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- Change your IP address
6 Simple ways to change your IP Address
Most devices on the internet use IPv4 addresses to communicate, and the world is slowly adopting IPv4’s replacement, IPv6. Every device connected to the internet needs a unique IP address in order to connect and communicate with other devices online.
An IPv4 address looks like this:
123.45.67.89
And an IPv6 address looks like this:
2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334
If you’re connected to wifi right now, you probably share a public IP address with everyone else connected to the same wifi network, but each device has its own local IP address . However, if you’re on a smartphone and using a mobile data connection, you might well have your very own public IP address.
When most people talk about changing their IP address, they’re referring to their public IPv4 address . This is the address seen and used by most websites, servers, online games, and other devices on the internet.
This article, however, will cover changing your IP address whether it be IPv4 or IPv6, public or private.
What are the best VPNs to change your IP address?
- NordVPN : The best VPN to change your IP address . Fast servers in 59 countries. Apps for all popular devices. Many advanced features. No-logging policy. Works with Netflix US, iPlayer, and many more.
- Surfshark : Best budget VPN to change your IP. Allows an unlimited number of connections. Great for families. Apps for all popular devices. Built-in adblocking and malware filtering. 30-day money back guarantee.
- ExpressVPN : A superb all-rounder. Fast speeds thanks to its Lightway protocol. Servers in 94 countries. Works with around two-dozen Netflix regions.
- CyberGhost : Best way to change your IP for beginners. Over 7000 fast servers in 89+ countries. Fast Wireguard connections. Apps for all devices. Easy to use apps with fewer advanced settings.
- IPVanish : A fast US VPN with a proprietary network. Lots of advanced security features. No logs policy. Works with Netflix US. Apps for all platforms.
- PrivateVPN : Perfect for torrenting. Kill-switch and obfuscation features. Robust AES encryption. Great speeds. Servers in 63+ countries.
- AtlasVPN : Excellent option for streaming. Works with iPlayer, Hulu, Netflix, and more. Servers in 30+ countries. Includes malware filtering.
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There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't right for you and you'll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here .
Why would I need to change my IP address?
Many online services are geo-restricted, which means they are not available outside of their country of origin. The only way to access those services from abroad is to connect to a VPN server in that location. This gives you a valid IP address and causes the website or online service to become available again.
If you travel abroad on vacation, services from back home, such as internet banking or streaming services, will be geo-restricted. As a result, you will need to use a VPN to get an IP address in your home county.
Finally, a VPN can help you get around government, ISP, or local network restrictions. By connecting to a VPN, you can get an IP address in a country where locally censored content is still available. Thanks to the privacy provided by the VPN, you can access those usually censored services without being tracked.
Best VPNs for changing your IP address – at a glance
We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for changing your IP address .
How to change your public IP address
Here are a few ways to change your public IP address(es):
1. Connect to a VPN to change your IP address
Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN encrypts your internet connection and routes it through a server in a location of your choosing. Websites, online services, and other devices on the web will only see the VPN server’s IP address and not your real IP address.
VPNs are useful for torrenting, unblocking region-locked content like that from Netflix and BBC iPlayer, and bypassing censorship at schools, in offices, and in countries like China.
Most VPNs can easily hide your IPv4 address, but many VPNs can leak your IP address through various security vulnerabilities. Furthermore, not all VPNs hide your IPv6 address. Choose a VPN that either disables IPv6 or can prevent IPv6 leaks by default.
If you’re not sure how to set up a VPN just follow the simple steps below.
Here’s how to change your IP address with a VPN:
- Sign up for a suitable VPN provider ( we recommend NordVPN ).
- Download the appropriate VPN app for your device.
- Open the VPN app and select a server, within your own country is fine although if you want to access a specific service make sure to choose a server in a country where it’s unblocked.
- That’s it! You should now have a different IP address.
2. Use a proxy to change your IP address
Proxies work similarly to VPNs but with far less versatility and security. Your internet connection goes through a middleman server so that websites and other online resources see the proxy server’s IP address and not your own. Unlike VPNs, proxies often lack encryption, only affect certain apps, and can leak your IP address through other means.
A few different types of proxies can be used to change your IP address:
- HTTP/S proxies – Usually either browser extensions or special websites that work like a browser within your browser. They only change the IP address on data sent to and from your browser, but do not affect other apps or even DNS traffic. If encryption is included, these are sometimes called SSL proxies.
- SOCKS proxies – General purpose proxy servers that can be configured for specific apps including most web browsers. SOCKS5 , the latest version, includes support for encryption.
- SSH proxies – SSH proxies forward internet traffic from apps like your web browser through a Secure Shell ( SSH ) connection to a server, so your IP address is changed to that of the server. Although encryption is included, SSH is not a particularly fast protocol, and many websites and apps might not function properly when connected.
3. Use Tor to change your IP address for free
Tor , short for T he O nion R outer, is a volunteer-run anonymity network. The easiest way to get started with Tor is to download and install the Tor Browser, a barebones web browser that routes all web traffic through the Tor network. Tor encrypts your connection several times and then sends data through multiple nodes—servers operated by volunteer Tor supporters. Each node strips away one layer of encryption, and the sequence of nodes used changes every time you access a different website. This makes it nearly impossible to trace Tor traffic back to the source.
Websites will see the IP address of the last node in the chain, called the Exit Node.
Tor is free, but has its drawbacks. It’s relatively slow and only really suited for basic web browsing. Tor’s anonymity means it is often associated with illicit activity and the dark web, so even though it’s not illegal, using it might draw unwanted attention from your ISP and possibly even law enforcement. Those entities can’t see what you do while connected to Tor, but they can see that you are connected to Tor nodes.
4. Change IP addresses by unplugging your modem
You might be able to get a new IP address by unplugging your internet modem, waiting a few minutes, and then plugging it back in again. When this happens, you release your existing IP address so that your ISP can recycle it. When you reconnect, your ISP assigns you a new IP address.
This method isn’t guaranteed to work because your ISP might just give you the same IP address again. The longer you leave your modem unplugged, however, the higher the chance your IP address changes. If unplugging for a few minutes doesn’t get the job done, consider leaving it unplugged overnight.
Your ISP must use dynamic IP addresses in order for this to work. Most do.
5. Ask your ISP to change your IP address
Another option is to ask your ISP for a new IP address. Every ISP has different policies about how they handle such requests, so responses may vary. At minimum, you’ll need your account information and current IP address on hand.
Most ISPs use dynamic IP address systems, meaning IP addresses occasionally change and get recycled as devices connect and disconnect from the internet. With that in mind, note that your new IP address might not stay the same forever.
In some cases, you can request a static IP address from your ISP, though this might require paying an extra fee and/or going through an application process. Once provided with a static IP address , you can enter it into your device’s network settings. Static IP addresses never change unless you manually change them.
6. Change networks to get a different IP address
This might seem obvious, but you can get a different IP address by disconnecting from whatever network you’re currently connected to and connecting to a different one. You can switch to a different wifi network, for example, or switch from wifi to a mobile data connection if you’re on a smartphone.
Remember that public and open wifi hotspots are often prime hunting grounds for hackers. Try to stick with a wifi network that requires a password and is encrypted with WPA2.
