What Is IPv6 and How Do VPNs Handle It?

If you’ve ever looked at your internet settings or run an IP leak test, you might have noticed two different types of addresses: IPv4 and IPv6. While most people are familiar with IPv4, IPv6 is becoming more common—especially on mobile networks. But what is it exactly, and how does it affect your VPN protection?

Let’s break down what IPv6 means, why it matters for your privacy, and how your VPN should handle it to keep you fully protected.

What Is IPv6 and Why Was It Introduced?

IPv6 stands for Internet Protocol version 6. It was introduced to replace IPv4, the older system that assigns IP addresses to devices connected to the internet.

The main reason for the upgrade is that IPv4 simply ran out of available addresses. IPv6 solves this by using a much longer format, allowing for trillions of unique IP addresses—more than enough for every smartphone, tablet, smart TV, and IoT device in the world.

An IPv4 address looks like this: 192.0.2.1 An IPv6 address looks like this: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334

Why IPv6 Matters for Privacy and VPNs

Here’s where things get interesting. Most VPNs are designed to route and protect IPv4 traffic by default. But if your device also uses IPv6—and your VPN doesn’t support or block it—your IPv6 traffic might bypass the encrypted VPN tunnel entirely.

This creates something called an IPv6 leak. It means part of your connection is exposed, and your actual IP address can be seen by websites, trackers, or even your ISP.

So even though you’re using a VPN, your privacy may still be at risk if IPv6 is left unprotected.

How Good VPNs Handle IPv6

There are two main ways VPN providers deal with IPv6:

• Some block all IPv6 traffic by default to prevent leaks. This ensures that only IPv4 traffic passes through the VPN tunnel, keeping your identity hidden.
• Others offer full IPv6 support, meaning they route IPv6 traffic securely through their servers just like IPv4. This provides full protection, no matter which version your device or network uses.

Blocking IPv6 is still the more common approach for mobile VPNs, since not all networks and apps rely heavily on it yet. But as IPv6 adoption grows, native IPv6 support is becoming more important.

How to Check If Your VPN Protects IPv6

It’s a good idea to run an IP leak test to see if your VPN is blocking or routing IPv6 traffic properly. You can do this by visiting an IP checker site while your VPN is turned on.

If you see an IPv6 address that doesn’t match your VPN server’s location—or your real IP shows up—you may have a leak. In that case, check your VPN settings or contact your provider to confirm if IPv6 is supported or disabled.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let IPv6 Slip Through the Cracks

IPv6 is the future of internet addressing, but it can also be a privacy weak spot if your VPN isn’t handling it properly. Make sure your VPN either blocks IPv6 leaks or routes that traffic securely through its servers.

At the end of the day, it’s not just about using a VPN—it’s about making sure every part of your connection is protected, whether it’s IPv4 or IPv6.