Cloudflare WARP encrypts internet traffic and DNS lookups on Windows and other devices.
Cloudflare WARP adds an encrypted connection for everyday internet use, especially on public Wi-Fi. In WARP mode, traffic travels through an encrypted tunnel to the nearest Cloudflare data center, helping prevent your internet provider from seeing that traffic. The app also uses Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 DNS resolver.
Its scope is narrower than that of a location-switching VPN. WARP does not let you choose a server country and is not designed to hide your location from websites or streaming services. Your traffic is routed through Cloudflare rather than directly through your provider, so this changes who handles the connection.
For lighter protection, Cloudflare WARP can use 1.1.1.1 mode, which encrypts DNS lookups without routing all device traffic through the WARP tunnel. This option may suit people who want to protect the names of sites they look up while leaving other traffic outside the full tunnel.
Choosing between its connection modes
WARP mode is the setting for encrypting device traffic as it travels to Cloudflare. The app uses a modern encrypted protocol for this tunnel, and the connection is directed to the nearest Cloudflare data center rather than a country selected by the user. The alternative 1.1.1.1-only mode limits protection to DNS requests.
The free WARP service has no monthly data limit and does not require an account. WARP+ is a paid subscription that provides access to a larger network for better speed. The two service options use the same client, but WARP+ is separate from the no-cost WARP service.
Setup and everyday controls
On Windows, install the MSI, open the 1.1.1.1 app from the system tray, accept the terms, and turn the switch on. The tray control provides a straightforward way to enable or disable protection during ordinary use. Preferences let you switch between the full WARP tunnel and the DNS-only 1.1.1.1 mode.
WARP is available for Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. The same client can also be enrolled by organizations using Cloudflare Zero Trust to protect employee devices, although that organizational use differs from personal setup.
Practical considerations
Some company networks and online games may behave differently while WARP is enabled. If a connection or service does not work as expected, switching the app off provides a simple way to check whether the tunnel is involved. Users who need a particular country’s connection or want websites to see a different location should account for WARP’s lack of server-location selection.
For people mainly concerned about unencrypted traffic on public Wi-Fi or the visibility of DNS lookups to an internet provider, the distinction between the two modes is important. Full WARP encrypts traffic through the tunnel, whereas 1.1.1.1-only mode encrypts DNS lookups alone; neither mode is presented as a tool for concealing a user’s location from websites.
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