How to Change IP Address: A Complete Technical Guide

Every device connected to the internet is assigned a unique identifier known as an IP address—short for Internet Protocol address. This numeric label serves as the digital equivalent of a physical mailing address, enabling data to be routed accurately between devices across networks. Whether you're troubleshooting connectivity issues, enhancing online privacy, bypassing geo-restrictions, or preparing for network reconfiguration, knowing how to change your IP address is a fundamental technical skill.

Changing your IP address isn’t just a simple toggle—it involves understanding the underlying network architecture, the difference between public and private IPs, and the methods available across operating systems and network types. Many users mistakenly believe that restarting a router automatically changes their public IP, or that using a VPN is the only way to alter their address. In reality, the process varies significantly depending on your device, network setup, and intended outcome.

This comprehensive guide walks you through every method to change your IP address—whether you're on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS. You’ll learn when and why to change your IP, the risks and benefits of each approach, and how to verify your changes effectively. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to confidently manage your IP configuration in any environment, from home networks to enterprise-grade systems.

Step-by-Step Guide

Understanding IP Address Types

Before changing your IP address, it’s essential to distinguish between the two primary types: public and private.

A public IP address is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and is visible to the entire internet. It’s the address websites, online services, and external servers use to identify and communicate with your network. This IP is typically dynamic (changes periodically) but can be static (fixed) depending on your service plan.

A private IP address is used internally within your local network—assigned by your router to devices like laptops, smartphones, and smart TVs. These addresses follow reserved ranges such as 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16.x.x–172.31.x.x and are not routable on the public internet.

Changing your public IP affects how the outside world sees your connection. Changing your private IP affects how devices communicate within your home or office network. Both are valuable, but they serve different purposes.

Changing Your Private IP Address on Windows

To change your private IP address on a Windows device, you can either use the graphical interface or the command line. Both methods are effective, but the command-line approach offers greater control and automation potential.

Method 1: Using Settings (GUI)

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Network & Internet > Ethernet (or Wi-Fi, if using wireless).
3. Click on your active connection (e.g., “Ethernet 1” or “Wi-Fi 2”).
4. Under IP settings, click Edit next to “Assign IP address.”
5. Select Manual instead of “Automatic (DHCP).”
6. Toggle IPv4 to On.
7. Enter your desired IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100), subnet mask (typically 255.255.255.0), gateway (usually your router’s IP, like 192.168.1.1), and DNS servers (e.g., 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 for Google DNS).
8. Click Save.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
2. Type ipconfig /all and press Enter to view your current network configuration.
3. Identify your network adapter name (e.g., “Ethernet adapter Ethernet”).
4. Release your current IP by typing: ipconfig /release
5. Renew your IP with DHCP by typing: ipconfig /renew
6. To assign a static IP manually, use: netsh interface ip set address “Ethernet” static 192.168.1.100 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1 (replace “Ethernet” and the IP values with your own).
7. Set DNS servers with: netsh interface ip set dns “Ethernet” static 8.8.8.8

After applying changes, restart your network connection or reboot your device to ensure the new settings take full effect.

Changing Your Private IP Address on macOS

macOS provides a streamlined interface for managing network configurations. Follow these steps to assign a static private IP:

1. Click the Apple menu > System Settings.
2. Select Network from the sidebar.
3. Choose your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
4. Click the Details button.
5. Go to the TCP/IP tab.
6. Change Configure IPv4 from “Using DHCP” to “Manually.”
7. Enter your desired IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.101), subnet mask (255.255.255.0), and router address (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
8. Click OK, then Apply.

To verify the change, open Terminal and type ifconfig en0 (for Wi-Fi) or ifconfig en1 (for Ethernet). Look for the inet field to confirm your new IP.

Changing Your Private IP Address on Linux

Linux offers multiple network management tools depending on your distribution. We’ll cover both NetworkManager (GUI and CLI) and manual configuration via netplan (Ubuntu/Debian) and nmcli.

Method 1: Using nmcli (Command Line)

1. Open Terminal.
2. List available connections: nmcli connection show
3. Identify your active connection (e.g., “Wired connection 1”).
4. Modify the connection to use a static IP: nmcli connection modify “Wired connection 1” ipv4.addresses 192.168.1.102/24
5. Set the gateway: nmcli connection modify “Wired connection 1” ipv4.gateway 192.168.1.1
6. Set DNS: nmcli connection modify “Wired connection 1” ipv4.dns “8.8.8.8,8.8.4.4”
7. Disable automatic DHCP: nmcli connection modify “Wired connection 1” ipv4.method manual
8. Restart the connection: nmcli connection down “Wired connection 1” && nmcli connection up “Wired connection 1”

Method 2: Using Netplan (Ubuntu 18.04+)

1. Open the netplan configuration file: sudo nano /etc/netplan/01-network-manager-all.yaml
2. Replace the contents with:

network:
version: 2
ethernets:
enp3s0:
dhcp4: no
addresses:
- 192.168.1.102/24
gateway4: 192.168.1.1
nameservers:
addresses: [8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4]

Replace “enp3s0” with your actual interface name (use ip a to find it).

1. Save and exit (Ctrl+O, Enter, Ctrl+X).
2. Apply changes: sudo netplan apply

Changing Your Private IP Address on Android

Android devices typically use DHCP by default, but you can assign a static private IP on Wi-Fi networks:

1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
2. Tap and hold your connected network, then select Modify.
3. Tap Advanced options.
4. Change IP settings from “DHCP” to “Static.”
5. Enter your desired IP (e.g., 192.168.1.103), Gateway (e.g., 192.168.1.1), Network prefix length (usually 24), and DNS servers (e.g., 8.8.8.8).
6. Tap Save.

Disconnect and reconnect to the network to activate the new IP.

Changing Your Private IP Address on iOS

iOS follows a similar process to Android:

1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the i icon next to your connected network.
3. Under IP Address, select Configure IP > Manual.
4. Enter your desired IP, Subnet Mask (255.255.255.0), Router, and DNS server addresses.
5. Tap Save.

Your device will reconnect with the new private IP.

Changing Your Public IP Address

Unlike private IPs, public IPs are assigned by your ISP and require different methods to change.

Method 1: Restart Your Router

Most ISPs assign dynamic public IPs that renew periodically. Restarting your router often triggers a new IP assignment:

1. Unplug your router from the power source.
2. Wait at least 5–10 minutes (some ISPs require longer to release the lease).
3. Plug the router back in and wait for it to fully reboot.
4. Visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com to check if your public IP has changed.

Method 2: Release and Renew via Router Admin Panel

Many routers allow you to manually release and renew your public IP:

1. Open a browser and enter your router’s IP (e.g., 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
2. Log in using admin credentials (check the router label or documentation).
3. Navigate to WAN, Internet, or Connection settings.
4. Look for buttons labeled Release, Renew, or Disconnect/Reconnect.
5. Click Release, then Renew.
6. Wait a few minutes and verify the new IP using an external site.

Method 3: Use a VPN

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) masks your public IP by routing your traffic through a server in another location. This doesn’t change your ISP-assigned IP—it hides it behind the VPN server’s IP.

1. Choose a reputable VPN provider (e.g., Mullvad, ProtonVPN, IVPN).
2. Download and install their app on your device.
3. Launch the app and connect to a server in your desired location.
4. Verify the new IP using a public IP checker.

Method 4: Contact Your ISP

If you require a static public IP or need to force a change that isn’t working via router restarts, you may need to contact your ISP directly. While some ISPs allow this through self-service portals, others require a service request or upgrade to a business plan.

Verifying Your IP Change

After changing your IP—private or public—it’s critical to verify the result.

