How to change your IP address safely and easily in 2024

Understanding how to change IP addresses can be valuable in today’s interconnected world. Whether you want to protect your online privacy, bypass geographic restrictions, or troubleshoot network issues, modifying your IP address gives you greater control over your internet experience.

Many people find the process of changing their IP address intimidating or confusing, asking questions like “What is an IP address?”, “Why would I want to change it?” and most importantly, “How can I replace my IP address without breaking anything?”.

With our years of experience in the field, we can help demystify the concept of an IP address and provide clear, concise instructions on how to replace it with a VPN.

How to change IP address with a VPN

Changing your IP address with a VPN is simple. Just follow these instructions:

1. Subscribe to a secure VPN that is capable of changing IP addresses. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Download the VPN onto your device and install it.
3. Connect to a server in the location of your choice. This will be when your IP changes and is replaced with an IP address in the server’s location. For example, connecting to a server in the USA will provide you with an American IP address.
4. Begin browsing as normal. Your new IP will allow you to access geo-restricted content on streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu.
5. If you encounter any issues, we recommend clearing your cache and cookies and trying to connect to an alternative server. If problems persist, you will need to contact customer support for technical guidance.

All you need to do is install a secure VPN and connect to a server, and your IP address will change. It’s that easy! However, we offer more information on the process below.

What are the best VPNs for changing your IP address?

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for changing IP location:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN to change your IP address. Has more than 6,600 servers in 111 countries. Many advanced security and privacy features. No-logging policy. Bypass content restrictions on Netflix US, iPlayer, and many more. TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for changing your IP.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN to change your IP. Allows an unlimited number of connections and has servers in 100 countries. Apps for all popular devices. Built-in adblocking and malware filtering. 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. IPVanish: A fast US VPN with a proprietary network of more than 3,000 servers. Lots of advanced security features. Independently audited no-logs policy. Works with Netflix US. Apps for all platforms.
4. ExpressVPN: A superb all-rounder. Fast speeds thanks to its Lightway protocol. RAM-only servers in 105 countries. Works with around two-dozen Netflix regions and reliable with most other streaming platforms.
5. CyberGhost: Best way to change your IP for beginners. Over 10,000 fast servers in 100 countries. Easy-to-use apps with fewer advanced settings. Streaming-optimized servers available for individual platforms.
6. PureVPN: Quick and versatile VPN with servers in 65+ countries. Built-in obfuscation and a Linux app with a full GUI. Works great with popular streaming platforms.
7. ProtonVPN: An advanced VPN dedicated to user privacy and security. More than 8,600 servers available across 112 countries. It has an audited no-logs policy, open-source apps, and allows port forwarding.
8. PrivateVPN: Perfect for changing your IP when accessing geo-restricted content. Kill-switch, obfuscation features, and robust AES encryption. Servers in 63+ countries.

Why would you need to change your IP address?

Many online services are geo-restricted, which means they are unavailable outside their country of origin. The only way to access those services from abroad is to connect to a VPN server in that location. This gives you a valid IP address and causes the website or online service to become available again.

If you travel abroad on vacation, services from back home, such as internet banking or streaming services, will be geo-restricted. As a result, you will need to use a VPN to replace your IP address with one in your home country.

You might also want to change IP addresses to compare prices while shopping. Some countries have better deals on certain products. For example, YouTube Premium is significantly cheaper in India than in the US. Because of this, changing your location and shopping around can be beneficial.

Changing IP addresses can also help troubleshoot network problems. An invalid address can sometimes be issued, resulting in slow speeds or a complete internet outage. A new IP can quickly resolve this.

Finally, a VPN can help you get around government, ISP, or local network restrictions. Connecting to a VPN allows you to get an IP address in a country where locally censored content is still available. Thanks to the privacy provided by the VPN, you can access those usually censored services without being tracked.

Best VPNs for replacing your IP: Our hands-on review

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for changing your IP address.

How to find your current IP address

When you use a VPN, it changes your IP address. You can easily use a tool like ipleak.net to check that the VPN has correctly altered your IP address. The nice thing about IP-checking tools is that they show your IP address and its geographical location.

If you live in France and connect to a VPN server in New York, the IP address tool will clearly show your location as New York, making it evident that the VPN is working correctly to alter your IP address location. Of course, if a VPN works properly, you should also see no DNS leaks or WebRTC leaks in the test results.

If you are interested in knowing your home IP address (perhaps because you want to share it with a trusted third party or simply because you want to know it for your own interest), you can find it by using the same tool you use to check that a VPN is working.

