How to change IP Address: a complete guide

7 January 2026

Table of contents

What is an IP Address and what is it for
How data exchange works via the IP address
Why it’s useful to know and change your IP
How to change IP address on PC (Windows 11 and Windows 10)
How to change IP address on Android
How to change IP address on iPhone
Change DNS to improve privacy and speed

Knowing how to change your IP address is essential to protect your online privacy, fix connection issues, or access online services not available in your country. The IP address (Internet Protocol) identifies every device connected to the internet think of it as a digital “license plate.” Depending on the operating system, the method to modify it may vary, but the principle remains the same: adjust network settings to assign a new public or local IP address.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll explain how to change your IP address on PC, how to change your IP address on Android, and how to change your IP address on iPhone, covering the differences between static and dynamic IP, how to use VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), DNS servers, and best practices for safe, informed browsing.

What is an IP Address and what is it for

An IP address (Internet Protocol Address) is a numeric sequence that uniquely identifies each device connected to a network, allowing it to communicate with other devices via the Internet Protocol (IP). In other words, it’s like a digital address that lets data know where it comes from and where it needs to go.

Whenever a computer, smartphone, or tablet connects to the internet, the Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns it a public IP address. This address is the “signature” with which the device presents itself on the web, visible to the websites and online services we access. Inside a home or corporate network, devices communicate with each other using private IP addresses, managed by the router or by a DHCP server (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).

Public IP vs. Private IP: the key difference

The public IP address is assigned by the provider and represents the connection to the outside world, i.e., the internet. All devices connected to the same router (computers, smartphones, smart TVs, Wi-Fi printers, voice assistants) share the same public IP, even though they each have different IPs within the local network.
The private IP address, on the other hand, is used only within the Local Area Network (LAN). It distinguishes devices from one another. The router manages these addresses, usually using ranges such as 192.168.0.x or 10.0.0.x.

Practical example:

Router (gateway): 192.168.1.1
PC: 192.168.1.5
Smartphone: 192.168.1.7

When the PC requests a web page, the router translates the private IP into the public IP through a process called NAT (Network Address Translation), and performs the reverse to receive the response. This mechanism is crucial to allow hundreds of devices to browse simultaneously using a single public IP address.

IPv4 and IPv6: two generations of addresses

An IP address may belong to one of two protocol versions: IPv4 or IPv6.

IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) is the traditional format, consisting of four numbers separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.5. Each number can range from 0 to 255, yielding about 4.3 billion combinations. With the global surge of connected devices, these addresses are becoming insufficient.
IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) was introduced to solve this problem. It uses a longer alphanumeric sequence (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334) and can generate a virtually unlimited number of unique addresses.

Most modern networks support both standards today, ensuring compatibility and security. Operating systems like Windows 11, Android, and iOS automatically manage the coexistence of IPv4 and IPv6, selecting whichever protocol is more efficient for the connection.

Subnet mask, gateway, and DNS: the IP address allies

An IP address alone isn’t enough for a stable connection: it needs other key parameters that define its place in the network.

Subnet mask
Defines the “scope” of the local network, i.e., which addresses belong to the same network. The most common setting is 255.255.255.0, allowing up to 254 devices on the same subnet.
Default gateway
The router’s address that links the local network to the internet, e.g., 192.168.1.1.
DNS servers (Domain Name System)
Translate domain names (like www.negg.blog) into numeric IP addresses, allowing you to browse without memorizing complex strings of numbers.

When you manually change your IP address, it’s crucial to correctly enter the subnet mask, gateway, and DNS servers. Otherwise, the device may fail to communicate properly on the network or access the internet.

How data exchange works via the IP address

Every time you visit a site or use a connected app, your device sends a data request to a remote server. This request includes:

your IP address (so it can receive the reply),
the destination IP of the server,
and a set of packets containing control information and content.

The server responds by sending data packets back to the requester’s IP address. It’s like mailing a letter: if you don’t include the return address (your IP), the recipient can’t answer.

This two-way mechanism is handled by the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) suite, which ensures reliable transfer, packet reassembly, and in-order delivery.

Dynamic IP and static IP: Why they change

In most cases, the internet provider assigns a dynamic IP, which changes with each connection or after a certain period. This optimizes address distribution and preserves a degree of privacy.
However, there are scenarios where a static IP is preferable, such as for:

business or home servers accessible from outside the network,
video surveillance systems,
remote assistance or smart-home applications.

