Why Hide Your IP Address?
The main reason people like to mask their IP addresses is to keep their browsing history and online activity private from third parties. Many companies these days track internet traffic, and if you want true privacy you need to hide your real IP address through a VPN server or other method.
It’s also more secure to hide your real IP address, particularly when logging on to the internet through public WiFi. Bad actors can hack your internet connection and steal your login credentials, infect your device with malware or viruses, or uncover sensitive information.
You may live in a place where certain resources are geo-blocked, meaning they are not accessible to your region. Streaming services like Netflix and Hulu frequently geo-block content, and if this content is blocked in your region, the only way to see it is by using a VPN.
Finally, you may wish to serve your own content to a particular region. For example, if you manage Instagram or TikTok accounts and want your content to show primarily to people in the US, but you live in Europe, you will need to use a VPN to make TikTok serve your content to the correct region.
How to Hide IP Address on iPhone
Fortunately, hiding your IP address on your iPhone is very easy. All you need to do is use a VPN. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is an application that runs on your phone in the background and redirects all internet traffic through a remote VPN server that masks where the traffic really came from.
When you use a VPN, your device will look like it has a new IP address - and that IP address could be anywhere. Most VPNs give you the option to route your requests through servers in different countries so it looks like your device is in that country.
There are many paid and free VPNs available for iOS and other devices (see the list below for examples.) We recommend using a paid VPN as they work better, are faster, and more secure.
The steps for installing and setting up your VPN are below. In this example, we used Windscribe, but the steps are much the same for any VPN.
Download and Install the VPN
- Open the App Store on your iOS device and search for Windscribe.
- Tap the 'Get' button to install the app.
Give the App Permissions
- Open the Windscribe app and click 'Get Started'. Read the Privacy Policy and tap 'I'm OK with this'.
- Tap 'Allow' to let iOS use Windscribe's VPN configuration. This lets Windscribe configure the VPN in your phone’s operating system.
Choose a Server
- Choose from the list of available servers. You will see options for different countries. If you are using the VPN to appear like you are in a certain region, make sure to pick that region.
- When the VPN is connected, you’ll see the ON button turn green. The IP address will also change to the new VPN server's IP address.
- You can disconnect by pressing the big ON/OFF button in the top-right. You can also go to Settings > VPN and toggle the VPN on and off there.
You are now connected to the VPN, but you’ll only get 1GB of free VPN use per month. You can get more by registering an account.
How to Hide IP Address on Android Phones
The steps for hiding your IP address on an Android device are very similar. Let’s take a look at how to set up Windscribe on your Android phone.
Download and Install the VPN
- Open the Google Play Store and search for Windscribe.
- Tap to install the app.
Give the App Permissions
- Open the Windscribe app and click 'Get Started'. Read the Privacy Policy and tap 'I'm OK with this'.
- Tap to allow Android to use Windscribe's VPN configuration.
Choose a Server
From here, the process is exactly the same as it is on iOS. Choose a remote VPN server and toggle it on or off using the big green button. You can also toggle the VPN on and off in the phone’s general settings.
If you choose to register an account with Windscribe and pay for more usage, you can use the same VPN across all your devices.
Best VPN Apps for Secure Browsing
There are many options for VPN apps out there these days. Here’s a rundown of our top five favorites.
Windscribe - Best for Beginners
Windscribe is incredibly easy to set up, clear to use, and reasonably priced. You can get a full year of unlimited use for $69, or pay $9/month. Their free VPN is quite generous with 1GB per month, which is enough to stream a few shows or run a social media account.
You can download the VPN as a web browser extension and log in to your account on any device, so your browsing will be protected no matter if you are using Chrome on your Mac or Instagram on your phone.
ExpressVPN - Best Overall
ExpressVPN is probably the biggest name in VPNs. They are CNET’s choice for the best overall VPN, and their mobile app is easy to use on both iOS and Android. They have over 3000 servers in 160 locations across 94 countries.
The downside of ExpressVPN is the cost - they are on the pricier side at $13/month or $100 annually. For that premium, you get the security of knowing you are protected by a reputable company with no data leaks ever detected.
Surfshark - Best Value
Surfshark is among the cheaper options for mobile VPNs. They offer a really good deal if you commit for 2 years - pay for 24 months upfront and it will only cost you $2.49/month. Surfshark is known to be one of the larger, more reputable VPN companies, and is certainly the best-value VPN on the list.
Surfshark does occasionally suffer from speed and connection issues, so if you need something 100% reliable, you may want to choose another option.
NordVPN - Best for Speed
NordVPN is possibly the best-known VPN company after ExpressVPN, and they are well-established as being fast and reliable. They are the fastest VPN on the list according to the latest test speeds conducted by CNET.
NordVPN is comparable in cost to ExpressVPN if you pay monthly, but if you commit long-term, the price drops considerably. You can get two years of data for just $79, or a year for $60. Monthly plans start at $12/month.
ProtonVPN - Best Free VPN
ProtonVPN has a generous free option that makes it attractive to those looking for a deal. The interface is easy to use, and you can use it across multiple devices. However, the connection can be unreliable, and the VPN is frequently slow.
ProtonVPN is based out of Switzerland, so they are very aware of privacy concerns and GDPR compliance. You can pay to upgrade Proton VPN. Plans start at $5.50/month if you commit to 2 years, or $12.75 monthly.
Risks and Precautions When Hiding IP Address on Phones
Knowing how to protect online privacy is crucial in today’s world. While using a VPN is a great idea, there are some things to consider before you start.
First, a VPN can affect the speed and quality of your connection, and depending on the bandwidth of the VPN service you are using, the effect could be quite large. Your data must travel through a remote server before it reaches its destination, so there will always be some loss of speed when using a VPN.
Secondly, a non-reputable VPN company might sell your data to third parties, completely negating the online privacy aspect of using the VPN in the first place. Always check the terms and conditions of any VPN provider to make sure they have a no-logs policy before you start using it.
Conclusion
Hiding your real IP address behind a different IP address is an excellent way to protect your online identity, gain access to blocked resources, serve content to a specific physical location, and prevent hackers from stealing your information. It’s easy to download and install a mobile VPN that will do this for you.
Before you download any mobile VPN, always check the terms and conditions and research the reputability of the company to make sure they are not selling your data to third parties. It doesn’t take long to get up and running and start enjoying the benefits of secure and private online browsing.
FAQs
What is an IP address?
An IP address is a string of digits that identifies your device to the network and allows other devices to send and receive requests from it. There are two types of IP addresses: IPV4 and IPV6. Your laptop, phone, tablet, and even smart fridge all have IP addresses.
Why should I hide my IP address on my phone?
Hiding your IP address on your phone allows you to browse privately, without companies being able to track your location or get information about your online habits. It also grants you access to geo-blocked content in different regions.
Can I use a VPN on my iPhone?
Yes. There are many VPN apps available for iPhones. Most VPNs that you can use on your computer also come with a mobile app and vice versa, so you can use the same VPN across all your devices for a seamless experience.
Does hiding my IP address make my phone more secure?
Hiding your IP address makes it more difficult for companies to track who and where you are. A VPN gives you the additional security of encrypting your web traffic so that hackers and other bad actors can’t steal your sensitive information.
Can websites track my location even if I hide my IP address?
No. Your location cannot be tracked if you use a secure and reputable VPN service. However, if you use a poor quality or free VPN, your location may still be trackable.
