Does incognito mode prevent IP leaks?

You open an incognito window because you want to browse privately, but wonder whether websites can still see your IP address. They can. Incognito mode mainly limits what your browser saves on your device after the private session ends. It does not hide your public IP address or replace a VPN.

If you use a VPN, check that it is routing traffic from the private window too. TooLab's VPN Leak Test checks whether your real IP address is exposed through IPv6 or WebRTC while the VPN is on.

Check your IP address in incognito mode

1. Connect to your VPN, then open a private or incognito window. Open the VPN Leak Test in that window.
2. Read the addresses and connection details reported by the test. Check whether the test finds an address associated with your VPN connection or an address that matches your regular internet connection.
3. Run the same test in a regular browser window while the VPN remains connected. If the results differ, check whether a VPN browser extension is active in private browsing.
4. If you still cannot tell which address belongs to the VPN, you can compare with a test while disconnected from the VPN. Be aware that this will show your regular public IP address to the test service.

Keep the VPN connected during the first checks. Incognito mode does not provide the VPN connection itself, and opening a private window does not automatically turn a VPN on or off.

What the result means

The test shows the VPN connection in both windows

The VPN appears to be routing the browser traffic in both regular and private browsing, with no IPv6 or WebRTC leak detected by this check. That is useful evidence for this browser and connection, but it does not prove complete anonymity or protect activity outside the VPN's coverage.

The regular window uses the VPN, but incognito does not

Your VPN may be a browser extension that is disabled in private windows. Many browsers keep extensions off in incognito or private browsing unless you allow them. A device-wide VPN app should normally cover both windows, though split-tunnel rules or VPN settings can change what uses the tunnel.

The test finds your regular public IP address

The VPN may be disconnected, not covering this browser, or leaking traffic through a separate route. An IPv6 leak can happen if the VPN routes IPv4 traffic but your internet connection still sends IPv6 traffic directly. A WebRTC leak means browser communication features exposed an address the VPN was meant to mask.

The test shows a different address from the one you expected

VPN services can use different exit addresses, and the location shown for an address may not match the VPN server's physical location. Check the address against the VPN app's connection details before treating a location mismatch as a leak. For more on what a leak check can and cannot prove, see why a VPN test cannot prove complete anonymity.

How to fix an IP leak in a private window

1. Reconnect the VPN before browsing. Disconnect and reconnect in the VPN app, wait for it to show that it is connected, then rerun the test. A private window does not create a protected connection by itself.
2. Allow the VPN extension in private browsing. If your VPN is a browser extension, open the browser's extensions page and enable its option to run in incognito or private windows. The wording and location vary by browser. Then reload the test page and check again.
3. Check that the VPN covers all traffic. Look in the VPN app for split tunneling, browser exclusions, or leak protection settings. If the browser is excluded, remove that rule or use a device-wide VPN connection instead. Do not assume that turning off WebRTC is a complete fix, since it can interfere with calls and does not replace a properly routed VPN.
4. Review the system VPN connection. On Windows 11, open Settings › Network & internet › VPN and confirm the connection is active. On macOS, open System Settings › Network › VPN and check the connection. The exact options depend on how your VPN is configured.
5. Check the VPN connection on your phone. On Android, look under Settings › Network & internet › VPN. On iPhone, look under Settings › General › VPN & Device Management. Menu names can vary by phone and operating system version. Confirm the VPN is connected, then test in the same browser you use for private browsing.
6. Close and reopen the browser. A browser extension or VPN change may not take effect in an already open private window. Close all private windows, reconnect the VPN, open a new one, and run the test again.

Incognito mode and a VPN do different jobs

Incognito mode is mainly a local privacy feature. It usually does not save browsing history, cookies, and site data to your normal browser profile after you close the private windows. It does not make websites forget information you submit, hide your IP address, or stop a network operator from seeing that your device connected to websites.

A VPN changes the network route for traffic it covers. Websites generally see the VPN's exit address instead of your regular public IP address. The VPN provider can still see some connection information, and a browser-only VPN extension may protect only browser traffic rather than other apps. A test result is a check of the current setup, not a guarantee that every service, app, or future connection is private.

Incognito mode can reduce traces left on a shared device, but use a VPN when you need to change the IP address websites see, and check that the VPN is active in the window you are using.