How to Change Your IP Address: A Simple Guide for Every Device

Your IP address is the digital label that identifies your device on the internet. Learning how to change your IP address gives you more control over your privacy, helps you troubleshoot connection problems, and lets you reach online services that behave differently by region. The good news? Changing your IP is easier than most people think, and you have several ways to do it.

This guide walks you through every practical method — from a quick router restart to using a VPN — so you can pick the one that fits your situation.

What Is an IP Address?

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a string of numbers assigned to your device when it connects to a network. It works like a return address: it tells websites and online services where to send the data you request.

There are two main types you’ll come across:

• Public IP address — assigned by your internet service provider (ISP). It’s how the wider internet sees your home network.
• Local IP address — used inside your home network to identify different devices, like your laptop, phone, or smart TV.

You’ll also hear about IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 is the older, more common format (four numbers separated by dots). IPv6 is the newer standard built to handle far more devices. Most home connections still use an IPv4 address day to day.

Your IP can be dynamic or static. A dynamic IP changes from time to time because your ISP reassigns it. A static IP stays the same. Most home users have a dynamic IP, which makes changing it much simpler.

Why Change Your IP Address?

People want to change their IP address for plenty of practical reasons:

• Protect your online privacy. Your IP can be used to track the websites you visit and feed targeted ads. A new IP address breaks that thread.
• Hide your true location. Your IP reveals your approximate region. Changing it lets you mask where you’re connecting from.
• Fix connection issues. Sometimes a fresh IP clears up network glitches or a block on your current address.
• Reach region-based online services. Some content is available only in certain areas. A different IP helps you access it from abroad.
• Avoid security risks. If your IP has been exposed, swapping it reduces the chance of unwanted attention.

Ways to Change Your IP Address

There are several ways to change your IP, and the best one depends on whether you want a quick fix or lasting privacy. Here are the main methods.

1. Use a VPN (Easiest and Most Private)

A VPN is the simplest way to change your IP address and keep it that way. When you connect, your traffic routes through a VPN server and you take on that server’s IP address instead of your real one. Your true IP stays hidden, and your connection gets encrypted along the way.

To change your IP address with a VPN:

1. Pick a VPN provider and install the app on your device.
2. Open the app and choose a server location.
3. Tap connect — your IP address has changed instantly.

This method works on any device: Windows computer, Mac, Android, or iPhone. Because a VPN encrypts your traffic, it also keeps your activity private on Wi-Fi networks you don’t fully trust.

2. Restart Your Router

If you have a dynamic IP, unplugging your router for a few minutes can prompt your ISP to assign a new IP address. Wait at least five minutes before plugging it back in — a quick reboot often isn’t enough for the lease to expire.

This is free and easy, but there’s no guarantee you’ll get a different address every time.

3. Release and Renew Your IP (Windows)

On a Windows 10 computer, you can manually reset your local IP address using the command line:

1. Type cmd in the search bar and open Command Prompt.
2. Type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
3. Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.

This renews your DHCP lease (the temporary assignment your network gives your device through the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). Running ipconfig on its own also lets you check your current settings.

4. Change Your IP Address Manually

You can also set a specific IP address by hand within a local network:

• On Windows, open your network settings, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and enter the values you want.
• On a Mac, go to System Preferences, select your network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and configure the IP address manually.

This is handy on a home network but doesn’t change your public IP that the outside world sees.

5. Use a Proxy Server

A proxy routes your requests through another server, so websites see the proxy server’s IP address instead of yours. Proxy and VPN are different. A proxy can change how your IP appears, but unlike a VPN, most proxies don’t encrypt your traffic — so they offer less privacy.

6. Use the Tor Browser

The Tor browser sends your traffic through several relays, masking your real IP address. It adds a strong layer of anonymity but tends to be slow, which makes it less suited to streaming or downloading large files.

7. Contact Your ISP

Your internet service provider assigns your public IP, so you can ask them to change it. Some ISPs will switch you to a new IP address on request, though policies vary.

How to Change the IP Address on Your Phone

Changing your IP on mobile is quick:

• Switch networks. Move from Wi-Fi to mobile data (or the other way) and you’ll get a different IP address right away.
• Use a VPN app. Install a VPN, select a network or server location, and connect. Your phone takes on the new IP.
• Forget and rejoin Wi-Fi. On some devices, telling your phone to forget a Wi-Fi network and reconnect prompts a fresh local IP.

Why a VPN Is the Best All-Round Option

A router restart or a manual reset can give you a new address, but those methods are hit-or-miss and do nothing to protect your data. A VPN changes your IP reliably across all your devices and encrypts your connection at the same time.

Planet VPN makes this simple. Connect in a couple of clicks and your IP address changes to one of our server locations, while reliable encryption keeps your connection protected on any network. The free version covers the essentials at no cost — no credit card required — and you can connect without registration. If you want faster speeds and more locations, Premium is there when you’re ready.

It works across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, plus browser extensions, so you can change your IP on whatever device you’re using.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is changing your IP legal?

Yes. Changing your IP address is legal in most countries and is a normal part of managing your privacy and your connection. The key is what you do online — follow the laws that apply where you are, and you’re fine.

How do I change the IP address in my phone?

The fastest way is to install a VPN app, pick a server location, and connect. You can also switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data to get a different IP, or tell your phone to forget and rejoin a Wi-Fi network for a new local IP.

How do I change my IP address at my house?

Restart your router to ask your ISP for a new address, use a VPN to route your traffic through a different server, or reset your IP through the command line on a Windows computer. A VPN is the most reliable option for your whole home network.

Is it possible to change the IP address of a device?

Yes. Every device that connects to the internet is assigned an IP address, and you can change it — manually within a local network, by switching networks, or with a tool like a VPN that gives you a new IP on the spot.

Can I change my IP address for free?

Yes. Restarting your router, switching Wi-Fi networks, and using the command line are all free. Some free VPNs can change your IP too, though many come with data limits. Planet VPN’s free version lets you do it at no cost, with the essentials included.

Is it easy to change an IP address?

Very. With a VPN it takes a couple of clicks, and a router restart or network switch is just as simple. None of these methods need technical skills — pick the one that fits what you need.