How to Change Your IP Address by Device | All About Cookies

Hi there! If you‘re reading this, you‘re likely interested in changing your IP address to enhance privacy or access blocked content. As a cybersecurity professional with over 15 years of experience in data protection, I‘m excited to provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to easily change your IP on any device.

I‘ll explain what exactly IP addresses are, why changing yours regularly is important, and how to do it through your operating system or with a virtual private network (VPN). With the right tools, you can change your IP in just a few clicks!

First, let‘s quickly cover the basics of those cryptic numbers that identify you online.

What Is an IP Address?

An IP address is a unique identifier given to each internet-connected device, kind of like a home address. It allows your devices to communicate with each other online.

When your device connects to your Wi-Fi router, it‘s automatically assigned a private IP address on your home network. This lets it talk to other devices locally.

But when you access the open internet, your router gives you a public IP address shared by all your devices. This public address is assigned by your internet service provider (ISP) and can pinpoint your location down to the city level.

Websites and services you interact with can see your public IP address, which allows them to identify your ISP, approximate location, and behavior patterns.

So in summary:

• Private IP – Used locally between your devices and router only
• Public IP – Shared by your devices to access the internet

Your public IP address can be used to monitor your online activities and physical location. Here‘s why you may want to change it.

Why You Should Regularly Change Your IP

There are a few key privacy and security reasons to change your public IP address frequently:

1. Prevent Tracking and Profiling

Your public IP address allows websites, advertisers, and ISPs to track your browsing behavior and build extensive profiles about your interests, habits, and demographics.

For example, one study by researchers at Université catholique de Louvain analyzed over 300,000 internet users‘ browsing histories based solely on their public IP addresses. Using only the IP data, they were able to infer users‘ gender with 80% accuracy and age group with 60% accuracy.

Regularly changing your public IP address limits your exposure to this type of tracking and profiling over long periods. It essentially resets your identity, making you more anonymous online.

2. Avoid Location Tracking or Targeting

Since public IPs can geolocate you down to the city level, they allow precise physical tracking of your location and movements.

Google and other platforms use IP geolocation to customize search results and ads based on where you appear to be accessing the internet from. This location tracking also applies to government agencies monitoring internet use.

Changing your public IP feeds false location data into the system, preventing tracking of your real-world physical location. It adds an extra layer of anonymity.

3. Reduce Impact of Data Breaches

Unfortunately, data breaches exposing user IP addresses are extremely common. The 2022 Q3 data breach report from Varonis found that 58% of publicly reported breaches exposed IP addresses or network traffic data.

When your static IP is compromised in a breach and sold on the dark web, it creates permanent risks of phishing, fraud, and account hijacking. Regularly changing your public IP limits the fallout from any single IP breach.

4. Avoid IP-Based Blocking or Throttling

Some restrictive networks and content providers deliberately block or throttle traffic coming from certain IP address ranges.

For example, the Chinese government infamously uses IP blocking to censor access to websites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Some sports streaming sites also check IPs to enforce regional blackout restrictions.

Getting a fresh public IP address allows you to bypass this IP-based discrimination to access the open internet or region-locked content.

So in summary, by frequently changing your public IP address you can:

• Avoid persistent tracking and profiling by websites
• Hide your real-world location from prying eyes
• Minimize risks associated with IP-based data breaches
• Route around IP blocking policies enforced by networks

Now let‘s go over the different methods you can use to easily change your public IP address.

How to Change Your IP Address

There are a few different techniques you can use to change the public IP address assigned by your ISP. The most reliable and secure way is by using a VPN, but other options like resetting your home router can also work.

Use a VPN (Recommended)

A virtual private network, or VPN, is by far the easiest and most secure way to change your public IP address.

Here‘s how they work:

When you connect to a VPN server, it creates an encrypted tunnel between you and the server. All your internet traffic is routed through this tunnel, hiding your home IP address from the outside world.

