How to Hide Your IP on Any Device: Easy Guide 2025

Every website you visit can track down your IP address. While your IP does not reveal your exact location to anyone, it does reveal the city you live in. This information is enough for savvy hackers and governments to track you eventually. So, whenever I want to keep my privacy intact, I need to change my IP address.

The easiest and most reliable way to change your IP address is to use a VPN. With it, you can get an IP address from a different country, which hides your true one. This makes it seem like you’re browsing the internet from another place.

Why You Need a VPN to Hide Your IP Address

All the websites you visit can see your actual IP address, which means that you can easily get targeted ads that might slow down your internet. Not only that, if hackers get hold of your IP, they can track you down with a bit of snooping if that’s what they’re aiming for. A good VPN reliably hides your IP and keeps your internet traffic and data secure. In addition, I find that it’s extremely easy to use compared to other methods of hiding an IP address, like Tor and proxies.

A VPN allows you to hide your actual location by giving you a different IP address. When you connect to one of its servers, it assigns you an IP address based on the server’s location. So, if you’re in Spain and you connect to a server in the UK, you’ll be given a UK IP address. That way, you’ll be browsing the internet as if you were in the UK.

Therefore, ISPs, governmental agencies, and hackers can’t get access to your true IP address. In addition, the strong encryption protocols and no-logs policies of (good) VPNs keep your traffic and data from being exposed to third parties.

FAQs on Hiding Your IP Address With a VPN

What’s the easiest way to hide my IP address?

Among all the methods to hide your IP address, using a VPN is the easiest. It’s secure and fast compared to other options.

The user experience of this VPN is uncomplicated and user-friendly. Once you have downloaded and installed it, all you need to do is connect to a server in your desired country. Within a matter of seconds, your original IP address will be concealed, giving the impression that you are browsing the internet from a different country.

Can my IP address leak my location and identity?

Your IP address won’t leak your identity. Nor will it reveal the exact house or building you stay in. It will, however, reveal the city you live in.

That being said, if hackers snoop in on your browsing activity or access your computer data, they can use this information (along with your city name) to narrow down your exact location and identity.

To prevent this from happening, you can use VPNs to change your real IP address with one from the country of your choice. They also protect your data, so your location and identity will remain private at all times.

Is it legal to hide my IP address?

Yes, but it’s complicated. VPNs are legal in most countries; however, countries like China, Russia, and UAE restrict VPN use. Before you attempt to hide your IP address, check to see if there are any regulations or laws in your country about doing so.

In China, only government-approved VPNs are permitted, although no tourists have been fined for using other VPNs there. Nevertheless, the country employs VPN-blocking technology so only a couple of them work there.

On which devices can I change my IP?

You can change your IP address on a number of devices using a VPN. These include Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux-based devices. A select few VPNs, like the ones on this list, also allow you to change IP addresses on routers, smart TVs, streaming devices, and gaming consoles.

Will changing my IP address help me watch streaming sites like Netflix?

Yes, because by changing your IP address with a VPN, you will also encrypt your connection. Your internet service provider (ISP) will often intentionally slow your connection if you’re streaming (or doing other high-bandwidth activities), particularly during peak hours. However, by encrypting your connection, you can hide that you’re streaming. This could even improve your speeds, allowing you to stream in lag-free HD from anywhere.

Why is a VPN the best way to change my IP address?

A VPN is the best way to change your IP address because it is easy to use and provides top-class security and privacy.

Let’s compare VPNs to other ways of changing IP addresses and look at why the former is better.

1. VPN vs. Incognito mode — Incognito mode doesn’t change your IP address. All it does is not save your browsing history, cookies, site data, or any other information on your computer. On the other hand, VPNs change your IP address and secure your data so that no one can get their hands on it.
2. VPN vs. a new ISP — You can change your IP address by shifting to a new ISP or asking your current ISP for a new one. However, a VPN is a more convenient option than going through the hassle of setting up a new ISP.
3. VPN vs. proxy — VPNs are better than proxies as they are more secure. Proxies don’t encrypt your data, and their security features aren’t as good as VPNs’.
4. VPN vs. Tor — Tor encrypts data only if you’re using a browser app. It does not encrypt the data of other apps on your computer or phone as VPNs do. Moreover, surfing or streaming on the internet with Tor is slow as the data is routed through multiple servers.
5. VPN vs. firewall — A firewall cannot change your IP address. Its only role is to prevent malicious traffic or software from entering your computer.

Hide Your IP Address Now

Using a VPN makes the process of altering your IP address easy and direct. By linking to a server via the VPN application, you can secure a new IP address in just a few moments.