A burner email is an address you use when you do not want a site to know your real inbox. It can be a forwarding alias, a masked address, or a completely separate account.
Does this affect you?
Use this for signups, free trials, newsletters, downloads, marketplace listings, or sites you do not fully trust from iPhone, Android, Windows, or Mac.
Use Hide My Email with iCloud+
This is convenient if you already use Apple devices and iCloud+.
- Open Settings and tap your name.
- Go to iCloud > Hide My Email.
- Tap Create New Address.
- Add a label such as Streaming Trial or Newsletter so you know what it was used for.
- Use the generated privaterelay.appleid.com address when signing up.
- Mail forwards to your real inbox, and replies can keep the masked address.
- To stop messages later, return to Hide My Email, choose the alias, and deactivate it.
Use an email masking service
This works across browsers and devices.
- Choose a reputable masking service such as Firefox Relay or DuckDuckGo Email Protection.
- Create an account using your real inbox as the forwarding destination.
- Install the browser extension if offered.
- Generate a masked address when filling signup forms.
- If that alias starts getting spam, disable only that alias in the service dashboard.
Create a separate throwaway account
Use this when you want stronger separation and do not need forwarding.
- Create a free webmail account with Gmail, Outlook.com, or another provider.
- Use details unrelated to your real identity if separation matters.
- Do not connect your real phone number, recovery email, or everyday accounts if you want it truly separate.
- Check the inbox directly when expecting confirmation codes.
- Abandon it if it becomes overwhelmed with spam and is not tied to anything important.
More control
Forwarding is convenient but connected
Hide My Email and masking services keep messages in your normal inbox, but the masking service still becomes one link between the alias and you.
Plus addressing is not private
An address such as [email protected] still reveals your real Gmail address. It is good for filtering, not hiding identity.
Email masking does not anonymize everything
A burner email does not hide your IP address, browsing behavior, or payment card. Use a virtual card or separate payment method if payment privacy matters too.
Sources
- Apple Support – Use Hide My Email in iCloud+ (2025)
- Mozilla – Firefox Relay: protect your email (2025)
- FTC Consumer Advice – How to protect your privacy online (2025)