How To Hide Your IP Address: 5 Easy & Effective Ways (2025)

Your IP address exposes more than just your location — it lets websites, advertisers, and cybercriminals track your online activities and build detailed profiles of your behavior. This information can be used to monitor your browsing habits, block sites based on your region, or launch targeted cyberattacks.

What is the most convenient and safe way to hide my IP address? While there are many ways to mask your IP address, using a VPN is the easiest, safest, and most reliable. It encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through secure servers, replacing your real IP with one allocated by the server. This prevents anyone from seeing where you're actually connecting from or monitoring what you do online, even your ISP.

While you're at it, you might want to avoid some risky methods of hiding your IP address. For example, some free VPNs or proxy servers may use your device as a node, meaning that as you change your IP address, other users on the network also use the same one. Consequently, the IP may be traced back to you if they do illegal stuff on the internet.

Short on Time? Here Are the Best Ways to Hide Your IP Address in 2025

1. Use a VPN To Hide Your IP — The Easiest and Most Secure Way

Overall, a VPN is the most convenient, reliable, and secure way to hide your IP address. When you connect to a VPN server, it creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. This tunnel masks your real IP address with the server’s IP while preventing ISPs, hackers, and other third parties from monitoring your online activities. It’s no surprise that as of May 2025, over 1.75 billion people (about one-third of all internet users) use VPNs.¹

Does a VPN actually hide my IP? Yes, it does. The websites or services you visit only see the VPN’s IP, not the one your ISP gave you. Your ISP still sees the original IP that it assigned to you, but it can’t see your VPN-assigned IP, the websites you access, or your traffic. All it can see is your connection times, the amount of data used, and that your connection is encrypted. So, it’s virtually impossible to tie your real IP to your online activities anyway.

Plus, VPNs come with many extra security and privacy features. For example, a kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection prevent accidental exposure of your IP when you switch servers or your device enters sleep mode. Most VPNs also use RAM-only servers and follow zero-logs policies to prevent any of your data (like IP or browsing activity) from being stored.

So, not only does a VPN hide your IP, but it also makes potentially risky activities like online banking and torrenting safer, especially on public WiFi networks. By offering servers in many different countries, you can also choose where your new IP address should come from. This makes it possible to safely access specific streaming libraries from anywhere.

Here’s all it takes to hide your IP address with a VPN:

1. Get a Reliable VPN

Choose a VPN with native apps for your devices and many server locations. The best paid VPNs come with user-friendly apps that allow you to mask your IP in one or two clicks and many extra security tools to prevent accidental IP leaks. Some even scramble their encryption signature so that not even an ISP will know that you’re using one.

Most VPNs offer a free trial or money-back guarantee so you can test them risk-free

2. Download and Install the VPN App

Find the app for the device on which you want to hide the IP and follow the installation steps. If you only want to mask your IP on your Android or iOS, you can go directly to the Google Play or Apple App Store and search for the VPN by name. Log in with your credentials or verification code, then follow the install guide and use the default settings.

The best VPNs also provide detailed step-by-step guides for router or custom setups

3. Connect to a Server

Choose a server from the list. The VPN will mask your real IP with one from that server’s location. Nearby ones usually offer the best speeds, so unless you have a specific reason to choose otherwise, stick to one close to you.

This gives finer control over how your IP looks to websites and services

4. Check Your New IP Address

You don’t always need to do this if you’re using a reliable service, but it gives extra peace of mind since even the best VPNs can slip occasionally. Just pop open a reliable IP checker to see if the VPN is really hiding your IP.

You can check your IP address in seconds with this The How To Guide tool

You can now stream, browse, play games, and do much more while keeping your real IP private. IP checker websites will also come in handy when using the other methods below.

Quick Comparison Table: Best VPNs To Hide Your IP

The main benefits of VPNs are their support for different devices and numerous IP locations worldwide. While most premium VPNs have a lot in common, here’s a brief summary of what our top picks have to offer in terms of IP selection and advanced privacy tools:

2. Use the Tor Browser — A Fairly Secure Solution With Slow Speeds

The Tor Browser hides your IP address by routing your traffic through a network of volunteer-operated servers across the globe. Each time you connect, Tor creates a unique path through at least three different servers to mask your IP address and location. Many journalists and privacy advocates use Tor to protect sensitive communications.