• For private IPs: Use ipconfig (Windows), ifconfig or ip a (macOS/Linux), or check network settings on mobile devices.
• For public IPs: Visit whatismyipaddress.com, ipinfo.io, or api.ipify.org (the latter returns plain text, ideal for scripts).

Compare the results before and after the change. If the public IP remains the same after a router reboot, your ISP may have implemented IP leasing policies that require longer timeouts or static assignment.

Best Practices

Use Static IPs Strategically

Assigning static private IPs to critical devices—such as network-attached storage (NAS), printers, security cameras, or home servers—ensures consistent connectivity and simplifies port forwarding, remote access, and network monitoring. Avoid assigning static IPs within the DHCP range of your router to prevent conflicts. Most routers allow you to define a DHCP pool (e.g., 192.168.1.100–192.168.1.199), so assign static IPs outside that range (e.g., 192.168.1.50–192.168.1.99).

Respect DHCP Lease Times

Dynamic IP addresses are assigned for a specific lease period (typically 24–72 hours). Attempting to change your public IP too frequently—such as restarting your router every few minutes—may trigger ISP-side throttling or temporary blocks. Allow sufficient time between attempts (at least 10–15 minutes) to ensure your IP lease is fully released.

Secure Your Network Configuration

When manually configuring IPs, always use trusted DNS servers. Avoid using open DNS resolvers or unverified third-party addresses, as they may be compromised or used for phishing. Stick to reputable providers like Google (8.8.8.8), Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), or OpenDNS (208.67.222.222).

Additionally, ensure your router’s admin interface is protected with a strong, unique password. Many attacks exploit default credentials to hijack routers and manipulate IP settings.

Document Your Changes

Keep a simple log of IP assignments, especially in multi-device or business environments. Include device name, assigned IP, MAC address, purpose, and date of change. This documentation prevents conflicts and aids in troubleshooting when connectivity issues arise.

Test Connectivity After Changes

Always verify that your device can still access the internet and local network resources after changing IP settings. Test by:

• Pinging your router: ping 192.168.1.1
• Pinging an external site: ping google.com
• Accessing local devices (e.g., a shared printer or media server).

If ping fails, check your subnet mask and gateway settings. Incorrect configurations are the most common cause of post-change connectivity loss.

Use DHCP Reservation for Consistency

Instead of manually assigning static IPs on each device, configure DHCP reservations on your router. This allows the router to automatically assign the same IP to a specific device (based on its MAC address) every time it connects. It combines the reliability of static IPs with the convenience of DHCP management.

To set up a reservation:

1. Access your router’s admin panel.
2. Locate the DHCP or LAN settings.
3. Find the list of connected devices and identify the target device by MAC address.
4. Assign a static IP from your reserved range to that MAC address.
5. Save and restart the router if required.

This method is ideal for home networks with multiple smart devices and reduces the risk of misconfiguration.

Be Aware of Legal and Policy Restrictions

While changing your IP address is technically legal in most jurisdictions, some networks (corporate, educational, or public) prohibit users from altering network settings. Violating these policies can result in access revocation or disciplinary action. Always check network usage agreements before making changes.

Tools and Resources

IP Address Verification Tools

• WhatIsMyIP.com – Displays your public IP, location, ISP, and device info.
• ipinfo.io – Provides detailed geolocation and network data in JSON format, ideal for developers.
• api.ipify.org – Returns only your public IP as plain text, perfect for scripting.
• DNSLeakTest.com – Verifies whether your DNS queries are being routed through your intended provider (critical for VPN users).

Network Scanning Tools

• Advanced IP Scanner (Windows) – Discovers all devices on your network, including their IPs and open ports.
• Angry IP Scanner (Cross-platform) – Lightweight, open-source tool for scanning IP ranges.
• nmap (Linux/macOS/Windows) – Powerful command-line network discovery and security auditing tool. Example: nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24 scans all devices on your local subnet.

