How to Change Your IP Address on a Computer, Phone and Router

Changing your IP address means changing either the address you use on the internet or your device’s address on the local network. These two addresses are different, and so are the ways to change them. In this article we first explain the difference, then show step by step how to change your IP address on a computer, phone and router.

First, the Difference: Public IP vs Local IP

	Public IP	Local (private) IP
What it does	The address that represents you on the internet; the IP websites see	Your device’s address on the home or office network
Who assigns it	Your internet service provider (ISP)	Your router (DHCP)
Example	Something like 78.x.x.x	192.168.1.x, 10.0.0.x
How to change it	Restarting the router, a VPN, asking your ISP	From the device or router settings

How to Change Your Public IP Address

1. Restart your router

On most home subscriptions the public IP is dynamic. If you turn the router off, wait a few minutes and turn it back on, your ISP may assign a new IP. The waiting time and the result vary by provider; on some subscriptions the IP stays the same for a long time.

2. Use a VPN

A VPN routes your traffic through another server, so websites see the VPN server’s IP address instead of yours. It’s a quick, reversible method.

3. Switch to mobile data

When you turn off Wi-Fi on your phone and switch to mobile data, you go online with a different IP through your carrier’s network. Turning airplane mode on and off often gets you a new IP too.

4. Ask your internet provider

If you use a static IP, or your IP is on a blacklist, you can ask your ISP’s customer service to change it.

Changing the Local IP Address on a Computer

Windows 10 and 11

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet and choose your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
2. Click Edit next to IP assignment and choose Manual.
3. Turn on IPv4 and enter the IP address (e.g. 192.168.1.50), subnet mask (usually 255.255.255.0), gateway (the router address, e.g. 192.168.1.1) and DNS addresses.
4. Save. Make sure the address you chose isn’t used by another device on the network.

If you just want a new address from the command line: ipconfig /release followed by ipconfig /renew.

macOS

1. In System Settings → Network, select your connection and click Details.
2. In the TCP/IP tab, set Configure IPv4 to Manually and enter the address details.

Linux

On a desktop you can enter the IP manually in the network settings. On Ubuntu servers, configuration is done with the YAML file under /etc/netplan/ and applied with sudo netplan apply.

Changing the IP Address on a Phone

Android

1. In Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi, tap the network you’re connected to.
2. Under Edit or Advanced options, set IP settings to Static and enter the address details.

Menu names may differ slightly by manufacturer.

iPhone

1. In Settings → Wi-Fi, tap the (i) icon next to the connected network.
2. Set Configure IP to Manual and enter the details, or tap Renew Lease to get a new address.

IP Settings on the Router

By logging in to the router’s interface in a browser (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), you can change the DHCP range or set up a DHCP reservation that always gives a device the same local IP. A reservation is tidier than entering the IP manually on the device and prevents address conflicts.

Things to Know Before Changing Your IP

• Changing your IP doesn’t make you anonymous; browser cookies and account logins still identify you.
• If a manually entered local IP conflicts with another device on the network, both devices may lose their connection.
• Changing your IP to breach service agreements or bypass access blocks can have legal consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn’t my IP change when I restart the router?

Some ISPs keep giving the same router the same IP for a long time, or your subscription has a static IP. You can try leaving it off for longer or ask your ISP.

Can I make my IP address appear to be in another country?

Yes. With a VPN that has a server in another country, websites see you as if you were in that country.

Is a static or dynamic IP better?

A dynamic IP is enough for home use. A static IP is preferred if you need remote access, host a server or connect to IP-restricted systems.

Related: What Is AdGuard DNS? How to Set It Up on Phone and Computer