See your public IP and explore ways to keep your connection private.
⌖ Your IP location is approximate. VPN, proxy, and Tor detection are not available yet.
You can hide your public IP address from websites by routing your traffic through a VPN, proxy, or Tor Browser. The website sees the intermediary’s IP instead of your usual one. A VPN can cover most device traffic; a proxy usually covers selected apps; Tor Browser covers browsing inside Tor.
Switching networks also changes your IP, but it does not add an encrypted tunnel or make you anonymous. Choose a method based on what you want to protect—and who you are trusting.
Compare VPN, proxy, and TorVPNs, proxies, and Tor put another server between you and a website. Compare their coverage, privacy protections, and trade-offs to choose the right approach.
A virtual private network sends covered traffic through an encrypted connection to a VPN server. Websites see that server’s public IP. A device-level app can cover browsers and other apps, depending on its settings.
A forward proxy relays requests from a configured app. A non-transparent proxy that does not forward your original address can mask it from the destination. Coverage and encryption depend on the proxy type and configuration.
Tor Browser routes browsing through a network of relays. For ordinary websites, the destination sees a Tor exit relay’s IP. Its browser protections also help reduce tracking and fingerprinting.
Your connection still needs an address to receive a response. IP masking changes which address the destination sees; it does not remove addresses from the internet.
Start with coverage. Hiding an IP in one browser is different from routing traffic across an entire device.
| Method | IP seen by websites | What it covers | Added encryption | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPN app | VPN server IP | Traffic routed through the VPN | Device to VPN server | Provider trust and app settings |
| Forward proxy | Proxy IP, if configured to mask yours | Configured apps or requests | Depends on protocol and setup | May forward your IP; other traffic stays direct |
| Tor Browser | Tor exit IP for ordinary websites | Browsing inside Tor Browser | Layered protection through Tor | Use HTTPS to the destination; expect slower browsing |
HTTPS remains important with every method. “Added encryption” describes the method itself, not every protection already used by an app or website.
These steps apply broadly to Windows, macOS, Android, and iPhone. Labels and available features vary by provider and device.
Check your current IPNote the address in the checker above before you connect. This gives you a baseline for comparison.
Read its privacy policy, check who operates it, and look for credible audits. Download from the provider’s website or your device’s official app store.
Select a server location. Review the kill switch, DNS handling, IPv6 support, and split tunneling if offered. Make sure the apps you want covered use the tunnel.
Return here and choose “Refresh details.” The visible IP should match the VPN connection. Separately check DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC behavior; this page’s IP lookup does not test those leaks.
Test again after switching Wi-Fi, waking your device, or reconnecting. A changed IP confirms the route used for this request, not that every app is protected.
An IP address is a network identifier, not your entire identity. Stronger privacy comes from combining connection, browser, and account choices.
Incognito and private windows mainly reduce local browsing records. They do not replace your network address. See Mozilla’s explanation of private browsing for the distinction.
Practical answers to the questions that come up before—and after—you change your connection.
Route your connection through a VPN, a suitably configured proxy, or Tor Browser. Websites then see an intermediary IP address rather than your usual public IP. Each option has different coverage, speed, and trust requirements. Switching to mobile data changes your IP but does not add anonymity.
Yes. Tor Browser is free, and some VPN providers offer limited free plans. Check data limits, supported devices, ownership, and privacy policies. A free proxy may change the IP visible to a website, but it does not automatically encrypt your connection or protect other apps.
No. Incognito and private browsing mainly limit what the browser keeps on your device after a session. They do not replace your public IP address. Websites and the network you use can still observe information about the connection.
Your internet provider can generally see that you connect to a VPN server, along with connection timing and data volume. A properly configured VPN encrypts traffic between your device and that server. It shifts trust to the VPN operator; it does not make you invisible.
It changes the network location websites may estimate from your IP. It does not disable GPS, browser location permissions, Wi-Fi positioning, or location you share through an account. Review those settings separately.
A device-level VPN app can route covered traffic on an iPhone or Android phone through its server. Coverage depends on the app, operating system, split tunneling, and connection settings. Recheck your IP when switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
An IP address is only one identifier. Signed-in accounts, cookies, browser fingerprints, and information you submit can link visits even when your public IP changes. IP masking is one part of privacy, not a replacement for browser and account controls.
No. This page shows the public IP used to reach the site and explains your options. It does not activate a VPN, proxy, or Tor connection. The lookup currently does not provide VPN, proxy, or Tor detection.
Mobile data and another Wi-Fi network can replace the public IP websites see. These alternate methods use a different network rather than hide your connection behind a VPN, proxy, or Tor.
Turn off Wi-Fi to use your carrier’s connection, or connect a laptop to your phone’s hotspot. Websites see the carrier’s public IP rather than your home IP. Reconnecting may change the address, but a new one is not guaranteed.
Your mobile carrier still operates the connection. Changing networks does not create anonymity or a VPN tunnel.
A different network normally gives you a different public IP. This can separate a visit from your home connection, but the network operator becomes part of the trust chain. Use a network you have permission to access.
Keep HTTPS enabled and consider a trusted VPN. A different Wi-Fi address alone is not a privacy guarantee.
A different network changes who provides your connection. It does not add a privacy tunnel or stop accounts, cookies, and other identifiers from linking your visits.
Check your connection, compare your options, and build privacy one decision at a time.