Instead, websites and services see the IP address of the VPN server you‘re connected to. This masks your real public IP, allowing you to appear to be browsing from a different city or even country!

All you have to do is install your VPN provider‘s app, choose a server location, and click connect. Voila! Your public IP is now different. Rinse and repeat as needed.

Some top VPN choices for frequently changing your IP are:

NordVPN

NordVPN is my personal favorite and what I use daily for privacy. It offers:

• 5,500+ servers in 60 countries
• Fast speeds with unlimited bandwidth
• Apps for all devices – Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
• Strict no-logs policy certified by audits

Rates start at $3.29 per month for the 2-year plan, making it very affordable. NordVPN also has excellent 24/7 customer support in case you need assistance.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN consistently ranks as one of the fastest and most reliable VPN services. Highlights include:

• 3,000+ VPN servers in 94 countries
• Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, & more
• Available for all operating systems
• 30-day money back guarantee

Prices are a bit higher at $8.32 a month for an annual subscription. But you get what you pay for in terms of speed and accessibility. Check out ExpressVPN here.

Surfshark

If you‘re looking for a budget-friendly option, Surfshark costs just $2.49 a month for the 2-year plan. Features include:

• Over 3,200 VPN servers
• Apps for unlimited devices
• Bypasses internet throttling and firewalls
• Includes alert if your IP leaks

The low price point combined with unlimited device support make Surfshark a great value pick.

Using any of these three VPNs ensures your real public IP address is completely hidden and replaced with one from their servers. Just connect to the location of your choice and enjoy instant IP spoofing!

Reset Your Home Router

Another way to possibly change your public IP is by resetting or rebooting your Wi-Fi router. This forces your router to release the current public IP lease from your ISP and request a new one.

Here is a quick step-by-step guide:

1. Log into your router administration page. Usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.

2. Find the reboot option. Sometimes labeled "Restart" or "Reset".

3. Click to reboot your router. Wait 2-3 minutes for it to restart.

4. On your computer or mobile device, reconnect to your router‘s Wi-Fi network.

Once reconnected, visit WhatIsMyIPAddress.com to confirm your public IP address has changed. If it did not change, you may need to repeat the reboot process 1-2 more times.

The main limitation with this method is that your ISP may reassign the same IP address to your router, even after a reset. But it‘s a quick and free option to try.

Renew IP Address Lease

You can also go into your device network settings to force a renew of your public IP address lease from the router.

Here are the steps for Windows and macOS:

Windows

1. Open Command Prompt
2. Type ipconfig /release and press Enter
3. Then type ipconfig /renew and press Enter

This will clear the current IP lease and request a new one from your router.

Mac OS

1. Go to System Preferences > Network
2. Click your Wi-Fi connection
3. Go to TCP/IP settings
4. Click "Renew DHCP Lease"

On mobile devices like iPhones or Android, you can usually just "Forget" the Wi-Fi network connection, then rejoin to get issued a new IP.

Again, this method relies on your router giving out a new public IP versus reassigning the old one. But it‘s built-in functionality you can try for free.

Contact Your ISP

As a last resort, you can contact your internet provider‘s customer support and request they manually issue you a fresh public IP.

Most ISPs will oblige if you ask nicely and explain you‘re having connectivity or privacy issues. However, this may require scheduling a service call or router replacement.

You‘ll also lose internet access temporarily when they reset your connection and provision the new public IP. So only use this method as a backup if others failed.

Avoid Web-Based IP Changers

You may come across sites offering to instantly change your public IP if you just access their webpage. These are unreliable at best or outright scams at worst. Most don‘t work since they can‘t control the IP your ISP assigns.

Stick to reputable paid VPN services if you want to safely change your real public IP address without hassles.

Step-by-Step Guide for Your Device

Below I‘ve provided detailed instructions on how to easily change your IP address on Windows, Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Android devices using either VPNs or built-in tools.