Knowing whether you have a dynamic or static IP helps determine when and how you can change it manually or through advanced network settings.

Why it’s useful to know and change your IP

Understanding how an IP address works isn’t just for experts: everyday users benefit too.
Changing or checking your IP can help you:

fix connection errors, such as network conflicts or blocked access;
bypass geo-restrictions to access content available only in other countries;
protect privacy by masking your real IP via VPN or proxy;
improve security by isolating vulnerable devices or blocking suspicious connections;
optimize network performance by choosing faster DNS servers or custom network settings.

In professional contexts, knowing your IP also helps diagnose routing, latency, or packet-loss issues critical for work with servers, cloud apps, or distributed systems.

A practical example of IP addresses in a home network

Imagine a home network with an ISP-provided modem/router.

The router receives the public IP 93.42.15.128 from the provider.
Internally, it assigns these private IPs:
- Main PC → 192.168.1.2
- Android smartphone → 192.168.1.3
- Smart TV → 192.168.1.4
- Wi-Fi printer → 192.168.1.5

When the PC opens a web page, the router translates the private IP 192.168.1.2 into the public IP 93.42.15.128 and forwards the request to the internet. When the response arrives, it “routes” it to the correct device.
This process, invisible to the user, happens hundreds of times per second whenever we browse or use connected services.

IP and the traceability of online activities

A crucial final point is traceability. Since every internet connection requires an IP address, it can be used by online services to log a user’s activity: logins, times, approximate location.

For this reason, many people choose to change or hide their IP address using a VPN or a proxy network. This reduces the likelihood of profiling by websites, ad platforms, or malicious actors.

Naturally, don’t confuse privacy with absolute anonymity: the IP is just one of many elements that can contribute to identifying a user. Learning to manage it, however, is a concrete first step toward safer, more informed browsing.

How to change IP address on PC (Windows 11 and Windows 10)

Changing your IP address on Windows PCs is straightforward and can be done via Network Settings, Control Panel, or the Command Prompt.

Method 1: From network settings

Press the Windows key and select Settings.
Go to Network & Internet → Connection properties.
Click Edit IP settings.
Set the method to Manual and enable IPv4.
Enter the new address, for example:
- IP address: 192.168.1.200
- Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
- Default gateway: 192.168.1.1
- Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
Click Save and restart the connection.

Method 2: Using the Command Prompt

Open the Command Prompt as administrator.

Type:

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

These commands release the current address and assign a new dynamic one.

To check the address, type:

ipconfig

and press Enter.

Method 3: From Control Panel

Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center.
Click Change adapter settings.
Right-click your connection and open Properties.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
Click Properties and manually set the desired IP.

How to change IP address on Android

Many users wonder how to change their IP address on Android, especially for privacy reasons or to fix Wi-Fi connection issues.

Method 1: from Wi-Fi settings

Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi.
Tap the network name you’re connected to.
Scroll to and select Advanced settings.
Change IP settings from “DHCP” to “Static.”
Enter manually:
- IP address: 192.168.1.120
- Gateway: 192.168.1.1
- DNS 1: 8.8.8.8
- DNS 2: 8.8.4.4
Tap Save.

Method 2: using a VPN

The most effective way to change your public IP address on Android is to install a VPN (Virtual Private Network) app.
Popular options include: NordVPN, ProtonVPN, ExpressVPN.

A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote VPN server, masking your real IP and letting you appear connected from another country.
Just:

Install a VPN app from the Play Store.
Sign in or create an account.
Select a VPN server (e.g., “Italy” or “USA”).
Turn the connection on.
Each time you connect to a new server, you’ll get a new IP address.

How to change IP address on iPhone

You can change your IP address on iPhone quickly—either manually or via a VPN.

Method 1: From network settings

Go to Settings → Wi-Fi.
Tap the “i” next to the connected network.
Select Configure IP → Manual.
Enter:
- IP address: 192.168.1.105
- Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
- Router: 192.168.1.1
Tap Save.

Method 2: use a VPN on iPhone

As on Android, you can use a Virtual Private Network.

Go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management.
Add a new VPN configuration.
Enter the credentials provided by your chosen service.
Or directly install the provider’s app (e.g., Surfshark, ProtonVPN).

Once enabled, your connection will pass through the VPN server, assigning you a different IP address.

Change DNS to improve privacy and speed

Changing DNS servers can improve security and connection speed. DNS translates website names (like www.google.com) into numeric IP addresses.

You can modify DNS servers directly in the network settings of any operating system: