IPHONE
How to change the private Wi-Fi address on an iPhone (iOS 27)
In short
Open Settings, Wi-Fi and tap the i next to your network. Tap Private Wi-Fi Address and choose Off, Fixed or Rotating. Ours was Fixed. Rotating changes the address over time; Off uses the real address, for networks that need it.
3 of 3 steps show a real screenshot from our iPhone 17e. Each step was checked against the maker's own instructions, linked at the end.
Steps
- 1
Open your network details
In Settings, Wi-Fi, tap the i next to the network. Private Wi-Fi Address is in the middle of the page, under Low Data Mode.
- 2
Choose Off, Fixed or Rotating
Fixed was ticked on ours. The note on the network page in step 1 says a fixed private address reduces tracking across networks.
- 3
Check Limit IP Address Tracking
Further down the same page, it was on. It hides your IP address from known trackers in Mail and Safari.
If you do not see this option
- Apple's page says Private Address on or off? On ours, in iOS 27, it was a list with three choices instead of a switch. Source: Use a private network address on iPhone
- iCloud Private Relay? There was no Private Relay page on ours: the iCloud page listed it under Get More with iCloud+, so it needs a paid plan.
- A switch instead of three choices? Apple says Off, Fixed and Rotating arrived in iOS 18. On an earlier version, Private Wi-Fi Address is a single switch, on or off. Source: Use private Wi-Fi addresses on Apple devices
If this does not work
- Network asks you to sign in again? Changing the address can make a network treat the phone as new. Pick Fixed again.
- Parental controls or a router block? Apple says to turn the private address off for that network only.
- Cannot join or reach the internet? Apple suggests installing the latest software updates and trying again before you decide to turn the private address off. Only then set it to Off for that one network.
- The network is not in the list? To change the setting for a network you are not connected to, Apple says to tap Edit at the top right of the Wi-Fi page first, then tap the More Info button next to its name.
- The setting is locked on a work network? An employer or school can use a network profile to turn private addresses off for devices they manage. Ask the IT team, as the choice is theirs on that network.
- Router sent a new device alert? Apple notes that a router set to warn about new devices will do so the first time the iPhone joins with a private address. It is still your phone, so you can approve it in the router's settings.
Good to know
For Safari tracking, see how to hide your IP address from trackers in Safari on an iPhone.
Apple explains the defaults: the iPhone picks Fixed when it joins a new network secured with WPA2 or stronger, and Rotating when the network has weak or no security. Off uses the phone's hardware address, which network operators can link to you across every network you join. Erasing the phone or resetting network settings also gives it a new private address next time it joins.
About this guide
- Device
- iPhone
- Shown on
- iOS 27.0.1 (iPhone 17e)
- App
- Settings
- Path
- Settings › Wi-Fi › i › Private Wi-Fi Address
- Real screenshots
- 3 of 3 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 2 official, linked below
Sources
Links checked October 2026. Menus and features can change with updates.Spotted a mistake? Menus change with updates, and we want every step to match your screen. Email us about this page or use the contact form. We read every report, and fixes are listed on What changed.
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