How to change your private IP address
If you’re connected to a wifi router, then you probably share a public IP address with all the other devices connected to the same network. Each device, however, has its own private, or local IP address.
Changing your local IP address won’t really affect how your device communicates with other devices and servers over the internet, but there might be instances in which you need a different private IP address. These include troubleshooting a malfunctioning router or configuring how local devices, such as printers and IoT devices , function on your home network.
Renew your local IP address
If you’re connected to wifi or some other type of local network, you can change your private IP address from the router admin panel or from the device itself. I’ll show you how to do it on Windows and MacOS.
Here’s how to renew your IP address on Windows:
- Search for the Command Prompt and right click it to Run as administrator
- Enter ipconfig /release
- Enter ipconfig /renew
You should now see a new local IP address.
Here’s how to renew your IP address on Mac:
- Click the Apple menu and open System Preferences
- Select Network
- Highlight the network that you’re connected to in the left pane
- Click Advanced…
- Select the TCP/IP tab
- Click Renew DHCP Lease
You Mac should now be assigned a new local IP address.
The process for changing local IP addresses on the router varies depending on your router manufacturer and firmware. You can usually access your router’s admin dashboard by opening a web browser and entering 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 in the address bar.
How do I change my IP address on my mobile device?
Changing your IP address is easy on a mobile phone or tablet device. All you need is a VPN. In this guide, we have recommended the best VPNs for changing your IP address. Our recommendations have servers located globally, to let you get an IP address wherever you need it. To change your IP address on a mobile device, follow the steps below:
- Sign up for the VPN by following the link in this guide ( we recommend NordVPN )
- Install the VPN app for Android or iOS onto your device. You can find it in your regular app store.
- Launch the VPN app and login using your credentials.
- Choose a VPN server from the list and click connect .
- Your IP address will change as soon as the VPN connection is established.
Your ISP always knows your IP address
No matter what methods you use to change or hide an IP address, public IP addresses are always known by the internet service provider. This is inevitable because in order to connect to the internet at all, your ISP must assign you an IP address, and it must know what that IP address is in order to transmit communication and data from the internet to your device.
So even if you used one of the above methods to mask your IP address from websites, services, and other devices on the internet, your ISP is an exception that can see behind the mask.
Even if your ISP can identify you by your IP address, however, you can hide your online activity through encryption. A VPN or Tor will encrypt all data before it ever leaves your device, so even though your ISP can see that you are communicating, it cannot see the contents of those communications.
If you need an easy way to change your IP address to that of a different ISP, try switching between wifi and your smartphone’s mobile data connection. Chances are, your phone carrier and home internet use different ISPs.
Changing IP address: FAQs
Why does changing my ip address catch captcha requests.
Changing your IP address may result in you catching CAPTCHA requests. The reason for this is because the IP address in question is likely shared with many other users. From the perspective of an online service such as Google , it sees an unusually high number of requests from the same IP address. It then attempts to verify you're human (as opposed to a bot!) by presenting you with CAPTCHAs.
Will a free VPN change my IP address?
Technically yes, you can change your IP address with a free VPN. There are, however, a few things about these services that make them less than ideal. For instance, free providers usually have very low monthly bandwidth limits and more users than their networks can support. This means that you may not be able to use the VPN as much as you like, and you'll have to put up with slow speeds when you do get connected.
One of the main functions of a VPN is to keep you safe online. Unfortunately, free providers tend to forget this, with plenty falsely claiming to follow no-logs policies or overhyping the effectiveness of their security features. Why take a chance when your privacy is at stake? We'd recommend choosing a reputable no-logs provider instead of just using whatever is free.
Is it illegal to change my IP address?
No, it's not illegal to change your IP address. Indeed, you can legally use a VPN in almost any country in the world without having to worry about breaking any laws. However, some online activities are still illegal regardless of whether you've used a VPN to change your IP. This includes torrenting copyrighted material or, in some countries, accessing betting websites .
Will a VPN ever expose my real IP address?
The short answer is no. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet, shielding your real IP address from anyone trying to track you online. The data passing through this tunnel is highly secured with strong encryption algorithms, making it nearly impossible for someone to determine which server or network you are connected to or even know who you are. However, there are a few situations when your real IP address can still be exposed:
- If a malicious actor takes control of the VPN server and gains access to its logs.
- If the VPN service provider stores information that includes IP addresses (although many reputable VPNs do not store any logs at all).
- If a website or service you connect to uses an IP address checker to detect your true identity.
In all these scenarios, it is important to remember that a VPN does provide additional security and privacy by masking your real location and the IP address from websites and services you visit. However, for the utmost security and anonymity, it is recommended that you also use other privacy tools such as browser extensions, secure browsers, and encrypted messaging apps in addition to a VPN. With this multi-layered approach to online security, you can rest assured knowing that your real identity will remain hidden no matter what situation arises.
Do I need a dedicated IP address?
You can use a shared IP address, but they tend to come with more risk. A dedicated or static IP address is recommended but there are only a handful of VPNs with dedicated IP addresses. Having a unique IP address can help to protect you from specific threats, such as a Brute Force attack , but it's worth noting that it isn't foolproof. You will also need to ensure you follow good online security practices, including strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and not accessing suspicious websites.
Can I get a new IP address from my ISP?
It's possible to get a new IP address with some ISPs. However, it really depends on the ISP in question. If you find that your ISP don't accept your request, you could try some of the other options as listed in this post (such as unplugging your router). Of course, the best way to change your IP address while enjoying additional security and privacy-related benefits is to use a VPN.
2 Comments Leave a comment
I used Express VPN, but my subscription just ended and I’m thinking of switching to Nord, because it’s cheaper ATM. By the way, you state that there’s a 2 year deal for Nord with 66% off. When I opened the link you provided it redirected me to a 3 year deal with 75% off. Don’t get me wrong, that’s great, but please fix your links, because they are misleading.
I read lots of your articles.I find them very educational.Please tell me am I correct to sense that you are somewhat bias towards “ExpressVpn”? Thereis one line I disagree as it is not my experience with the 2 VPN providers I have tried out.(Express & Nord)
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The following information is available to any site you visit:
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Quick navigation, what is your ip address and why should you hide it, how can you hide your ip address.
Your home has an address which you can locate easily. So does your computer.
What is an IP address?
What does it reveal about you.
Why should you hide it?
It’s your public ID on the internet. Your home has a street address and your computer has an internet protocol (IP) address. This is a string of numbers (made up of four values divided by periods: e.g. 66.249.65.136) and it is assigned to every device connected to the internet. It’s a unique identifier—like a digital fingerprint—and allows a system to be recognized by other systems on the internet.
Your IP address can give others more than just a number. It can also reveal…
Personal details: A search of your IP address in the WHOIS database, for example, could reveal your name, telephone number, or address.
Your location: Details include your country, region, city, GPS coordinates, and telephone area code. Accuracy varies.
Your online activities: The information you shared, the websites you visited, the Wikipedia pages you edited… it’s an open door to your political opinions, interests, beliefs, and more.
Your email address: If you sent emails while connected via this IP address, your email address is no secret either.
Why should you hide it?
Hiding your IP address gives you more privacy online and prevents your personal information from being misused.
