“I want to change my IP address” usually means one of two things: the public address the internet sees, or the local address of one device on your home network. The methods differ.
Changing your public IP address
1. Restart the router. Most home connections use dynamic addresses. Switch the router off, wait a few minutes and switch it on: it opens a new session and often gets a new address. Some providers give the same router the same address for a while, so you may have to wait longer. See whether it changed on the homepage.
2. Switch to mobile data. With Wi-Fi off, your phone uses the mobile operator’s address. Toggling airplane mode often gives a new one. Mobile operators usually use CGNAT, so you share the address with other subscribers.
3. Use a VPN. A VPN sends your traffic through another server; websites see that server’s address. Your provider still sees that you connect to the VPN, and the VPN operator can see where your traffic goes. See VPNs and your IP address.
4. Ask your provider for a fixed IP. A static address keeps your address from changing, but it is also how you get a public address of your own when you are behind CGNAT.
Changing a local IP address
Your router hands out local addresses (DHCP). To change one, reserve a fixed address for the device in the router’s DHCP or LAN settings — the most reliable way when you forward ports — or enter an address manually on the device, outside the range the router hands out.
What does not work
- Clearing the browser or cookies does not change your IP address.
- Private browsing does not hide your IP address; it only skips the history.
- Changing DNS servers does not change your IP address; it changes who resolves names for you. See What is DNS?.