How to change your IP address: Manual methods vs VPN

Your IP address is one of the most important pieces of information connected to your online activity. It helps websites, apps, and online services know where to send data, but it can also reveal your approximate location and make it easier to track your activity across the internet.

That’s why many people look for ways to change their IP address.

Sometimes it’s about privacy. Sometimes it’s about fixing network issues, accessing content from another region, or staying safer on public Wi-Fi.

Key takeaways:

• Your IP address identifies your device on the internet
• You can change your IP address manually or by using a VPN
• Restarting your router may change your public IP address
• VPNs are the easiest way to change your IP securely
• iPhone and Android devices allow IP changes through Wi-Fi settings
• Changing your IP does not automatically make you anonymous online

What is an IP address?

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique number assigned to your internet connection or device. It allows websites, apps, and online services to communicate with your device correctly.

Think of it like a digital home address for internet traffic.

There are two main types of IP addresses:

• Public IP address — assigned by your internet provider and visible online
• Private IP address — used inside your local network, such as within your home Wi-Fi

When people want to change IP address they are usually referring to their public IP address.

Related: What can someone do with your IP address? Privacy risks explained

How to change IP address

There are different ways to change your IP address, depending on what you want to do.

Some methods change your public IP address — the one websites and apps see online. Others only change your local IP address inside your home or office network.

How to change your public IP address

Here are the most common ways to change it:

1. Restart your router

In some cases, restarting your router can give you a new public IP address from your internet provider.

How to do it:

1. Turn off your router
2. Wait around 5–10 minutes
3. Turn it back on
4. Check whether your IP address changed

This method does not always work because many internet providers assign stable IP addresses for long periods.

2. Switch to another network

Your IP address changes whenever you connect to a different network.

For example:

• Switching from home Wi-Fi to mobile data
• Connecting to another Wi-Fi network
• Using a public hotspot

This is one of the quickest ways to get a different IP address, but public networks can expose you to additional security risks.

3. Use a VPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is the easiest and safest way to change your public IP address.

Instead of exposing your real IP, a VPN routes your internet traffic through a secure encrypted server in another location. Websites and apps see the VPN server’s IP address instead of yours.

A VPN is considered more secure because it:

• Changes your visible IP address instantly
• Encrypts your internet traffic
• Helps reduce tracking
• Protects your activity on public Wi-Fi
• Allows you to choose different server locations

For example, Bitdefender Premium VPN combines IP masking with encrypted traffic and a strict no-traffic-logs policy, which offers much stronger privacy than simply changing networks manually.

How to change your local IP address

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and is only used inside your local network. You can usually renew or manually change it through your device settings.

On Windows

1.Open Command Prompt

2.Type:

· ipconfig /release

· ipconfig /renew

On Mac

1. Go to System Settings
2. Open Network
3. Select your connection
4. Choose TCP/IP
5. Click “Renew DHCP Lease”

Changing your local IP address does not necessarily change your public IP address.

How to change IP address on iPhone

On iPhone, you can either renew your local IP address or use a VPN to change your public IP address.

How to renew your IP address on iPhone

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Wi-Fi
3. Tap the i icon next to your connected network
4. Scroll down
5. Tap Renew Lease

This refreshes your local IP address within your Wi-Fi network.

How to manually configure an IP address on iPhone

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap Wi-Fi
3. Tap the i next to your network
4. Scroll to Configure IP
5. Select Manual
6. Enter the IP address details

You should avoid manual configuration unless they know exactly what settings are required.

How to change your public IP address on iPhone

The easiest ways are:

• Switching networks
• Turning mobile data on or off
• Using a VPN app

A VPN changes the visible IP address websites and apps see while also encrypting your traffic.

How to change IP address on Android

Android phones also allow you to renew or manually configure IP settings.

How to change local IP address on Android

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Network & Internet
3. Select Wi-Fi
4. Tap your connected network
5. Open network details
6. Choose IP settings
7. Switch from DHCP to Static if needed

The exact steps may vary slightly depending on the phone brand.

How to change your public IP address on Android

The easiest options are:

• Switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data
• Connecting to another networkUsing a VPN

A VPN is usually the most practical option because it changes your visible IP address instantly without requiring technical setup.

How to change IP address on Windows

How to renew your local IP address on Windows

1.Open Command Prompt

2.Type:

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

How to change your public IP address on Windows

You can change your public IP address by:

• Restarting your router
• Connecting to another network
• Using a VPN

A VPN is usually the easiest option because it changes your visible IP address while also encrypting your internet traffic.

Related: Proxy vs VPN: What’s the real difference & which one is safer?

Manual IP address changes vs VPN: What’s the difference?

Don’t assume changing an IP address automatically protects your privacy.

Without encryption, your activity may still be visible to internet providers, network administrators, public Wi-Fi operators and trackers and advertisers. That’s why VPNs are generally considered the safer option.

How to check if your IP address changed

You can check whether your IP address changed by searching “What is my IP” in Google before and after making changes. If the number is different, your public IP address changed successfully.

Does changing your IP address make you safer?

Changing your IP address can improve privacy, but safety depends on how you do it. Simply connecting to random public Wi-Fi networks may actually expose you to more risks, while manually changing local IP settings does not encrypt your internet traffic. A VPN adds encryption on top of changing your visible IP address, which offers much stronger protection, especially on public networks.

If you regularly use public Wi-Fi, travel often, or simply want a more private connection, Bitdefender Premium VPN  can make changing and protecting your IP address much easier.

FAQs

How do I change my IP address for free?

You can try different methods such as restarting your router, switching networks, using mobile data and renewing your local IP address. Some free VPNs also change IP addresses, but many come with limitations, ads, slower speeds, or weaker privacy protections.

Does airplane mode change your IP address?

Sometimes. Turning airplane mode on and off may give your phone a different IP address when reconnecting to mobile data, but it’s not guaranteed.

Can I change my IP address without a VPN?

Yes. You can restart your router, switch networks, or manually renew your IP settings. However, these methods usually do not encrypt your traffic.

Is it better to use a VPN instead of manually changing an IP?

Yes. A VPN changes your visible IP address while also encrypting your internet activity, which provides stronger privacy and protection.

Can my internet provider still see my activity if I change my IP manually?

In many cases, yes. If your traffic is not encrypted, your internet provider may still see the websites you visit or the services you use.

Can websites still track me if I change your IP address?

Yes, even with a different IP address, websites can still track users through cookies, browser fingerprinting, logged-in accounts and device identifiers. Changing your IP helps reduce tracking, but it is only one part of online privacy.

Is changing your IP address legal?

In most countries, yes — changing your IP address is completely legal.

People change IP addresses every day when switching networks, using mobile data, restarting routers, or connecting through VPNs. However, legality depends on what someone does afterward. Changing an IP address does not make illegal activities legal.