Router Firmware Enhancements

Many consumer routers have limited functionality. Consider upgrading to open-source firmware like:

• OpenWrt – Highly customizable, supports advanced networking features including multiple WAN interfaces, VLANs, and custom scripts.
• DD-WRT – Popular for enhancing router performance, enabling QoS, and improving Wi-Fi range.
• Tomato – User-friendly interface with excellent bandwidth monitoring and traffic shaping.

Before flashing firmware, ensure compatibility with your router model and back up your current settings.

VPN Services for Public IP Masking

For privacy and geo-unblocking, consider these privacy-focused VPN providers:

• Mullvad – No email registration, accepts cash payments, strong no-logs policy.
• ProtonVPN – Developed by the team behind ProtonMail, based in Switzerland, free tier available.
• IVPN – Transparent about infrastructure, supports WireGuard protocol for speed and security.

Avoid free VPNs with poor reputations—they often sell user data, inject ads, or have weak encryption.

Command-Line Utilities

• curl – Retrieve your public IP via terminal: curl ifconfig.me
• dig – Query DNS records: dig +short myip.opendns.com @resolver1.opendns.com
• nslookup – Check DNS resolution: nslookup google.com
• ping – Test connectivity: ping -c 4 8.8.8.8 (Linux/macOS)

These tools are invaluable for scripting, automation, and remote troubleshooting.

Real Examples

Example 1: Home Network Setup for Remote Access

A user wants to access their home security camera system from work. The camera has a fixed private IP (192.168.1.50), but their public IP changes frequently, making remote access unreliable.

Solution:

1. The user configures a DHCP reservation on their router to ensure the camera always receives 192.168.1.50.
2. They set up port forwarding on the router: external port 8080 → internal IP 192.168.1.50, port 80.
3. They sign up for a free Dynamic DNS (DDNS) service like No-IP or DuckDNS, which maps a hostname (e.g., mycamera.ddns.net) to their changing public IP.
4. They install the DDNS updater client on a device inside their network (e.g., a Raspberry Pi or NAS) to automatically notify the DDNS service whenever the public IP changes.

Result: The user can now access the camera remotely via https://mycamera.ddns.net:8080, regardless of their ISP’s IP changes.

Example 2: Bypassing Geo-Restrictions on Streaming Services

A user in the UK wants to watch content available only on US-based streaming platforms like Hulu or Netflix US.

Solution:

1. The user subscribes to a reputable VPN service with US servers.
2. They install the VPN app on their smart TV or streaming device.
3. They connect to a US-based server.
4. Their public IP is now masked as a US IP address.
5. They open the streaming app, and it recognizes the US location, granting access to regional content.

Important: Some services actively block known VPN IPs. The user selects a provider known for maintaining unblocked servers and uses obfuscation features if available.

Example 3: Corporate Network Troubleshooting

An employee’s laptop cannot access internal resources after connecting to the office Wi-Fi. The IT team suspects an IP conflict.

Solution:

1. The technician runs ipconfig /all on the laptop and finds the IP 192.168.10.150.
2. They check the DHCP server logs and discover another device has been manually assigned the same IP.
3. The technician releases the IP on the laptop: ipconfig /release.
4. They reboot the conflicting device and reassign it a different IP outside the DHCP range.
5. The laptop renews its IP: ipconfig /renew and now receives 192.168.10.155.
6. Connectivity is restored.

Example 4: Privacy Enhancement for Journalists

A journalist in a restrictive country needs to communicate securely with sources without revealing their location.

Solution:

1. The journalist uses a combination of Tor Browser and a trusted VPN with multi-hop (double VPN) routing.
2. They disable JavaScript and cookies in the browser to prevent fingerprinting.
3. They use encrypted messaging apps (Signal, Briar) and avoid logging into personal accounts.
4. They change their public IP daily by disconnecting and reconnecting to the VPN or switching servers.