Privacy: Whenever you access a website, the server you connect to logs more than your IP address: it learns about your browsing habits, your interests, and even how long you spend on a page. This data is then sold to advertisers who use it to tailor their ads… or who knows where your data could end up?
Protection: With your IP, hackers can find out your location and identity to blackmail you or even steal your ID. They can use this information to make purchases and open accounts.
Use a virtual private network (VPN). It masks your IP address and encrypts communications between your device and the internet. All your data is routed via a VPN server, which is why you’re allocated a different IP address and none of your online activities can be traced back to you.
With a VPN, you’re free to surf anonymously and securely, away from hackers and snoops. Advertisers can’t track you either, so they’re unable to build a profile about you. You’re invisible, without the cloak…
How To Change Your IP Address
Whether to gain more privacy or access certain content, you can change your device’s IP address using the methods in this guide
- How to Change
- What is an IP Address
- Where to Find It
- Pros & Cons
Even though you may be in cyberspace, you’re still in a specific, virtual location defined by your IP address. But for those who want to stay private, get around government restrictions, and the like, changing your IP address is a simple first step. In this article, we’ll tell you how to change your IP address, step-by-step, along with providing you with more information about the types of IP addresses, the pros and cons of changing them, and more. Get your invisibility cloak ready because we’re about to go private or as private as you can be online.
See the exact steps to changing your IP address on an iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows computer. Also, learn why you would want to change your IP address in the first place.
Easily Change Your IP Address with a VPN
Whatever your reasons are for changing your IP address, whether to stream certain content or to gain privacy, using a VPN is one of the most secure ways to do so. A VPN cloaks your real IP address with its own server IP address, and it encrypts your browsing traffic so that no one else sees what you’re doing online. Change your IP address with a single mouse click with these VPNs that we tested ourselves:
Besides using a VPN to change your IP address, which we’ll discuss further below how to do, there are a few other ways to change your IP address.
One of the most straightforward ways is to adjust your device’s settings. This, however, only works if your network has an available address to which you can change your current IP address. In addition, your new IP address will still be tied to your local network, and thus, it can be geo-tracked to your approximate location just like the old one.
How to Change Your IP Address on Mac Manually
- Go to System Preferences.
- Click Network.
- Click Network Connection.
- Click Configure IPv4.
- Select Manually.
- Type in your IP address.
How to Change Your IP Address on Windows Manually
- Click Administrator Account.
- Click Start.
- Click Control Panel.
- Select Local Area Connection.
- Click Properties.
- Select TCP/IP.
- Type in the IP address.
How to Change Your IP Address on Android Manually
- Go to your Android Settings.
- Navigate to Wireless & Networks.
- Click on your Wi-Fi network.
- Click Modify Network.
- Select Advanced Options.
- Change the IP address.
How to Change Your IP Address on iOS Manually
- Go to your iOS device’s Settings.
- Click Wi-Fi.
- Select IPv4 Address.
- Click Configure IP.
- Enter your IP address.
How to Change Your IP Address on Router Manually
- Turn off your router.
- Turn it back on a day later.
- Go to your administrative interface and reconnect to your ISP.
If you want your device to pick a new IP address for you automatically, here’s what to do.
How to Change Your IP Address on Mac Automatically
- Go to your Mac’s System Preferences app.
- Select Network Connection.
- Click Configure iPv4.
- Select Using DHCP.
How to Change Your IP Address on Windows Automatically
- Enter your Administrator Account.
- Go to Network Connections.
- Click Location Area Connection.
- Click Obtain An IP Address Automatically 1
How to Change Your IP Address on Android Automatically
- Click Settings.
- Select Connections.
- Select the network you’re on currently.
- Click Advanced.
- Select either DHCP or Static.
How to Change Your IP Address on iOS Automatically
- Go to your iPhone or iPad’s Settings.
- Select Network.
- Select your network.
- Click IPv4 Address.
- Choose Automatic.
If you don’t already have a new IP address or you don’t want one the automatic address from your device, then you can connect to a Virtual Private Network or VPN. VPNs will replace your IP address and encrypt all of your web activity. You may get the same IP address every time you connect (static), or a different one each time (dynamic). Some VPNs also offer dedicated IP addresses, if you want to be the only one with that address. With any VPN:
How to Change Your IP Address with a VPN
- Download the VPN app.
- Create an account.
- Click Connect.
We choose NordVPN as our best VPN for speed and security. Find out for yourself .
To learn more, read about the best VPN for every occasion or our comprehensive VPN guide .
A sister to VPNs is proxy servers , intermediary devices that hide IP addresses. 2 Here’s how to connect to a proxy server on your Mac, Windows, Android or iOS device.
How to Connect to Proxy Server on Mac
- Open Safari, Macs’ default browser.
- Click Preferences.
- Select Change Settings.
- Update the Settings with the information that the network administrator provided in the System Preferences pop-up.
How to Connect to Proxy Server on Windows
- Go to your Administrative Templates.
- Select Windows Components.
- Click Data Collection and Preview Builds.
- Click Configure Authenticated Proxy Usage.
- Select Disable Authenticated Proxy Usage.
How to Connect to Proxy Server on Android
- Go to your Android’s Settings.
- Select Wi-Fi.
- Select your networks’ name.
- Hit Modify Network.
- Select Manual.
- Enter in your proxy port and hostname.
- Click Save.
How to Connect to Proxy Server on iOS
- Enter your phone or tablet’s Settings.
- Click on the “I” button next to username.
- Click HTTP Proxy.
- Select Edit Proxy Settings.
- Turn on Authentication.
- Return to the previous window.
Tor is a secure browser that, along with hiding your IP address, will also prevent tracking and targeted ads. Once you’re off a website, its cookies will clear as will your browsing history. Both your IP address and your web activity will be encrypted not once, not twice but three times. 3 Just download the browser from Tor’s website to hide your IP address when browsing online!
Note: Although the websites you visit won’t be able to see your private IP address, Tor will log it themselves, according to their Privacy Notice. If you don’t want your IP address logged, choose a VPN with a strict privacy policy.
What Is An IP Address?
Of course, some people may not be totally clear on what an IP address actually is; no shame here! An IP address, which standards for an internet protocol address, is a device’s identifying number associated with a specific computer or network of computers. Basically, IP addresses let computers send and receive information, but they can also be used to track the physical locations of users, 4 a nightmare for those concerned with privacy. And according to our VPN usage research , that accounts for 40 percent of VPN-users.
Get Started with NordVPN and Change Your IP
Types of IP Addresses
Not all IP addresses are created equal! Rather, they can be divided into a few different categories, some of which have certain advantages over others.
- Public : Each and every internet-connected device has a public IP address, distributed by the Internet Service Providers vis-à-vis the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. What, you haven’t heard of ICANN? Nevertheless, these public IP addresses are searchable on the web, which is why we can find our printer simply by Googling its IP address .
- Private/ local : In contrast to public IP addresses, private IP addresses aren’t searchable on the web. Rather, they’re numbers that routers assign the devices on their networks so that they can communicate with each other.
- Dynamic : Dynamic IP addresses, as we mentioned before, are any type of IP address that change every time you connect, usually through a VPN. This makes users hard to track online, as their literal address keeps changing.
- Static : Static means that the IP addresses do not change. With VPNs, static IP addresses are usually shared with thousands of users in order to obscure their identities. However, some websites block these shared IP addresses, which necessitates users getting dedicated IP addresses. What a convenient transition!
