How to Change Your IP Address on PC and Mobile

Changing your IP address might sound like a techy task, but it’s actually pretty simple—and can be useful for a variety of reasons. Whether you’re looking to improve your online privacy, bypass geo-restrictions, or troubleshoot network issues, knowing how to change your IP address can come in handy.

In this post, we’ll show you step-by-step how to change your IP address on both your PC and mobile devices. Let’s get started!

What Is an IP Address?

An IP address is a special number given to every device linked to a network, like computers, smartphones, or even smart fridges. It's like a home address that helps to find a specific place. An IP address allows devices to talk and share information with each other over a network, either nearby or across the internet.

This number uses the Internet Protocol (IP), which is a set of rules that governs how data is sent and received online.

There are two main types of IP addresses: IPv4 and IPv6.

• IPv4 uses a 32-bit address space and is the most common type.
• IPv6 has a bigger 128-bit address space.

This means it can have a lot more unique addresses and better security. That's why it is seen as the future of internet addressing.

Reasons to Change Your IP Address

One good reason to change your IP address is to increase your privacy. When you use the internet, your public IP address shows up on websites you visit. This information can be used to track what you do online and to find out where you are, which may threaten your privacy.

By using a different IP address, you can hide your online identity and browse anonymously. This makes it harder for trackers to collect details about your browsing.

Besides privacy issues, changing your IP address can help in other ways. For instance, you can access content that is restricted by location or websites that are blocked where you live by getting an IP address from a different place. If you run into problems with your internet connection due to an IP address conflict, getting a new IP address from your access point or router may fix the problem.

How to Change Your IP Address on PC

On a PC, changing your IP address means you have to look at your network settings. The steps can be different based on your operating system, like Windows, macOS, or Linux. Generally, you will go to your network settings, choose your network connection, and change the IP setting.

You can choose a static IP address where you put in the IP address and other details yourself. Or, you can select the dynamic IP address option, which lets your router give these automatically. If you want to change your public IP address, you must contact your internet service provider (ISP) for help.

Step 1: Selecting the Right Method for You

The best way to change your IP address depends on what you need and how comfortable you are with technology. If you want strong security and privacy online or want to access content that is blocked in your area, a VPN is a safe option. It encrypts your internet traffic and sends it through a server you choose. This way, it changes your IP address and keeps your online identity safe.

If you are looking for a fast and often free way to change your IP, using a proxy server might be a good choice. A proxy server sits between your device and the internet. It forwards your traffic and shows its IP address instead of yours. But, unlike VPNs, proxies usually do not encrypt traffic. This could put your data at risk.

Another way to change your IP is to manually set a static IP address in your device’s network settings. This gives you better control, but you need some technical know-how, so it might not work for everyone. You can also use your router's dynamic IP address option, but then you have less control over the IP assigned.

Step 2: Using a VPN to Change Your IP Address

Using a VPN to change your IP address is easy and involves a few simple steps:

• Subscribe to a VPN service: there are many VPN providers out there. Each one has different features, server locations, and pricing plans. Pick a reliable VPN that fits your needs and budget, such as the built-in VPN in Wave Browser.
• Download and install the VPN app: after you subscribe, download the app that works with your device. Install it once it's downloaded.
• Connect to a server: open the VPN app and choose a server in the location you want. For example, if you want to access content only in the United States, connect to a server based in the US. This will give you a new IP address linked to that server's location.

Using a VPN has many benefits. It encrypts your internet traffic to protect it from hackers and eavesdroppers. It also hides your real IP address to help keep your online activities private. Plus, it lets you get past geo-restrictions so you can access content that might be blocked by connecting to servers in other countries.

Step 3: Changing Your IP Address Manually

To change your IP address manually, you need to go into your network settings. There, you can input a static IP address along with other important details.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Network Settings
2. Select the Network Connection
3. Configure IP Settings

Find the option to change IP settings. Choose "Manual" or "Static." Then, you'll need to fill in:

• IP address: The new static IP address you want to use.
• Subnet mask: This shows the network and subnet your device belongs to.
• Gateway: The IP address of your router. This router serves as the gateway to the internet.
• DNS server address: This helps turn domain names into IP addresses. You can use the DNS servers from your ISP or public ones like those from Google or Cloudflare.

