A phone number identifies someone, and its area code hints at a location. IP addresses work much the same way.

An IP address helps devices communicate online. It can also reveal your approximate location and internet provider. That’s why changing your IP address can come in handy.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to change an IP address on an iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows computer, and router. We’ll also cover VPNs, proxies, Tor, and privacy.

Pro tip: Changing your IP doesn’t change your phone’s GPS location. Surfshark’s Android VPN app offers a separate GPS override feature.

Before you start: public vs. private IP addresses

Your private IP address identifies your device on a home or office network. Your router usually assigns it. Your public IP address is the one websites see when you connect to the internet. Your ISP assigns it, often to several devices at once.

Here’s the key difference: manually changing the private address won’t change your public one. For Wi-Fi issues, use device settings. To change the address websites see, try a VPN or another network.

Search tip: Searches for change ip address iphone and change ip address android can return guides for either type. Check which address each method changes.

How to change your IP address manually

These steps change your private IP on a specific Wi-Fi or Ethernet network. Choose a free address within your router’s range, with the correct subnet, gateway, and DNS settings. A random address can break your connection.

How to change IP address on Mac

1. Open System Settings from the Apple menu.
2. Select Network, then your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
3. Click Details > TCP/IP.
4. Under Configure IPv4, choose Manually.
5. Enter the IP address, subnet mask, and router address.
6. Click OK.

That’s how to change IP address on Mac. Your public IP stays the same.

Manually on Windows 11:

1. Open Start > Settings > Network & internet.
2. Select your Wi-Fi network or Ethernet.
3. Next to IP assignment, click Edit.
4. Choose Manual and turn on IPv4.
5. Enter the address, subnet prefix length, gateway, and DNS details.
6. Click Save.

If it stops working, switch back to Automatic (DHCP).

How to change IP address on Android

Open Settings > Network & internet or Connections.

Tap Wi-Fi or Internet and select your network.

Open its settings, then Advanced options if available.

Under IP settings, switch from DHCP to Static.

Enter your new local IP, gateway, network prefix, and DNS details.

Tap Save.

Menus vary by phone. To learn how to change your IP address on Android to appear in another country, use a VPN instead.

How to change IP address on iPhone

1. Open Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the information button beside your connected network.
3. Under IPv4 Address, tap Configure IP.
4. Select Manual.
5. Enter the address, subnet mask, and router details.
6. Tap Save.

This is how to change your iPhone IP address on Wi-Fi, not your mobile carrier’s IP. To change iPhone IP address settings, check your router’s range first.

How to change IP address on router

Want to know how to get a new IP address that websites can see? Try reconnecting your router:

1. Search for your public IP online and note the result.
2. Turn off your router and modem, if separate.
3. Leave them off for a few minutes, then reconnect them.
4. Wait for the internet to work and check the public IP again.

This might work, but your ISP may reuse the same address, give you a static one, or share a public IP through carrier-grade NAT. If nothing changes, ask your ISP about a new address. Changing the router’s local IP won’t help.

How to change your IP address automatically

Most networks use Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to assign private addresses. Renewing it can fix connection issues, even if you get the same address.

Automatically on a Mac

1. Open System Settings > Network.
2. Select your connection, then Details > TCP/IP.
3. Make sure Configure IPv4 is set to Using DHCP.
4. Click Renew DHCP Lease, then OK.

Automatically on Windows

1. Open Settings > Network & internet.
2. Select your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
3. Click Edit beside IP assignment.
4. Choose Automatic (DHCP) and save.

To request a fresh lease, open Command Prompt as administrator and run ipconfig /release, followed by ipconfig /renew. This refreshes your local IP, not necessarily your public one.

Automatically on Android

1. Open Settings and select your Wi-Fi network.
2. Find IP settings under the network details.
3. Switch Static to DHCP, then save.
4. Reconnect if needed.

How to reset IP address on iPhone

1. Open Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the information button beside your network.
3. Under Configure IP, select Automatic.
4. Reconnect to Wi-Fi if necessary.

You can forget and rejoin Wi-Fi if you know the password. The IP may stay the same.

How to change IP on iPhone or Android using mobile data

If you’re wondering how to change IP address on phone without advanced settings, try turning off Wi-Fi and using mobile data. Websites will then see an address from your cellular network instead of your home connection.

Toggling airplane mode may also change your mobile IP, but not always. And can you change your IP address on your phone while keeping the same Wi-Fi connection? Yes—use a VPN.

How to change your IP address with a VPN

Still with us? Great! Manual changes help locally, but a virtual private network (VPN) can hide your public IP.

A VPN creates an encrypted connection to a VPN server. Websites see the server’s public IP instead of the one from your home or mobile network. Here’s how to get started:

1. Download a reputable VPN app.
2. Create an account or sign in.
3. Choose a server location.
4. Tap Connect.
5. Check your public IP online to confirm the change.

Most apps suggest a nearby server, but you can choose another country. Services such as NordVPN and Surfshark offer location choices, although no VPN guarantees access to a particular site or streaming library.