Follow the steps below to find out your home IP address:

1. Make sure you aren’t connected to a VPN or any other location spoofing application (browser extension proxy, Tor, etc)
2. Head over to our IP address checking tool in your browser
3. Make a note of your IP address (it is the string of numbers that appears next to the words Your IP address:)

Now that you know your IP address, you can easily use it to double-check that a VPN is working properly when you connect to its servers. When connected to a VPN, you should not be able to see your real IP address in any of the results. Instead, you should detect an IP address for the remote location.

How to change your public IP address

Here are a few ways to replace your public IP address(es):

1. Connect to a VPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts and routes your internet connection through a server in your chosen location. Websites, online services, and other devices on the web will only see the VPN server’s IP address and not your real IP address.

VPNs are useful for torrenting, unblocking region-locked content from Netflix and BBC iPlayer, and bypassing censorship at schools, offices, and countries like China.

Most VPNs can easily hide your IPv4 address, but many VPNs can leak your IP address through various security vulnerabilities. Furthermore, not all VPNs hide your IPv6 address. Choose a VPN that either disables IPv6 or can prevent IPv6 leaks by default.

If you’re unsure how to set up a VPN, follow the simple steps in this article.

2. Use a proxy server

Proxies work similarly to VPNs but with far less versatility and security. Your internet connection goes through a middleman server so that websites and other online resources see the proxy server’s IP address, not your own. Unlike VPNs, proxies often lack encryption, only affect certain apps, and can leak your IP address through other means.

A few different types of proxies can be used to change your IP address:

• HTTP/S proxies – These are usually browser extensions or special websites that work like a browser within your browser. They only change the IP address on data sent to and from your browser but do not affect other apps or DNS traffic. If encryption is included, these are sometimes called SSL proxies.
• SOCKS proxies – General purpose proxy servers that can be configured for specific apps, including most web browsers. SOCKS5, the latest version, includes support for encryption. Note that some VPNs include access to proxy servers. IPVanish, for example, lets users connect to a SOCKS5 proxy.
• SSH proxies—SSH proxies forward internet traffic from apps like your web browser through a Secure Shell (SSH) connection to a server, changing your IP address to that of the server. Although encryption is included, SSH is not a particularly fast protocol, and many websites and apps might not function properly when connected.

3. Use Tor to replace your IP address for free

Tor, short for The Onion Router, is a volunteer-run anonymity network. The easiest way to get started with Tor is to download and install the Tor Browser, a barebones web browser that routes all web traffic through the Tor network. Tor encrypts your connection several times and then sends data through multiple nodes—servers operated by volunteer Tor supporters. Each node strips away one layer of encryption, and the sequence of nodes used changes every time you access a different website. This makes it nearly impossible to trace Tor traffic back to the source.

Websites will see the IP address of the last node in the chain, called the Exit Node.

Tor is free but has drawbacks. It’s relatively slow and only really suited for basic web browsing. Tor’s anonymity means it is often associated with illicit activity and the dark web, so even though it’s not illegal, using it might draw unwanted attention from your ISP and possibly even law enforcement. Those entities can’t see what you do while connected to Tor, but they can see that you are connected to Tor nodes.

4. Unplug your modem

You might be able to get a new IP address by unplugging your internet modem, waiting a few minutes, and then plugging it back in again. When this happens, you release your IP address so your ISP can recycle it. When you reconnect, your ISP assigns you a new IP address.

This method isn’t guaranteed to work because your ISP might give you the same IP address again. However, the longer you leave your modem unplugged, the higher the chance your IP address changes. If unplugging for a few minutes doesn’t work, consider leaving it unplugged overnight.

Your ISP must use dynamic IP addresses in order for this to work. Most do.

5. Ask your ISP to change your IP address

Another option is to ask your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for a new IP address. Every ISP has different policies about how they handle such requests, so responses may vary. At a minimum, you’ll need your account information and current IP address on hand.

Most ISPs use dynamic IP address systems, meaning IP addresses occasionally change and get recycled as devices connect and disconnect from the internet. With that in mind, note that your new IP address might remain unchanged.

In some cases, you can request a static IP address from your ISP, though this might require paying an extra fee and/or going through an application process. Once provided with a static IP address, you can enter it into your device’s network settings. Static IP addresses never change unless you manually change them.

6. Change networks

This might seem obvious, but you can get a different IP address by disconnecting from your current network and connecting to a different one. For example, you can switch to a different wi-fi network or switch from wi-fi to a mobile data connection if you’re on a smartphone.

Remember that public and open wi-fi hotspots are often prime hunting grounds for hackers. Try to stick with a wi-fi network that requires a password and is encrypted with WPA2.

How to change your private IP address

If you’re connected to a wi-fi router, you probably share a public IP address with all the other devices connected to the same network. Each device, however, has its own private or local IP address.

