To change your IP address, first decide whether you mean the private address assigned to your device on a local network or the public address websites see. Change a local address in your device’s network settings; ask your internet provider about changing your public address; route traffic through a VPN or proxy; or switch to another network, such as cellular. These methods affect different traffic and do not offer the same privacy or reliability.
First, identify which IP address you want to change
Your device can have a private, or local, IP address within your home or workplace network. The router assigns local addresses and uses network address translation (NAT) to connect devices to the internet. The public IP address is associated with the internet connection and is what online services generally see when your traffic reaches them directly.
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- Change a local IP when you are troubleshooting a device’s connection or need a particular address on your local network.
- Change the address websites see by changing the internet connection or routing traffic through an intermediary such as a VPN. A local IP setting alone does not guarantee a different public IP.
A DNS server is different: it resolves domain names, but changing DNS does not itself change your device’s assigned IP or the public source address websites see. A MAC address identifies a network interface, not your public IP. Apple’s Private Wi-Fi Address feature uses a private MAC address for a Wi-Fi network; it is not a public-IP change feature (Apple: Use private Wi-Fi addresses).
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Compare the four ways to change an IP address
| Method | What it changes | Scope and reliability | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change local TCP/IP settings | The device’s address on its current local network | Applies to that device and network; manual settings work only with valid network details | Local network setup or troubleshooting |
| Reconnect the router or contact the ISP | May prompt the ISP to assign a different public address | A router restart may return the same address; reassignment depends on the provider | Requesting a change to the home internet connection’s public address |
| Use a VPN or proxy | The apparent source address for traffic that exits through the intermediary | Scope depends on the service and configuration; not necessarily every app or connection | Routing selected or supported traffic through another server |
| Switch networks | The route and network used to reach the internet | Applies to traffic using the new connection; the carrier’s address may be shared or change over time | Using a different internet connection, such as mobile data |
Change the device’s local IP address
For ordinary use, automatic assignment through DHCP is usually the safer choice. A router or access point supplies the device’s IP and DNS settings. Choose manual configuration only when you have valid IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS details for that network; guessing can break the connection.
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- Open Settings > Network & internet.
- Select the active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
- Under IP assignment, choose Edit. Select Automatic (DHCP) for automatic settings, or Manual to enter valid network details.
- If you choose Manual, enable the appropriate protocol and enter the IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS values supplied for that network, then save.
Microsoft recommends Automatic (DHCP) for typical connections and documents manual IP and DNS configuration in its TCP/IP settings instructions. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025; the steps may still apply, but supported Windows versions receive security updates.
Mac
- Open Apple menu > System Settings > Network.
- Select the network service you are using, then choose Details > TCP/IP.
- Use the available IPv4 or IPv6 configuration option. To request settings again from a DHCP server, choose Renew DHCP Lease if it is available.
- For a manual address, enter the details supplied by your network administrator or ISP rather than choosing arbitrary values.
Available options vary by network service. See Apple’s instructions for changing TCP/IP settings on Mac. Renewing a DHCP lease may give the device a different local address, but it does not guarantee a different public address.
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Ask your ISP about changing your public IP
Restarting a router disconnects and reconnects the internet service, but it does not guarantee a new public IP. Your provider may reissue the same address, and assignment behavior varies by provider and connection. If you need the public address changed, contact your ISP and ask what reassignment options apply to your line. Apple’s explanation of DHCP leases and NAT helps distinguish a device’s local lease from the internet-facing address.
A restart can also interrupt everyone using the connection, so treat it as a reconnection attempt rather than a reliable way to obtain a new address. There is no universal waiting period that guarantees reassignment; the provider controls the relevant policy.
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Route traffic through a VPN or proxy
A VPN sends traffic through a VPN server. For traffic that actually exits through that server, destination websites can see the server’s public IP instead of the address used by your direct connection. Which apps use the VPN depends on the device and configuration, so do not assume every app or service is covered.
To configure a VPN, use the profile and server details supplied by your employer or VPN provider, or install the provider’s app. Windows documents VPN setup at Connect to a VPN in Windows; Android’s VPN setup guidance likewise points users to their administrator or VPN service for the required details.
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A VPN does not guarantee anonymity or access to content restricted in a region. Google Pixel Help states: “When you use the VPN, you can’t change your IP location to access online content that isn’t available in your region” (Google Pixel VPN documentation).
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A proxy is another intermediary, but it is configured separately and may apply only to traffic that uses it. Microsoft describes automatic proxy detection, a setup script, and manual server and port settings in its Windows proxy instructions. Microsoft notes that a VPN generally provides a more secure connection than a proxy. Avoid treating an unknown free proxy as a privacy safeguard.
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Before choosing a VPN, check whether it supports your device, whether the apps you care about use its route, which exit locations are available, how it handles privacy and logging, and what it costs. A VPN’s server address is not the same as a permanent or dedicated address assigned to you.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Switch to another network
Moving from home Wi-Fi to mobile data changes the connection path used by your device. Websites then see the public address associated with the mobile carrier connection, subject to the carrier’s network setup. That address may be shared with other customers or change over time, so switching networks does not promise a unique or permanent IP. You can also use another trusted Wi-Fi network, but its owner and provider determine the route and public address.
Choose based on the result you need
- Need a different address within your home network? Use DHCP or enter correct manual TCP/IP settings on the device.
- Need the home connection’s public IP changed? Ask the ISP about reassignment. Restarting the router may reconnect the line, but the address can remain the same.
- Need websites to see an intermediary’s address for routed traffic? Configure a VPN or proxy and verify which apps use it. Consider the provider’s security and privacy practices.
- Need to use a different internet connection? Switch to cellular or another network, understanding that its public address may be shared or temporary.
Changing DNS or a MAC address does not substitute for these methods: DNS affects name resolution, and a MAC address identifies a network interface. Neither is the public IP change most people mean when asking what websites see.
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