shared devices.

InPrivate sessions now with added security

With this update, Edge will automatically lock InPrivate tabs when the app is closed or minimized. To access them again, users must authenticate with either a PIN code or biometric verification. This prevents others from casually opening your browser and viewing what you were browsing privately—whether it’s searching for a surprise gift or checking personal accounts.

The feature is available in the Canary version of Edge and can be enabled via Settings > Privacy and Security. Once turned on, it behaves similarly to Chrome’s Incognito lock, offering a more secure private browsing experience on Android.

Another sign of Edge mirroring Chrome

This isn’t the first time Microsoft has drawn from Chrome. Edge Canary has recently introduced a tab switcher that closely resembles Chrome’s, and there are signs that Edge may soon support syncing tab groups between mobile and desktop, a feature already familiar to Chrome users.

While these changes improve usability, they also raise questions about how distinct Microsoft Edge truly remains from Chrome, given that both are built on the same Chromium engine. Still, these Chrome-inspired features might be exactly what Edge needs to stay competitive in the mobile browser space.