- Dedicated : Dedicated IP addresses are assigned to only one user rather than being shared by several. They usually cost a different fee on top of the regular VPN subscription.
- IPv4 : Internet Protocol version 4 is used by 99 percent of networks, but since it can only store 4.3 billion addresses, it’s being replaced by IPv6, which we’ll get to in a second. Unlike IPv6, IPv4 addresses are four one bite numbers separated by dots like 555.555.1.1.
- IPv6 : While they’re only used by less than 1 percent of networks, IPv6 has its advantages over IPv4, namely that it can provide an infinite number of addresses. It also allows for larger payloads and is compatible with a greater number of mobile networks. Although they’re starting small, eventually, IPv6 will replace IPv4. 5
Where To Find Your IP Address
Feeling lost in the sauce? Finding your IP address isn’t that complicated, even if you’re not a tech expert like us.
Where to Find Your IP Address on Mac
- Enter your Mac’s System Preferences.
- Select your Wi-Fi network.
- Look where it says IPv4 Address.
Where to Find Your IP Address on Windows
- Enter your TaskBar.
- Click on Wi-Fi Network.
- Look under IPv4 Address.
Where to Find Your IP Address on Android
- Enter your phone’s Settings.
- Click About.
- Click Status.
- Look at the IP Address.
Where to Find Your IP Address on iOS
- Click on the “I” button next to Network.
- ILook under IPv4 Address.
Pros and Cons of Changing Addresses
Of course, there’s always the debate of whether or not to change your IP address in the first place. While the angel on your shoulder tells you it’s a great way to increase your privacy and access other country’s servers, the devil tells you that it could be costly, that some websites won’t work and that your ISP will still be able to see your address. There’s truth to both of these sides, so we recommend making your decisions on a case-by-case basis. That being said, we broke down the main reasons why you should and shouldn’t change your IP address.
Why You Should Change Your IP Address
- Avoid tracking : If you’ve ever searched for anything related to consumerism, then you probably already notice how your searches seem to follow you around the internet like you owe them money. This sort of tracking is made possible by cookies, which some antivirus software can disable.
- Bypass government restrictions : Governments like China greatly restrict internet usage in their country, so if you want to bypass firewalls, changing your IP address is a must.
- Access international servers : Maybe you simply want to see what’s on Netflix Canada from your apartment in California. By changing your IP address to a Canadian one, you can trick the streaming giant into showing you a whole lot of new content.
FYI: Not all VPNs are compatible with Netflix. To find one that’s right for you, read our review of the best VPNs for Netflix .
- Gain privacy : Maybe you’re an activist, a journalist, or anyone else handling sensitive information, or maybe you just don’t want your Internet Service Provider to track your every move. If that’s the case, changing your IP address is a step in the right direction in terms of privacy.
- Increase security : Most people think nothing of joining public Wi-Fi networks (and depending on your settings, this may even happen automatically). However, using public Wi-Fi opens up a slew of security risks, with hacking at the forefront. But by hiding your real IP address, you greatly lower your risk of hackings .
Why You Shouldn’t Change Your IP Address
- Some websites won’t work : Some websites, like the aforementioned Netflix, won’t work with certain VPNs or proxies. So while they may be able to bypass government restrictions, that doesn’t stop individual websites from blocking certain IP addresses.
- Not always legal : Depending on where you are, VPNs may not be legal; they’re banned in China, Belarus, Iran and a few other countries, so keep that in mind before you connect.
- May slow down connection : Any added encryption will slow down your browsing speeds, although the exact slowdowns will differ from service to service. Still, if you’re performing tasks that require a lot of bandwidth like streaming video or video chatting, you might experience some frustrating lag.
- VPN may log data : Again, depending on the service, your VPN company may be logging the very information you want to hide, like your IP address and web traffic. Our advice? Always read the VPN’s privacy policy, which we cover in our individual VPN reviews.
- Could cost money : Not all VPNs are free (except of course, the ones that are; check out the best free VPNs to see what we’re talking about). Still, free VPNs typically have limits on time, data, or servers, so if you want full coverage, you might have to pony up some dough. ISP will still be able to see IP: Even with a new IP address, your Internet Service Provider will be able to see it, so you’re never truly “private” when you’re online.
Overall, we’re of the faith that changing your IP address is a necessity at times, and we love that there’s more than one way to do it. We hope we answered all of your questions about changing your IP address, but if we didn’t, read on.
Being public digital security experts, we’re constantly inundated with a number of questions surrounding changing your IP address. Here are those questions, with, you guessed it, answers.
You can change your IP address in your device settings or by using the Tor browser, a VPN or a proxy server.
Changing your IP address may or may not be legal; it depends on how you do it and where you’re located. For example, using a VPN to change your IP address is legal in the U.S but illegal in China.
Your IP address may show a different city if you’re connected to a VPN or proxy server with servers in that city. That may be the closest server to you, or simply the one that allows for the lowest bandwidth usage.
Resetting your router may or may not change your IP address, depending on how long you wait before you turn it back on. We recommend waiting for about a day in order to get a new IP address.
Microsoft. (2020). How to change the IP address of a network adapter . docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/networking/change-ip-address-network-adapter
SmartProxy. (2020). How to Change Your IP Address Right Now . smartproxy.com/what-is-a-proxy/change-ip
Tor Project. (2020). Browse Privately. Explore Freely . torproject.org/
Investopedia. (2020). IP Address . investopedia.com/terms/i/ip-address.asp
Linksys. (2020). Differences between IPv4 and IPv6 . https://community.fs.com/blog/ipv4-vs-ipv6-whats-the-difference.html
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Home › Privacy basics › How to change your IP address for free
How to change your IP address for free
Posted on September 28th, 2022 by Douglas Crawford in Privacy basics .
Every device that connects directly to the internet is assigned an IP address by your internet service provider (ISP). In general, this number uniquely identifies your household.
Most ISPs assign blocks of IP addresses to the same geographic areas, so your IP address is often a good indicator of your rough geographic location (accurate to around the city level). It’s also a common way the websites you visit can identify you and track your online activity.
This makes your IP address a major privacy risk. Fortunately, there are several ways you can hide your real IP address for free. Only your ISP can change your real IP address, but proxy-based solutions can hide your IP address and change it as far as observers on the internet are concerned.
Note that this article only discusses how to change your public IP address. If you connect to the internet via a router, then it’s your router’s IP address that the rest of the internet will see. It’s possible to change the IP address of a device within a local network, but that is beyond the scope of this article.
Learn more about IP addresses
Other reasons to change your IP address
Proxy-based solutions, such as connecting to the Tor network or a VPN server, allow you to change your IP address and defeat government censorship and other internet blocks. They can bypass blocks because when you connect to a proxy server, you access the internet from where it’s located.
So if you are in a country where a website is blocked but connect to a server in a country where the internet is not censored, you will be able to access that website like normal.
Other popular reasons for changing your IP address include accessing streaming services as though you were in another country (for example, connecting to a US server while on a trip to access the US library of movies and TV shows) and hiding your IP address from peers when P2P torrenting.
