What is an IP address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a number networks use to identify an interface and route traffic. The public address websites see may represent your home router, mobile carrier, workplace gateway, or VPN server, and it may be shared by many devices or change over time.
There are two types:
- IPv4 — The traditional dotted-number format (for example, the documentation address 192.0.2.1). Most websites and services still support it.
- IPv6 — The newer, longer format designed to handle the growing number of internet-connected devices.
What does your IP address reveal?
Your IP address by itself doesn't reveal your name or exact street address. But combined with other data, it paints a surprisingly detailed picture:
- Approximate location — Your city, region, and country are visible to every website you visit.
- Your ISP — The company providing your internet connection is identifiable.
- Browsing patterns — Advertisers and trackers correlate your IP across sites to build behavioral profiles.
- Network vulnerabilities — Attackers can probe your IP for open ports or exploitable services.
- Legal exposure — Your ISP can log and share your browsing history with authorities or third parties.
Ways to hide your IP address
There are three main approaches. Each has trade-offs in speed, security, and ease of use.
VPN Practical for most people
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts traffic between your device and the provider, then routes protected traffic through a VPN server. Websites see the server's address instead of your regular public IP.
- Pros
- Whole-device coverage in most setups, practical apps, and a choice of server locations
- Cons
- Monthly cost (typically $3–12/month), requires trusting the VPN provider
Proxy server
A proxy acts as a middleman between you and the internet. Traffic configured to use it carries the proxy's address instead of your regular public IP.
- Pros
- Often free, easy to set up for browsers
- Cons
- Often works per app, may not add encryption, and requires you to trust the operator
Tor network
Tor routes your traffic through multiple volunteer-operated relays, making it extremely difficult to trace back to you.
- Pros
- Free, decentralized, and designed to resist traffic tracing
- Cons
- Very slow, not suitable for streaming or large downloads, some sites block Tor exit nodes
When a VPN is the practical choice
A VPN is a practical choice when you want whole-device coverage without much setup. The tradeoff is simple: you shift trust from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to the VPN provider.
- Broader device coverage — A device-level VPN usually covers browsers and apps together unless you use split tunneling or another exclusion.
- An encrypted first hop — A VPN encrypts traffic between your device and the VPN provider. Your ISP can see that you connected to a VPN, but generally cannot see the destinations carried inside a properly configured tunnel.
- Modern protocols — Protocols such as WireGuard are designed to reduce overhead, although performance varies by provider, server, device, and network.
- A choice of regions — You can route traffic through another country or city. Access to a particular service can still vary and is never guaranteed.
- Practical setup — Official apps usually handle the connection settings and make it easy to switch the VPN on or off.
Free ways to hide your IP address
Tor Browser is a strong free option when resistance to tracing matters more than speed. A reputable provider's limited free VPN plan can also work for occasional use, but check the data limits and privacy policy first. Unknown free VPN apps and public proxies are a poor default because the operator may log traffic, inject ads, or provide no useful encryption.
How to hide your IP on iPhone or Android
- Install the official app from a VPN provider you have researched.
- Allow the operating system to add the VPN configuration.
- Connect to a server, then refresh an IP checker and confirm the visible address and provider changed.
- Enable the kill switch or always-on setting if the app and operating system support it.
Apple's iCloud Private Relay can obscure Safari traffic for eligible iCloud+ users, but it is not a whole-device VPN. Android's Private DNS encrypts DNS lookups but does not hide your public IP from websites.
Browser protection vs. whole-device protection
A browser proxy or Tor Browser affects only traffic inside that browser. Other apps can continue using your normal connection. A device-level VPN normally covers browsers and apps together, though split tunneling can intentionally exclude selected apps. Router-level VPNs can cover compatible devices across a home network but require more setup.
How to check whether your IP changed
- Disconnect the privacy tool and note your visible IPv4, IPv6, provider, and approximate location.
- Connect the VPN, proxy, or Tor Browser.
- Refresh the checker. The public address and provider should now belong to the intermediary.
- Run an IPv6 and WebRTC leak check. A visible IPv6 address is not automatically a leak; compare it with the baseline and confirm it belongs to the protected connection.
What hiding your IP does not do
Changing the address websites see does not make you anonymous. Sites can still recognize account logins, cookies, browser fingerprints, payment information, and information you submit. A VPN also shifts trust from your ISP to the VPN provider, so clear policies and independent audits matter.