Here’s how to use a proxy server, VPN, and other techniques to alter your IP address.
A network cable that has been padlocked
Similar to a street address, your public IP address is a distinct set of digits that your internet service provider assigns to your home network in order to identify it. Every device on your home internet network, including laptops, game consoles, and smartphones, has a private IP address in addition to the public IP address of your network. This private IP address is a distinct IP address that is issued by your router. For your router to “talk” with devices, it must be aware of the many devices that are out there. Your internet-connected devices share a single public IP address, but each device has a unique private IP address.
In most cases, you won’t even need to consider your IP address. If you have privacy concerns or need to access region-restricted streaming services, like international Netflix libraries or BBC iPlayer outside of the UK, you might need to change your IP address from time to time. The simplest approach to trick websites and internet-connected apps into thinking you have a different IP address is to use a virtual private network, or VPN. I use a VPN most of the time to conceal my IP address. Depending on whether you need to modify your private or public IP address, there are several ways to change or conceal your IP address. Possible solutions include router reboots, VPNs, proxy services, and manually acquiring new IP addresses.
Everything you need to know about changing your IP address is right here, from what an IP address is to which method to use depending on your unique situation.
An IP address: what is it?
A distinct set of digits known as an Internet Protocol, or IP, address is used to identify a device that is connected to the internet. Public and private IP addresses are the two categories of IP addresses. The range of IP addresses is between 0.0.0.0 and 255.255.255.255.
Similar to a physical address is a public IP address.
Your router is given a public IP address by your ISP. You only have one public IP address since your internet service provider assigns it to your router. This means that if you search for it on your laptop and phone, which are both linked to your Wi-Fi network, they should display the same IP address. A street address is analogous to your public IP address. Your IP address, which often includes your ISP’s information, provides information about your approximate geographic location, just like your street address does. Using a website like the well called WhatIsMyIPAddress, you may learn your IP address and other details like your geographical region and internet service provider.
Your home network and router both utilize your private IP address.
Conversely, only other devices on your local network—that is, devices that are hardwired into your modem or linked to your Wi-Fi router—can access a private IP address. Public IP addresses can also start with 192 or 172, although private IP addresses often start with 192, 172, or 10. While your router typically only has one public IP address, every device on your home network has a distinct private IP address.
What makes changing your IP address desirable?
You frequently don’t even need to consider your private and public IP addresses. However, you might wish to alter your IP address for a number of reasons.
Privacy: Your ISP, websites you visit, and applications you use can all obtain information about you from the websites and apps you use if you can read information about your ISP and general physical location by searching up your public IP address. For privacy reasons, you may want to modify your public IP address.
Streaming: Certain websites and apps, such as streaming services, are region-restricted, meaning that users from other countries cannot access them. Geo-protected content, such as international Netflix libraries, can be unblocked with the use of a fresh public IP address from a certain nation.
Censorship or throttle: To get around censorship, such as when visiting websites that have been prohibited by your government or school administration, you can modify your public IP address. Similarly, a new public IP address can help you get around your ISP’s or cell carrier’s throttling limits.
Troubleshooting: If your device is having problems connecting to your network or modem, changing your private IP address could help you get it back up and running. This is useful for IT troubleshooting.
How to use a VPN to modify your IP address
Mobile gadgets and a laptop You can conceal your public IP address if you already have a VPN subscription. By redirecting your traffic through an encrypted server, a VPN prevents websites and apps from seeing your public IP address and instead displays the IP address of the server you are connecting to. In essence, it gives websites or applications the impression that your public IP address is different. Websites and applications see your traffic as coming from the server of your VPN provider, and your ISP is unable to observe your online activities, including the apps you use and the websites you visit. When you need to access geoblocked material, want more privacy, or need to get around censorship and throttling limitations, a VPN is a useful tool. A doesn’t alter the private IP address of your device.
Here’s how to use a VPN to conceal your IP address:
Enroll in a VPN provider’s plan.
Install a VPN app on your smartphone after downloading it.
After installing the VPN software, launch it and log in.
Choose your desired server and turn on your VPN.
Each device has a somewhat different VPN setup procedure. By turning your VPN off and then back on, you can easily check if it’s functioning properly by checking up your IP address; the addresses shouldn’t match.
How to use a proxy server to modify your IP address
Because they act as intermediaries between your device and the internet, a proxy server and a VPN are comparable. Proxy servers, like VPNs, conceal your public IP address from websites and applications. But since a proxy server doesn’t encrypt your connection, it’s not as private or safe as a VPN. A virtual private network is required for an encrypted connection, however a proxy could be sufficient for simple pseudo-anonymity when browsing the web or watching movies. Prior to using a VPN, I unblocked geo-restricted content, such as watching TV series from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in the US, using a proxy service called GetFlix.
Depending on the platform, there are differences in how to set up a proxy server. Typically, you will select an IP address, activate your proxy, and specify your proxy server address in the device’s settings. You may simply download an app, log in, launch your proxy, and select a server with certain proxy services’ user-friendly applications.
