The best and most reliable way to hide your IP address is with a VPN. VPN is an application that has servers in countries around the world. When you connect to one of these servers, the VPN will assign you a new IP address that matches the server’s location — hiding your real IP address on any device. If you live in the US but want to connect to a server in the UK, your US IP address will be hidden by the new UK IP address.

However, many VPNs do not hide your IP addresses very well. Your real IP address can be leaked even when you’re connected to a VPN server — you won’t even know it, and your IP address will become vulnerable. What’s more, bad VPNs won’t even assign you a new IP address.

I’ve tested quite a few VPN services to find out which are the best for hiding your IP address on any device, and my pick of the top three has proven to be 100% successful . Editor’s note: ExpressVPN and this site are part of the same ownership group.

Hide your IP address with ExpressVPN now

What is an IP address and why is it good to hide it?

An IP address is a unique string of numbers that identifies your device while online. Similar to your home address, your IP address allows your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and websites to identify your location.

It’s good to hide your IP address because it protects your sensitive data (eg the city you live in) from ISPs, the government and malicious people. Additionally, it’s a good idea to hide your IP address so your ISP doesn’t have access to your browsing history — the ISP will know you’re connected to a VPN, but they won’t be able to see your online traffic.

Other benefits of hiding your IP address

In addition to privacy and security, there are many other reasons to hide your IP address. Among them are:

• Preventing Tracking — Websites may use your IP address to monitor your online activities and send you targeted ads.
• Bypassing government firewalls — If you’re in a country that restricts Internet access, such as Russia, the government may deny your IP address access to certain websites. When you connect to a server in another country and hide your IP address, you will be able to visit any website you want. Note that this is illegal in some countries, so always check local laws and regulations first.
• Playing video games — With a hidden IP address, hackers can’t locate your network, making it more difficult for a DDoS (distributed denial of service) attack, when a hacker floods the network with traffic to disrupt its functionality.

How to change your IP address in 2024

How to change your IP address on a Windows PC

1. Visit the VPN’s website (I recommend ExpressVPN because it has the best app for Windows).
2. Download the Windows application to begin the installation process.
3. Open the installation file on your computer after the download is complete.
4. After completing the installation process, grant permissions  when prompted to allow the VPN to make changes to your device.
5. Wait for the VPN to install (this takes 1-2 minutes).
6. Log in to the VPN application, scroll through the server menu and connect to the desired server.
7. Everything is ready! The VPN will assign you a new IP address that corresponds to your new location, while hiding your real IP address.

How to change your IP address on a Mac

1. Visit a VPN’s website (my favorite VPN for Mac is ExpressVPN ).
2. Download the Mac app to your device.
3. Open the installation file after the download is complete.
4. When prompted, allow the VPN to make changes to your device (and do the same when prompted in all subsequent steps).
5. Wait for the installation to finish. This should only take 1-2 minutes.
6. Log in to the VPN app and scroll through the list of server locations until you find the country you want to connect to.

How to change your IP address on Linux

1. Visit the website of the VPN you want to use (I recommend ExpressVPN for its easy installation and intuitive Linux app).
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select the  Linux option  in the product section.
3. Select your Linux operating system (eg Ubuntu) and download the application to begin the installation process.
4. Use the command line to complete the installation, run the cd command, locate the saved installation file, and install the VPN by running the command specific to your distribution.
5. When prompted to allow ExpressVPN to make changes to your device, grant the permissions.
6. Open the name of your VPN and activate it.
7. Run a VPN to connect to the VPN app — your IP address is now successfully hidden!

How to change your IP address on a Chromebook

1. Open the Play Store app on your desktop taskbar or shelf and search for VPN ( ExpressVPN has a really good Android app for Chromebooks).
2. Install the VPN (the process should only take a few minutes).
3. Open the VPN application and connect to the server.

How to change your IP address on an iPhone or iPad device

1. Visit the Apple Store on your iOS device, choose and download a quality VPN ( ExpressVPN is the best option for iPhone and iPad devices).
2. You will get a message that the VPN wants to add VPN configurations. Grant the VPN permissions.
3. Use your credentials to log in to the VPN application.
4. Scroll through the server menu and connect to your favorite server.

How to change your IP address on an Android smartphone or tablet

1. Visit the Google Play Store on your Android device and search for and download a VPN ( ExpressVPN  has the best app for Android).
2. Tap the install button to start the download process, which should take 1-2 minutes. 
3. Enter your credentials and login to the VPN app.
4. Scroll until you find a nearby server and connect to it.

The best VPNs for changing IP addresses in 2024

🥇1. ExpressVPN  — The best VPN to hide your IP address in 2024