To hide your IP address from websites without a commercial VPN, use Tor Browser. It routes its own web traffic through three Tor relays, so sites see a Tor network address instead of your real one. For Safari on Apple devices, iCloud Private Relay is a narrower alternative; Firefox users may also have access to Mozilla’s browser-only proxy feature. Private or incognito tabs do not hide your IP. None of these options makes you anonymous if you sign in or identify yourself.
Choose a method based on what you need to protect
| Method | What websites see | Coverage and trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Tor Browser | A Tor exit address rather than your real IP. | Protects traffic inside Tor Browser, not other apps. Sites may block Tor connections or ask for additional verification. A local network observer may be able to tell that you connected to Tor. Tor Project |
| iCloud Private Relay | A generalized IP associated with an approximate region. | For supported Apple platforms and Safari-oriented browsing; requires iCloud+. It does not let you choose a country. Apple |
| Firefox proxy feature | An intermediary’s address for proxied Firefox traffic. | Firefox traffic only. Mozilla says the feature does not proxy other device apps or make browsing fully anonymous by itself. Check current Firefox settings for availability and eligibility. Mozilla |
| Private or incognito tab | Your regular IP address. | May clear some local session information when closed, but does not mask your IP or prevent online tracking. Tor Project |
| Tails from USB or DVD | Sites can see a Tor exit address when Tails is correctly set up and used. | A live operating system that can route computer traffic through Tor; it requires setup and correct use. The USB drive or DVD is only installation media. Tor Project |
Use Tor Browser to hide your IP from websites
Get Tor Browser from the official Tor Project download page and use that browser for the sites you want to reach through Tor. Tor Browser routes requests through three randomly selected relays; the destination site sees the address of the exit relay, not your home IP. The browser is also designed to reduce some fingerprinting, but it cannot prevent every way of linking activity.
Tor Browser only handles its own traffic. Other browsers, messaging apps, games, and downloads do not automatically use Tor. The connection to Tor may also be visible to a local network operator or internet provider; a Tor bridge can make Tor use less apparent, but does not turn Tor into a guarantee of anonymity.
Use Tor carefully
- Do not use torrent applications over Tor. They may bypass proxy settings or expose your real IP, and torrent traffic burdens the network.
- Avoid installing extra browser add-ons or plugins; they can undermine protections or reveal identifying information.
- Be cautious with downloaded documents. Opening them in an external application may cause connections outside Tor Browser.
- Keep HTTPS enabled when visiting sites. Tor conceals your source IP from the destination; HTTPS encrypts the connection between your browser and that site. These protections do different jobs. Electronic Frontier Foundation
Use Apple Private Relay for Safari browsing
If you mainly use Safari on a supported Apple device and already have iCloud+, Private Relay is a convenient, narrower option. Apple says requests pass through two separate relays operated by different entities: one can see your originating IP, while the other sees the destination. The website receives a generalized IP and approximate region, rather than your exact address. Private Relay does not provide a selectable country location, and the assigned address retains regional context. Check Apple’s current platform and network compatibility details before relying on it; some networks or services may not work with the feature.
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Check whether Firefox offers its proxy feature
Mozilla describes a Firefox proxy feature it labels “Firefox VPN.” Its scope is Firefox network traffic, not every application on the device, and Mozilla says it does not make browsing fully anonymous on its own. Availability and eligibility can change, so check the current Firefox settings and Mozilla’s privacy notice rather than assuming the feature is available on every platform or account.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Know what IP masking does not hide
Changing the address a site receives is not the same as hiding your identity from that site. If you log in, the service can associate your visit with that account. Entering your real name, email, phone number, or address can do the same. Cookies, browser characteristics, and other identifiers may also connect activity; Tor Browser’s fingerprinting defenses reduce some risks but do not promise immunity from all linking.
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For broader computer coverage through Tor, Tor Project points to Tails, a live operating system that can be started from USB or DVD. It is a separate operating-system setup, not a browser setting; correctly setting up and using Tails supplies the routing behavior, not the storage device by itself. See Tails installation guidance.
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