The first time I heard about WebRTC was on the website of the popular checker whoer.net. I was checking my IP address and noticed that, despite using a VPN, my real IP was still leaking. That’s when I learned about WebRTC and how it could compromise privacy. So, I began to dig into how to disable WebRTC in my own browser, but naturally decided to explore other options as well, so I could prepare this article for you. Use it and keep your data private. I used info from an article on Whoer.net while writing this, and I really appreciate how clearly they explained everything.
What is WebRTC and why should you care?
Before getting into the settings, let me explain what WebRTC actually is. WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) is a technology that allows your browser to establish voice, video, and data connections without using additional plugins. While it’s useful for video calls and online chats, WebRTC can leak your real IP address — even when you’re using a VPN. This is one of the reasons why even basic anti-fraud systems can easily detect your real location, and proxies won’t help here.
That’s why it’s so important to understand how to disable WebRTC in your browser if you care about anonymity online.
WebRTC Control and other tools
The easiest way to handle this issue is by using browser extensions. One of the most popular tools I’ve used is WebRTC Control — a lightweight extension that disables WebRTC. Just install it in your browser (for example, in Chrome), and you’re good to go.
Benefits of using WebRTC Control:
- One-click enable/disable WebRTC
- Works for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
- No advanced settings needed
This tool helped me understand how simple it is to disable WebRTC without diving deep into browser configs.
How to disable WebRTC in Chrome
To disable WebRTC in Chrome, follow these steps:
- Go to the Chrome Web Store.
- Search for WebRTC Control.
- Add it to your browser and activate the toggle.
Note: Chrome on mobile (Android) doesn’t support extensions, so you’ll need to switch to Firefox for Android or use browsers like Brave that have built-in WebRTC blocking.
I also explored advanced Chrome flags, but they often change with each browser update — so extensions are more stable.
How to disable WebRTC in Firefox
Firefox gives more direct control. Here’s how I did it:
- Open a new tab and type about:config
- Search for media.peerconnection.enabled
- Set it to false
This method fully disables WebRTC in Firefox (both desktop and Android). No extensions needed — and yes, it works perfectly.
Disabling WebRTC on iPhone
Disabling WebRTC on iPhone is tricky since Safari doesn’t offer much control. I switched to using Firefox for iOS and followed the same steps as above. Unfortunately, iOS limits browser capabilities, so your best bet is to combine VPN + browser that respects WebRTC settings.
Summary
Learning how to disable WebRTC changed the way I think about online privacy. Whether you’re on Chrome, Firefox, Android, or iPhone, taking just a few minutes to tweak settings.
In short, here’s what I recommend:
- Use WebRTC Control for quick toggling
- For Firefox, go straight to about:config
- On iOS, use Firefox and combine with a VPN
- Always test your IP on sites like whoer.net
By following these steps, you’ll know how to disable WebRTC safely and effectively — just like I did.
Also Read: Understanding Public IP Addresses: You Need to Know
