When it comes to digital privacy, geolocation access, and network troubleshooting, few things are as fundamental — and as often misunderstood — as your IP address. Whether you're looking to modify your internet footprint, bypass content restrictions, or secure your data, understanding how to change your IP address is a critical skill for modern users.
Before we begin, we recommend checking your current IP configuration using WhoerIP — a powerful tool that not only reveals your IP address and location, but also evaluates DNS, WebRTC leaks, browser fingerprint, and much more.
Understanding IP Address Types
To choose the right method for changing your IP address, it's important to understand what type of IP you're working with.
- External IP address (also called public IP) is the address your ISP assigns to your network. It's visible to websites and online services.
- Internal IP address (or private IP) is used inside your local network and typically isn't relevant for geolocation or anonymity concerns.
- Dynamic IP address changes automatically at intervals (or when the router reboots).
- Static IP address remains constant unless manually changed.
This guide will focus on how to change your external, internet-facing IP address — especially in cases where it's dynamic, and you want to alter your location or visibility.
1. Restart Your Modem or Router
The simplest way to change your dynamic IP address is to power-cycle your modem:
- Turn off your router/modem.
- Wait for 5–10 minutes (or longer, depending on your ISP’s lease time).
- Restart the device.
This works if your ISP uses dynamic IPs and doesn’t assign them based on MAC address or device ID. For many home users, this method is enough to assign a new internet IP address without any advanced tools.
2. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A VPN routes all your traffic through a remote server, masking your original IP and replacing it with one from another location — or even another country. This is the most effective method if your goal is to:
- Change your IP address and location
- Change your IP address to a different country
- Bypass geo-blocks and censorship
- Protect your identity on public Wi-Fi
VPNs also encrypt your traffic, adding a crucial layer of privacy. However, the quality of the VPN matters — poor VPNs may leak your original IP via DNS or WebRTC. You can verify that your external IP address has changed using Whoerip.com, which also checks for common leaks.
3. Use a Proxy Server
A proxy works similarly to a VPN, but typically only routes traffic from a specific application (e.g., your web browser). It allows you to change your IP address location, though often without encryption.
- HTTP proxies: Suitable for browsing, but don’t support encrypted traffic.
- SOCKS5 proxies: More flexible, support various types of traffic.
- Transparent proxies: Often used without user consent (e.g., by schools or workplaces).
Proxies are useful in limited contexts, but not ideal for full system-wide IP masking.
4. Connect to a Mobile Hotspot
Most mobile carriers assign dynamic IP addresses to devices connected via 4G/5G networks. You can:
- Enable your phone’s hotspot.
- Connect your computer to the hotspot.
- Your IP address will now reflect a different external IP, assigned by the mobile network.
This is useful in situations where traditional broadband IP is blocked or throttled.
5. Use the Tor Network
The Tor Browser anonymizes your internet traffic by routing it through multiple relays worldwide. It automatically changes your IP and can even simulate changing your IP address to another location or country.
However:
- It is significantly slower than VPNs.
- Some services block Tor exit nodes.
Still, it’s a valuable tool for anonymity and works best when combined with other measures (e.g., VPN-over-Tor).
6. Request a New IP from Your ISP
For static IP addresses or locked dynamic IPs, your ISP may allow you to:
- Log in to your ISP’s admin panel or app.
- Manually release and renew your IP lease.
- Submit a support request for IP reassignment.
Note: Some ISPs charge for static IPs or require a plan upgrade.
7. Manually Configure a Static IP
In certain advanced environments, you can manually assign your own static IP address on your local device. This is mostly useful within LANs or in enterprise environments and doesn’t affect your external IP address unless you also control the network’s upstream configuration (e.g., via BGP or NAT).
Final Checks with WhoerIP.com
After trying any of these methods, it’s essential to verify that your IP address and location have actually changed. Tools like Whoerip.com allow you to:
- Confirm your current external IP address
- View geo-location and ISP info
- Detect DNS leaks, WebRTC leaks, and browser fingerprinting
- Test anonymity score
If your goal is to remain private, avoid tracking, or spoof your region — this kind of verification is crucial.
For a more in-depth look at each method — including platform-specific instructions for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android — check out our complete guide on how to change your IP address step by step.
Conclusion
Knowing how to change your IP address isn’t just a handy trick — it’s a core skill for anyone concerned with privacy, online freedom, or troubleshooting network issues. From basic methods like restarting your router, to powerful solutions like VPNs, Tor, or mobile hotspots — there’s a tool for every situation.
Whatever method you choose, make sure to check the results with Whoerip.com — a comprehensive tool that does more than just show your IP. It gives you deep insight into how your device appears to the internet, helping you take full control of your online identity.
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