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How to Hide My IP Address? (Beginner-Friendly Guide)

Written By: Sandra Mitchell

Reviewed By:

Oct 10, 2025

Many people search “how to hide my IP address” because they feel watched online. Ads that seem to know too much, public Wi-Fi that feels unsafe, or even harassment during online gaming often share the same root cause: your IP address is visible.

But what exactly does “hiding your IP” mean, and what benefits does it actually give you? Let’s break it down step by step.

What is an IP address, and does a VPN change it?

Think of an IP address as your digital street number. Without it, websites wouldn’t know where to send the information you ask for. But not all addresses are the same.

Public IP

This is the number assigned by your internet provider. It’s visible to websites, advertisers, and the admin you interact with in games or forums. It can reveal your city or region.

Private IP

This is the number your home router gives to your devices, your laptop, phone, or smart TV. It’s like room numbers inside your house. Outsiders can’t see these, but they keep your home network organized.

So, does VPN change IP address? Yes, a VPN changes your public IP, not your private home address. That’s the number websites actually see. If you’re curious about other ways beyond VPNs, like resetting your router or using mobile data, we’ve covered them in this guide to changing your IP address on any device.

How to Hide IP Address With VPN in 3 Steps

You don’t need to be technical to change your online “street number.” Here’s the easiest way:

Step 1: Download a VPN app.

Go to the X-VPN official site and install the version for your device.

Step 2: Pick a server location.

Choose a server in the region you want your IP to appear from. Premium X-VPN users can access over 10,000 servers in 80+ countries and 250 locations.

Step 3: Connect.

Tap once, and your real IP disappears behind the VPN server’s IP.

That’s it, you’ve just hidden your IP address.

Quick Check: Did It Work?

It’s natural to wonder if the VPN is actually working. The fastest way to confirm is to look up your IP.

1
Before connecting
Use the what is my IP tool and write down the address. That’s your public IP.
2
Turn on your VPN
Search again. If the numbers and city change, your VPN is active.

This simple test answers the question “does VPN change IP address?”—yes, it does. Keep in mind, the new city may reflect the VPN’s data center rather than the exact city you picked. If nothing changes, reconnect or switch servers.

How VPNs Hide Your IP Address (Without the Jargon)

How VPNs Hide Your IP (Without the Jargon)

Here’s the flow:

Without a VPN: You → Website (the website sees your real public IP).

With a VPN: You → Encrypted tunnel → VPN server → Website (the website only sees the VPN’s IP).

From your internet provider’s view, or the café Wi-Fi owner’s, all they see is that you connected to a VPN server. They can’t see the websites you actually opened.

That’s the heart of the benefit: your public IP is swapped for the VPN’s, and your traffic travels inside an encrypted tunnel.

VPN Benefits: Hide IP Address for Real-World Gains

Why go through the trouble of hiding your IP? Because it solves everyday annoyances and risks. Here are five real-world benefits:

Less tracking and profiling. Advertisers link your IP to your browsing habits. When your IP changes, it’s harder for them to follow you. That’s why you don’t see the same sneakers chasing you across every website.

Safety in games and forums. In online matches, exposing your real IP can make you a target. Some players have been knocked offline by DDoS floods. Hiding your IP cuts that risk.

Peace of mind on public Wi-Fi. At airports or cafés, your traffic is vulnerable to snoopers. With a VPN, what they see looks like scrambled code instead of your browsing activity.

Flexible location display. Some shopping or streaming sites show “not available in your region.” By connecting to a server abroad, you see the site as if you lived there.

More stable access. Internet providers sometimes slow down certain activities, like streaming, based on IP. Changing yours with a VPN can smooth out your Netflix session or software download.

Switch to X-VPN and hide your IP the smart way

Take Control of Your Online Privacy

When You Might NOT Want to Change Your IP

Hiding your IP is useful, but not always the right move. In some situations, changing your IP could cause friction instead of fixing things:

Banking and financial logins. Your bank may see a different IP as suspicious, blocking login attempts or freezing transactions.

Remote work systems. Some company tools only allow access from a known IP. Changing it could lock you out.

Streaming subscriptions. Services like Netflix or Hulu may behave oddly when your location shifts. You might lose access to content mid-episode.

In these cases, stick with your original IP or use a “home country” VPN server. Some VPNs even offer static IPs if you need consistency with added privacy.

