In case the term is new to you, an IP is a unique address that identifies a device on the Internet or a local network. It is more like the key identifier of any device connected to the internet and it allows it to be recognized by other systems connected via the protocol.
Interestingly, you may want your IP address to be hidden or even changed from what it is known to be. If you want it hidden, read through this post to find out how to. 5 ways to hide your IP address.
For those that wish to have the address changed, there are a number of reasons you could decide to do so. It could be that you can’t connect to a network because another device with your IP address is already on it or that you wish to bypass restrictions that the current IP settings have.
How to change your PC’s IP Address
Changing your IP address heavily depends on what specifically you wish to achieve and the type of device you’re on. However, the simplest way to change your IP address is to restart your router.
First check what your current IP address is, so you can confirm whether it’s changed after you are done. Then, unplug your router and wait for five minutes to plug it back in. It is very likely that, once you’re back online, your public IP will be different.
But, if you just want to change to a specific IP address, here are some alternative options.
How to Change an IP Address on Windows
In the bottom left corner of the screen, choose the Windows icon, then select the Settings icon. In your server Settings, select Network & Internet. Then choose the Status tab in the menu on the left.
Click on the Change Connection Properties link that appears in the control panel, and it will take you to a page where you’ll see an Edit button under IP assignment.
Click on the drop-down menu and select Manual. Toggle the IPv4 button to On. Then you’ll be able to edit your private IP address.
How to Change an IP Address on Mac
If you want to change the private IP address of your Apple computer, follow the steps here.
Select the Apple icon in the top right corner of your screen, then click on System Preferences in the drop-down control panel. Choose Network from the menu, from where you can see what your current IP is, where it says Status: Connected.
Click on Advanced, then select TCP/IP from the menu. In the drop-down menu, choose Using DHCP with a manual address, and you’ll be able to edit what shows up in the IPv4 Address section of the form. Enter the IP address you’d like to switch to here, and click OK.
Read About: 3 reasons why you need to protect your IP
