How to Hide Your IP Address on iPhone
Short answer: turn on iCloud Private Relay (needs iCloud+) for Safari, or install a trusted VPN to cover all apps. Then reload our home page to check that the address has changed.
What "hiding" your IP really means
You cannot make your iPhone invisible. Hiding your IP means that websites and apps see a different address (a relay's or VPN's) instead of yours. Your ISP, the VPN provider and Apple each still handle some of your traffic, so you are choosing who you trust, not removing trust.
Option 1: iCloud Private Relay
- Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
- Tap iCloud, then Private Relay.
- Turn on Private Relay. You can choose Maintain General Location or Use Country and Time Zone.
Private Relay needs a paid iCloud+ plan. It protects Safari browsing, plus some unencrypted app traffic and DNS lookups. It does not cover all apps, and it is not available in every country or region. Menu names can differ slightly between iOS versions.
Option 2: Safari's Hide IP Address setting
In Settings > Safari (or Settings > Apps > Safari on newer iOS), tap Hide IP Address and choose From Trackers and Websites or From Trackers Only. This hides your address from known trackers. It is a lighter protection than Private Relay or a VPN.
Option 3: Use a VPN
- Install a VPN app from the App Store and sign in.
- Allow it to add VPN configurations when iOS asks.
- Connect, or switch on VPN in Settings.
A VPN covers every app on the phone, not just Safari. Choose a provider carefully. It can see the sites you connect to, so avoid free VPNs with no clear business model and read the provider's no-logs policy.
Which should you use?
| Private Relay | Safari Hide IP | VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covers | Safari and some app traffic | Safari only | All apps |
| Cost | Part of iCloud+ | Free | Usually paid |
| Hides IP from | Websites and trackers | Known trackers | Websites and trackers |
| Choose a location | Limited | No | Yes, usually |
How to check that it worked
Turn the setting on, then open our home page in Safari. If the IP, ISP or city changed from what you saw before, it is working. If it still shows your own ISP, the setting is off or does not cover that app.
What hiding your IP will not do
- It will not hide you from sites you are logged in to.
- It does not stop cookies or browser fingerprinting.
- Your ISP can still see that you are connecting, although a VPN hides which sites.