How To Change Your IP Address (4 Different Ways)

An IP address is a unique identifier that’s assigned to devices connected to the internet or a computer network. IP addresses help digital devices find and communicate with each other on the internet or over a local network, such as those found in homes and offices.

The IP addresses most are familiar with are IPv4 addresses, shown here.

There are two types of IP addresses: IPv4 and IPv6. The IPv4 standard is older and uses a 32-bit number. The IPv6 standard, which uses a 64-bit number, was introduced to help accommodate the growing number of devices that connect to the internet. IPv4 and IPv6 addresses look similar to those shared below:

• IPv4 – 192.168.1.1
• IPv6 – 2009:Cb4:2222:3333:4444:5555:6666:7777

In this guide, we’ll be dealing with IPv4 addresses, which I am sure many of you are familiar with, especially if you have spent any amount of time online.

Changing your IP address with a VPN is as simple as signing up for the VPN that best suits your needs. Once you have an account, simply follow these steps:

1. Install the software on your computer, phone or tablet.
2. Launch the software.
3. Choose the server you want to use and press the connect button.
4. Browse the web knowing you’re protected and that your data is encrypted.

VPNs, such as NordVPN, provide users with server lists that let you change your virtual location in seconds.

In a matter of minutes, you’ll be protected. VPNs automatically choose the best VPN protocol (encryption method) and provide users with lists of servers and their locations, so with one click, you can trick everyone into thinking you’re elsewhere in the world. A VPN is the method I would recommend to most people as they’re incredibly affordable and easy to use.

What is A VPN?

A VPN quickly changes your IP address and creates a safe, secure connection that encrypts your data when you’re online. VPNs can mask and change your location, block ads, trackers, and malware and stop hackers from stealing your valuable data. I highly recommend VPNs to everyone I encounter, as they are easy to configure and use. Within seconds, you can secure your browsing at home and on public networks when you’re traveling or working from your favorite coffee shop.

As you can see in the bottom right corner, all data being sent through a VPN is encrypted, resulting in no identifiable plain text.

If you’re new to VPNs and believe they may be too difficult to use, I recommend taking a look at our guide that covers how to set up a VPN. I promise, there is nothing complex about the process. You don’t even have to spend money, as you can choose one of the best free VPNs. If you’re a small to medium-sized business that wants in on the VPN action, check out our list of the best business VPNs.

If you’d rather not have another subscription in your life and have a way of getting your hands on another IP address (usually through your internet service provider), you can change your IP address manually. Every operating system does things differently, so below, you’ll find instructions on how to set your IP address in Windows (10 and 11), macOS, iOS and Android.

Windows 10 and 11

Note: Windows 10 and 11 differ visually, but accessing network settings is the same.

1. Open the settings menu and select “network and internet.”
2. Click on your current network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select “properties.”
3. Scroll down to find the option called “IP assignment” and then click “edit.”
4. You’ll see DHCP is set to automatic. Just click on the drop-down menu and select “manual.”
5. Enter the IP address, subnet mask, gateway and preferred DNS address; then click “save.”

Windows 10 and 11 look slightly different, but the process of manually entering an IP address is the same.

Android

1. Open the Settings application.
2. Click on the “network and internet” or “connections” option and choose your current network.
3. Click the gear icon next to your current connection and then select “view more” or “advanced.”
4. Select the IP settings tab and click on the option labeled “static.”
5. Enter your new IP address, gateway and DNS information if needed; then click “save.”

Android users can change their IP address in their device’s settings menu.

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

1. Click on the Settings application and then Wi-Fi.
2. Click the blue circled “i” next to the network you’re connected to.
3. Scroll down the new menu and select “configure IP.”
4. In the menu, select the manual option.
5. Enter the IP address and subnet mask for your new connection, then click “save.”

You can manually configure the IP address on your iPhone and iPad easily.

macOS

1. Open the Settings application and click on “network.”
2. Click on your current network (Wi-Fi, Ethernet), then click “details.”
3. In the pop-up windows, select TCP/IP from the left-hand menu.
4. At the top of the page, click the drop-down menu for “configure IPv4” and select “manually.”
5. In the IP field, enter your new IP address, and if needed, enter the subnet mask and click OK.

Changing your IP address on macOS is straightforward.

Most homes and offices have routers that allow multiple devices to connect to the same network. Unfortunately, routers melt down from time to time and can become confused. When this happens, they will often spit out an incorrect IP address, which then stops your devices from communicating with it. The quickest way to solve this problem is to follow every IT department’s favorite request: turn it off and on again.

1. Enter your device’s network settings and make a note of the current IP address.
2. Locate your router and either flip the power switch (if available) or unplug the AC adapter.
3. Wait roughly 30 seconds and then turn on or plug your router back into the outlet.
4. Once the router has rebooted, check the IP address on your device; it should be different.

If you have a proxy server set up at home or your office and want to change your IP address through it, you can do so easily. However, it would be remiss of me not to mention that, unlike a VPN, which sends your data through an encrypted tunnel, a proxy server will not encrypt your data; it only changes your IP address, so proceed with caution. You can learn more by reading our proxy versus VPN guide.

1. Set up and turn on your proxy server, then make a note of its IP address and port number.
2. Follow the correct set of steps above to access your device’s network settings.
3. Enter the IP address and port number of your proxy server and click “save.”

There are a number of reasons why you may want to change your IP address.

“From a cybersecurity and privacy standpoint, the main reason for changing your IP address is to reduce exposure, tracking and other related risks. People often want to do this to interrupt website or advertising trackers, or even malicious actors, especially if they suspect that their IP has been logged or linked with online activity that they’d prefer to keep private. It’s not a silver bullet for anonymity, but it can help limit the amount of identifiable data tied to their browsing,” says Sufyan Al-Hassan, senior public relations manager at Info-Tech Research Group, an information technology coaching service.

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Below, I’ll cover the most common reasons why you may want to change your IP address:

• Enhanced privacy: You may want to change your IP address so that it is harder for websites and other online institutions to track your online footsteps and hit you with targeted ads.
• Better security: Fixed IP addresses are far easier for hackers and other bad actors to target and track.
• Location masking: A different IP address can help mask your location, making it much more challenging for you to be followed.
• Bypassing geoblocks: Some online content is locked to specific regions and countries. Changing your IP address can fool servers into thinking you’re located in a different country, which can help you bypass geoblocks and restrictions. One of the easiest ways to do this is to use the best VPNs.
• Data throttling: We pay our internet service providers (ISPs) for certain internet speeds, but sometimes, ISPs can (and will) throttle your data if they think you’re using too much bandwidth. Changing your IP address can help bypass ISP throttling.
• Internet censorship: Some countries do everything they can to keep the truth from their citizens, including censoring and restricting the internet. China, for example, uses the Great Firewall to restrict what its citizens can see and do online. Changing your IP address can help you bypass government restrictions.
• Safer online gaming: Some people just cannot handle losing, and to hit out, they can, and unfortunately do, launch distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, which can stop you from getting online, or perform swatting attacks, which is when they trace your IP address to your physical location and send the police to your home. Changing your IP address can help you avoid these scenarios. I recommend using the best gaming VPNs.

As you can see, there are many benefits to changing your IP address and, as you have learned, changing the IP address your devices use is not difficult. Using a VPN is the fastest and most secure way to change your IP address and increase your online privacy, but should you want to shake things up manually, you now have the means to do so.