Hiding Your IP Address on WhatsApp: If You Don't Activate This Feature, You Can Only Blame Yourself

Secure calls are just a simple setting away: WhatsApp has a feature that's well hidden and not widely used.

Meta frequently highlights its commitment to security and privacy in WhatsApp, with a recent blog post showcasing new features that reinforce these claims. While valid criticisms of the app exist, WhatsApp has demonstrated how straightforward it is to implement end-to-end encryption.

Nevertheless, there's still room for enhancement. Since October 2023, a new feature has been introduced to help protect mobile users' IP addresses. This feature is now available to many WhatsApp users, but it requires explicit activation to enable IP protection.

Protecting Your IP Address on WhatsApp

In addition to messaging, WhatsApp is popular for traditional calls, which rely on direct peer-to-peer connections between users. This method ensures faster data transfer and improved call quality.

However, for WhatsApp users to connect, the app needs to know both of the IP addresses, which means that during a one-on-one call, the person that you are messaging can see your IP address. This information can reveal sensitive details such as your geographic location and internet service provider. Consequently, many users opt for VPN services to mask their IP addresses.

With the new feature, WhatsApp can now hide your IP address during calls. When activated, all your calls will be routed through WhatsApp's servers, and your conversation partner will only see the server's IP instead of your own.

WhatsApp calls, like text chats, are always end-to-end encrypted. Even though calls are routed through WhatsApp's servers, Meta cannot listen in.

How to Enable IP Protection

Unfortunately, the IP address protection feature is somewhat buried in the settings. To enable it, navigate to the settings menu, select "Privacy," and scroll down to "Advanced." There, you can activate the option to "Protect IP Address in Calls."

Keep in mind that WhatsApp warns call quality may suffer due to call forwarding. It's a good idea to test the feature for yourself; if you experience issues, you can easily disable the added protection.