How to Change Your IP Address in 2026

Many people change their IP address to sidestep internet censorship, access geo-restricted content, or protect their privacy. In that case, a VPN, the Tor browser, or even a web proxy can do the trick, though the latter are riskier.

Otherwise, restarting your router or switching networks are easy ways to change your IP if you’re being DDoS’d in online games, running into too many CAPTCHAs, or facing other IP-related issues. Finally, asking your ISP might work depending on your location and subscription.

Changing your local IP address is less common, since it’s only used to identify your device on your local network. However, if you’re troubleshooting an IP address conflict or need a consistent address for remote access or other networking tasks, you can change it through your device’s network settings.

In this guide, I’ll explain how to change your public and local IP addresses using different methods and walk you through the setup.

How to change your public IP address

Here’s a look at each method, with step-by-step guides where applicable.

1. Use a VPN

A VPN is one of the easiest and safest ways to change your public IP address. It routes your internet traffic through a VPN server, so websites see the server’s IP instead of yours. For instance, with a streaming VPN, you can connect to servers in different countries to change your virtual location and access geo-restricted content.

To get started:

1. Choose a VPN provider. I prefer NordVPN since it’s fast and has great unblocking capabilities.
2. Sign up and download the VPN on the device(s) you want to change your IP on.
3. Connect to a local server if you want better speeds or one in a different country if you want to access restricted content.
4. Use a private window, clear your cookies, or switch servers if you still can’t access the platform you’re trying to reach. Your IP may change, but cookies may still reveal your previous location, and streaming sites often block VPN server IPs.

Only looking to change your IP temporarily? Instead of using a free VPN and risking your data, or dealing with data caps, slow servers, and other annoyances, try a free VPN trial.

2. Use the Tor Browser

Tor is a privacy-focused network that conceals your IP address by passing your browsing traffic through multiple relays. The website you visit sees the IP address of the final relay, known as the exit node, rather than your own.

To use it, download and install the Tor Browser from the official Tor Project website. Open the browser, and it will connect to the Tor network so you can start browsing.

Tor Browser only routes its own traffic through Tor, so other apps on your device will continue using your regular internet connection. Some websites also block Tor connections or make you solve more CAPTCHAs, and browsing can be slower than usual.

3. Try a proxy service

A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your device and the websites you visit. When you connect through a proxy, websites generally see the proxy’s IP address rather than your own. Some proxies can also help you access content restricted to certain locations.

The setup depends on the type of proxy you’re using. For a typical HTTPS proxy to change your IP while browsing, you basically:

1. Find a trustworthy provider and copy the proxy IP and port.
2. Access the proxy/network settings in your browser or on your device.
3. Input the details from the first step and save your changes.
4. Run an online IP check to see if your IP address has changed.

Note that “HTTPS proxy” doesn’t mean the connection is trustworthy, just that any traffic between your browser and the proxy is encrypted. The proxy operator can still see your traffic after decrypting it. Which, to be fair, can also happen with VPNs, though top providers undergo independent audits to verify their privacy claims.

Meanwhile, you’d need a no-logs SOCKS5 proxy for torrenting. But while you can change your visible IP and even route DNS requests through a SOCKS5 proxy with proper configuration, it still won’t encrypt your traffic.

As such, your ISP can still see you’re torrenting, and may even be able to tell which torrents you’re downloading depending on your client’s encryption settings. A no-logs VPN encrypts all your traffic and doesn’t require much setup, making it a more reliable choice.

4. Restart your router

If your ISP assigns dynamic public IPs, restarting your router may give you a new one. Unplug your router, wait around 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Give it a few minutes to reconnect to the internet, then check whether your public IP address has changed.

This won’t work with every ISP, and you may get the same IP again. Some providers keep your IP address assigned for longer periods or use DHCP reservations, so a restart alone may not be enough.