Important Note: Be careful when manually setting IP addresses. This helps you avoid conflicts with other devices on your network. An IP address conflict happens when more than one device tries to use the same IP address, causing issues with network connection.

Step 4: Verifying the Change

After changing your IP address, it's important to check that the changes are working and your internet connection is okay:

• Open a web browser. Go to a site that shows your IP address. Many websites do this. Just search for "What is my IP" using your favorite search engine.
• Check your IP address. The site should show your current IP address. If it matches the new IP address you set up, either through a VPN or proxy, then the change was successful.
• Check your internet connection. Try different websites, send emails, or use online services to see if your internet is working. If there are any problems, check your IP address settings again or reach out to your ISP for help.

By verifying the change, you can confirm that your new IP address is active and your online privacy is protected. Remember, changing your IP address is a simple task, but it’s important to do it right and take the right steps to avoid issues with your network.

How to Change Your IP Address on Mobile Devices

Changing your IP address on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets is usually similar to doing it on PCs. First, you need to go to your Wi-Fi settings. Then select the network you are using and find the advanced settings to change the IP address manually.

Just like on PCs, you can pick between a static and a dynamic IP address. A static IP means you need to enter a certain IP address and other network information. In contrast, a dynamic IP lets the router manage it automatically through DHCP. Most mobile operating systems, like Android, let you adjust these settings.

Changing IP Address on Android

To set the IP address on an Android device manually:

• Open the "Settings" app. Then, go to "Network & internet" or "Connections." This might change a bit based on your Android version and device brand.
• Tap on "Wi-Fi" and choose the network you are connected to. You can usually see "Connected" under its name.
• When you see the network details, tap on "Edit" or the pencil icon beside the network's name. This will show you the network settings. Look for "Advanced" or "IP settings" and tap on it.

Here, you will see "DHCP" chosen by default. Tap it and switch it to "Static." This will let you edit the IP settings. Enter the static IP address, subnet mask, gateway (which is the router's IP address), preferred DNS server, and a secondary DNS server if you want. It's important to check these details to prevent connectivity problems. Lastly, save your changes.

Changing IP Address on iOS

For iOS users, changing the IP address is a little different:

• Open the "Settings" app and go to the "Wi-Fi" section.
• Tap the blue "i" icon next to the Wi-Fi network you are connected to.
• Scroll down to find the "Configure IP" option. It is usually set to "Automatic" (DHCP). This means your router gives you an IP address. If you want to set it manually, tap on it and choose "Manual."

In the "Manual" settings, you can put in a static IP address for your device. Be careful, if your network uses DHCP (which most home and public Wi-Fi networks do), setting a static IP address manually might create connection issues.

So, unless you have a good reason, like needing a fixed IP for certain apps or network setups, it's best to keep the IP setting on "Automatic" (DHCP). This allows the router to assign and manage IP addresses, making sure your network works well and reducing possible conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my IP address on my own?

Yes, you can change your private IP address. This address helps identify your device within your local network. You can do this through the network connections settings on your PC or mobile device. However, the public IP address is what you use on the internet. This address is given to you by your ISP. To change it, you will need to contact them or use a tool like a VPN.

Is changing my IP address legal?

Yes, it is usually legal to change your IP address. Your ISP might change it for you sometimes. However, using a proxy server’s IP address for illegal activities online is still against the law.

How often should I change my IP address?

If you have a dynamic IP address from DHCP, it will change on its own. You don't need to change it by hand unless there are problems. When you use a VPN or proxy, your IP address will change every time you connect.

Does changing my IP address affect my internet speed?

Changing your IP address does not directly change your internet speed. But if you use a VPN, it may slow down your speed a little bit. This happens because the VPN sends your traffic through different servers. How much it affects your speed depends on where the VPN server is and how busy it is.

What should I do if I encounter issues after changing my IP?

If you have internet issues after changing your IP address, check the settings again. Restart your device and your router. You can also try selecting the "Obtain an IP address automatically" option in your network settings. If the problems keep happening, reach out to your ISP for help.