Replacing your local IP address won’t really affect how your device communicates with other devices and servers over the internet, but there might be instances in which you need a different private IP address. These include troubleshooting a malfunctioning router or configuring how local devices, such as printers and IoT devices, function on your home network.

Renew your local IP address

If you’re connected to Wi-Fi or another type of local network, you can change your private IP address from the router admin panel or from the device itself. I’ll show you how to do it on Windows and MacOS.

Here’s how to renew your IP address on Windows:

1. Search for the Command Prompt and right click it to Run as administrator
2. Enter ipconfig /release
3. Enter ipconfig /renew

You should now see a new local IP address.

Here’s how to renew your IP address on Mac:

1. Click the Apple menu and open System Preferences
2. Select Network
3. Highlight the network that you’re connected to in the left pane
4. Click Advanced…
5. Select the TCP/IP tab
6. Click Renew DHCP Lease

You Mac should now be assigned a new local IP address.

The process for changing local IP addresses on the router varies depending on your router manufacturer and firmware. You can usually access your router’s admin dashboard by opening a web browser and entering 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 in the address bar.

How to switch IP addresses on a mobile device

Changing your IP address is easy on a mobile phone or tablet device. All you need is a VPN. In this guide, we have recommended the best VPNs for changing your IP address. Our recommendations have servers located globally to let you get an IP address wherever needed.

To change your IP address on a mobile device, follow the steps below:

1. Sign up for the VPN by following the link in this guide (we recommend NordVPN)
2. Install the VPN app for Android or iOS onto your device. You can find it in your regular app store.
3. Launch the VPN app and login using your credentials.
4. Choose a VPN server from the list and click connect.
5. Your IP address will change as soon as the VPN connection is established.

Testing methodology: How we found the best VPNs for changing IP address

You may be wondering how we arrived at our list of recommended providers. Here’s a summary.

For each article, we have an in-depth testing process that measures multiple metrics: we use 16 to measure security and privacy, 10 to measure each service’s ease of use, and eight to gauge whether a service represents good value for money.

For this article, we additionally scored providers on their suitability for streaming. After all, many people who try to change their IP addresses do so to access geo-restricted streaming content. We tested providers’ ability to access Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. We also considered the availability of IP addresses in the UK and USA, both popular choices for users connecting from abroad.

We then carried out numerous speed tests to determine which VPN providers are the fastest. All VPNs slow your connection due to the additional routing and encryption involved—the trick is to find one that slows it the least.

We carried out speed tests in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon while connected to UK, US, and South Korea servers. To simulate the average user’s experience, we used a home broadband connection (with an average download speed of 60.47 Mbps).

As you can see from the chart above, NordVPN was the fastest provider on average.

Using each provider’s speed score — together with their scores for security and privacy, ease of use, value for money, and streaming ability — we then generated an overall ranking.

NordVPN is the best overall VPN for changing your IP address. Surfshark and IPVanish are good alternatives.

Static vs dynamic IPs: What’s the difference?

There are different types of IP addresses, and this can be complicated for beginners. Below, we explain the difference between a dynamic and a dedicated IP address.

Dynamic IP addresses

Each time you connect to the internet or reboot your router, a dynamic IP address changes – in other words, they’re temporary IP addresses. Dynamic IPs are common for home users due to their cost-effectiveness. However, if you perform tasks like hosting a website, it’s best to opt for a passive IP address for stability,

Static IP addresses

In contrast, Static IPs never change, regardless of how often you disconnect from the web. These are best suited to activities that require an IP address that doesn’t change, such as online gaming. Static IPs are a popular option for business users, but unlike dynamic IPs, they come at an added cost. One of the drawbacks of static IPs is their security risks, making it easier for cybercriminals to attack networks thanks to the constant IP address.

Choosing between a static IP or dynamic IP address will depend on your needs. A dynamic IP will do if you’re browsing the web, scrolling socials, and streaming Netflix. A static IP is the way to go if you’re a hardcore gamer or host a web server.

Your ISP always knows your IP address

The internet service provider always knows public IP addresses no matter what methods you use to change or hide an IP address. This is inevitable because to connect to the internet at all, your ISP must assign you an IP address, and it must know what that IP address is to transmit communication and data from the internet to your device.

So, even if you used one of the above methods to mask your IP address from websites, services, and other devices on the internet, your ISP is an exception that can see behind the mask.

Even if your ISP can identify you by your IP address, however, you can hide your online activity through encryption. A VPN or Tor will encrypt all data before it ever leaves your device, so even though your ISP can see that you are communicating, it cannot see the contents of those communications.

If you need an easy way to change your IP address to that of a different ISP, try switching between wi-fi and your smartphone’s mobile data connection. Chances are, your phone carrier and home internet use different ISPs.

Related: How to stop your ISP from tracking your browser history

Changing your IP address: FAQs