How to Change IP Address on Different Devices [6 Ways]
Have you ever faced these frustrations? You want to watch overseas shows, but only to hit a region lock. You worry about your online activities being tracked and your privacy being exposed. Or perhaps your internet suddenly slows down, and no matter what you try, nothing seems to work. In fact, these problems can often be solved by changing your IP address.
Doing so can not only help you break through regional restrictions for worldwide content but also build a solid defense for your privacy and security, and it may even be the key to solving tricky network issues. If you have no idea how to change your IP address, then this article is for you. We will provide you with detailed guides to help you get things done! Let's explore!
What Is an IP Address?
Think of it this way: just as every home has its own special address that the postman uses to drop off letters and packages, an IP address (Internet Protocol Address) is like the digital "address" for all your gadgets in the online universe. It's what makes your devices be identified and located on a network.
In plain terms, any device that is hooked up to the Internet - be it a computer, a smartphone, a tablet, or even a fancy smart home device - absolutely needs its own unique IP address to access the network. When you are surfing the web or sending an email, your IP address is the behind-the-scenes hero that makes sure all the data finds its way back to your device. Without this unique identifier, your device would be left out in the cold, unable to access any websites or use online services.
Is It Possible to Change Your IP Address?
The answer is yes, you can change your internet IP address, and there are many ways to do it.
You can change your IP address manually on different operating systems. Also, you can use a VPN, which makes your device appear to be in another region with a new IP address. Additionally, using a proxy server is also one of the common ways. It can act as an intermediary between you and the target server to help you hide your real IP address. Alternatively, you can even use an anti-detect browser tool to customize your IP address flexibly.
By doing so, you can enjoy numerous benefits:
•Enhanced Privacy Protection: Hide your IP address to prevent websites, advertisers, and hackers from tracking your online activities.
•Bypass Region Restrictions: Access region-limited websites and streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, and social media platforms.
•Avoid Blocks and Restrictions: If some websites or services block your IP, a simple IP address change can help.
•Better Network Performance: In some cases, changing IP addresses can bypass ISP throttling and speed up the Internet.
•Fix Connectivity Issues: If your IP is banned for some reason or your network connection is abnormal, changing your IP may be an effective solution.
•Bypass Mobile Limitation: BitBrowser's Bit Cloud Phone enables you to change IPs on a virtual Android phone to test apps, play games, or doing whatever on a mobile phone you want.
In the following sections, we will detail how to change IP addresses with the best tool as well as methods for different devices so that you can easily take full control of your online identity!
Best and Easiest Way to Change Your IP Address
If you require multiple IP addresses, particularly for managing several accounts, traditional VPNs and proxy servers might fall short. In this case, you will need a specially designed tool to help you create more virtual IP addresses.
To that end, BitBrowser can be an ideal choice. This powerful browser tool can serve as a free IP address changer and offers a wide selection of proxy IPs. Even better, it allows you to run multiple browser windows simultaneously, each with a distinct IP address. This way, you can easily achieve true account isolation without worrying about account association. If you are looking for the best unblocked web browser, BitBrowser is worth considering.
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Discover More Features of BitBrowser:
•Each window simulates unique computer information, ensuring complete isolation between accounts to mitigate the risk of account association and bans.
•Offer high-quality proxy IP recommendations worldwide, guaranteeing independent and secure network environments.
•Support multi-person collaboration by quick sharing of browser profiles and permission assignment for higher efficiency.
•Streamline workflow with RPA, APIs, and sync tools, facilitating batch automation for multiple accounts and boosting efficiency.
•Shield your privacy with fake IP addresses and browser fingerprints, preventing tracking and monitoring.
How to Manage Proxy IPs with BitBrowser:
Step 1: Launch BitBrowser and log in to your account.
Step 2: On the main interface, locate the "Proxy IP" option.
Step 3: Click the "Add Proxy" feature. In the pop-up window, select "Custom" under the Proxy Method title. Then, you can customize other parameters according to your needs, including proxy type, protocol, host, port, etc. Finally, click "Confirm".
Step 4: Click on the "Bind Window" icon to bind the newly created proxy IP with your existing browser profiles. When it is done, you will be able to open the browser window with a separate IP address.
