Does a VPN hide your IP? How to check

Check your IP before and after connecting

Use the My IP link under “Check your own connection” below. Open it in another tab so you can compare the result while following these steps. Only disconnect an existing VPN if using your normal connection is acceptable.

• Before connecting: load My IP and note the public IP address and network operator. Keep the same Wi-Fi or mobile connection throughout the comparison.
• Connect: open your VPN app, select a server and wait for it to report that it is connected.
• Check again: reload the My IP tab. Compare the complete address with the one you noted earlier. The network operator may be a hosting company rather than the VPN brand.
• Interpret the result: a different address shows that XPOZ received this browser request from a different public IP. With other settings unchanged, that is consistent with the VPN carrying this request. It does not verify every app or connection.

What a VPN actually does

A VPN app routes selected traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a VPN server. Websites reached through that tunnel normally see the server's public address. Split tunneling deliberately sends some traffic outside the VPN, so coverage depends on the configuration.

Your local network can still observe a connection to the VPN server, its timing and data volume. HTTPS separately encrypts content between your browser and the website; a VPN does not replace it.

What the site can still see

An address change does not reset your identity. Signed-in accounts and cookies can connect visits across different IP addresses. Browser characteristics can also contribute to fingerprinting. XPOZ's Browser Privacy tool shows browser-visible signals; its results do not certify anonymity.

What an IP check can miss

One successful browser request cannot rule out DNS, IPv6 or WebRTC leaks. DNS queries may reach a resolver outside the tunnel; encrypted DNS protects the connection to that resolver, but the resolver still receives the queries. IPv6 traffic needs to be carried by the VPN or blocked if it is outside your intended coverage.

WebRTC, used for browser calls, can discover additional addresses depending on browser and routing settings. A kill switch is intended to prevent unintended direct traffic when a tunnel fails. Neither that failure behavior nor other apps' traffic is tested by an ordinary IP lookup.

If the address stays the same, first check the VPN connection and whether split tunneling excludes your browser. A browser extension, another proxy or a privacy relay can complicate the comparison. Country and city estimates alone are not a reliable pass or fail result.

You are trusting the provider

A VPN shifts trust to another operator. The provider can observe destination addresses for traffic leaving its servers; HTTPS content remains encrypted. Read its data-retention policy and publicly available independent audits. Check what was examined and when: an audit is evidence about a defined scope, not a permanent guarantee.

What to compare before choosing a VPN

Start with the problem you want to solve. Hiding your usual address from websites is different from protecting every app during a connection failure. Compare the features available on your actual device.

• Coverage: check support for your operating system, IPv6 handling, DNS routing and kill-switch behavior. Features can differ across platforms.
• Transparency: look for clear ownership, specific logging disclosures and accessible audit findings rather than claims of complete anonymity.
• Everyday use: try the service on your usual connection and check the sites and apps you need.
• Cost: compare renewal pricing, subscription length, cancellation terms and any trial or refund conditions before committing.

A fair summary

Use the IP comparison as a first check of one browser request. Follow with separate checks for the specific exposures that matter to you. A VPN may be useful for changing your visible address and limiting local network observation, but it does not make every visitor anonymous or replace other security measures.