Changing your IP address is not only totally legal, it's super easy, too.

Dont’t worry. Changing your IP address is easy, even if you've never done it before. It's also very safe - as long as you don't use it to break other laws - it's legal. Your computer and mobile phone have many types of IP addresses (short for internet protocol, a unique series of numbers used to identify your specific device in your online browsing), but we'll focus on the types that usually change to Protect your privacy while you browse, things that make you look like you're in another country.

There are four easy ways to change your IP address in 5 minutes.

Why should I consider changing my IP address?

Routinely changing your external, or public IP address, can help you improve your overall security and browsing privacy. There are other reasons, too.

If you've just installed a new home router, you may need to reconfigure your network with a quick IP change. One common problem among home routers is that they sometimes give devices the wrong IP address, so changing your IP manually can solve those glitches.

If you want to access a country's catalog of streaming media services when you're outside of that country for whatever reason, changing your IP to one based in the right country can get you the catalog you're looking for. Likewise, if you're a gamer looking to lower your lag, changing your IP via a gaming proxy server can help improve performance. One neat tech trick for second-language learners is to use an IP address based in another country to generate search results and local publications written in the local language.

How to change your IP address

1. Use a proxy site

There are a lot of proxy sites available on the internet that changes your IP address to provide you access to the restricted sites on your network. You can visit such websites and put in the web-address, which your wish to access, in the address bar present on the website. This makes you get access to the desired website.If you need a high-quality residential proxy, you can get PIA proxy manager.

PIA Proxy Manager's military-grade encrypted network gives you your true Internet Service Provider (ISP) IP. Residential proxies provide the highest level of anonymity to protect your real identity from detection. PIA offers rotating and sticky proxies, giving you ultimate control and flexibility. By avoiding IP bans, you can perform any bulk online task efficiently and quickly.

We've built a dedicated network of premium IPs for creating unlimited accounts, social media marketing, sneaker buying and unlimited website traffic, grow your social media presence and truly build your brand with PIA's best agencies.

2. Change your IP address by unplugging the router

The easiest and quickest way to get a new IP address is to see what your IP address is via an IP-checking site, then walk over to your router and unplug it for at least five minutes. It may take several minutes longer, depending on how long your ISP normally takes to renew IP addresses in general. Once you plug it back in, refresh the website to make sure your IP address has changed.

Essentially, what you're trying to do is make the IP-assigning part of your router "forget" your device so that it treats your device like a newcomer and gives it a new address.

3. Automatically update your IP address on Mac, iOS, Windows and Android

Here's how to do this on Mac, iOS, Windows and Android:

MacOS: Click your Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen, and click System Preferences then Network then Advanced. At the top of the next screen, click TCP/IP, then click the Renew DHCP Lease button on the right side of the window.

iOS: Go to Settings, tap Network and choose the wireless network you're currently on. Under the IPv4 address section, tap Configure IP then Automatic.

Windows 10: Press the Win+R keys at the same time. This opens the Run box dialog. Type cmd, then hit Enter on your keyboard. This opens the command prompt.

For those who've never seen a Windows command prompt before: This is the part where you will either be immediately terrified something is about to get broken, or you will suddenly feel like you're about to do something extremely cool. Do not panic; neither of those things is going to happen. The magic black box has that effect on everyone their first time.

Type ipconfig /release (including the space) into the command prompt and hit Enter. Some text will zoom by. When it stops, type ipconfig /renew and hit Enter again. Then close your command prompt. You're done.

Android: Go to Settings, tap Connections then tap Wi-Fi. From here, tap on the network you're currently connected to. Tap the gear-shaped icon to the right of the network. Your IP address will be displayed here, but go to the bottom of the screen and -- after making sure you've got your Wi-Fi password handy -- tap Forget (it's the trash icon in the bottom-right corner). Your phone will forget the Wi-Fi network and be disconnected. Just reconnect to your network, and you should be issued a new IP address.

4. Manually change your IP address

Here's what to do if you've already got a new IP address that you know you want to use.

MacOS: Go to System Preferences and click Network. Click Network Connection, then click Configure IPv4. Select Manually and type in whatever IP you've chosen.

iOS: Go to Settings, tap Wi-Fi, then Network. Under the IPv4 address section, tap Configure IP. Manually type in whatever IP address you're trying to use.

Windows: Make sure you're working from your Administrator account and click Start, then go to Control Panel. From here, click Network Connection, and then click on your local area connection. Next, click Properties, then click TCP/IP. From here, you can type your new IP address in manually.

Android: Go to Settings, tap Connections then tap Wi-Fi. From here, tap on the network you're currently connected to. Tap the gear-shaped icon to the right of the network. Your IP address will be displayed here, but go to the bottom of the screen and tap Advanced, then tap IP Settings. Select Static. The next screen will let you manually type in whatever IP address you've chosen.  

Conclusion

If you just want to change your IP address without additional privacy enhancements, you can manually enter your preferred IP, or you can force your device to automatically retrieve a new IP. But going through a proxy server is not only the best way to temporarily change your IP address, but also to protect your privacy.