IP Location.net

Online Privacy

How to hide my IP Address?

Your IP address can reveal your approximate location, ISP, organization, and browsing network. Hiding or changing it helps reduce tracking, protect privacy, and work around some network restrictions.

Hide My IP - Get VPN Compare Methods

IP Exposure Check

What websites can see right now

Exposed
IPv4 Public address

216.73.217.128

Risk status

Exposed

Your real IP may be visible.

Location
Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
Network
Earthlink
Proxy
Not detected
VPN
Not detected
Tor
Not detected
Fraud Score
Not available
View Full IP Report

Connect to a VPN, proxy, Tor, or another network, then refresh this page to verify the change.

How to check if your IP is hidden

The fastest way to confirm that your IP address is hidden is to compare what this page sees before and after you connect. A working VPN, proxy, Tor session, or alternate network should change the public IP address, location, or network shown in the exposure check.

Check My IP Look Up This IP

  1. 1. Record your exposed IP

    Start with the IP Exposure Check above and note the public address, location, network, and proxy status.

  2. 2. Connect your privacy method

    Turn on your VPN, proxy, Tor Browser, mobile hotspot, or alternate Wi-Fi network before opening sensitive sites.

  3. 3. Refresh and compare

    Refresh this page. Your public IP, location, or provider should change when the connection is masking traffic correctly.

  4. 4. Investigate leaks

    If the old network still appears, check browser-only VPN settings, IPv6 handling, WebRTC, and DNS resolver behavior.

Hide IP Address

Choose the right IP hiding method

Method Hides IP? Encrypts? All apps? Speed Best for
VPN Yes Yes Usually Fast to moderate Everyday privacy, streaming, public Wi-Fi, travel
Proxy Yes No or limited No Fast to moderate One browser, app, or website
Tor Browser Yes Within Tor No Slow Anonymous browsing
Mobile data Changes IP No Yes Varies Quickly leaving your home network
Public Wi-Fi Changes IP No Yes Varies Temporary network change only
Hide IP with VPN

1. Hide your IP address with a VPN

The best way to hide your IP address is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN routes your traffic through another network, so websites see the VPN server address instead of your real public IP address.

Paid VPN services usually offer stronger performance, more server locations, and clearer privacy policies. Free VPNs can work for casual browsing, but often come with bandwidth limits, slower speeds, or fewer location choices.

If you only need browser-level privacy, many browsers support VPN-style extensions. Chrome and Firefox have provider extensions, and Opera includes a built-in VPN setting with limited location control.

Hide IP Address with a VPN

Related tools and guides

Hide IP with VPN guide Check your current IP Run an IP lookup Change IP address guide
Mask IP with proxies

2. Mask your IP address with proxies

A proxy server sits between your browser and the website you visit. The website sees the proxy IP address, while your real address stays behind the intermediary server.

Proxies are useful for selective browsing, testing location-specific content, and working around some network restrictions. They usually do not provide the same full-device encryption that a VPN provides.

Businesses can also hide web server IP addresses with reverse proxies and web application firewalls from providers such as Cloudflare or Imperva.

Related tools and guides

Protect privacy with proxy Check proxy status Look up a proxy IP Bulk IP lookup
Hide IP Address with Tor Browser

3. Hide IP Address with the Tor Browser

Tor is an anonymous browser that routes traffic through a distributed network of relays. The destination website sees a Tor exit node rather than your real IP address.

Tor is free and available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. On iOS, users can use Onion Browser, an open-source Tor-powered browser.

Tor can be much slower than normal browsing because traffic passes through multiple encrypted relays. Private or incognito browser windows are not the same as Tor because they still reveal your public IP address.

Related tools and guides

Browse anonymously with Tor Confirm the Tor exit IP Compare IP before and after
Change IP Address by using a mobile network

4. Change IP Address by using a mobile network

Using your phone as a personal hotspot can move your traffic from your home ISP to your mobile carrier. When that happens, your public IP address changes to one assigned by the mobile network.

This is a quick way to change networks, but it is not the same as anonymity. Your mobile provider can still associate traffic with your account and device.

Related tools and guides

More ways to change IP Check the new IP
Change IP Address by using public Wi-Fi

5. Change IP Address by using public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop, hotel, library, airport, or office uses that network’s public IP address instead of your home network address.

This can change the IP address websites see, but public Wi-Fi can be risky. Avoid sending sensitive information unless the site uses HTTPS, and consider pairing public Wi-Fi with a VPN.

Related tools and guides

Public Wi-Fi safety tips Check exposed IP

Check for WebRTC and DNS leaks

A changed IP address is a good first signal, but it is not the only privacy check. Browser settings, DNS resolvers, IPv6 routing, and app coverage can still reveal clues about your original network.

WebRTC browser leaks

WebRTC can expose local network details in some browser setups. Use a full VPN app when possible, and review browser privacy settings if a browser extension is your only protection.

DNS resolver leaks

DNS requests should use the VPN or privacy provider’s resolver. If DNS still goes through your ISP, websites and networks may infer your normal connection path.

IPv6 exposure

Some privacy tools mask IPv4 but leave IPv6 traffic outside the tunnel. Confirm both address families are protected when your device has IPv6 connectivity.

