Unless you guys fully trust your ISP, you should actually hide your IP address on your Android phone or tablet. The best way to do this is along with a VPN, although some providers are better than others. Today, we cover the top VPNs along with apps optimized for Android devices and show you guys how to use one to enhance your privacy online. In this article, we are going to talk about How to Hide Your IP Address on Android – Tutorial.
An IP address is actually a unique string of digits that represents your particular device. And it can also be used to track your online activities as well. If you guys are concerned about privacy or if you also want to improve your security, and then hiding your IP address is an important step in improving your overall digital protection as well.
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How to Hide Your IP Address on Android – Tutorial
Use a VPN
The best way in order to hide your IP address on Android is actually to use a virtual private network. A VPN works via installing an app on your Android device. And this app then encrypts all of the data that your device sends over the internet before it leaves your device as well.
This encrypted data passes via your internet connection as usual, although no one else can access the data or read it. The data is then sent to a server located elsewhere in the location of your selection, and at the server, it is decrypted and then sent on to its original destination. Whenever the data leaves this server, it is assigned a new IP address that corresponds to the location of the server instead of your actual location.
This process means that your real IP address is masked behind the new address assigned to you through the server. If you are based in one location – like Germany, such as – you can connect to a server in another location. For example, the UK – and your German IP address will also be hidden behind a UK IP address. Then, whenever you visit a website, you will appear to be browsing from the UK and you can access UK content such as the BBC iPlayer. This also means that your real IP address will also be kept safe and private.
Using A VPN App On Android
The particular app that you will use in order to connect to your VPN server on Android relies on the VPN provider that you choose. But, the general principles of these apps are all the same. If you have to get started, check out our guide to installing a VPN onto Android.
Whenever you guys open a VPN app for Android, then you will not yet be connected to the VPN. First, you have to find the list of servers that are also available in the VPN app. Mostly this will be on a separate tab in the form of an alphabetical list, or there may also be a map showing locations of available servers as well.
Decide which server you guys want to connect to, based on the following factors:
- First of all, consider the country of the server. If you want to access region-locked content. Then you have to select a server in the region where you guys want to access the content from. Just like that, if you do not need to access region-locked content. Now you should choose a server that is nearby to your actual location for the best possible speeds.
- Second of all, look at the ping and load of the servers. The ping is an indicator of how fast the server is responding to messages sent to it. So you want a server with a low ping so that it will respond instantly and you can get a fast connection. The load indicates how many users are currently using the server so that you want a server with a low load. So that you are not sharing limited resources along with too many other people.
Further
Whenever you have selected the server that will best meet your needs, tap on the name of the server and you should see a message indicate. That you are connecting to that server (it should only take a few seconds for the connection to made as well). When the connection it is, you will see an indicator on the app that the VPN is running, mostly in the form of a green light or icon as well. You will also see a key symbol in your Android status bar to show that you are connected to a VPN as well.
Now your IP address hiding, and most VPN apps will show you your new IP address if you navigate to the home screen as well. This means you guys can now browse the internet safely and privately from your Android device.
Top Three VPNs For Hiding Your Android IP
There is a huge selection of VPNs available for various devices. So to help you choose which VPN provider is right for you we have compiled a list of our top VPNs for Android, that is based on the following criteria:
- Software support for Android and many other operating systems, so that you can install your VPN and use it to secure your Windows, Mac, and iOS devices as well as your Android device.
- Excellent security to keep your data safe and private, like the use of strong 256-bit encryption and a no-logging policy so that your online activities will never record as well.
- Fast connections so that you use your VPN don’t slow down your browsing or downloading too much.
- Many servers are available so that you can easily find a server in the location that you need, and that doesn’t even have a high load on it.
Consider these factors, now here are the VPNs that we recommend for Android:
NordVPN
Pros
- SPECIAL OFFER: 2-yr plan (68% off – link below)
- More than 5,400 servers in 61 countries
- Strong encryption is used on all connections
- Strict zero-logs policy on both traffic and metadata
- 24/7 Live Chat.
Cons
- Some servers can also be unreliable
- Apps can sometimes be slow to connect.
NordVPN is a top provider among the greater VPN market largely because of its massive offering of servers. In order to date, their network numbers 5,500 nodes across 59 countries. That on its own is an almost ludicrously large amount. But, where NordVPN truly shines is with its array of specialty servers which are optimize for a variety of tasks. Such as P2P, anti-DDoS, onion up to VPN, double VPN encryption, and much more. Whatever you may want to do online, NordVPN will help you in order to do it with the utmost security without compromising on performance.
Speaking of which, NordVPN also offers some of the fastest connection speeds on the market. This is especially useful for those Android devices along with gorgeous full-HD displays. That are so often used as mobile streaming centers too. And yes, NordVPN does work with Netflix and Hulu. You just have to spoof your IP address in the country where you want to access, kick back, and enjoy your streams. If you have trouble connecting, NordVPN has graciously provided troubleshooting guides on their website and is directly available via their customer service.
ExpressVPN
Pros
- Works along with US Netflix, iPlayer, Hulu and other services
- Superfast servers (minimal speed loss)
- Torrenting allowed
- Strict no-logs policy for personal information
- 24/7 Live Chat.
Cons
- Slightly pricier than the competition.