However, setting up and maintaining the server infrastructure required to handle such large amounts of data is expensive and requires teams of full-time professionals. The bottom line is that no third-party service will support these activities for free. At the very least, they might fund themselves with ads and by selling your metadata. We therefore strongly advise caution when choosing to use such a service.
Proton VPN offers advanced features such as streaming and P2P access on our paid plans, which allows us to offer a free service for those who most need to access the internet privately and without restrictions.
How to see if your IP address has changed
To see your current external IP address (the IP address that anyone on the internet can see), simply visit one of the many “what is my IP address” websites on the web. A good example is ip.me .
At the very least, these sites will show your current IPv4 address . Better ones (including ip.me) will show your approximate geographic location, IPv6 address, and more.
If you use a proxy-based solution to hide your IP address, you should see the proxy server’s information and not your real IP address.
Changing your IP address for free
1. connect to a public wifi hotspot.
- Many public hotspots collect metadata from users
- You may need to buy the odd coffee
An easy way to change your IP address is to connect to the internet on a different network. Public WiFi hotspots are great for this (although you may need to pay for the occasional drink when using a coffee shop’s WiFi).
Do be aware that many “free” public hotspots are business ventures that make money by selling your browsing metadata to advertising and analytics companies. This is why you often need to agree to extensive terms and conditions before you can use the WiFi.
2. Restart your modem
- Very easy to do
- Not guaranteed to work
- New IP address is still easy to trace back to you
Your modem’s IP address (or your router’s IP address, depending on your setup) is assigned by your ISP. Most ISPs use dynamic IP provisioning, so they will just issue you a new IP address as needed. Disconnecting your router (by turning it off for 10 seconds and then turning it back on again) can force your ISP to issue you a new IP address.
Whether this tactic works is very hit-or-miss, but there’s no harm in trying. Do be aware that your new IP address will be just as easy to trace back to you through your ISP as your old one was.
3. Contact your ISP
- ISP may not cooperate
Another option is asking your ISP to issue you a new IP address. Not all ISPs will be open to doing this, and you may need to explain why you want it done. But there’s no harm in asking. Again, be aware that this new IP address can be used to easily identify you and track you, same as your old IP address.
Some ISPs offer static IP addresses. These are not dynamically provisioned, so you will always have the same IP address. However, static IPs are usually only available to businesses and not people on residential contracts. They’re also generally not free.
- Offers true anonymity
- You can’t choose your IP address location
Tor is a free tool designed to defeat censorship and provide true anonymity on the internet. When you use the Tor browser (or access the Tor network via Proton VPN’s Tor over VPN feature), your connection is randomly routed through at least three Tor “nodes”.
The rest of the internet can only see the IP address of the final Tor node (the “exit node”), not your real IP address. Each node is run by a volunteer, so the more volunteers there are doing this, the more anonymous you are.
This makes Tor a fantastic tool for journalists, activists, and dissidents in restrictive countries who require absolute anonymity to ensure their safety. However, as a tool for changing your IP address, it has a couple of serious drawbacks.
The first is that you cannot (at least officially) select the location of your exit node as the Tor Browser randomly selects three nodes to handle your traffic. This means your IP address could appear to be from anywhere, which is problematic if you’re trying to access a portal that only accepts IP addresses from a specific place.
The second problem is that the Tor network is painfully slow. The Tor Browser routes your connection through at least three random locations. The further these locations are from each other, the slower your connection will be. Additionally, if any of these nodes are experiencing poor internet connectivity, that will also impact your connection speed. Expect to lose 90% or more of your regular internet speeds when using Tor.
5. Public SOCKS and HTTP proxies
- A quick and dirty way to change your IP address
- Not at all secure
- Usually slow
A proxy is any server that sits between your device and the internet (so both Tor nodes and VPN servers are specific kinds of proxies). Generally, the term “proxy” refers to a SOCKS or HTTP proxy.
Commercial SOCKS and HTTP proxy services exist, but there’s little reason to choose them over more fully-featured VPN services. There are also free public proxies available, ostensibly run by volunteers.
Lists of public proxies are available on the internet, but you should avoid them. These proxies are not secure and could potentially expose your browsing history as they’re generally far less secure than VPNs. Additionally, once you connect to one of these public proxies, it can see everything you do online. At that point, you’re replacing one potential spy with another less secure one.
Speed performance is also usually poor since most proxies are volunteer-run on a person’s home internet connection that was not optimized to handle large amounts of traffic.
Learn more about proxies
6. Web proxies
- Banners, ads, and (potentially) malware injected into HTML
Web proxies are a kind of HTTP proxy that you connect to inside your browser window without the need to download any software or configure your browser’s proxy settings.
Again, they are mostly free, but all the serious security concerns with “regular” HTTP proxies are also present in web proxies. Many web proxies also fund themselves by injecting banners, ads, and other potentially malicious scripts into your browser window — often to the point that they make the web unusable.
7. Proton VPN
- IP addresses in 3 countries
- Swiss privacy
- No speed or data restrictions
- Streaming and P2P are premium features
When using a VPN service, your device connects to a VPN server run by a VPN provider. The connection between your device and the VPN server is encrypted, and your public IP address appears to be that of the VPN server.
Learn more about VPNs
While this is true of all VPN services, Proton VPN is the only reputable VPN service with a 100% free plan that offers:
- No bandwidth restrictions
- No artificial speed restrictions
With Proton VPN Free, you have your choice of IP address in the United States, the Netherlands, or Japan, no strings attached.
Note: Many “free” VPN apps are little more than malware . Please only download apps from reputable VPN providers.
Proton offers our free service because we believe that everyone deserves online privacy. Our free service is supported by our paid plans, which provide IP addresses in over 60 countries worldwide, offer dedicated P2P BitTorrent servers, and unblock a wide range of popular streaming services .
- Good anti-censorship tool
- Very slow (at least from outside East Asia)
- No reason to trust volunteer-run servers
- University of Tsukuba collects a lot of metadata
VPNGate is a volunteer-run distributed VPN network developed primarily as an anti-censorship tool by the University of Tsukuba in Japan.
Much like Tor, volunteers around the world run the thousands of available servers (although most of these are located in Japan, with a few more in South Korea, the United States, and the United Kingdom).
VPNGate is a useful tool for bypassing censorship as the transitory nature and sheer number of its servers make it difficult for authoritarian regimes to block all their IP addresses.
Each server states its logging policy, but there is no way to guarantee that it abides by this policy. The University of Tsukuba also keeps extensive connection logs for “three or more months”.
Connection speeds from outside East Asia are generally quite slow but may improve in locations closer to Japan (such as mainland China).
9. Personal VPN server
- It’s something you can do on hardware you may already own
- Very limited IP address options
- Easily traced back to you
- Need technical knowledge
If you have the technical know-how, it’s quite easy to configure your own VPN server on hardware you own or on rented server space (although server space is not free, of course).
This setup ensures your ISP cannot see what you do online and changes your IP address to that of the VPN server you have set up.
If you set up a VPN on your own hardware, you’ll limit the IP addresses you can change to. However, there are specific instances where it could prove useful, such as if you want to use your home IP address when out and about.
Another downside is that it would be very easy to trace your personal VPN server’s IP address back to you.