The Tor Browser was originally built to privately access regular surface web sites

The browser includes built-in privacy features like script blocking and fingerprint protection. It also automatically clears your browsing history and cookies when you close it. Every time you start a new session, Tor assigns you a fresh IP address, making it extremely difficult for websites to track your activity across sessions.

Connection speeds can be slower due to the multiple server hops. Some mainstream websites may also require additional verification when accessed through Tor exit nodes. As exit nodes are operated by volunteers, there’s the risk of snooping or tampering, especially as your traffic between the exit node and target website isn’t encrypted.

3. Connect to a Proxy Server — A Basic Solution for Quick IP Changes, but Not Very Secure

A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet. When you send a request through a proxy, it forwards your traffic using its own IP address and masks your real location from websites. Many businesses use proxy servers to test websites from different locations or manage social media accounts.

Some proxies provide limited security, like URL encryption

However, proxies have limitations compared to VPNs. They don't encrypt your internet traffic, which means it’s still possible to snoop on your internet use. Most services that use IP blocking tools may have already blocklisted the addresses the proxy service uses. Plus, a lack of encryption or obfuscation makes them less reliable at maintaining stable connections on networks that block VPN/proxy connections.

Most people use free, web-based proxy tools (web proxies) that don’t require any software — you simply provide the URL of the website you want to visit and choose the IP location. Other options are browser extensions and standalone apps. However, proxies typically only hide and change your IP for a specific website or app. It’s also possible to configure proxies that assign a new IP device-wide, but this is more complex.

Free proxies can also be risky since their operators could potentially monitor your data. Premium proxy services are safer and more reliable, but they mostly cater to the corporate market or specific use cases, like market research or data scraping, sneaker botting, or scalping.

4. Create a Hotspot on Your Smartphone — A Readily Available Solution, but Can Be Costly

You can use a hotspot to quickly change your device’s IP without added software or cost (depending on your mobile plan). So, instead of your online activity being tied to the IP assigned by your home WiFi ISP, it switches to your mobile carrier’s IP. Just keep in mind that some phones support sharing existing WiFi (so remember to turn off this option). Otherwise, you’ll still end up with the same IP. You can also set up a hotspot from one PC to another or to smart devices, like a smart TV.

These screenshots are from an iPhone, but it's just as easy on Android devices

Mobile carriers use dynamic IPs that change more frequently than those assigned by broadband ISPs. So, this can be a solution if your desktop PC’s IP is blocked from accessing an online service. However, it’s still possible to be tracked from your original device to your mobile one, so it’s not much more private.

For added privacy, you can change your mobile device's IP address by getting a prepaid SIM card. These are commonly used by travelers who go abroad and temporarily want the IP of the country they’re in to avoid roaming costs. You can also try eSIM services.

5. Use Public WiFi — Mostly Free To Use, but Leaves Your Connection Vulnerable

Public WiFi networks provide an easy way to change your IP address when you're out. Each network you connect to assigns you a different IP, making it useful for basic IP switching.

The padlock icons indicate that these hotspots are password-protected

These networks are available in many locations, like cafes, libraries, and shopping centers. Some places even offer high-speed connections suitable for streaming or downloading. However, it’s worth noting that some of these often apply content blocks or other restrictions on streaming platforms, online games, adult content, etc.

Security risks exist on public networks since they're open to everyone and may be monitored by network admins or hackers. There’s always the risk of man-in-the-middle attacks or packet sniffing from others using the network. Always avoid accessing sensitive information or inputting any personal details unless you're using additional protection like a VPN.

Some Other Ways to Hide Your IP Address

There are several other ways to hide your IP address and get a new one. These methods might not be as private, effective, or convenient, but they can be useful in specific situations.

• Unplug your modem. Leave it disconnected for at least 5 minutes. When you reconnect, your ISP might assign you a new IP address. This method doesn't work if you’re assigned a static IP by your ISP.
• Contact your ISP. You can request a new IP address directly from your ISP. Some ISPs charge for this service, and they might ask why you need the change.
• Use a NAT firewall. Most routers today use this by default, but it doesn’t hurt to check if you want to be safe. This allows all your WiFi-connected devices to share the same public IP from your router, but keep their private IPs hidden to prevent unwanted inbound traffic.
• Try IPv6. Ask your ISP to enable IPv6 on your connection. Unlike IPv4, IPv6 often assigns multiple or rotating addresses (via privacy extensions), which makes it harder for websites and advertisers to track you over time.
• Renew your IP address locally. Use Command Prompt commands (ipconfig /release and /renew) on Windows or Network Settings on Mac to get a new local IP. This only changes your device's address within your network, not your public IP.
• Use an IP rotator. These tools automatically rotate your IP address at regular intervals, making it harder for websites to track you over time. They’re often marketed as “IP scramblers,” but in practice, they’re just rotating IP or proxy/VPN tools.
• Use Cloudflare Tunnel. This is a more secure alternative to port forwarding for self-hosting scenarios, like media servers or dev dashboards. It hides your home IP by routing traffic through a Cloudflare domain, but it won’t mask your IP for normal web browsing like a VPN.

