Google has recently made a formal public statement availing the Incognito tabs in Chrome for Android to require your fingerprint to access. The update was in process since last year.
This feature simply requires that you “Unlock Incognito” with your fingerprint after reopening the Android browser. Introduced to Chrome for iOS in early 2021.
On the Incognito splash screen, there’s also the option to “See other tabs” as well as an overflow menu to close all private browsing tabs or open settings. Force closing Chrome continues to remove all Incognito pages.
This is an optional feature and can be enabled from Chrome Settings > Privacy and security > Lock Incognito tabs when you leave Chrome: Use screen lock to see open Incognito tabs.
Enabling or disabling requires verification, while you can also use your PIN. The splash screen appears immediately after you exit Chrome. It can be handy when giving somebody your phone (as long as they don’t know your passcode).
Although, it’s not yet widely available (as of Chrome 109), but you can enable this flag to get the feature immediately. However, Google announced today that the feature is “currently rolling out to Android users” as part of Data Privacy Day.
Chrome://flags/#incognito-reauthentication-for-android.
Additionally, Chrome is expanding Safety Check with “more personalized recommendations and reminders about what you have previously shared with websites and find those controls in one place to revoke permissions and protect your privacy.”
It already looks for compromised passwords, and harmful extensions, and prompts you to install updates. Hope you like the piece of the update.