This layered approach ensures anonymity and reduces the risk of surveillance or tracking.

FAQs

Does restarting my router always change my public IP?

No. While many ISPs assign dynamic IPs that renew on reboot, some use long lease times (up to a week) or assign static IPs regardless of restarts. If your IP doesn’t change after a reboot, try waiting 10–15 minutes or use your router’s “Release/Renew” function. If still unchanged, your ISP may be using static assignment.

Can I change my IP address on mobile data?

Yes, but indirectly. Mobile carriers assign IPs dynamically. Turning airplane mode on and off, or restarting your device, may trigger a new IP. However, you cannot manually configure a mobile IP like you can on Wi-Fi. For more control, use a VPN app on your mobile device.

Why is my IP address still the same after changing it?

This usually occurs due to one of three reasons: (1) You changed your private IP but are checking your public IP, (2) Your ISP uses static assignment, or (3) Your router cached the old IP. Verify which IP you’re checking and ensure you’re modifying the correct one. Also, clear your browser cache or use a private window when testing public IPs.

Is it legal to change my IP address?

Yes, changing your IP address is legal in most countries. However, using it to bypass geo-restrictions, commit fraud, or harass others may violate laws or terms of service. Always use IP changes for legitimate purposes like privacy, security, or troubleshooting.

Can two devices have the same IP address?

On a local network, two devices with the same private IP will cause an IP conflict, resulting in intermittent or complete loss of connectivity. On the public internet, multiple users can share the same public IP through NAT (Network Address Translation), which is how home routers enable dozens of devices to use one public IP.

How often does my public IP change?

It depends on your ISP. Most residential users receive dynamic IPs that renew every 24–72 hours. Business connections often have static IPs. Some ISPs change IPs only during outages or service upgrades. You can check your ISP’s policy or monitor your IP over time using automated tools.

Do I need to change my IP for better internet speed?

No. Your IP address has no direct impact on bandwidth or latency. Speed is determined by your ISP’s infrastructure, network congestion, server location, and hardware. Changing your IP won’t improve speed unless you’re on a throttled or restricted IP range.

What’s the difference between a static and dynamic IP?

A dynamic IP changes periodically and is assigned automatically by DHCP. It’s ideal for most home users. A static IP remains constant and is manually configured or assigned by your ISP. Static IPs are required for hosting servers, remote access, or business applications.

Can I change my IP address without a router?

Yes—if you’re connected directly to your ISP (e.g., via Ethernet without a router), you can still change your private IP (if your device has one) or request a new public IP through your ISP’s portal or by contacting them. However, most home users connect through a router, which handles the public IP assignment.

Will changing my IP affect my online accounts?

It may trigger security alerts. Services like Google, PayPal, or banks use IP location as part of their fraud detection. A sudden IP change may cause login challenges, requiring email or SMS verification. This is normal and not a cause for concern unless you’re being locked out repeatedly.

Conclusion

Changing your IP address is more than a technical maneuver—it’s a critical skill for managing privacy, troubleshooting connectivity, and optimizing network performance. Whether you’re assigning a static private IP to a smart home device, refreshing your public IP after an ISP restriction, or masking your location with a VPN, understanding the methods and implications ensures you make informed decisions.

This guide has provided you with actionable, platform-specific steps to change both private and public IP addresses across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. You’ve learned best practices to avoid conflicts, tools to verify your changes, and real-world examples that demonstrate practical applications.

Remember: the goal isn’t to change your IP for the sake of change—it’s to solve a specific problem. Use static IPs for reliability, DHCP reservations for convenience, and VPNs for privacy. Always verify your changes, document your configurations, and respect network policies.

As networks evolve and digital privacy becomes increasingly vital, mastering IP management empowers you to take control of your digital identity. Whether you’re a home user, a small business owner, or a tech enthusiast, the knowledge in this guide ensures you’re prepared to navigate the complexities of modern networking with confidence and competence.