When I first started working remotely from cafés, I worried that logging in to my accounts would expose my real location and internet activity. A colleague suggested using a VPN, so I tried it. The moment I connected, my online identity appeared to be in another city entirely, and the websites I visited stopped showing my home IP. That small test convinced me that a VPN really does change your public IP address and can improve privacy.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- The difference between public and private IP addresses
- How a VPN actually changes your IP in practice
- What a VPN does not change
- Common leaks that can reveal your real IP
- How to check if your IP has really changed
Let’s start by clarifying the direct answer to the question: do VPNs change your IP?
1. Do VPNs change your IP
VPNs are widely used to hide a person’s real IP address. But what exactly changes and what stays the same? This section explains the fundamentals.
1.1. The direct answer: VPN replaces your public IP with the VPN server’s IP
Yes, a VPN does change your IP, specifically, your public IP address. When you connect to a VPN server, your traffic is routed through that server, and the websites you visit see the VPN server’s IP, not yours. This is why streaming platforms sometimes think you are in another country.
I once tested this by visiting whatismyipaddress.com before and after enabling my VPN. Before connecting, the site showed my ISP-issued address. After enabling the VPN, the site displayed the VPN server’s IP in a different city. The result was clear: the public IP had changed instantly.
To understand more about how these checks work, you can read our guide on What is my IP address VPN, which explains how your IP is detected and how a VPN changes it.
1.2. Public vs private IP: your local/LAN IP doesn’t change, only what websites and apps see
It’s important to understand the distinction between public and private IP addresses:
- Public IP: Assigned by your internet service provider (ISP). This is what the outside world sees.
- Private IP: Assigned by your router for devices inside your home or office network (e.g., 192.168.x.x).
A VPN only changes your public IP. Your private IP on your local network stays the same. That means your phone, laptop, and printer still communicate with each other using the same local addresses, even if your public IP appears different online.
According to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), VPNs “secure communications between networks or devices” but do not alter how local devices interact inside your network. This distinction ensures that your household devices remain reachable without breaking local connections.
For a broader introduction to VPNs and why they matter for privacy, see our full guide on what is a VPN.
2. How a VPN changes your IP in practice
The way a VPN handles your connection directly answers the question, do VPNs change your IP. They do, by replacing the public IP given by your internet provider with the one assigned to the VPN server. This change happens automatically whenever you connect through the VPN.
2.1. Encrypted tunnel and exit server explained in plain terms
When you connect to a VPN, your device sets up an encrypted tunnel with the VPN server. All your internet traffic passes through this tunnel, which prevents your ISP or hackers on public Wi-Fi from reading it. Once the data reaches the VPN server, it is sent to the internet using the server’s IP address.
This means that websites and online services see the VPN server as the origin of the traffic. Your real public IP is hidden inside the tunnel.
2.2. What websites see when you connect via VPN
From the point of view of a website, the VPN server is your device. What the site can detect includes:
- The IP address assigned to the VPN server
- The approximate location of that server, such as country or city
- The type of network that the server belongs to, often a data center
What the site cannot see is your original IP address at home or at work. That information stays private.
What websites see when you connect via VPN
2.3. Shared vs dedicated IP addresses (quick overview)
VPN providers can assign either shared IP addresses or dedicated IP addresses. A shared IP is used by many people at the same time. This makes it more difficult to track one individual but it can also cause blocks on streaming or banking platforms.
A dedicated IP is reserved for one user only. It helps with stable access to certain services but offers less privacy because the IP belongs to a single account.
3. What a VPN does not change
A VPN is effective at hiding your public address, but it has limits. While the answer to do VPNs change your IP is yes, there are other parts of your digital identity that remain the same even with a VPN.
3.1. Your private IP address on home or office network
A VPN does not change your private IP, which is the local address assigned by your router. Devices like laptops, printers, and phones still communicate with each other using private IPs such as 192.168.x.x. This allows your home or office network to function normally even when you are connected to a VPN.
3.2. Cookies, accounts, and browser or device fingerprints
Even with a VPN, websites can still track you through cookies and login accounts.
If you sign in to Google, Facebook, or Netflix, these platforms recognize you regardless of your IP address. Browser or device fingerprints, such as screen resolution and installed plugins, can also identify you. A VPN does not erase this data.
