How to change your IP address depends on whether you want a temporary change or a permanent one
The fastest way to change your IP address is to restart your modem and router. Turn off your modem, wait 30 seconds, turn it back on, then restart your router. Your internet service provider will assign you a new IP address within a few minutes. This works for most home networks and is temporary — your address may change again later on its own.
If you need a more permanent change or want to hide your IP address, you have other options: renewing your DHCP lease, changing your router settings, using a VPN, or contacting your internet service provider to request a static IP address. Which method you choose depends on why you need the change and what device you're using.
Key Takeaways
- Restarting your modem and router is the simplest way to get a new IP address and takes about five minutes.
- On Windows, Mac, and Linux, you can manually renew your DHCP lease through network settings to request a new address from your ISP.
- A VPN masks your IP address by routing your traffic through another server, but it does not change your actual IP — your ISP still sees the original.
- Static IP addresses stay the same and require contacting your ISP or configuring your router's DHCP settings, depending on your setup.
- Mobile devices (iPhone and Android) get new IP addresses automatically when you switch networks or restart your phone.
Restarting your modem and router for a quick IP change
This is the method most people use because it requires no technical knowledge. Unplug your modem from power, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for all the lights to stabilize (usually one to two minutes). Then unplug your router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Your router will reconnect to the internet and your ISP will assign a new IP address.
The wait time matters — 30 seconds gives the modem time to fully discharge. If you skip this step, the modem may keep the same address. You can check your new IP address by visiting whatismyipaddress.com or typing "what is my IP" into a search engine.
This change is usually temporary. Your ISP assigns addresses from a pool, and you may get the same one again days or weeks later. If you need a permanent change, use one of the methods below.
Renewing your DHCP lease on Windows
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is how your ISP assigns IP addresses. You can ask for a new one without restarting hardware by renewing your lease. Open the Start menu, type "Command Prompt," right-click it, and select "Run as administrator." Type these two commands in order, pressing Enter after each:
- ipconfig /release — this releases your current IP address
- ipconfig /renew — this requests a new one from your ISP
Your computer will get a new IP address within seconds. You can verify it by typing ipconfig and looking for "IPv4 Address" in the results. This method works on any Windows version from Windows 7 onward.
Renewing your DHCP lease on Mac and Linux
On a Mac, open System Settings, click "Wi-Fi" or "Network" (depending on your macOS version), select your network, and click "Advanced." Go to the "TCP/IP" tab and click "Renew DHCP Lease." Your Mac will request a new IP address from your ISP within seconds.
On Linux, open a terminal and type sudo dhclient -r to release your current address, then sudo dhclient to request a new one. You may need to enter your password. Check your new address by typing hostname -I in the terminal.
Using a VPN to mask your IP address
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) does not change your actual IP address — your ISP still sees it. Instead, a VPN routes your internet traffic through a server in another location, so websites see the VPN server's IP instead of yours. This hides your browsing activity from your ISP and masks your location from websites.
Popular VPN services include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, and ProtonVPN. Most charge a monthly fee (typically $3 to $12 per month). You download the VPN app, create an account, and click "Connect." Your traffic is then encrypted and routed through the VPN's servers. This method works on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android.
A VPN is useful if you want privacy from websites and your ISP, but it does not change your actual IP address with your ISP. If you need your ISP to assign you a different address, use the modem restart or DHCP renewal methods instead.
Requesting a static IP address from your ISP
A static IP address stays the same indefinitely, unlike dynamic addresses that change periodically. Contact your internet service provider and ask if they offer static IP addresses. Most do, but they usually charge an extra fee — typically $5 to $15 per month depending on your provider.
If your ISP offers static IPs, they will walk you through the setup process, which usually involves updating your modem settings or having a technician configure it remotely. Once set up, your IP address will not change unless you request it.
Static IPs are useful for running a home server, hosting a website, or setting up remote access to your computer. For everyday browsing, a dynamic IP is fine and costs nothing extra.
Changing your IP address on iPhone and Android
Mobile devices get new IP addresses automatically when you switch Wi-Fi networks or restart your phone. To force a new address on the same network, go to your phone's Settings, find Wi-Fi, tap the network you're connected to, and select "Forget This Network." Then reconnect to it — your phone will request a new IP address from your router.
On iPhone, you can also toggle Wi-Fi off and on in Control Center, which will request a new address when you reconnect. On Android, the same effect happens when you turn airplane mode on for 10 seconds, then off again.
If you want to hide your IP address on mobile, use a VPN app. Download one from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android), sign in, and tap "Connect." Your mobile traffic will then be routed through the VPN's servers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my IP address affect my internet speed?
No. Restarting your modem, renewing your DHCP lease, or requesting a static IP will not change your speed. A VPN may slightly reduce speed because your traffic is encrypted and routed through another server, but the difference is usually small (5 to 15 percent depending on the VPN and server distance).
Can I choose what IP address I get?
No. Your ISP assigns dynamic IP addresses from their pool, and you cannot request a specific one. If you need a specific address, you must request a static IP from your ISP, which they will assign to you and keep the same going forward.
Do I need to change my IP address for security reasons?
Changing your IP address alone does not improve security. If you are concerned about privacy, use a VPN or enable HTTPS on websites you visit. If you think your account has been hacked, change your passwords instead of your IP address — the attacker can still access your account from any IP.
Will my devices stay connected if I restart my modem and router?
Your devices will lose internet for a few minutes while the modem and router restart. Once they come back online, your devices will automatically reconnect. You do not need to manually reconnect anything.
What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 addresses look like 192.168.1.1 and are the standard most people use. IPv6 addresses look like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 and are the newer standard designed to replace IPv4 as the internet runs out of IPv4 addresses. Both can be changed using the same methods, but most home networks still use IPv4.