Why you might need a new IPv6 address

A temporary IPv6 address is one your device generates or your router assigns that changes periodically — usually every few hours or days. You might want a fresh one if you are troubleshooting a connection problem, if a website is blocking your current address, or if you straightforward want to reset your network identity without restarting everything. Unlike getting a new IPv4 address (which often requires calling your internet provider), you can usually generate a new temporary IPv6 address yourself in minutes.

Most modern devices and routers support IPv6 privacy addresses, which are temporary by design. Your device creates a new one automatically on a schedule, but you can force a new one when ready without waiting. The method depends on whether you use Windows, Mac, Linux, or a mobile device.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows, Mac, and Linux all have built-in commands to generate a new temporary IPv6 address without restarting your device.
  • On Windows, you disable and re-enable IPv6 in network settings, or use the command prompt to release and renew your address.
  • On Mac and Linux, you can use terminal commands to remove the current address and let your system generate a new one.
  • Mobile devices (iPhone, Android) typically generate new temporary addresses automatically, but you can force one by toggling Wi-Fi off and back on.
  • Your router's IPv6 settings may also need adjustment if you want to control how often addresses change.

Getting a new IPv6 address on Windows

The simplest method on Windows is to disable and re-enable IPv6 in your network settings. Open the Control Panel, go to Network and Sharing Center, click Change adapter settings on the left, then right-click your active network connection (usually Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select Properties. In the list of items, uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6), click OK, wait 10 seconds, then check the box again and click OK. Your device will generate a new temporary address within a few seconds.

If you prefer using the command prompt, open it as administrator (right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator). Type ipv6 dup to see your current address, then type netsh interface ipv6 set address "Ethernet" anycast (replace "Ethernet" with your connection name if different). This forces your system to release the old address and request a new one from your router. Wait a few seconds, then type ipv6 dup again to confirm the new address is active.

Getting a new IPv6 address on Mac

On Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions), go to Network, select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and click Advanced. Under the TCP/IP tab, you will see your current IPv6 address. Click Renew DHCP Lease if that button appears — this works for both IPv4 and IPv6 on some networks. If the button does not appear, you can use Terminal instead.

Open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities) and type ifconfig | grep inet6 to see your current temporary address. Then type sudo ifconfig en0 inet6 -alias (replace en0 with your connection name if different — use en1 for Wi-Fi on some older Macs). This removes the current address. Your Mac will automatically generate a new one within 10 to 30 seconds. Type ifconfig | grep inet6 again to confirm the new address is assigned.

Getting a new IPv6 address on Linux

On Linux, open a terminal and type ip addr show to list all your network interfaces and their current IPv6 addresses. Find the interface you want to change (usually eth0 for wired or wlan0 for Wi-Fi). Then type sudo ip addr del [current-ipv6-address]/64 dev eth0, replacing the address and interface name with your own. This removes the current temporary address.

Your system will generate a new one automatically within a few seconds if your router is configured to hand out addresses via DHCPv6 or stateless address autoconfiguration (SLAAC). Type ip addr show again to confirm the new address is active. If a new address does not appear, your router may not be set to distribute IPv6 addresses automatically — in that case, you may need to adjust your router's IPv6 settings or contact your internet provider.

Forcing a new address on mobile devices

On iPhone, iPad, or Android, the easiest method is to toggle Wi-Fi off and back on. Go to Settings, find Wi-Fi, turn it off, wait 5 seconds, then turn it back on. Your device will reconnect to your network and request a new temporary IPv6 address from your router. This usually takes 10 to 20 seconds.

If you want to force a completely fresh address, you can forget the network entirely and reconnect. On iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network name, and select Forget This Network. Then tap the network again from the list, enter your password, and reconnect. On Android, long-press the network name in your Wi-Fi list and select Forget, then reconnect the same way. Both methods will assign a new IPv6 address when you rejoin.

Checking that your new address is active

After you generate a new address, you can verify it took effect by checking your device's network settings. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /all to see all your addresses. On Mac, open System Preferences > Network > Advanced > TCP/IP. On Linux, type ip addr show. On mobile, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap your network name, and look for the IPv6 Address field.

You can also visit a website that displays your public IPv6 address, such as whatismyipaddress.com or ipv6.whatismyipaddress.com. If the address shown there is different from what it was before, your new temporary address is working and visible to the outside world. If it is the same, your router may not be configured to hand out new addresses, or your internet provider may be blocking IPv6 traffic.

When your router controls IPv6 address rotation

Some routers automatically rotate temporary IPv6 addresses on a schedule (often every 24 hours), while others leave the same address active indefinitely. If you want to control how often your device gets a new address, you may need to adjust your router's settings. Log into your router's admin panel (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a browser), look for IPv6 settings, and check whether privacy extensions or temporary address rotation is enabled.

If your router does not offer these options, or if you are renting the router from your internet provider, contact your provider to ask whether they can enable IPv6 privacy features. Some providers do not support temporary addresses at all, in which case your device will use the same IPv6 address until your provider assigns a new one — usually only when you restart your modem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will getting a new IPv6 address disconnect me from the internet?

No. Your device will stay connected the entire time. The address change happens in the background, and you may not notice it at all. Some active connections (like a video call or read) might pause for a second or two while the system switches, but you will not lose your internet connection.

Do I need to restart my router to get a new IPv6 address?

No. Restarting your router will assign new addresses to all your devices, but it is not necessary if you only want to change one device's address. The methods above work without touching your router.

Why does my device keep getting the same IPv6 address?

Your router may not have IPv6 privacy extensions enabled, or your internet provider may not support temporary addresses. Check your router's settings for IPv6 privacy or temporary address options. If those are off, turn them on. If your router does not have those options, contact your provider to ask whether they can enable them on their end.

Can websites see my new IPv6 address?

Yes. Your new temporary IPv6 address is visible to any website you visit, just like your old one was. Changing your address does not hide your identity online — it only gives you a fresh identifier. If a website blocked your old address, it may block your new one too if the reason for the block still applies.

What is the difference between a temporary and permanent IPv6 address?

A temporary address is designed to change periodically (usually every few hours or days) to add a layer of privacy. A permanent address stays the same until your router or provider assigns a new one. Most modern devices use temporary addresses by default, but some networks or routers do not support them.