Common Misunderstandings and Limits

It’s just as important to clear up what hiding your IP cannot do:

Incognito mode ≠ hidden IP. Private browsing only avoids saving history on your device. It’s like not keeping receipts, but the store still knows you came in.

HTTPS ≠ hidden IP. Encryption protects content, but the website still knows your address. Think of it as whispering secrets to a courier, the courier still knows your door number.

Proxy ≠ VPN. Proxies may swap your IP but don’t encrypt traffic. Your ISP can still see everything.

VPN ≠ total anonymity. Cookies, logins, and browser fingerprints can still identify you. Logging into Facebook with a VPN doesn’t make you invisible.

Setting Up Properly

For stronger protection:

Enable a kill switch. If your VPN disconnects, your internet cuts off too, so your real IP never leaks.

Turn on DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC protection. These are common leak points.

Practice smart habits. Keep personal accounts separate, and clear cookies if you want a cleaner slate.

Alternatives to VPN: What Else Can Hide Your IP?

VPNs aren’t the only tools. Depending on your needs, these may help:

Tor Browser

Routes traffic through global volunteer relays to hide your IP.

Pros

Very strong anonymity, even against governments and surveillance.

No setup needed beyond downloading the browser.

Cons

Only protects traffic inside the Tor browser, not your whole device.

Many websites block Tor traffic or show captchas.

Very slow due to multiple encryption layers.

Privacy-Focused Public DNS

Services like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google DNS won’t change your IP, but they stop your ISP from logging your browsing.

Pros

Faster browsing and slightly more private than default DNS.

Easy to set up and works in the background.

Cons

No encryption unless used with extra tools like DoH or DoT.

Does not hide your IP address.

Only protects DNS queries, not your full internet traffic.

If you need system-wide protection with one click, VPNs are still the most user-friendly option.

Final Checkup: Make Sure Your IP Address Is Really Hidden

Even with a VPN connected, leaks happen. Here’s how to double-check:

Step 1: Check your IP address

Use what is my IP tool before and after connecting. If the numbers and city change, your VPN is working.

Step 2: Run a DNS leak test

DNS is the system that translates “google.com” into a server’s location. If your internet provider is still handling these lookups, they can log everything you visit. A DNS leak test should only show your VPN’s servers.

Step 3: Run a WebRTC leak test

Browsers use WebRTC for video calls, but it often exposes your real IP directly to websites. If a WebRTC test shows your home IP, block WebRTC in your browser or rely on your VPN’s protection.

Step 4: Check for IPv6 leaks

IPv6 is the newer internet addressing system. Not every VPN supports it. If an IPv6 test shows your real details, disable IPv6 in your device settings until your VPN covers it.

If you’d rather not use multiple sites, X-VPN’s leak checker runs all four tests: IP, DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6, in one place.

Conclusion

Hiding your IP isn’t about turning invisible; it’s about tackling real pain points: endless targeted ads, unsafe café Wi-Fi, or harassment in online communities.

If you’ve ever asked “how to hide my IP address”, a VPN is the simplest and safest option. It changes your public IP, encrypts your traffic, and gives you flexibility in how you appear online.

Just remember: it’s not a magic cloak. Use it with smart habits, like cleaning cookies, avoiding oversharing, and checking for leaks, and you’ll be in far better shape than browsing with your IP exposed.

FAQ

Does a VPN change my IP address?

Yes. It replaces your public IP with one from its servers. Your private home IP stays the same.

Is hiding my IP address legal?

In most countries, yes. But some governments restrict or block VPNs. Check your local laws.

Will a VPN slow down my internet?

It can, since traffic is rerouted. Premium servers with good infrastructure keep the slowdown minimal.

How to hide my IP address for free?

Tools like Tor can help, but they’re slow. Free VPNs often cut corners. X-VPN’s free plan offers a safer balance.

What happens if my IP is not hidden?

Websites, advertisers, and your ISP can log your activity, target ads, or even slow your connection. Attackers in games can harass you directly.

Article by

Sandra Mitchell

Sandra Mitchell, X-VPN's writer, is a friendly advocate for online privacy and security with a passion for cybersecurity and the latest tech trends. Through her engaging writing, Sandra empowers readers to control their digital privacy. Beyond exploring VPN intricacies, she enjoys outdoor adventures, literature, and sharing the importance of online security with others.

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