We are pleased to announce the Northstar update for the IP Address Tool Chrome Extension, version 0.0.1.1149.

Northstar makes it easier to check your public IPv4 and IPv6 addresses while giving you more control over how the lookup is performed. The update also fixes notification, refresh, IPv6, accessibility, and localization issues.

What’s new in Northstar?

Choose your preferred IP provider

IP Address Tool now includes a provider selector. IPify remains the default, while users can choose SeeIP or ident.me from the welcome page or extension options.

• IPify – the default provider for simple IPv4 and IPv6 lookups.
• SeeIP – an alternative provider with dedicated IPv4 and IPv6 endpoints.
• ident.me – a lightweight alternative using separate IPv4 and IPv6 endpoints.

Only the selected provider is contacted. The extension does not query all providers at the same time. Provider privacy information is linked directly from the welcome page and options page.

Improved first-run experience

New installations now open a local welcome page where users can choose their preferred provider or continue with IPify’s defaults. Existing users can change the provider at any time through the extension options.

More reliable notifications

• Notification preferences now work correctly.
• The selected refresh interval is now applied to background checks.
• Previous IP values are persisted locally so service-worker restarts do not create false change notifications.
• The first background check establishes a baseline without generating an unnecessary notification.
• Background polling stops when notifications are disabled.

Better IPv6 support

The extension now uses IPv6-only endpoints and accepts compressed IPv6 addresses such as 2001:db8::1. IPv4 and IPv6 results are validated independently, so an unavailable IPv6 connection no longer prevents the IPv4 result from being displayed.

Localization and accessibility improvements

• Popup, options, and welcome-page labels are now localized through Chrome’s internationalization system.
• English, Spanish, and French translations have been completed.
• Status messages use accessible live regions.
• Theme selection now uses a proper accessible fieldset.
• Keyboard focus styles have been improved.

Privacy-focused design

IP Address Tool does not collect browsing history, website content, account information, or analytics. Your public IP is sent directly to the provider you select so that provider can return the address requested. The extension stores settings and the previous IP baseline locally in Chrome storage and does not send that information to JordanTBH Technologies.

Read the full IP Address Tool Privacy Policy before using the extension.

Bug fixes

• Fixed the notification preference using the wrong storage area and key.
• Fixed the refresh interval option being ignored.
• Fixed false notifications after service-worker restarts.
• Fixed false IPv6 handling caused by the universal IP endpoint.
• Fixed valid compressed IPv6 addresses being rejected.
• Improved handling of failed providers, HTTP errors, timeouts, and clipboard failures.
• Removed obsolete minified release copies so the published entry points use the maintained source files.

IP Address Tool Northstar is available now for Google Chrome.

Download via Chrome Web Store

Thank you for using IP Address Tool and for helping us continue to improve this small, privacy-conscious network utility.