How to reset your router to change your IP address
An expanded antenna on a wireless router
A quick way to get a new private IP address is to restart your router:
Take note of the IP address of your device.
For at least five minutes, unplug your router; however, this may take longer depending on your ISP and router/modem.
Re-plug your router; the restoration of your internet connection can take several minutes.
If your device doesn’t connect to your network automatically, reconnect it.
Verify your private IP address again; it should be different from the first time you checked.
Resetting your router is meant to cause it to forget about your device and assign a new private IP address to every connected device. Depending on how your ISP provides IP addresses, you can potentially receive a new public IP address if you reset your router. Try rebooting your router again or for a longer duration, such as a day, if you continue to see the same public IP address from before. To get a new public IP address, those who have a separate router and modem might need to reset both networking equipment. Additionally, if your ISP offers a dynamic IP address—which some don’t—resetting your router to obtain a new public IP address will only work.
How to manually or automatically modify your private IP address
Laptop system preferences
Your public IP address can be changed by using a VPN or proxy, but you might need to purchase a new private IP address. For example, if you wish to create a static IP address or if you’re having trouble connecting to the internet on a certain device, you might want to modify your private IP address. Unlike manually creating an IP, the majority of devices allow you to quickly change your private IP address automatically, so you won’t need to know a free IP address to use.
It is easier to use when your IP address is updated automatically since you won’t have to know which IP address is available on your network. However, in certain situations, such as when operating a home server and wanting to offer a static IP address, you will want to manually add an IP. For instance, I operate a Plex server and have a static IP address configured. In this manner, I can effortlessly move files to and from my Plex server as that private IP address remains constant. Here’s how to change your IP address on several platforms both manually and automatically.
How to modify your Windows IP address
To have your IP address automatically updated:
Press the R button (Win + R) and the Windows key at the same time to open the Run dialog box. As an alternative, you may look for Run in the Start Menu.
To launch a command prompt, type CMD and press Enter.
To reveal your Windows computer’s current IP address, type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
To automatically obtain a new IP address, type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
To change your IP address by hand:
Proceed to the Start.
Navigate to Settings.
On the Network & Internet tab, choose it.
Select Ethernet for a wired connection or Wi-Fi if you’re utilizing a wireless network.
Choose [network name] attributes for Wi-Fi (for example, I picked WuTangSecret properties because my Wi-Fi name is WuTangSecret). When using Ethernet, you may access the IP assignment page without making any additional selections.
Click Edit next to the IP assignment.
Select Manual.
Turn on IPv4 or IPv6, depending on your preferences and the compatibility of your network and modem.
Enter the IP address that you wish to use.
Alternatively, you may use the Control Panel to change your IP address:
Proceed to the Start.
Get the Control Panel open.
Select Internet and Network.
Go to the Sharing and Networking Center.
Choose your network.
Select Properties.
Select TCP/IP.
Enter the IP address that you wish to use.
How to modify your Mac’s IP address
To obtain a new IP address automatically:
Go to System Settings.
Select Network.
Click the Details button next to your network after selecting Wi-Fi.
Choose TCP/IP.
Select DHCP Lease Renewal.
To acquire a new IP address by hand:
Navigate to System Settings.
Select Network.
Click the Details button next to your network after selecting Wi-Fi.
Select TCP/IP.
IPv4 > Manually or IPv6 > Manually are the options available.
Enter the IP address you want.
How to modify your Linux IP address
Pressing the super key, which is the Windows button or Command key on an Apple keyboard, will launch the application.
Open the Connections app.
Click the IPv4 or IPv6 tab after choosing your network.
Change the Method to Manual.
In the DNS Servers section, provide the IP address of the DNS server you want to use.
For the majority of Debian-based operating systems, such as Ubuntu, Kubuntu, or Linux Mint, these procedures should be similar, however they may differ somewhat based on the particular Linux operating system you’re using.
How to modify your Android IP address
Navigate to Settings.
Press the Wi-Fi button.
To connect to a Wi-Fi network, press the i button next to it.
To obtain a new IP address automatically: To disconnect from your wireless network, tap Forget, which is represented by a garbage icon. You should then receive a new IP address when reconnecting to your Wi-Fi network.
In order to manually update your IP address: Press the IP settings button. Choose Static. Enter your preferred IP address.
How to modify your iPadOS and iOS IP address
Navigate to Settings.
Press the Wi-Fi button.
Decide on a wireless network.
Click “Configure IP.”
Select Automatic to have your IP address updated automatically, or select Manual and enter your preferred IP address.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. We do not encourage or promote the use of VPNs, proxy servers, or other IP-masking techniques for illegal activities or to violate the terms of service of any website, platform, or content provider. The methods described herein should only be used in accordance with local laws and regulations. Users are solely responsible for ensuring their actions comply with applicable legal and ethical guidelines. Additionally, altering your IP address may impact access to certain services or security configurations—proceed with caution and at your own risk.