Final thoughts
If you want to hide your real IP address, commercial VPN services offer the best experience in terms of speed, features, and privacy. However, Proton VPN is the only such service to offer a fully-functioning free VPN service with no logs, no data limits, and no speed limits.
Frequently asked questions
Not usually, no. Even in restrictive countries that don’t want you to bypass their censorship systems, access to proxies, VPNs, and Tor is often blocked, but it’s rarely a crime.
Yes. But most free VPNs are either scams or offer a severely limited product in the hope you will upgrade to a paid service. Proton VPN is the only reputable VPN to offer a 100% free VPN service with no logs, no data limits, and no speed limits.
You might, as the IP address you change to may have many other users. This is especially true if you are using a free service. When Google or other online services see an unusually high number of requests from a specific IP address, they ask for human verification to ensure you are not a bot.
Douglas Crawford
Starting with ProPrivacy and now Proton, Douglas has worked for many years as a technology writer. During this time, he has established himself as a thought leader specializing in online privacy. He has been quoted by the BBC News, national newspapers such as The Independent, The Telegraph, and The Daily Mail, and by international technology publications such as Ars Technica, CNET, and LinuxInsider. Douglas was invited by the EFF to help host a livestream session in support of net neutrality. At Proton, Douglas continues to explore his passion for privacy and all things VPN.
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How to Change My IP Address
Can you legally change your ip address.
These days, Internet privacy is hard to come by. Everything, from your posts to your searches, is tracked online. This includes your IP address, which is essential for connecting to the Internet. However, using methods to switch or hide your public IP address can provide an additional measure of privacy online. In this article, we’ll go over how to change your IP address on any device.
Finding your current IP address
Before you change your IP (Internet Protocol) address , you can check your current IP address by visiting the WhatIsMyIP.com homepage . You’ll be able to see your current IPv4 address and IPv6 address , if applicable, as well as your Internet service provider and IP location. This won't show your private IP address , or local IP address; that address identifies your device only within its network and can be found in your device's settings.
Reasons to change your IP address
The number one reason to change or hide your IP address is to increase your privacy as you use the Internet. Whether you work at a job that handles sensitive information online or just want some freedom from your Internet service provider’s tracking, getting a different IP address helps keep your activity private. It also offers the following benefits:
- Strengthened security . Changing or hiding your IP address is a great way to protect yourself from cybercriminals, especially when connecting to unsecured networks such as public WiFi . It also helps protect your information in potential data breach situations.
- Ability to bypass content restrictions . Whether it be government restrictions or local restrictions on a network, getting a different IP allows you to bypass content blockers set in place when you’re online. Netflix, for example, provides different content for different countries. Changing your IP address, and subsequently your IP location, to a different Netflix region allows you to access content you couldn’t normally see from your home country.
- Ability to avoid website bans . Most websites compile their banned or blocked users by their IP addresses. If you’ve been banned from a site, or if your IP address ends up on a blacklist , getting a new IP helps you move around the bans to access the sites you’re trying to get to.
How to change your IP address
The best and most secure way to change your IP address is with a virtual private network, or VPN . When you connect to a VPN, the VPN uses secure tunneling techniques to transfer data to other servers before it arrives at your intended destination, meaning that your IP address essentially gets replaced with another IP address in the process. The entire process is encrypted, meaning your data isn’t at risk when you use a VPN to switch your IP.
For your protection, invest in a paid VPN subscription service rather than a free VPN service , as free services often collect data and run the risk of leaks. Regardless of what VPN service you choose, make sure to check to see if they keep IP address logs. If you’re trying to change or hide your IP, it’s preferable that the VPN service not keep logs of your IP.
Setting up a VPN on your device is simple; once it’s done, you’ll be able to browse privately under a different IP address.
Use a proxy
If you want to know how to switch your IP address without VPNs, a proxy is a good alternative. With a proxy, your traffic moves through a server before reaching its destination. Websites you visit see the proxy server’s IP address rather than your actual IP address, keeping your real IP address private. Proxies are easy to use and cost little, which makes them a popular choice. They also require no software changes to your device upon installation.
Once you set up your proxy in your browser , you can use a proxy check tool to make sure your proxy is fully functioning.
Do it manually
You can also switch your IP manually by adjusting your device’s settings. The easiest method to get a newly assigned IP address automatically, however, is unplugging your router on your home network. Unplug your router; once it’s plugged back in, the DHCP Server from your ISP may assigns a new IP address to your router.
However, note that the time you have to keep your router unplugged varies depending on your IP lease time. The necessary time ranges from minutes to hours depending on the lease. Though it’s possible your ISP could end up assigning you the same IP address if they use a dynamic IP address system, this is the easiest method to manually change your IP. This method also doesn’t include the same level of privacy that a VPN or proxy does.
How to change IP address on Mac computers
To learn how to change IP addresses on a Mac, follow these steps:
- Go to the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen.
- Go to System Preferences.
- Click Network .
- In the left column, click your network. Click Advanced .
- Select the TCP/IP Under Configure IPv4 , select Manually .
- Enter your new IP and hit OK.
How to change IP address on Windows computers
To change your IP address on a Windows device, follow these steps:
- Click the Start menu and go to Settings .
- Choose Network & Internet .
- Under your local area connection, click Properties .
- Under IP assignment, click Edit .
- Choose Manual . Toggle on IPv4 and enter the IP address, then click Save.
How to change IP address on iPhones or iOS devices
To change your IP address on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod, follow these steps:
- Go to the Settings on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod.
- Choose your network.
- In the IPv4 section, tap Configure IP .
- Choose Manual and enter your new IP address.
How to change IP address on Android phones
To change your IP address on an Android device, follow these steps:
- Go to your Android settings.
- Tap Wireless & Networks .
- Go to the WiFi
- Tap and hold the WiFi network that you’re connected to.
- Tap Modify Network .
- Expand or go to the Advanced options.
- Change your Android’s IP address in the IP settings from DHCP to Static .
Frequently asked questions
Can i change my ip for free.
Yes, you can change your IP address for free. Though VPNs and reliable proxies cost money, altering your IP address by manually by unplugging your router costs nothing. Furthermore, the instructions above for changing IP addresses on phones, PCs, and other iOS devices are free. To learn how to switch IP addresses free of charge, read over those instructions for your device.
Can I change my IP address myself?
Yes, you can change your IP address yourself. Use a VPN, proxy, or your router to switch your IP, or log into your device’s settings through the steps above to get a different IP address on your own.
Yes, it is completely legal to switch your IP address. Many Internet users switch their IP address for several reasons: safety concerns, to test websites or apps, or to protect their own privacy. Getting a new IP address, whether on your own or through a VPN or proxy, is not illegal.
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Why You Would Want to Change Your IP Address and How to Do It
Whenever you connect to another device or website by going online, your IP address is used to identify your computer. It can be used to locate your machine and trace your online activities. As a matter of fact, your IP address is currently displayed at the top of this screen along with any other identifying information that can be derived from the address.
Anytime you go online, a record of where you have been is kept due to your IP address being logged at the site being accessed. There is no getting around this fact, though we will talk about some ways that you might get around this issue if you need or want to. Your IP address is a little like fingerprints except for one important aspect. Though with extreme techniques you may be able to modify your fingerprints, it’s a lot easier to change your IP address.
Why Would You Want to Change IP addresses on Your Computer?
