How to Change Your IP Address: 5 Proven Methods

Whether you need more privacy, want to bypass geographic restrictions, or are troubleshooting a network issue, changing your IP address is a straightforward process. This guide walks you through five reliable methods that work on any device, from quick fixes that take seconds to permanent configurations.

Before You Start:

Note your current IP address before making any changes so you can verify the change was successful. Visit our homepage to see your current public IP address instantly.

Why Would You Want to Change Your IP Address?

Your IP address reveals information about your approximate location, your Internet Service Provider, and can be used to track your online activities across websites. There are several legitimate reasons why you might want a different IP address.

Common Reasons:

Privacy protection: Prevent websites and advertisers from building a profile based on your IP
Access geo-restricted content: Some services limit availability by region
Troubleshoot network issues: IP conflicts or connectivity problems may require a new address
Avoid IP-based throttling: Some ISPs throttle specific IP ranges during peak hours
Security after a breach: If your IP has been compromised or targeted by attacks

Public IP vs Local IP

It is important to understand which IP address you want to change:

Public IP Address

The address websites see when you connect. Assigned by your ISP and shared by all devices on your network. This is what most people want to change.

Local (Private) IP Address

The address your router assigns to each device on your home network (e.g., 192.168.1.x). Only visible within your local network.

Learn more about the difference in our Public vs Private IP guide.

Method 1: Restart Your Router

The simplest way to get a new public IP address is to power-cycle your router. Most residential internet connections use dynamic IP addresses, meaning your ISP assigns a new one each time your router reconnects to their network.

Steps:

Unplug your router and modem from the power outlet
Wait at least 5 minutes (longer is better; some ISPs require 10-15 minutes before releasing the old IP lease)
Plug the modem back in first and wait for all indicator lights to stabilize
Plug the router back in and wait for it to fully boot
Check your IP address at whatismyip.bz to confirm the change

Note: This method is not guaranteed to work every time. Some ISPs assign very long DHCP leases, and you may receive the same IP address after restarting. If this happens, try leaving the router unplugged for several hours or overnight.

Pros & Cons

Advantages:

Free and requires no technical knowledge
Works on all devices connected to your network
No software installation needed

Disadvantages:

Not guaranteed to assign a new IP
Causes temporary internet downtime
Does not work with static IP plans
You cannot choose the new IP address

Method 2: Use a VPN

How a VPN Changes Your IP

A Virtual Private Network routes your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a server in a location of your choice. Websites and services see the VPN server's IP address instead of your real one.

Your device connects to the VPN server through an encrypted tunnel
Your internet requests are sent from the VPN server's IP address
The response travels back through the encrypted tunnel to your device
Websites see the VPN server's IP, not your real IP

Best For:

Privacy, accessing geo-restricted content, and getting an IP in a specific country or city.

Getting Started with a VPN:

Choose a reputable VPN provider (look for a no-logs policy, strong encryption, and a wide server network)
Download and install the VPN application on your device
Open the app and sign in to your account
Select a server location (choose a country or city)
Click connect and wait for the connection to establish
Verify your new IP at whatismyip.bz

A VPN is the most reliable method because you can change your IP address on demand, choose a specific location, and maintain encryption for all your traffic. It works on computers, phones, tablets, and even some routers.

Most VPN services cost between $3 and $12 per month, with discounts for annual plans. Some browsers also offer built-in VPN features, though these typically only protect browser traffic.

Method 3: Change Your IP Manually on Windows

You can manually configure your local IP address through Windows network settings or Command Prompt. This changes your private (local) IP address. To release and renew your public IP, use the Command Prompt method below.

Using Command Prompt (Public IP)

This releases your current IP lease and requests a new one from your ISP:

Press Win+R, type cmd, and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to run as administrator
Type ipconfig /release and press Enter
Wait a few seconds, then type ipconfig /renew and press Enter
Type ipconfig /all to see your new IP address

This is the equivalent of restarting your router but only affects the device you run it on. Your public IP may or may not change depending on your ISP's DHCP lease settings.

Method 4: Change Your IP Manually on Mac

Using System Settings (Local IP)

Click the Apple menu and open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS)
Click Network in the sidebar
Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
Click Details next to your connected network
Go to the TCP/IP tab
Change Configure IPv4 from Using DHCP to Manually
Enter your desired IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.50)
Set Subnet Mask to 255.255.255.0
Set Router to your gateway address (usually 192.168.1.1)
Click OK then Apply

Using Terminal (Public IP)

To release and renew your DHCP lease on Mac:

Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal)
Type sudo ipconfig set en0 DHCP for Ethernet or sudo ipconfig set en1 DHCP for Wi-Fi
Enter your administrator password when prompted
Verify the change with ifconfig en0 or ifconfig en1

Tip: On newer Macs with Wi-Fi, the interface may be en0 instead of en1. Run networksetup -listallhardwareports to find the correct interface name for your connection.

Method 5: Contact Your ISP

If the other methods have not worked, or if you need a permanent IP change, contacting your Internet Service Provider directly is the most reliable option. Your ISP has full control over your public IP address and can change it upon request.

What to Ask For:

IP address change: Request a new dynamic IP be assigned to your account
Static IP upgrade: Ask about upgrading to a static IP if you need a permanent, fixed address
IP type switch: Switch between dynamic and static IP assignments

Be aware that some ISPs may charge a fee for manual IP changes or for static IP addresses. Business-tier plans are more likely to include static IP options.

When to Contact Your ISP

Your IP has been blacklisted and you cannot resolve it yourself
You are experiencing persistent IP conflicts on your network
You need a static IP for hosting a server or running a business
Router restarts consistently return the same IP address
You are being targeted by DDoS attacks and need protection

Pro Tip:

If your ISP charges for IP changes, using a VPN is often a more cost-effective long-term solution for changing your visible IP address.

How to Verify Your IP Address Changed

After using any of the methods above, it is important to confirm that your IP address has actually changed. Here is how to verify:

Check Your Public IP

Visit whatismyip.bz and note the displayed IP address
Compare it with the IP address you recorded before making changes
If the addresses are different, your public IP has successfully changed

Our homepage shows both your IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, along with your ISP and approximate location, making it easy to confirm the change.

Check Your Local IP

Windows:

Open Command Prompt and type ipconfig

Mac:

Open Terminal and type ifconfig | grep inet

Linux:

Open Terminal and type ip addr show

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to change my IP address?

Yes, changing your IP address is completely legal. Methods like restarting your router, using a VPN, or manually configuring your network settings are all standard networking practices. However, using a changed IP to conduct illegal activities remains illegal regardless of the method used.

Will changing my IP address affect my internet speed?

Restarting your router or manually changing your IP should not affect your speed. However, using a VPN may slightly reduce your speed due to the encryption overhead and the extra distance your data travels through the VPN server. Premium VPN services typically minimize this impact.

How often does my IP address change on its own?

If you have a dynamic IP (most residential connections), your ISP may change it periodically -- anywhere from every few hours to every few months. The frequency depends on your ISP's policies, network load, and how often your router reconnects. Some dynamic IPs rarely change in practice.

Can I change my IP address on my phone?

Yes. The easiest method is to toggle airplane mode on and off, which forces your phone to reconnect and potentially receive a new IP from your carrier. You can also use a VPN app, connect to a different Wi-Fi network, or manually configure your Wi-Fi connection's IP settings.

Will changing my IP address unban me from a website?

It depends. If the ban is solely IP-based, a new IP address may restore access. However, many modern websites use cookies, browser fingerprinting, and account-level bans that persist regardless of your IP. Attempting to circumvent bans may also violate the site's terms of service.