3.3. Location signals like GPS on mobile
On mobile devices, apps often use GPS to determine your location. A VPN only affects your internet traffic, not your GPS chip. This means services like Google Maps or ride-hailing apps can still detect where you really are.
To hide or modify GPS-based location, you would need separate tools such as location spoofing apps.
4. Leaks that may still reveal your real IP
Even when using a VPN, certain technical issues can expose your true IP address. These are called IP leaks, and they reduce the effectiveness of VPN protection if not prevented.
These leaks can cause websites or apps to detect your true IP, and in some cases streaming services will block access altogether. For solutions that work with platforms like Netflix or BBC iPlayer, see our recommendations for the best VPN for streaming.
4.1. DNS leaks
A DNS leak happens when your device continues to use your ISP’s DNS servers instead of the VPN’s servers. This allows your ISP to see which websites you visit, even though the content of your traffic is encrypted. Running a DNS leak test can confirm whether your requests are leaking.
4.2. IPv6 leaks
Some VPNs only route IPv4 traffic, leaving IPv6 requests to bypass the tunnel. If a website supports IPv6, your real IP could be exposed. Disabling IPv6 on your device or using a VPN with full IPv6 support can solve this issue.
4.3. WebRTC leaks in browsers
WebRTC is a browser feature that enables real-time communication such as video calls. It can reveal your actual IP address to websites, even when you are connected to a VPN. Many VPN providers recommend disabling WebRTC in browser settings or using extensions that block it.
5. How to check if your IP really changed
After turning on a VPN, it is important to verify that your IP address has actually changed. A few simple steps can confirm whether the VPN is working correctly.
- Step 1: Note your IP before connecting
Start by checking your current public IP address. You can do this by visiting an “What is my IP” website or using online tools. Write it down or keep the page open for comparison.
- Step 2: Connect VPN and recheck location
Next, turn on your VPN and connect to a server in another location. Refresh the IP check page and see if the address and country have changed. If the IP now matches the VPN server’s location, the VPN has successfully replaced your public IP.
- Step 3: Run leak tests for DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC
Finally, run dedicated leak tests online to check for DNS, IPv6, or WebRTC leaks. These tests will reveal if your real IP is still being exposed through side channels. A good VPN should prevent all three types of leaks, but it is always worth confirming to avoid surprises.
How to check if your IP really changed
If your tests don’t show the expected changes, the problem may be in your configuration. You can follow our tutorial on how to set up a VPN properly to ensure it’s working as intended.
6. FAQs
VPNs and IP addresses often raise common questions. Here are clear answers to help you understand the most important points.
Does changing IP with a VPN make me anonymous?
No. A VPN hides your public IP, but it does not make you fully anonymous. Websites can still track you through cookies, accounts, or browser fingerprints. According to CISA, VPNs are useful for securing communications, but they are only one part of a complete privacy strategy.
Can I choose the country or city of my new IP?
Yes. Most VPN providers allow you to select from servers in different countries or cities. By connecting to a chosen server, your public IP will reflect that server’s location.
Why do some sites still detect or block VPN IPs?
Websites can identify VPN traffic by recognizing IP addresses that belong to known data centers. Streaming platforms and banks often block these IPs to prevent abuse or fraud. Some VPNs counter this by offering obfuscated servers or dedicated IP options.
7. Conclusion
So, do VPNs change your IP? The answer is yes. A VPN replaces your public IP with the IP address of its server, which hides your real location from websites and apps. However, it does not change everything about your online identity, and leaks or tracking methods can still expose you if you are not careful.
Key takeaways:
- A VPN changes your public IP, but not your private IP on local networks.
- Websites only see the VPN server’s IP and location, not your real one.
- Cookies, accounts, GPS data, and device fingerprints remain unchanged.
- Leaks such as DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC can reveal your true IP if unprotected.
- You can verify a VPN’s effectiveness by running IP and leak tests.
When I first tested a VPN by comparing my IP before and after connecting, the result was immediate. My location switched to another country, and sites stopped identifying me by my ISP address. That simple check gave me peace of mind and showed me how useful a VPN can be for privacy.
If you want to strengthen your online security, applying these steps will help you confirm that your VPN works as intended. For more straightforward tech guides like this, visit the Privacy & Security Basics section on Safelyo.