Windows 10 & 11

There are two ways to change your IP address on a Windows 10 or 11 PC:

Use a VPN

1. Select and subscribe to a top-rated VPN like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark.

2. Download and install their VPN app for Windows.

3. Open the VPN app and login. Select a server location of your choice.

4. Click "Connect" and you‘ll instantly get that server‘s IP address assigned to your device!

Renew your IP Address Lease

1. Open the Command Prompt app. Type cmd in the Windows search bar.

2. In Command Prompt, type ipconfig /release and press Enter to clear your IP lease.

3. Then type ipconfig /renew to request a new IP from your router.

4. Reconnect to your Wi-Fi network on that device to have the new IP take effect.

Either of these methods work great for quickly changing your IP address in Windows with just a few clicks.

Mac OS

You have two options for changing your IP on a Mac:

Use a VPN

1. Download a VPN app like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark.

2. Open the app, log in, and connect to any server location you wish.

3. This will override your public IP with one from the VPN server.

Renew your IP Lease

1. Go to System Preferences > Network.

2. Select your Wi-Fi connection.

3. Navigate to TCP/IP settings.

4. Click "Renew DHCP Lease".

You‘ll now get a new IP address issued from your router, assuming it provides one. Follow the on-screen instructions to reconnect.

iPhone & iPad

It‘s quick and easy to change your IP address on iPhone or iPad:

Use a VPN

1. Install the VPN app from NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, or another provider.

2. Tap to connect to a server location of your choice. This replaces your real IP with the VPN‘s.

Renew your IP Lease

1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and tap your network.

2. Select "Forget this Network"

3. Rejoin your Wi-Fi network and you‘ll likely receive a new IP address.

Both methods work well, but a VPN makes changing your IP on iOS a seamless process.

Android Devices

Here are two ways to change your Android IP address:

Use a VPN

1. Get an Android VPN app from a provider like NordVPN or Surfshark.

2. Open the app, sign in, and connect to any server. This will overwrite your public IP.

Renew your IP Lease

1. Go to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi > Your Network

2. Tap "Forget" to disconnect from that Wi-Fi network.

3. Reconnect to your Wi-Fi network to get issued a new IP.

Connecting to a VPN is by far the most convenient way to change your IP on an Android device when needed. But renewing your Wi-Fi lease also does the trick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let‘s wrap up with answers to some common questions about changing your IP address:

Is it illegal to change your IP address?

• In most countries, including the U.S., it is perfectly legal to change your own IP address for privacy purposes. Avoid manipulating it to impersonate someone else or access unauthorized systems.

Can someone see my IP address?

• Websites and services can view your public IP when you access them. Your ISP also logs the IP addresses they assign you, but this data is not visible publicly. Using a VPN hides your real public IP address from third parties.

Does my IP address reveal my location?

• Yes, public IP addresses can geolocate you down to the city level in most cases. The first portion of your public IP corresponds to your ISP, while the second half provides location details. Changing your IP helps keep your physical location private.

How often should I change my IP?

• There‘s no fixed rule, but changing your public IP every few months is reasonable for maintaining privacy. VPNs allow you to change it as often as you like by connecting to different server locations. Frequent changes make it harder for sites to track and profile you.

Will a VPN slow down my internet speed?

• Top VPNs like NordVPN and ExpressVPN have extremely fast connection speeds that rival your normal ISP performance. However, factors like the VPN server location and network conditions can impact speeds. Be sure to choose a reputable paid VPN provider.

The Bottom Line

I hope this guide gave you a comprehensive overview of how to easily change your IP address on any device. The key takeaways are:

• Regularly changing your public IP address enhances privacy and security by preventing tracking.

• Paid VPN services like NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer the most convenient way to spoof your IP. Just connect to a server to mask your real public address!

• You can also change your IP manually by renewing your router or network lease, but VPNs are simpler and more reliable.

• Use the step-by-step instructions provided to change your IP on Windows, Mac, iPhone/iPad, or Android devices.

• Changing your public IP only takes a few minutes and can be done as often as needed to keep your online activities private.

Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to provide tips and support to improve your internet security.