ExpressVPN is another recommended VPN not only for Android, however, across most major platforms. This is largely because of its foolproof user interface. That places simplicity front and center when backing it up with considerable security provisions. All you’ll see on your android device whenever you fire the app up is a simple green “on” button. That automatically connects you to the nearest server. Of course, you guys can take a look under the hood and manually choose one of their 3,000+ servers located in 94 countries to dial in your VPN experience.
Underlying this streamlined user experience is unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption and also a no-nonsense logging policy that guarantees never to track your traffic online. Extra features include a built-in speed test and the option in order to open the app upon starting your Android, make sure that you’re never without VPN protection. Your subscription extends protection to your many other devices as well. Also including Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Linux, and more.
Surfshark
Pros
- Reliably unblock Netflix US, UK, Japan, and much more
- One of the first VPNs to implement RAM-only servers actually
- Trial in confidence along with a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Absolutely no logging of connection data, IP addresses, bandwidth used, or traffic too
- Get help any time of day through email, phone, or live chat.
Cons
- Speeds occasionally suffer a noticeable drop
- Young VPN still has plenty of room in order to grow in terms of advanced functionality.
Mostly, server count is king when it comes to IP spoofing. In that regard, Surfshark falls a little short of the competition actually. However, it has a few aces up its sleeve that make it stand out as a truly modern solution in order to hiding your IP address on Android.
However, there are “only” around 800 servers to select from. Each and every one of them has a breadth of functionality. Those other providers would reserve for their few specialty servers actually. This includes Surfshark’s Camouflage mode, which is a method of obfuscation capable of beating even Netflix’s harsh VPN ban too. Further, there’s the CleanWeb anti-malware/tracking/adware/popup module. That you can add to any connection for a safer browsing experience overall.
And along with 256-AES-GCM cryptography, an independently verified logging policy, RAM-only servers. And even Bitcoin payments, Surfshark does each and everything they can in order to maximize your anonymity online.
CyberGhost
Pros
- Works along with Netflix, iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu
- 3,600+ servers, 55+ countries
- Robust encryption standards
- No logs policy
- 24/7 Live Support.
Cons
- Some streaming sites cannot be unblocked.
CyberGhost focuses on ease of use, which makes it ideal for new users who do not have a lot of experience along with VPNs. Towards this end, the Android app also has a simple graphical interface. That makes it dead simple to use. But, this simplicity doesn’t really come at a cost to security, since CyberGhost boasts the incredible 256-bit AES encryption along with a strict no-logging policy. What’s more, there are up to 5,900 servers available in 90 countries to select from, giving you truly unlimited internet.
Perhaps most importantly to Android users who seek to hide their IP addresses is the option for a dedicated IP address. This is especially useful as many VPN blocking efforts such as those deployed via Netflix target the shared IP addresses that most VPNs offer. Having your own unique, the masked IP address opens up a world of possibility. Regardless of where or how you choose to connect. CyberGhost promises fast and reliable connections across its whole network.
CyberGhost’s incredible protection is also available across multiple platforms in addition to your Android device, also including iOS, Windows, and Mac OS.
Why Android Users May Want To Hide Their IP Address
There are a lot of reasons that Android users might want to hide their IP address, such as the following:
Secure Your Privacy
When you leave your actual IP address exposed, any site that you guys visit can record your IP address and keep records of your activity on that site. This means that there exists a record of all of the sites that you guys visit and all of your online activities, that are link via your IP. Your ISP or the government can easily use your IP address in order to keep tabs on you, even when you guys try to use a site anonymously. Hiding your IP address makes it much harder for your online activities to track as well.
Download in Safety
If you guys are going to participate in file sharing, then you absolutely need to take steps to protect yourself. This is especially important if you guys use torrent files actually. Since when you download using these files, then you expose your IP address, however, others download from you. This means that it is really easy for your downloading activities to be tracked. With hiding your IP address, you throw down a virtual smoke bomb that makes it impossible for third parties as well. In order to see what you’re downloading, or also even that you’re downloading anything in the first place actually.
Improve Your Security
When your IP address is public, it can use to target you for cyber attacks actually. Such as, a DDoS attack occurs when a person really wants to knock your device off the internet. This type of attack is called a distributed denial-of-service attack. That works with coordinating various machines from around the world to send huge packets of data to the same IP address. Well, in this case, your IP address – to overwhelm the server you are connected to and hence knock you offline. You can also protect yourself against DDoS attacks, as well as other cyber attacks. Like phishing and vishing, with hiding your IP address so that malicious actors cannot target you.
Bypass Regional Restrictions and Censorship
One way that IP addresses are used with websites is to restrict access to content based on the location of the user actually. Such as, sites like the BBC iPlayer can only use to watch videos within the UK. Whenever you try to visit the iPlayer website. The site reads your IP address and also works out your location. If your location is within the UK, then you are allow to watch the videos. However, if your location is elsewhere then the videos will not play. This means. That if you want to watch region-locked content like the BBC from outside the UK on your Android device, then you will have to hide your IP address.
Conclusion
Alright, That was all Folks! I hope you guys like this article and also find it helpful to you. Give us your feedback on it. Also if you guys have further queries and issues related to this article. Then let us know in the comments section below. We will get back to you shortly.
Have a Great Day!
