How to Change Your IP Address on Any Device (Step-by-Step 2026)

Whether you're troubleshooting a network issue, trying to get past an IP ban, protecting your privacy, or simply wanting a fresh online identity — changing your IP address is easier than most people think. This step-by-step guide covers every method for changing your IP on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and at the router level. We'll also explain when and why you'd want to change your IP, and the differences between temporary and permanent changes.

Before changing anything, note your current IP address so you can verify the change worked. Visit TraceMyIPOnline.com — your public IP, location, and ISP are displayed instantly. Write down your current IP or take a screenshot. After making changes, visit the same page to confirm your IP is different.

There are two fundamentally different ways to change your IP, and understanding the difference is important.

Changing your actual IP address means getting a new IP from your ISP. This happens when you restart your router, contact your ISP, or switch networks. Your new IP is a real IP assigned to your connection — websites see it as a genuine residential IP.

Masking your IP with a different one means using a VPN, proxy, or Tor to make websites see a different IP while your real IP stays the same. This is faster, more reliable, and offers additional benefits like encryption.

Most home internet connections use dynamic IP addresses assigned by your ISP through DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). These IPs change periodically, and you can often force a change by restarting your router.

Step 1: Note your current IP at TraceMyIPOnline.com.

Step 2: Unplug your router from power completely. If you have a separate modem, unplug that too.

Step 3: Wait at least 5 minutes. For stubborn ISPs that reissue the same IP, wait 15-30 minutes or even overnight. The longer your connection is down, the more likely your ISP will release your old IP back to their pool.

Step 4: Plug the modem back in first (if separate) and wait for it to fully connect. Then plug in the router.

Step 5: Once your connection is restored, check your IP at TraceMyIPOnline.com. If it's different, you're done.

Why this might not work: Some ISPs use very long DHCP lease times, meaning they'll reassign the same IP even after a restart. Others use semi-static assignments where your IP rarely changes. If restarting doesn't work after a 30-minute wait, try the other methods below.

A VPN is the fastest and most reliable way to change your visible IP address. You can change it in seconds, choose which country's IP you want, and switch between locations as often as you like.

Step 1: Sign up for a VPN service. Top options in 2026 include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and ProtonVPN.

Step 2: Download and install the app on your device.

Step 3: Open the app, log in, and choose a server location. Want a US IP? Pick a US server. Want a UK IP? Pick a UK server.

Step 4: Click Connect. Your visible IP changes instantly.

Step 5: Verify at TraceMyIPOnline.com — you should see the VPN server's IP and location.

To change your IP again, simply disconnect and connect to a different server. Most VPNs have thousands of servers across 60+ countries, giving you enormous flexibility.

You can manually change your local (private) IP address on Windows, which is useful for resolving network conflicts or configuring specific network setups.

Step 1: Press Windows key + I to open Settings.

Step 2: Click "Network & Internet."

Step 3: Click "WiFi" or "Ethernet" depending on your connection type.

Step 4: Click on your connected network name.

Step 5: Under "IP assignment," click "Edit."

Step 6: Change from "Automatic (DHCP)" to "Manual."

Step 7: Toggle on "IPv4" and enter your desired IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100), subnet mask (255.255.255.0), gateway (your router's IP, usually 192.168.1.1), and preferred DNS (1.1.1.1).

Step 8: Click Save.

Important: This only changes your local IP within your home network. Your public IP (visible to websites) remains the same. To change your public IP, use a VPN or restart your router.

For a quicker method on Windows, you can use Command Prompt to request a new IP from your router.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right-click Start, select "Terminal (Admin)").

Step 2: Type ipconfig /release and press Enter. This releases your current IP.

Step 3: Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter. This requests a new IP from your router.

This method changes your local IP and may trigger a new IP assignment from your router's DHCP server.

Step 1: Click the Apple menu and select "System Settings" (or System Preferences on older macOS).

Step 2: Click "Network" in the sidebar.

Step 3: Select your active connection (WiFi or Ethernet).

Step 4: Click "Details" or "Advanced."

Step 5: Click the "TCP/IP" tab.

Step 6: Change "Configure IPv4" from "Using DHCP" to "Manually."

