Trusted Reviews is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How to protect your IP address when making WhatsApp calls

WhatsApp is a handy way to make crystal clear voice calls over the web, especially when traditional cellular service is limited.

However, until now it has come with a major privacy caveat – the ability for the call recipient to see your IP address, which carries information about your location and service provider.

Almost £100 off Sage the Barista bean to cup coffee machine

Almost £100 off Sage the Barista bean to cup coffee machine

With a previous price of £598.95, the Sage the Barista Espresso Machine is now down to £499 as part of an Amazon’s Choice deal, a saving of 17%.

  • Amazon
  • Was £598.95
  • Now £499.00
View Deal

Today, WhatsApp has revealed users can now choose whether they want to show their IP address when making those VoIP calls.

WhatApp is achieving this by relaying the calls through WhatsApp’s servers, which is how to already handles group chats.

This means your call won’t be connected directly and will avoid revealing your IP address to the person you’re calling. However, it does mean there’s a chance call quality will be reduced.

It’s quite a simple process that’ll give you an extra layer of security when making calls via WhatsApp.

What you’ll need

  • An iPhone or Android
  • The latest version of WhatsApp

The Short Version

  1. Open WhatsApp
  2. Click Settings
  3. Privacy
  4. Advanced
  5. Enable Project IP address in calls
  1. Step
    1

    Open WhatsApp

    Open the WhatsApp app on your iPhone or Android. To ensure you’re running the latest version of the app, check WhatsApp on your App Store.Open WhatsApp

  2. Step
    2

    Tap the Settings cog

    The bottom right of the app, on iPhone, sits in the bottom right corner of the application’s home screen. Tap this cogWhatsApp Settings

  3. Step
    3

    Select Privacy

    Open up the Privacy tab within the Settings screenWhatsApp Privacy

  4. Step
    4

    Open the Advanced setting

    Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the display to find the Advanced settingsWhatsApp advanced privacy

  5. Step
    5

    Enable Protect IP address in calls

    Simply toggle on the only option to protect your IP address in calls. From here your calls will be routed through WhatsApp servers.protect IP address in calls

Why trust our journalism?

Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.

Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.

author icon

Editorial independence

Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.

author icon

Professional conduct

We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.

Trusted Reviews Logo

Sign up and get the best deals straight to your phone

Skip the hunt - get the latest discounts delivered directly to WhatsApp by signing up to the Trusted deals Whatsapp Channel.

Get Access