Can I change my IP address?

Yes. A VPN immediately changes the public exit IP seen by tunneled websites and apps. A router restart or ISP request may change the address assigned to your internet connection. DHCP renewal or manual network settings change only the device’s local address. Decide which result you need before choosing a method.

What is the difference between a public and private IP address?

A public IP represents your connection or VPN exit on the internet. A private IP—normally in 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, or 192.168.0.0/16—identifies a device only inside a local network. Changing one does not automatically change the other.

Does a VPN change my IP address?

A VPN changes the public exit IP seen by traffic routed through its tunnel. It does not usually reassign the WAN address supplied by your ISP. Verify both IPv4 and IPv6 after connecting, and remember that split-tunneled apps may continue using the normal connection.

How can I change my public IP address without a VPN?

Switch to another network, use cellular data, power-cycle the modem or gateway, or ask the ISP for a new dynamic or static address. A restart is not guaranteed: the same DHCP lease can return, and customers behind CGNAT may share an ISP public address.

Does restarting my router change my IP address?

It may change a dynamic public IP if the modem or gateway reconnects with a new ISP lease, but many providers return the same address. Restarting only a separate Wi-Fi router behind the modem may change nothing. Record the public IP before and after; do not factory-reset the router.

How do I change my IP address in Windows 11 or Windows 10?

For the local IP, open Settings, Network & internet, choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet, open the active network, and select Edit beside IP assignment. Automatic (DHCP) is recommended; Manual requires a valid IP, subnet, gateway, and DNS. To change the public IP websites see, connect a VPN instead.

How do I change my IP address on iPhone or Android?

Use a VPN to change the public exit IP for phone traffic. Switching between Wi-Fi and cellular also changes the network and usually the public IP. Wi-Fi IP settings on iPhone or Android alter only the local address, and Android menu names vary by manufacturer and version.

How do I change my IP address to another country or state?

Connect to a paid VPN server in the required country, then verify the reported location before reopening the destination. State and city IP locations are estimates and databases can disagree. A VPN does not replace GPS, cookies, account country, billing region, SIM information, or time zone.

Does incognito mode hide or change my IP address?

No. Incognito or private browsing limits the history and cookies retained on the device after the session, but websites and the network still see the same public IP unless traffic also uses a VPN or proxy.

Can I change my IP address permanently?

A public address stays predictable only when the ISP supplies a static IP or a VPN supplies a dedicated exit, and both may cost extra. A DHCP reservation can keep a local device address stable. Neither is literally permanent if the service, router, or network configuration changes.

Guide

16 min readJul 30, 2026

How to Change IP Address: Public vs Private Methods That Work (2026)

Change the public IP websites see, request a new ISP address, or fix a local IP without confusing three different jobs. Includes Windows, Mac, phone, and router steps.

Quick answer

To change the public IP websites see immediately, connect to Proton VPN and reload an IP checker. Proton VPN Free has unlimited data and assigns a fastest free server; later free-server changes are random and have a cooldown, while Proton VPN Plus lets you choose a country. This changes your apparent public IP, not the address your ISP assigns to the router. For a new ISP-assigned IP, power-cycle the modem or gateway and recheck—but the ISP may return the same lease. Changing 192.168.x.x in Windows or phone settings changes only the local IP inside that network.

Change my IP with Proton VPN Choose the right method

Public and private IP decision guide

The fastest way to change the IP address websites see is a VPN. The Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android “manual IP” screens change only the private address inside your current network. Pick the target first so you do not finish the right steps for the wrong IP.

For websites and apps

Change the apparent public IP

Connect to Proton VPN, then reload an IP checker. The VPN exit replaces the address shown to destinations; it does not reassign your ISP connection.

For the ISP address

Restart, verify, then call

A power cycle can request a new dynamic lease, but the ISP may return the same IP or place the connection behind CGNAT.

For 192.168.x.x

Renew DHCP or reserve an IP

These local changes solve address conflicts and make devices predictable. Websites will still see the router or VPN public IP.

Interactive method picker

Which IP address do you want to change?

Choose the outcome. The tool separates a public IP change from a local network setting before you touch anything.

Best route

Connect to Proton VPN, then verify the result

A VPN replaces the public exit IP that websites see without changing your router settings. Proton VPN Free has unlimited data and is the quickest no-cost starting point; Proton VPN Plus adds deliberate country choice.

1Record the current public IP on NatChecker.
2Connect in the Proton VPN app.
3Reload the checker and confirm the public IP changed.

Know first: This changes your apparent public IP. Your ISP still knows and retains the address assigned to your connection.

Change my public IP with Proton

Fastest public-IP method

Best VPNs to change your IP address

Proton ranks first because it offers a genuine free starting point with unlimited data. The remaining choices are paid comparisons; sale prices change, so judge the full checkout charge, commitment, and renewal—not only a monthly equivalent.

First choice

Proton VPN

The easiest first result: Proton VPN Free changes the public exit IP with unlimited data, while Plus adds deliberate country and server choice.

Best for: A free public-IP change and a trusted paid upgrade

Know first: Free connects to a fastest location; later changes are random and have a cooldown.

