Manage iCloud Private Relay for specific websites, networks or system settings

Some websites, networks and services may need to see your IP address or require the ability to audit traffic, perform network-based filtering or view your browsing history.

When to manage iCloud Private Relay

Private Relay is designed to protect your internet privacy and maintain a high-performance browsing experience. Some websites, networks or services may need to make updates for Private Relay, including networks that require the ability to audit traffic or perform network-based filtering – such as business or education networks – or services that rely on viewing your browsing activity, such as parental controls or some “zero-rated” services that don’t count towards your data usage.

  • If a website relies on IP filtering, monitoring or rate-limiting, you can temporarily allow that website to see your IP address.

  • If you see a message stating that a network or service isn’t compatible with Private Relay, you can turn off Private Relay for that specific mobile or Wi-Fi network.

  • If the system settings on your Mac aren’t compatible with Private Relay, you can review the third-party apps (such as a VPN or internet filtering software) that you use on your Mac.

If you turn off Private Relay, network providers and websites can monitor your internet activity in Safari.

When you turn Private Relay off on your iPhone, you’ll get an alert that tells you that your IP address and browsing activity in Safari will no longer be hidden.

If you travel somewhere that Private Relay isn’t available, it will automatically turn off and will turn on again when you re-enter a country or region that supports it. Private Relay will notify you when it’s unavailable and when it’s active again.

If a website doesn't work with Private Relay

Websites that rely on IP filtering, monitoring or rate-limiting may try to prevent you from browsing their site while using Private Relay.

To continue using that website, you can temporarily allow it to see your IP address:*

  • iPhone or iPad: tap the Page Settings buttonNo alt supplied for Image, then tap Show IP Address.

  • Mac: in Safari, choose View > Reload and Show IP Address.

If you turn off Private Relay for a specific website, your network provider will also be able to see which site you’re browsing.

*If you can’t see the option to temporarily allow a website to see your IP address, update your device to the latest version of iOS, iPadOS or macOS, then try again.

If a network doesn't work with Private Relay

Private Relay can be turned off for a specific network using the Limit IP Address Tracking setting.*

  • If you turn off Private Relay for a specific network, the setting for that network will apply to all of your devices for which Private Relay has been turned on.

  • If you regularly switch between multiple network configurations (such as Dual SIM or Wi-Fi and Ethernet), make sure this setting has been set for each network independently.

You can try to turn Private Relay back on for a specific network in Wi-Fi, Mobile Data Options or Network settings.

*In earlier versions of iOS, iPadOS and macOS, this setting is called iCloud Private Relay.

Turn off Private Relay for a specific network on your iPhone or iPad

  1. Open the Settings app, then tap Wi-Fi.

  2. Next to the Wi-Fi network, tap the More Info buttonNo alt supplied for Image.

  3. Scroll down and tap Limit IP Address Tracking.

For mobile network, go to Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options, and tap Limit IP Address Tracking.

Turn off Private Relay for a specific mobile network in Settings on iPhone

Turn off Private Relay for a specific network on your Mac

In macOS Ventura or later:

  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings.

  2. Click Network in the sidebar, then click the network service that you’re using (such as Wi-Fi) on the right-hand side.

  3. Click the Details button next to the name of the network that you’re connected to.

  4. Turn off Limit “IP address tracking”.

Turn off Private Relay for a specific Wi-Fi network on Mac

In macOS Monterey:

  1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences.

  2. Click Network and select the network from the list to see more options.

  3. Click the tick box next to Limit IP Address Tracking.

If your Mac system settings prevent Private Relay from working

In System Settings on your Mac, you may see an alert that says “Some of your system settings prevent Private Relay from working”.

If you see this message, a third-party app – such as a VPN or internet filtering software – may have installed settings or extensions that are incompatible with Private Relay. For example, the third-party app may have installed a kernel extension or applied custom packet filter rules.

If you want to use Private Relay on your Mac, turn off or uninstall the third-party app. If you can’t turn off or uninstall the app, you may not be able to use Private Relay on your Mac.

Additional resources for developers and network administrators

If you’re a website owner or developer, network administrator, or app developer, find out how to provide the best possible experience for users of Private Relay on your Network.

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

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