Step 7: Enter your desired IP address, subnet mask, and router address.

Step 8: Click "OK" then "Apply."

To request a new IP from DHCP without manual assignment, click the "Renew DHCP Lease" button on the TCP/IP tab.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap "WiFi."

Step 2: Tap the blue info icon (ⓘ) next to your connected network.

Step 3: Tap "Configure IP."

Step 4: Select "Manual."

Step 5: Enter your desired IP address, subnet mask (255.255.255.0), and router address.

Step 6: Tap "Save."

To get a new automatic IP, select "Automatic" instead and your iPhone will request a fresh IP from the router. You can also toggle WiFi off and on, or "Forget This Network" and reconnect to potentially get a new local IP.

To change your public IP on iPhone, the easiest method is using a VPN app or switching between WiFi and cellular data. Check your current public IP at TraceMyIPOnline.com.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap "Network & Internet" or "Connections."

Step 2: Tap "WiFi."

Step 3: Long-press your connected network and select "Modify network" or tap the gear icon.

Step 4: Tap "Advanced options" or "IP settings."

Step 5: Change from "DHCP" to "Static."

Step 6: Enter your desired IP address, gateway, and DNS servers.

Step 7: Tap "Save."

Like iPhone, toggling WiFi or switching to mobile data instantly gives you a different public IP.

If you need a genuinely new public IP address and router restarts aren't working, you can contact your ISP directly and request a new IP assignment. Most ISPs will accommodate this request, though some may charge a small fee or require you to explain the reason. If you need a permanent, unchanging IP, ask about a static IP address — these typically cost an additional $5-15 per month.

The simplest way to get a different IP immediately is to connect to a different network. Switch from WiFi to cellular data, connect to a different WiFi network, or use a mobile hotspot. Each network assigns its own IP address, so switching networks always results in a different public IP.

Common situations where changing your IP is beneficial include being IP-banned from a website or game, receiving DDoS attacks on your current IP, after an IP leak exposes your address to someone threatening, when troubleshooting network connectivity issues, to bypass geographic content restrictions, after noticing unusual network activity, or when your IP has been blacklisted due to previous abuse from your ISP's IP pool.

Changing your local IP doesn't change your public IP. Your public IP is what websites see and is assigned by your ISP, not your router. To change what websites see, you need to change your public IP through a VPN, router restart, or ISP request.

Dynamic IPs change naturally over time. Most home connections use dynamic IPs that change periodically without any action on your part. If privacy is your goal, a VPN is more reliable than trying to keep your IP constantly changing.

Changing your IP doesn't erase tracking. Websites use cookies, browser fingerprinting, and account data to track you regardless of IP changes. A new IP combined with clearing cookies and using a privacy browser provides more comprehensive protection.

Yes, changing your IP address is completely legal in virtually all countries. Whether you restart your router, use a VPN, or manually configure a different IP, none of these actions violate any laws. However, changing your IP to evade a ban in order to continue violating a service's terms may have consequences with that specific service.

Changing your actual IP through a router restart or manual configuration has no effect on speed. Using a VPN to mask your IP will reduce speeds by approximately 10-20% with modern protocols. Using Tor will reduce speeds by 60-80%.

For your local network IP, yes — you can manually set any available IP within your subnet. For your public IP, you cannot choose a specific address from your ISP, but VPNs let you choose which country and often which city your visible IP comes from.

This varies by ISP. Some ISPs change your IP every few hours, others every few days, and some keep the same IP for months. Most home connections use dynamic IPs that change eventually but not on a predictable schedule. You can monitor your IP at TraceMyIPOnline.com.

Turning airplane mode on and off will typically give you a new cellular IP because your phone disconnects from and reconnects to the carrier's network. Your WiFi IP may or may not change when you reconnect to your home network, depending on your router's DHCP settings.

Your ISP maintains records of which IPs were assigned to your account and when. With proper legal authority, law enforcement can trace IP assignments through your ISP. However, no public tool or ordinary person can link your old IP to your new one. Using a VPN provides an additional layer of separation.

The absolute fastest method is connecting to a VPN — your visible IP changes in under 5 seconds. The fastest free method is switching from WiFi to mobile data (or vice versa), which gives you a different IP instantly.