IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is the latest standard for identifying and routing data across the internet. Every device that connects to the internet needs a unique address, just like a house needs a postal address. IPv6 replaced IPv4 because IPv4's addressing system ran out of available addresses as more devices came online.
The key difference is capacity. IPv4 addresses look like 192.168.1.1 and can create roughly 4.3 billion unique addresses. IPv6 addresses look like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 and can create 340 undecillion unique addresses, effectively unlimited for the foreseeable future.
IPv6 also improves security and efficiency. It includes built-in encryption, reduces the processing overhead of network equipment, and better prioritises different types of traffic. This matters for video streaming, online gaming, and video calls, where consistent quality matters.
Real-world example: Your home broadband router may support both IPv4 and IPv6 (called dual-stack). Modern devices prefer IPv6 when available, but still fall back to IPv4 if needed. Many internet service providers now assign IPv6 addresses to customer connections, though adoption varies.
When buying a router or networked device, check that it supports IPv6. Most modern equipment does, but older routers may not. ISP support in your area also matters: if your provider hasn't rolled out IPv6, your devices can't use it. For future-proofing your home network, dual-stack support is the safest choice.