There are a variety of reasons that you may want to change your IP address. Here are some common and more esoteric motivations for changing your computer’s IP address. Learning how to change IP address can be beneficial in all of these scenarios.
How to Change Your IP Address
We are going to talk about how to change your IP address using a few different methods. Basically, there are three main ways to change an IP address. They are:
Manually Change IP Address
Automatically change ip address, use a vpn or proxy server to change ip address.
Let’s take a closer look at each method and discuss their pros and cons. There are also some differences in how you handle static versus dynamically assigned IP addresses. Obviously, the operating system that you are using will impact the way you go about this procedure.
Static addresses that are assigned by your ISP can only be changed by contacting your provider. This type of address is not usually given out without purchasing an increased level of service and is normally seen in a corporate or business setting. You will rarely have to deal with a static IP address on your home machine.
You may need to change the IP address of a computer in an office or corporate setting in order to gain access to a private network. Depending on your platform, here are the steps you need to perform.
How to Change IP address on a Mac
- Select System Preferences .
- Choose Network .
- Select an active network interface from the sidebar.
- Note your current IP address so you can make an informed change.
- Click the Advanced button.
- Select TCP/IP .
- Select Manually from the Configure IPv4 menu.
- Enter a static IP address in the IPv4 Address field .
- Click OK and then click Apply .
How to Change IP address on a Windows 10 Computer
- Open Network and Sharing Center in Control Panel.
- Click on the Connections link.
- Click on the properties tab of the window that opens.
- Select Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IP v4) .
- Choose Use the following IP address and fill in the IP address.
- Select Use the following DNS server and enter the appropriate address.
- Check the Validate settings upon exit box and click OK .
- Your PC automatically runs network diagnostics and verifies your connection.
Other versions of Windows may require a different procedure to be used. We suggest you consult the User Guide for your specific OS.
Here are a few ways to change the IP address on your home computer. This address is provided by your router, which is assigned the address by your ISP. Before trying any of these methods, make note of your current IP address so you can verify that it has indeed changed.
Turning off your router for about five minutes might be all you need to do. In some cases, a longer period of time is required, so you can try leaving the router turned off overnight. Even though your IP address is dynamically assigned by the provider, your ISP may have a long lease time on your address. This means it will appear to be static since you will not be able to change it until the time period enforced by the ISP has elapsed.
Taking your laptop to a location that offers free WiFi and connecting to the network will temporarily change your machine’s IP address as it is dynamically assigned when you log in. When you return home, your address will be assigned based on your home router.
The methods described above may be necessary and sufficient when changing your IP address for configuration purposes. If your goal is to defeat geo-blocking initiatives or simply to maintain your online privacy, then other tactics must be employed. This is where a proxy server or a VPN can be extremely useful.
Essentially, when you use a proxy or VPN you are masking the IP address of your machine. When you are connected to a proxy server, its IP address is what is seen on the Internet, not your machine’s IP address. This eliminates the ability of anyone to track you once you are on the proxy server.
A VPN service works in a similar way but offers more options than directly connecting to a proxy server. VPN services have servers located in multiple locations throughout the world. After you connect to the VPN server, your private IP address is masked and any further online activities will only display the VPN server’s address.
Quality VPN services have servers located in many countries, and by choosing an appropriate one, you can get around just about any restrictions enforced by your local authorities or your ISP.
There are many VPNs available. Some are free, but if you are serious about maintaining online privacy, you should spend the few dollars a month that it will cost for a paid VPN service. The quality paid VPNs that you can choose from include NordVPN , ExpressVPN , and CyberGhost .
There you have it. You should be able to change your IP address if you need to and by using a proxy or VPN you can change it when you want to hide your identity. If you value your online privacy, a VPN is highly recommended.
Read next in All about Wi-Fi
Other articles.
How to change your IP address
There are four main ways to change your IP address. Depending on whether you want to boost online privacy or fix your router, the right option will help you get the most out of your device and new IP address.
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Here are the four ways to change your IP address:
How to change your IP address automatically with a VPN
You can change your IP address easily with a VPN (virtual private network) , which will strengthen your security and help you avoid content blocks by connecting through servers based in specific countries, like US VPN servers .
Here’s how to change your IP address with a VPN:
Download and install a trusted VPN like Avast SecureLine VPN.
Open the application.
Toggle the switch to ON . You’ll connect to the best remote server in seconds.
It’s really that simple to set up a VPN . VPNs hide your location by making it appear like you’re from the selected server’s location. Plus, with a VPN, all your data is encrypted . There are many VPN options out there, but avoid completely free ones — they can contain ads and malware.
If you’re unsure if a VPN is right for you, here are some pros and cons:
Pros of a VPN
Evade hackers
Stream from wherever
Avoid content restrictions and censorship
Dodge website tracking
Encrypt your connection
Cons of a VPN
Might slow down connection speed
No standard to gauge quality of service
Some businesses block VPN connections
Won’t stop cookies
If you’re already using a VPN but your connection is choppy, check if your VPN is working properly. And make sure to review the best server countries to connect to through a VPN .
Use a proxy server
A proxy server is similar to a VPN. Rather than connecting directly to a website, proxy servers, VPNs, and even the Tor browser function as intermediaries between you and the internet. But unlike a VPN and Tor, a proxy server will not encrypt your connection.
When you connect to a proxy, it will assign you a fake IP address — effectively changing your true IP address, without any of the extra hassle.
Reset your router
Are your devices not connecting to your router? Sometimes routers give out the wrong IP address — resetting your router may offer a quick fix.
Here’s how to change your IP address on your router:
Find your IP address and note it down. Our IP checker can help you with that.
Unplug your router for at least 5 minutes. It depends on how long your ISP usually takes to reset your IP address.
Plug your router back in and check your IP address again — it should be different after reconnecting.
Resetting your router basically tricks it into thinking your device is new, resulting in your router assigning it a fresh IP address. Also, along with changing your router's DNS settings , resetting your router can help prevent router hacking on your network.
Pros of resetting your router
A new IP address for your device
It’s free, easy, and pretty quick
Cons of resetting your router
Limited internet connection (or none) while it’s unplugged
Might not work immediately
Change your IP address manually
If you already have a new IP address that you want to use, you can manually change it. Rather than a more common dynamic IP , if you get an IP address that you can enter manually it’s most likely a static IP address . Depending on your device, there are a few ways to enter this type of IP address.
Here’s how to manually change your IP address on different devices:
How to change your IP address on Windows 11
Click Start > Settings > Network & Internet .
Click Ethernet or Wi-Fi . Select Manage and then click Edit next to IP assignment .
Under Edit network IP settings , select Automatic (DHCP) or Manual .
If you choose to manually configure your IP address, enable IPv4 and then enter the IP address settings in the IP address , Subnet mask , and Gateway boxes .
Click Save to activate your new settings.
How to change your IP address on Windows 10
Under your local area connection, click Properties .
Under IP assignment, click Edit .
Choose Manual , toggle on IPv4 , and enter the IP address . Then click Save.
How to change your IP address on Mac
Go to System Preferences and click Network .
In the left column, click your Network . Then click Advanced .
Select the TCP/ IP tab. Under Configure IPv4 , select Manually .
Enter your new IP address and click OK.
