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 a paid VPN and reload an IP checker. NordVPN is our first recommendation for selectable locations. This changes your apparent public IP, not the address your ISP assigns to the router. For a new ISP-assigned IP, power-cycle the gateway and recheck; changing 192.168.x.x changes only the local address.

See compatible VPNs below Choose the right method

Public and private IP decision guide

Pick the target first: a website-facing public IP, the ISP assignment, or a device’s private LAN address.

For websites and apps

Change the apparent public IP

Connect to a suitable 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 a VPN, then verify the result

A VPN replaces the public exit IP that websites see without changing your router settings. NordVPN is the first paid recommendation below, Proton VPN is the audited alternative, and PureVPN is the budget-led paid option.

1Record the current public IP on NatChecker.
2Choose a compatible VPN below and connect.
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.

See compatible VPNs below

Fastest public-IP method

Best VPNs to change your IP address

NordVPN is the first paid recommendation for broad selectable locations, Proton VPN is the privacy-focused audited alternative, and PureVPN is the budget-led paid option. Sale prices and supported locations can change, so judge the full checkout charge, commitment, and renewal—not only a monthly equivalent.

First choice

NordVPN

Protects millions of users worldwide
Six independent no-logs assurance engagements
Open-source Linux GUI and CLI
30-day refund window for eligible purchases

Audited alternative

Proton VPN

100M+ Proton accounts across its privacy ecosystem
Five consecutive annual independent no-logs audits
Open-source VPN apps with public code
30-day refund window for eligible paid-plan purchases

Budget alternative

PureVPN

3M+ users and 17 years in cybersecurity
Fourth consecutive independent no-log assessment
ISO 27001-certified information security program
31-day refund window for eligible initial purchases

Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps keep NAT Checker free, but it doesn't affect what we recommend.

Paid-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.

Share this article