5. Change networks

Switching to a different internet connection is one of the easiest ways to get a different public IP address. For example, you can disconnect from Wi-Fi and use mobile data instead, or connect to another Wi-Fi network.

6. Ask your ISP

If restarting your router doesn’t change your public IP address, contact your ISP and ask whether you can get a new one. Depending on your provider and subscription, they may be able to assign a different dynamic IP or offer a static IP address if you need one that stays the same.

Keep in mind that some ISPs use carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT), which means multiple subscribers share a public IP. In that case, changing your router’s settings won’t necessarily change the IP address websites see. Your ISP can explain your options, though a new public IP address may not be available on request.

How to change your local IP address

Your local (private) IP address identifies your device on your home or office network. Unlike your public IP address, it’s not normally visible to websites you visit, so changing it won’t improve your online privacy or help you access geo-restricted content.

However, if two devices end up with the same local IP address, you may experience connectivity problems. This is known as an IP address conflict, and you can usually fix it by reconnecting to your network, or renewing your DHCP lease with these steps:

• Windows: Open Command Prompt and run ipconfig /release followed by ipconfig /renew.
• macOS: Go to System Settings > Network > your connection > Details > TCP/IP, then select Renew DHCP Lease and click OK to confirm.

If you regularly connect to devices on your home network via SSH, use Wake-on-LAN, or run a home server, keeping a device’s local IP consistent can make things easier. You can manually assign a static IP address to keep it from changing. Here’s how to do it on different devices.

Windows

1. Open Settings, and go to Network & internet.
2. Select Wi-Fi and open the properties of your connected network. If you’re using an Ethernet connection, select Ethernet instead.
3. Find IP assignment and click Edit.
4. Select Manual, enable IPv4, and enter an available IP address, subnet mask, and gateway for your network.
5. Click Save to apply the changes.

For example, on a typical home network you might use:

• IP address: 192.168.1.50
• Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
• Gateway: 192.168.1.1

These are example values only. Your router may use a different address range, so check your existing network settings first. Make sure the IP address you choose isn’t already being used by another device.

If you’re troubleshooting a conflict, it’s usually better to leave IP assignment set to Automatic (DHCP) so your router can assign an address for you. You can also try disconnecting and reconnecting to the network.

macOS

1. Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
2. Go to Network and select your active connection, such as Wi-Fi.
3. Click Details, then open the TCP/IP section.
4. Next to Configure IPv4, select Manually.
5. Enter an available IP address, subnet mask, and router address.
6. Click OK to save your settings.

To let your router assign an address automatically again, return to the menu at step 4 and select Using DHCP.

Android

1. Open Settings and go to Wi-Fi or Network & internet.
2. Tap your connected Wi-Fi network or its settings icon.
3. Open the network’s advanced settings, if available.
4. Tap IP settings and change the setting from DHCP to Static.
5. Enter an available IP and the required network details, then save your changes.

The exact menu names vary by device and Android version. To restore automatic address assignment, change the IP setting back to DHCP.

iPhone and iPad

1. Open Settings and select Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the ( i ) next to your connected network.
3. Under IPv4 Address, tap Configure IP.
4. Select Manual.
5. Enter an available IP address, subnet mask, and router address.
6. Tap Save to finish up.

To return to automatic address assignment, go back to Configure IP and select Automatic.

What can someone do with your IP address?

Someone who knows your public IP address can approximate your general location, such as your city or region, and identify your ISP. They may also use it to target your network with DDoS and other attacks, or check whether your IP address is associated with suspicious activity (like torrenting copyrighted materials).

However, your IP address alone doesn’t reveal your exact home address, give someone access to your device, or identify you by name. The risks depend on what other information someone has about you, and whether your network or devices have unpatched vulnerabilities.

If you’re concerned about your privacy, a VPN can hide your real public IP address from the websites and services you visit by routing your traffic through a VPN server. Using the Tor browser also works, but it only covers your in-browser traffic.

Changing IP address FAQs