How to change your IP address on Android
In Android Settings , tap Connections , then Wi-Fi .
Tap Settings (the gear icon) next to your current network .
Tap IP settings and choose Static . Then add your new IP address and tap Save .
How to change your IP address on iOS
In the Settings of your iPhone or iPad, tap Wi-Fi , and choose your Network .
In the IPv4 section, tap Configure IP .
Choose Manual , and enter your new IP address.
Pros of changing your IP address manually
Relatively quick to change
Helpful for geolocation restrictions
More control over network connections
Cons of changing your IP address manually
Manually-defined IPs are usually static IP addresses, which can be tracked and hacked more easily
Manual user setup
Update your IP address automatically
Automatically updating your IP address is like hitting the refresh button. Use this method to automatically refresh your IP address, giving you a new IP to help you evade snoops, hackers, and other cybercriminals — without needing a VPN.
Here’s how to change your IP address on Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS automatically:
Update your IP address automatically on Windows
Press the Win + R keys at the same time.
In the Run dialog, type cmd . Click OK .
Type ipconfig /release (including spaces) and press Enter .
Type ipconfig /renew (including spaces) and press Enter . Close the Command Prompt.
Update your IP address automatically on Mac
Go to System Preferences , click Network .
Click the TCP/ IP tab. Then click Renew DHCP lease .
Update your IP address automatically on Android
In Android Settings , tap Connections , and select Wi-Fi .
Click Forget .
Reconnect to your Network and you should have a new IP address.
Update your IP address automatically on iOS
In iOS Settings , tap Wi-Fi , then choose your Network .
In the IPv4 address section, tap Configure IP , then select Automatic .
Pros of changing your IP address automatically
Usually updates to a dynamic IP address, which is more secure
Doesn’t require a VPN
Cons of changing your IP address automatically
Requires manual refresh
Won’t change your geolocation like a VPN does
What is an IP address?
An IP address is a string of numbers that identifies any device on a network. Computers use IP addresses to communicate with one another over the internet and other networks. IP addresses contain location information that help devices, routers, and websites identify themselves and send and receive information.
Why change your IP address?
Changing your IP address can help you evade hackers, snoops, and other forms of surveillance. Because you’re hiding who you are and where you’re located (essentially your online identity), you’ll have many privacy and security advantages. And there are other benefits too.
Here’s why you should change your IP address (jump down below to learn about the different types of IP addresses ):
Protect your online privacy: Changing your IP address will hide your geolocation, masking you from hackers , your ISP, and websites that use web tracking. Your IP address can also be used to spy on your private internet traffic — changing it will protect your online activity.
Avoid website bans: Some governments use IP addresses to restrict access to certain websites. Changing your IP address can help you hide from government censors, unblock restricted websites , and access a free and open internet.
Access regional content: Due to geo-blocking , you may have trouble streaming a game from your favorite sports team when abroad, or get blocked trying to watch a show available only in certain countries. By changing your IP address, you can get around content blocks by making websites think you’re coming from an approved region.
Troubleshoot internet issues: New routers often give the wrong IP address to devices. Manually changing your IP address can solve this problem. It can also help gamers experiencing laggy gameplay.
Remember, it’s totally legal to change your IP address. As long as you’re not doing anything criminal, you have nothing to worry about. People routinely change or hide their IP addresses for many reasons, and you can try it for yourself today with Avast SecureLine VPN .
Types of IP addresses
There are a few different types of IP addresses — all with their own unique functions. Although they’re all useful, different situations call for different IP addresses. Knowing the differences between them can help you make the right cybersecurity choices for your network.
Here are the different types of IP addresses:
Public IP address
A public IP address is assigned to your network router by your internet service provider (ISP). A public IP functions as the point of contact between your network and the public internet. Websites identify your network and connect to it through your public IP address.
A public IP address can be traced back to your ISP — they use it to monitor your location and activities. Websites also use your public IP address for web tracking . The simple Google query “What is my IP address?” will show you your device’s current IP address, but don’t be surprised if you see an IPv6 and an IPv4 address listed — IPv6 addresses are more common now.
Check out our guide to hiding your IP address to help protect your privacy.
Private IP address
A private IP address is assigned to your device by your network router. Each device on your network gets a unique private IP address — letting them all communicate over your network without connecting directly to the public internet. A private IP address is like a set of house keys, keeping intruders out of your device.
Learn more about the differences between public and private IP addresses .
Dynamic IP address
A dynamic IP address is designed for temporary use. Because there are a limited number of IP addresses available, a dynamic address is a way to recycle IP addresses. After a certain period of time, your ISP will take back the dynamic address and assign another one to your network from a pool of options.
Dynamic addresses are the most common type of IP address — they’re frequently used for consumer equipment. Although they change on their own, it’s helpful to know how to change your dynamic IP address for added protection.
Static IP address
A static IP address is fixed and doesn’t change. If your ISP assigned you a static IP, you’ll probably have it until your device dies or there’s a change in your network architecture. Generally, a static IP address is best for a business or an organization with servers.
Read more about the differences between static and dynamic IP addresses .
Whatever your IP address is, get proper privacy online
Changing your IP address seems like a secret spy technique — but it’s easy and completely legal. But simply changing your IP address is not enough to ensure robust privacy and security. For true online protection, use a VPN — like Avast SecureLine VPN .
Avast SecureLine VPN offers full encryption so you can hide your online activity from your ISP, your employer, hackers, and anyone else trying to uncover your online activity. Plus, you can safely use public Wi-Fi and access your favorite content anywhere in the world. You don’t need to be a spy to get world-class online privacy.
by Deepan Ghimiray on February 3, 2022 Updated on February 22, 2023
Change Your IP Address Automatically
Install Avast SecureLine VPN for iPhone or iPad to change your IP address, encrypt your data, and secure your internet connection.
Download Avast SecureLine VPN for PC to change your IP address, encrypt your data, and secure your internet connection.
Download Avast SecureLine VPN for Mac to change your IP address, encrypt your data, and secure your internet connection.
Install Avast SecureLine VPN for Android to change your IP address, encrypt your data, and secure your internet connection.
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Tor, short for The Onion Router, is a volunteer-run anonymity network. The easiest way to get started with Tor is to download and install the
By hiding your IP address, you can bypass regional censorship. So, if you're abroad, choose a VPN server from home to watch your favorite show and beat geo-
Tor is free, easy to set up, and will give you your regular Internet experience…and then some. You can be up and running on Tor in less than 15 minutes in most
Go to your iOS device's Settings. Click Wi-Fi. Click Network. Select IPv4 Address. Click Configure IP. Enter your IP address. How to
How to change your IP address for free ; 1. Connect to a public WiFi hotspot · Very easy · Many public hotspots collect metadata from users; You
Yes, you can change your IP address for free. Though VPNs and reliable proxies cost money, altering your IP address by manually by unplugging your router costs
The best VPN to change your IP address - try it today 1️⃣ NordVPN | Save 69% + get 4 months free:
How to Change IP address on a Windows 10 Computer · Open Network and Sharing Center in Control Panel. · Click on the Connections link. · Click on the properties
A VPN will keep your public IP address private and signal to the network that you're connecting via a different location, thus changing your IP
Download and install a trusted VPN like Avast SecureLine VPN.