Change IP with Proton VPN

Second choice

PureVPN

A practical paid alternative when a long-plan checkout total beats the other paid options and you want selectable locations.

Best for: Budget-focused paid location choice

Know first: Compare the full charge today and renewal total; it has no permanent free plan.

Check PureVPN pricing

Third choice

Private Internet Access

PIA is the better fit when many household devices need a VPN and you want direct WireGuard or OpenVPN control.

Best for: Unlimited-device households and manual protocol control

Know first: It is paid, and a shared VPN IP can trigger extra checks on some websites.

Check PIA

Fourth choice

NordVPN

NordVPN is the premium comparison for broad location choice, fast NordLynx connections, and restricted-network fallbacks.

Best for: A polished paid app and broad server choice

Know first: No permanent free plan; compare its total and renewal against lower-cost long plans.

Check NordVPN

Plans and free-plan behavior checked July 30, 2026. A VPN changes the public exit IP for tunneled traffic; it cannot promise that every website will accept a shared IP or that geolocation databases will agree.

Seven ways to change an IP address

“Change IP” can mean three different outcomes. This table shows exactly which address each method affects.

Method	What changes	Speed	Location control	Main limit
VPN	Public IP websites see	Immediate	Yes on paid plans	No change to ISP assignment
Restart modem/router	Possibly ISP public IP	Minutes	No	Not guaranteed; causes downtime
Switch Wi-Fi/cellular	Public IP for that network	Immediate	Only by network	Public networks add risk
Ask the ISP	ISP public IP	Hours or longer	Possibly	Policy, CGNAT, or added cost
Renew DHCP	Local/private IP only	Seconds	Within LAN only	Public IP stays the same
Manual local IP	Local/private IP only	Minutes	Within LAN only	Conflict or wrong gateway risk
Proxy	Selected app’s visible IP	Immediate	Sometimes	Often no whole-device encryption

Private browser-side tool

Is this a public or local IPv4 address?

Paste an IPv4 address from your device or router. This classifier runs in your browser and does not submit the value.

IPv4 address

Address type

Private/local IPv4

This address works only inside a local network. Changing it will not change the IP that websites see.

How to change your local IP on each device

These steps change the local/private address assigned by the router. Use a VPN or ISP method above if your goal is the public IP shown online.

Windows 11 and 10

Use Automatic DHCP unless you have valid values

Open Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi or Ethernet → the active network → IP assignment → Edit. Choose Automatic (DHCP), or Manual only when you know the IP, subnet, gateway, and DNS. Reconnect and test.

macOS

Renew the DHCP lease

Open System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi or Ethernet → Details → TCP/IP. Select Using DHCP and Renew DHCP Lease. Choose Manually only with correct network values.

iPhone and iPad

Change the Wi-Fi local address

Open Settings → Wi-Fi → tap the info button beside the network → Configure IP. Automatic uses DHCP; Manual needs an unused address, subnet mask, and router address.

Android

Expect names to vary by manufacturer

Open Settings → Network & internet → Internet → the connected Wi-Fi network → edit or advanced options → IP settings. Select DHCP, or Static only with valid local network values.

Linux

Reconnect the managed connection

In the desktop network panel, set IPv4 to Automatic (DHCP), then reconnect. NetworkManager users can disconnect and reconnect the profile; a manual address still needs the correct prefix, gateway, and DNS.

Router

Reserve local IPs; do not factory-reset

Use the router’s LAN or DHCP reservation page to bind a device MAC address to a local IP. For a new ISP public IP, record the current value and power-cycle the gateway—without pressing Reset.

Changing IP location is not changing every location signal

A VPN exit can make an IP database report another country or city. State and city labels are estimates, not GPS coordinates, and different databases may disagree.

Close the destination before connecting, but remember that GPS permission, cookies, account history, SIM region, payment country, and time zone can still reveal or contradict the location.

An IP change is not complete anonymity

Incognito mode removes local history after the session; it does not hide your IP. A VPN protects traffic between the device and its server, but signed-in accounts, cookies, browser fingerprinting, and permitted device sensors can still link activity.

Use normal IP changes for privacy, troubleshooting, remote work, or an allowed location need. They do not authorize fraud, account-ban evasion, harassment, or bypassing another person’s controls.

Do not guess

Verify the public IP before and after

Record the public IPv4, make exactly one change, then reload the checker. If a VPN says Connected but the IP stays the same, stop: split tunneling, an extension-only tunnel, IPv6, a stale session, or a failed route may be involved.

Check my public IP

How to change IP address FAQ

Official IP settings references

Microsoft network settingsOfficial Windows DHCP and manual TCP/IP paths.Apple TCP/IP settingsOfficial macOS DHCP, manual IPv4, IPv6, and lease renewal guidance.Android advanced network settingsOfficial Android paths and the warning that options vary by device.IETF private address standardThe authoritative private IPv4 ranges used by the classifier.

Related IP and VPN guides

Check your public IP and NATRecord the current public IPv4 and connection result before and after a change.What is NAT?Understand why one public IP can represent many private devices.How to check for CGNATCompare the router WAN address with the public address seen online.Why is my VPN not working?Fix a tunnel that fails to connect or leaves the public IP unchanged.

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