How to Get IPv6 Connectivity

A comprehensive guide to enabling IPv6 on your network

1. Check if You Already Have IPv6

Before taking any action, first verify if you already have IPv6 connectivity. Many ISPs provide IPv6 by default, but it might be disabled on your router.

Quick IPv6 Test

Visit test-ipv6.com to check your current IPv6 status.

Check Your Router Settings

IPv6 is often disabled by default on many routers. Common routers with IPv6 disabled by default include:

Enable IPv6 on Your Router

If your ISP supports IPv6 but it's disabled on your router:

  1. Log into your router's admin interface
  2. Look for IPv6 settings (usually under Network or Advanced)
  3. Set IPv6 to "Enabled" or "Auto" mode
  4. Save and reboot the router

✅ Advantages

  • No additional cost
  • Native IPv6 with lowest latency
  • Full ISP support and troubleshooting

❌ Disadvantages

  • Router configuration required

2. Contact Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)

If you don't have IPv6 after checking your router, contact your ISP. Some providers already support IPv6 but may need to enable it on your connection.

What to ask your ISP:

✅ Advantages

  • Usually no additional cost
  • Native IPv6 with lowest latency
  • Full ISP support and troubleshooting
  • Encourages ISP IPv6 adoption

❌ Disadvantages

  • May take time if ISP hasn't deployed IPv6 yet
  • Dependent on ISP's timeline

3. Paid VPN Providers with IPv6 Support

Privacy-focused VPN providers that also provide IPv6 connectivity. These are considered the best in the industry.

Note that you may have to enable IPv6 in the app settings.

It's also possible to route all your internet traffic through one of these by installing WireGuard or OpenVPN on your router if it supports it.

All VPN providers listed have a no logs policy and support both OpenVPN and WireGuard.

Provider Starting Price Features Website
Mullvad €5/month Anonymous accounts, DAITA, multi-hop, additional proxies mullvad.net
AirVPN $7/month port forwarding, full IPv6 support airvpn.org
IVPN $6/month Anonymous accounts, multi-hop ivpn.net

✅ Advantages

  • Privacy-focused with no logging
  • Works almost anywhere (including CGNAT)
  • Encrypted traffic
  • Multiple endpoint locations
  • Mobile-friendly

❌ Disadvantages

  • Monthly subscription cost
  • Higher latency than native IPv6
  • Usually only single IPv6 address (not prefix)

4. Free IPv6 Tunnel Services

If your ISP doesn't offer IPv6 yet, free tunnel services can provide IPv6 connectivity over your existing IPv4 connection.

Hurricane Electric (HE.net) Tunnel Broker

HE.net offers free IPv6 tunnels with a /48 for personal use.

✅ Advantages

  • Completely free
  • Provides /48 prefix
  • Reliable and well-established
  • Good documentation and support

❌ Disadvantages

  • Doesn't work behind CGNAT
  • Requires public IPv4 address
  • Higher latency than native IPv6
  • Complex setup for beginners

5. Paid IPv6 Tunnel Services (with Prefix & Inbound Connectivity)

Paid services that provide proper IPv6 prefixes and full inbound connectivity. These are ideal for hosting services or running servers.

Provider Technology Starting Price Prefix Size Website
ungleich WireGuard, OpenVPN Free for VM customers /48 IPv6 Shop
Andrews & Arnold L2TP £10/month + £2.40 setup fee ? L2TP Service
TunnelBroker.ch WireGuard 10 CHF/month + 50 CHF setup fee /126 TunnelBroker.ch

✅ Advantages

  • Proper IPv6 prefix allocation
  • Full inbound connectivity
  • Works almost anywhere (including CGNAT)
  • Professional support
  • Multiple endpoint locations

❌ Disadvantages

  • Monthly subscription cost
  • Higher latency than native IPv6
  • Dependent on provider's infrastructure

6. Roll-Your-Own IPv6 proxy or VPN with a VPS

If you want full control and don’t mind a little command-line work, spin up a cheap VPS that comes with native IPv6 and tunnel your traffic through it. The VPS acts as an IPv6 “exit node” while your home connection remains IPv4-only.

Recommended VPS Providers (with native IPv6)

  • kyun.host – /64 IPv6 prefix on every VM (kyun.host)
  • <% /*
  • servers.guru – /64 IPv6 prefix on their ARM offerings, no IPv6 on their regular VM's (servers.guru)
  • */ %>

Easiest Way to Use Your VPS

    Socks Proxy (quick & dirty)
    ssh -D 1080 -N user@YOUR-VPS-IP
    Then set browser/OS to socks5://localhost:1080. All proxied traffic exits through your VPS with IPv6 connectivity.

You can also setup a shadowsocks proxy or a WireGuard VPN, but that falls beyond the scope of this guide.

✅ Advantages

  • Absolute control; can run other services too
  • Works behind CGNAT or restrictive ISPs
  • Very low cost (often cheaper than a VPN)

❌ Disadvantages

  • Requires Linux CLI comfort
  • You maintain the server (updates, security)
  • Higher latency than native IPv6

Ready to get started?

Test your IPv6 connectivity

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