App coverage gaps

A browser proxy may only cover one browser. Email clients, games, messaging apps, and system services can continue using your real network.

Device-specific guides

The best method is the same on every device: use a trusted VPN for full-device protection, a proxy for specific apps or browsers, Tor for anonymity, or another network when you only need a different public IP address.

Windows

  1. Install a trusted VPN app, sign in, and connect to a server before opening sensitive websites.
  2. To configure a proxy, open Settings, Network & internet, Proxy, then enter the server and port from your provider.
  3. For browser-only anonymity, install Tor Browser and use it instead of Chrome, Edge, or Firefox for that session.
  4. Refresh this page and check the exposed-IP panel to confirm your public IP, location, and proxy status changed.

Mac

  1. Install your VPN provider app, connect to a server, and keep the app running while you browse.
  2. To configure a proxy, open System Settings, Network, select the active connection, then click Details and Proxies.
  3. Use Tor Browser when you need anonymous browsing and can accept slower speed.
  4. Refresh the IP exposure check above to verify the new public IP address and location.

iPhone

  1. Install a trusted VPN app and allow iOS to add the VPN profile when prompted.
  2. Open the VPN app, choose a server location, and connect before using Safari or other apps.
  3. To use a proxy on Wi-Fi, open Settings, Wi-Fi, tap the info icon, then configure HTTP Proxy.
  4. Switch to mobile data when you only need a different carrier IP address, then recheck this page.

Android

  1. Install a trusted VPN app, grant the VPN permission, and connect to your preferred server.
  2. To set a Wi-Fi proxy, open the network settings, edit the connection, and choose Manual proxy.
  3. Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data when you want to leave your current home or office IP address.
  4. Refresh the top IP tool after connecting so you can verify the changed IP and network.

What are the Pros and Cons of each method?

The right method depends on whether you need privacy, speed, location control, or a quick network change.

Method Pros Cons
VPN
  • Strong encryption for private browsing.
  • Hides your IP for most device traffic.
  • Can choose server locations around the world.
  • May reduce speed.
  • Requires trusting the provider.
  • Premium services usually cost money.
Proxy
  • Good for IP masking in specific apps or browsers.
  • Useful for region testing and content access.
  • Some proxy services offer free tiers.
  • Usually less secure than a VPN.
  • Free proxies can be slow or unreliable.
  • May not protect all device traffic.
Tor Browser
  • High anonymity through relay routing.
  • Free and open-source.
  • Helps prevent website tracking.
  • Slower browsing speeds.
  • Some services block Tor exits.
  • Not ideal for every online activity.
Mobile Network
  • Quickly changes your public IP.
  • Useful backup when home network is blocked.
  • Carrier can still track activity.
  • May consume mobile data allowance.
Public Wi-Fi
  • Uses a different network IP address.
  • Available in many public places.
  • Higher security risk.
  • Little control over network safety.

Why would you hide your IP address?

Hide your identity

Reduce how easily websites, competitors, and ad networks can associate your browsing with the same network identity.

Hide your geographical location

Avoid exposing your approximate city, region, ISP, or organization through IP geolocation data.

Prevent website tracking

Make it harder for websites to connect repeated visits to the same public IP address.

Work around internet censorship

Use a network endpoint in another region when sites or services are blocked locally.

How we built this guide

Reviewed for 2026

This page is maintained by IPLocation.net and updated for current VPN, proxy, Tor, mobile, and public Wi-Fi use cases.

Live IP intelligence

The exposure checker uses IP geolocation and IP2Proxy data to show the IP address, network, proxy, VPN, and Tor signals available for your connection.

Editorial note

We may earn compensation from referred privacy providers, but the technical guidance is written to explain tradeoffs clearly.

Sources

Conclusion

For most people, a reputable VPN is the best balance of privacy, security, and usability. It masks your IP address, encrypts traffic, and gives you a choice of server locations.

Proxies and Tor can be useful in specific cases, while mobile networks and public Wi-Fi mainly change the address websites see. Whatever method you choose, understand the tradeoffs and use trusted providers when privacy matters.

FAQs

Can I hide my IP address for free?

Yes. You can use a free VPN, a free proxy, Tor Browser, a mobile hotspot, or public Wi-Fi. Free options usually have tradeoffs in speed, trust, reliability, or security.

Is hiding your IP address legal?

Yes, hiding your IP address is generally legal. It simply means masking your current public address with another address. You are still responsible for how you use the connection.

What does my IP address reveal?

An IP address can reveal an approximate location, ISP, organization, and network. It does not reveal an exact street address by itself, but it can still be used for tracking and access controls.

Can someone use your IP address to find you?

IP geolocation is not precise enough to pinpoint an exact physical location. It can usually provide a city or regional estimate and may expose the network you are using.

Can I change my IP address?

Often, yes. You can reconnect to your ISP, restart a router, use a mobile network, join another Wi-Fi network, or use a VPN or proxy. Static IP addresses may not change without ISP help.

Can you hide the IP address of a web server?

Yes. A reverse proxy can sit in front of a web server, exposing the proxy address while routing requests to the origin server behind it.

Disclaimer: We may receive compensation when a purchase is made from a referred link on this page. Recommendations are based on research and user feedback.