How to Hide Your IP Address: 5 Methods Compared
Your IP address follows you everywhere online — every site, every app, every game sees it. Hiding it is legal, common, and easier than most people think. Here are the five real methods, from best to most situational.
1. VPN — the standard answer
A VPN encrypts all your traffic and routes it through a server elsewhere; websites see the server's IP, not yours. It covers every app on the device, adds encryption (valuable on public Wi-Fi), and lets you choose your apparent location.
Pros: full-device coverage, strong encryption, fast enough for streaming and gaming.
Cons: good ones cost a few dollars a month; you shift trust to the VPN provider — choose one with a no-logs policy.
Verify it works: note your IP on our checker, connect the VPN, refresh — the address and location should change completely.
2. Tor — maximum anonymity, minimum speed
Tor bounces your traffic through three volunteer relays; no single relay knows both who you are and where you're going. It's free and remarkably strong for anonymity — and slow, browser-only by default, and blocked by many sites.
3. Proxy — quick but shallow
A proxy relays traffic for one app (usually the browser). Web proxies are free and instant, but most don't encrypt anything, free ones are frequently malicious or logging, and nothing outside the configured app is covered. Fine for a one-off page view; wrong tool for privacy.
4. Switch to mobile data — instant new IP
Turning off Wi-Fi puts you on your carrier's network with a completely different IP (usually behind CGNAT, shared with many users). It doesn't add privacy — your carrier sees everything — but it instantly gets you a different address when you need one.
5. Restart your router — new IP, same you
With a dynamic IP, power-cycling your router for a few minutes often yields a fresh address. Useful after a DDoS threat or a mistaken ban; useless for ongoing privacy since the new IP still identifies your household and location.
Which should you use?
| Goal | Best method |
|---|---|
| Everyday privacy | VPN |
| Maximum anonymity | Tor (or Tor over VPN) |
| Quick unblock of one page | Proxy |
| Escape a DDoS / refresh address | Router restart or mobile data |
Frequently asked questions
Is hiding my IP address legal?
In most countries, yes — VPNs and Tor are legal tools used by businesses and individuals daily. What remains illegal is illegal activity, hidden IP or not. A few countries restrict VPN use; check local law if relevant.
Does incognito mode hide my IP?
No. Incognito only stops your browser saving local history. Websites see exactly the same IP address — full explanation in our incognito article.