How to check your IP address and test for DNS leaks

Once you’re connected, it’s worth checking that the VPN is doing its job. It takes two minutes.

Step 1: note your real IP address

With the VPN off, open a browser and search for “what is my IP”, or visit any IP-checking website. Note:

• the IP address,
• the provider (often called ISP or organisation),
• the location shown.

Step 2: connect and check again

Turn the VPN on, reload the page and compare. You should see:

• a different IP address,
• a different provider (a hosting or network company rather than your mobile or home provider),
• usually the country you chose.

Don’t worry if the city is a little off. IP location databases are often inaccurate. What matters is that the address is no longer yours.

Step 3: test for DNS leaks

Every time you visit a site, your device asks a DNS server to translate the name (like example.com) into an address. If those requests still go to your own provider while the VPN is on, your provider can see which sites you visit. That’s a DNS leak.

To test, search for “DNS leak test” and run a standard or extended test with the VPN on. Look at the list of DNS servers it finds:

• Good: servers belonging to the VPN’s network or a public DNS service, not your provider.
• Leak: servers belonging to your home or mobile provider.

If something looks wrong

• Your real IP still shows: the VPN isn’t connected. Check the app, and make sure no other VPN app is active.
• DNS leak on Android: check Settings → Network & internet → Private DNS. If it’s set to a specific provider, that provider handles your lookups. Set it to Automatic or Off when testing.
• It works in some apps but not others: some apps cache connections. Close and reopen them after connecting.

WebRTC: the browser footnote

Some browsers can reveal your local network address through a feature called WebRTC, used for video calls. On mobile Chrome this rarely exposes your public IP when a system VPN is active, but if a test shows your real IP under “WebRTC”, use your browser’s privacy settings or a different browser.

Berry VPN is our own app.