Why you might change your Android IP address

Your Android phone gets an IP address automatically when it connects to Wi-Fi or cellular data. That address identifies your device on the network. You may want to change it to troubleshoot connection problems, test network settings, or use a different location for privacy reasons. Most of the time, letting your phone get a new address automatically is simpler than changing it manually.

Android offers two main ways to get a different IP address: restart your connection (the fastest method), or manually assign a static IP address in your Wi-Fi settings. Which one you use depends on whether you need a temporary change or a permanent one.

Key Takeaways

  • Restarting your Wi-Fi connection is the quickest way to get a new IP address — turn airplane mode on for 10 seconds, then off again.
  • To manually set a static IP address, open your Wi-Fi settings, tap the network name, select Advanced, and choose Static instead of DHCP.
  • You will need your router's gateway address and DNS server addresses if you assign a static IP manually.
  • Changing your IP address on cellular data requires contacting your carrier, since you cannot control that address directly on your phone.
  • A VPN app changes the IP address that websites see, but does not change your actual device IP on your home network.

The fastest way: restart your connection

The simplest method is to disconnect and reconnect to your network. Open your phone's Settings app, tap Network & Internet, then Wi-Fi. Toggle Wi-Fi off, wait 10 seconds, and toggle it back on. Your phone will request a new IP address from your router automatically.

If you are on cellular data, turn on airplane mode for 10 seconds, then turn it off. Your phone will reconnect to the carrier's network and receive a new IP address. This method works because your router or carrier reassigns addresses when a device reconnects.

This approach is temporary — if you disconnect and reconnect again later, you may get the same address back, or a different one. Use this when you need a quick change for testing or troubleshooting.

Assigning a static IP address manually

A static IP address stays the same every time your phone connects, which is useful if you are setting up network rules or port forwarding on your router. Open Settings, tap Network & Internet, then Wi-Fi. Long-press the network name you want to change, then tap Edit.

Tap Advanced at the bottom of the screen. Under IP settings, change the dropdown from DHCP to Static. You will now see fields for IP address, gateway, netmask, and DNS servers. Enter the values you want to use.

If you do not know what to enter, check your router's manual or admin panel. Your gateway is usually something like 192.168.1.1. Your netmask is typically 255.255.255.0. For DNS, you can use your router's address or a public DNS like 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare). Tap Save when you are done.

Finding your router's settings if you need them

To find your gateway address and other network details, open a web browser on any device connected to your network and type your router's IP address into the address bar. Common addresses are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1. Your router's manual or the sticker on the back will tell you which one.

Log in with your router's username and password (also on the sticker or manual). Look for a section called LAN settings, Network settings, or DHCP. You will find the gateway address, netmask, and available IP range there. Write down the range of addresses your router can assign — you want to pick a static address outside that range to avoid conflicts.

For example, if your router assigns addresses from 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.254, you could use 192.168.1.50 as your static address. This prevents your phone from getting the same address as another device.

Changing your IP on cellular data

You cannot manually change your IP address on cellular networks from your phone settings. Your carrier assigns that address, and it changes based on their network infrastructure, not your device. If you need a different cellular IP for troubleshooting, contact your carrier's support line — they can sometimes force a reassignment on their end.

If you want to hide your cellular IP address from websites, use a VPN app instead. A VPN routes your traffic through another server, so websites see the VPN's IP address rather than yours. This does not change your actual device IP on your carrier's network, but it does change what the internet sees.

Using a VPN to change the IP address websites see

A VPN app like Mullvad, ProtonVPN, or Windscribe changes the IP address that websites record when you visit them. read the app from Google Play, open it, and tap Connect. The app will route your traffic through a server in a location you choose, and websites will see that server's IP instead of yours.

This is different from changing your device's actual IP address on your home network or carrier network. Your router and carrier still see your real IP. A VPN is useful for privacy when browsing, but it does not affect how your phone appears to other devices on your home network.

Keep in mind that VPN apps use data and battery, and some may slow your connection slightly. Free VPN apps often have limits on data or speed. If you use a VPN regularly, a paid service usually offers better performance and privacy.

Troubleshooting when your IP address will not change

If restarting your connection does not give you a new IP address, restart your router instead. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot (usually 2 to 3 minutes). Then reconnect your phone to Wi-Fi. This forces your router to forget the old address assignment and issue a new one.

If you assigned a static IP manually and it is not working, check that you entered the gateway and netmask correctly. A typo in either field will break your connection. Go back to Settings, tap the network name, select Edit, and verify each number matches what your router shows.

If your phone keeps getting the same IP address after restarting, your router may have a reserved address pool for that device. Log into your router's admin panel and look for DHCP reservations or static leases. Remove your phone from that list if it is there, then restart your phone's connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my IP address on Android affect my apps or accounts?

No. Your apps and accounts are tied to your Google account and phone, not your IP address. Changing your IP will not sign you out of anything or affect how your apps work. Websites may see a different IP, but that does not disconnect you from services you are already logged into.

Can I pick any IP address I want when setting a static one?

You can pick any address in your network's range, but you must avoid addresses already in use. Check your router's DHCP range (the addresses it assigns automatically) and pick something outside that range. If you pick an address that another device is already using, both devices will have connection problems.

Does changing my IP address hide me from my internet provider?

No. Your internet provider always knows your real IP address because they assign it. Changing your device IP on your home network does not hide anything from them. A VPN can hide your activity from websites, but your provider still sees that you are using a VPN.

What is the difference between a dynamic and static IP address?

A dynamic IP address changes each time you connect — your router assigns a new one from its available pool. A static IP stays the same every time you connect. Dynamic is the default and works fine for most people. Static is useful if you need other devices to always find your phone at the same address, like for network printing or remote access.

Can I use a VPN and a static IP address at the same time?

Yes. A static IP controls your address on your home network. A VPN controls what IP address websites see. You can have both active at once — your phone will have a fixed address on your network, and websites will see the VPN's IP address instead of your real one.