Our Methodology for Testing Ways To Hide Your IP

Our #1 consideration was how effective each technique is at hiding your real IP from third parties. We paid close attention to whether it successfully changes IP without triggering blocks and CAPTCHAs, while keeping connections fast, stable, and secure. We also assessed device compatibility, ease of use, and whether setup requires extra technical know-how or added cost.

When choosing a way to conceal your IP, consider what matters most to you: privacy, speed, or convenience. A VPN is usually the most reliable all-around option, but Tor, proxy, mobile hotspot, and public WiFi come in handy in some instances. Look for robust protection, ease of use, and reliability. Cost also plays a key role — some options are free but very limited, while others let you safely change IP for a fee.

What Is an IP Address and Can You Completely Hide It?

Your ISP-assigned IP is like your house’s street address. Let’s say you mail a package to a friend — you have their home address (IP), so the mail service knows exactly where to deliver it. However, without an address of your own, they won’t know how to send anything back to you.

Using a tool like a VPN, Tor, or proxy is like hiring a private mail service for last-mile delivery. You send the package to another location (or server) from where it’s shipped to its final destination. The recipient only sees the return address of the delivery service, but not your home address. The only catch is that you still need your ISP to deliver the package for the first leg of its journey.

This is where a tool like a VPN or Tor goes one step further by encrypting your connection. It’s like putting the package in a locked box that only you have the key for. No one who steals your package halfway can open it to see what’s inside, not even your ISP.

Your ISP only knows the size of the packages and that you’re sending them to the VPN/Tor server, but not where they go after or what’s inside. At the same time, you can send packages to websites and online services without them knowing where you are sending them from or who you are.

So, as your only connection to the online world, you can’t completely hide your IP from your ISP, but you can mask it with another one temporarily. You can use tools to prevent what your ISP and third parties you interact with online can see. Separating your data/traffic from your real location and your virtual IP makes it much harder to trace your identity and online movements.

Why You Should Hide Your True IP

Your IP address is directly tied to your location and/or devices. While it’s necessary for online communication and navigating the internet, using your real IP is somewhat similar to making your address or contact details known to everyone online.

That’s why there are a ton of benefits to hiding your IP:

• Prevent tracking and profiling. Websites and advertisers use your IP to build detailed profiles of your browsing habits. Hiding it stops them from monitoring your online behavior and targeting you with specific advertisements.
• Securely access your favorite services. Many websites and online services limit what you can do or see depending on your IP address. Some may also use IP bans to prevent you from using the service entirely, which can be unfair if your address is caught up in another user’s rulebreaking. By changing your IP, you can regain secure access.
• Avoid price discrimination. Online stores often show different prices based on your location. Changing your IP can help you find better deals.
• Protect against targeted attacks. Hackers can use your IP address to launch cyber attacks. Hiding it makes you a harder target. It also protects your gaming sessions from distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, which opposing players could launch against your PC or console.
• Download safely. Your IP address is visible to others when torrenting or using P2P networks, but masking it keeps your identity private.
• Protect workplace privacy. Employers can use IP addresses to monitor remote workers' locations and online activities. Hiding your IP helps maintain personal privacy while working from home.

FAQs About Hiding Your IP Address

Conclusion

There are many ways to change your IP address, but few truly safe methods to mask it (or conceal your online activity with it). By using dodgy free services or apps, you may even put your privacy at greater risk.

We tested a number of different ways to hide your IP, and while a few worked well, we preferred a VPN because it offers many IP locations to choose from and keeps your online activity private. While most methods still allow websites, hackers, and your ISP to see what you do online, a VPN makes it much harder for anyone to monitor or track your activity.

References

1. https://surfshark.com/blog/vpn-users/