A VPN doesn’t make you anonymous. Websites may recognize your accounts or cookies. GPS data won’t change. If you use both IPv4 and IPv6, check that both show the expected VPN connection. If you want to know how to change your IP address on iPhone or how to change your IP address on Android for privacy, this is generally easier than editing Wi-Fi settings.

How to connect to a proxy server

Proxies are close relatives of VPNs. They route traffic through another server to mask your IP. But a basic proxy doesn’t encrypt your whole connection the way a VPN does. HTTPS still encrypts data between your browser and an HTTPS website.

On a Mac:

1. Open System Settings > Network.
2. Select your connection, then Details > Proxies.
3. Turn on the required proxy type.
4. Enter the server, port, and login information if needed.
5. Click OK.

Safari’s Advanced settings also link to Mac proxy settings.

On Windows:

1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Proxy.
2. Under Manual proxy setup, click Set up.
3. Enable Use a proxy server.
4. Enter the address and port, then click Save.

On Android:

1. Open Settings and select your Wi-Fi network.
2. Find Proxy in its advanced settings.
3. Choose Manual.
4. Enter the hostname and port, then save.

On iPhone:

1. Open Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the information button beside your network.
3. Select Configure Proxy > Manual.
4. Enter the server and port, plus authentication if needed.
5. Tap Save.

Use a trusted proxy. Some services collect data, and some apps ignore proxy settings.

How to hide your IP address with Tor

Tor Browser routes your browsing through several relays, hiding your public IP from websites. It limits tracking and clears session cookies on exit.

Install Tor Browser from the Tor Project site and connect. No IP edits needed. However, Tor can be slower, some websites block it, and it doesn’t protect traffic from your other apps. Signing into a personal account can still identify you.

Change your IP in one click

Want a new public-facing address without changing network settings? A VPN such as NordVPN switches the IP websites see when you connect. Check the public IP afterward to make sure it worked.

What is an IP address?

IP stands for internet protocol. Think of an IP address as a delivery address for data: it helps networks send information to the right destination.

A public IP isn’t your street address, but it can suggest your region or ISP.

Types of IP addresses

Not all IP addresses are the same. Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. Public: The address websites see. Your ISP usually assigns it. With carrier-grade NAT, several customers may share a public IPv4 address.
2. Private or local: The address your router assigns to a device, such as 192.168.1.20. It isn’t directly reachable from the public internet.
3. Dynamic: An address assigned automatically that may change over time. It may remain the same after reconnecting.
4. Static: An address meant to stay the same. It’s useful for services that need a consistent network endpoint.
5. Dedicated: With a VPN, a dedicated IP is reserved for one customer, often at an extra cost. A shared VPN address offers more crowd-based privacy.
6. IPv4: The familiar four-number format, such as 192.168.1.1, with a limited supply of addresses.
7. IPv6: A longer address format with vastly more available addresses. Many networks support both versions.

Where to find your IP address

First, decide which IP you need. To check your public IP, search for what is my IP in a browser. Note the result before changing anything, then check again afterward.

On a Mac:

1. Open System Settings > Network.
2. Select your connection, then Details > TCP/IP.
3. Look for the IPv4 or IPv6 address.

On Windows:

1. Open Settings > Network & internet.
2. Select your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
3. Open its properties and find the IP address.

On Android:

1. Open Settings and select your connected Wi-Fi network.
2. Open the connection details.
3. Look for IP address.

On iPhone:

1. Open Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the information button beside your network.
3. Look under IPv4 Address or IPv6 Address.

Does your IP address change automatically?

Yes, but not on a fixed schedule. Does your IP address change every time you reconnect? Not always. A dynamic public IP can stay the same for a long time, and your local address may stay the same even after a DHCP renewal.

Do IP addresses change when you travel? Often, because you join different networks. Does my IP address change with a VPN? The address websites see usually does. And does IP address change with location alone? No. It’s the network connection—not simply your physical movement—that matters.

Why change your IP address?

A new IP can help resolve local address conflicts, reduce simple IP-based tracking, or make websites see a different network location. A VPN also protects traffic on untrusted Wi-Fi.

Still, your IP is only part of your online identity. Accounts, cookies, and GPS permissions still reveal information. Some services block VPNs or Tor, so check their terms before connecting.

Frequently asked questions

How do you change your IP address without a VPN?

Renew your DHCP lease or enter a new local address. For a public IP, try reconnecting the router, switching networks, or asking your ISP for help.

How do I change my IP address on my phone?

Use a VPN or switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data. If you searched how to change my IP address on my phone because Wi-Fi isn’t working, use that network’s IP settings.

Can I change my IP address on my phone without a computer?

Yes. iPhone and Android both support manual Wi-Fi IP settings, and you can install a VPN directly on either device.

How to change iPhone IP address without leaving Wi-Fi?

Connect to a VPN. For a new private IP, use the manual steps above, although saving the settings may briefly interrupt Wi-Fi.

Does my IP address change when I restart my device?

Sometimes. Your router or ISP may give you the same address again.

What if my new IP address doesn’t work?

Switch IP assignment back to Automatic or DHCP, then reconnect. If that fails, check the gateway, subnet, and DNS details with your network administrator.

The bottom line? Change your private IP through network settings, ask your ISP about your public IP, or connect to a VPN when you want websites to see a different address right away.