How to Change IP Address Manually on Various Devices
Besides using a multi-login browser, you can also manually change your IP address on different devices. In this section, we will walk you through how to change your IP address on Windows PC, Mac, Android, iPhone, etc. So, let's dive right in!
1. Change IP Address on Windows 10/11
Windows allows you to manually change your local IP address by modifying network settings. This means you can essentially redefine your device's identity on your local network, giving it a fresh address. Follow these steps to change your IP address on Windows PC:
1.Click the Windows Start menu and go to "Settings" > "Network & Internet".
2.Select "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet", depending on how you connect to the network.
3.Scroll down to find the "IP Assignment"/"IP Settings" section and click the "Edit" button.
4.In the pop-up window, change "IP Settings" from "Automatic (DHCP)" to "Manual". Then, toggle on IPv4 or IPv6.
5.Enter the IP address, Subnet mask, Gateway, and Preferred DNS server you want to set.
6.Click the "Save" button and exit the settings window.
2. Change IP Address on Mac
Changing the IP address on a Mac is also simple, usually done through the Network settings. Here are the specific steps:
1.Go to System Settings and then Network.
2.Select the network you are currently connected to. Then, click the "Details" button in the lower right corner.
3.Switch to the "TCP/IP" tab.
4.Click the "Manual" option under "Configure IPv4".
5.Enter the new IP address. After that, click "OK" to save the changes.
3. Change IP Address on Android
If you are using a mobile device, you can easily conduct a change as well. When you need to change your IP address on Android devices, you can follow the steps below.
1.Tap on the "Settings" icon on your Android device.
2.Go to "Connections"/"Network & Internet" (or similar options) and select "Wi-Fi".
3.Locate your connected Wi-Fi network and click its settings icon.
4.Change the IP settings to "Static".
5.Enter the new IP address and click the "Save" button for confirmation.
4. Change IP Address on iPhone
Changing your IP address on an iPhone or iPad is pretty similar to Android, which involves setting a static IP address for your Wi-Fi network. Here is how it's done:
1.Go to "Settings" on your iPhone/iPad.
2.Tap on "Wi-Fi" and select your connected network.
3.Under the "IPV4 ADDRESS" section, tap "Configure IP" to choose the "Manual" option.
4.Now, enter your new IP address.
5. Change IP Address via Router
Since your router assigns IP addresses to connected devices, restarting it can sometimes enable your ISP to reassign a new public IP address. Here is how:
1.Check your current IP address and note it down.
2.Unplug the router for at least 5 minutes.
3.Plug the router back in and wait for it to reboot. It might take a few minutes for your internet connection to come back online.
4.If your device does not reconnect to the network automatically, reconnect it.
5.Check if your IP address has changed.
In most cases, this method works. However, if you still see the same public IP address after the router reboots as before, try keeping the router unplugged for a longer period, even up to a day. If the IP still doesn't change, you may need to contact your ISP for assistance or explore other methods.
FAQs About IP Address Change
How do I check my current IP address?
Finding your current IP address is a breeze. You can just search "what is my IP?" or similar keywords on Google, and then your public IP address will show up right in the search results. If you want to know your local IP address, you can check it through your device's network settings.
Does restarting the router change the IP address?
It depends on the type of IP address you have. If your ISP assigns you a dynamic IP address, then restarting your router will usually change your IP address. This is because dynamic IPs are temporarily assigned and may vary each time you connect to the internet. On the other hand, if you use a static IP address, then no matter how many times you restart your router, the IP will not change. You need to manually modify the network settings to change it.
Is it legal to change your IP address?
Yes. In most cases, it is legal to change your IP address. Using a VPN or proxy server to protect your privacy or access region-restricted content is usually allowed. However, it is illegal if you change your IP for fraud, illegal activities, or impersonation. These actions will be considered malicious and can result in legal issues.
Final Words
This article has detailed how to change your IP address, along with step-by-step instructions. It is worth noting that if you frequently need to switch IPs to manage multiple accounts, manual IP changes, regular VPNs, or proxy servers may not meet your needs. In such cases, BitBrowser is a more professional and efficient choice.
As a powerful IP address management tool, BitBrowser can assign independent IP addresses to each browsing window and completely isolate data, simulating completely independent browsing environments on the same device. This is definitely an ideal solution for those who require multi-account management in cross-border e-commerce, social media marketing, advertising placement, and other areas. If you are one of them, why not give Bitbrowser a try?