How to change the IP address on iPhone

Changing your IP address on an iPhone has several benefits, ranging from enhanced privacy and security to accessing content otherwise restricted in your region. This could be very straightforward if you download a VPN, but other methods exist. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what IPs are, how to change them on iOS devices, and what you can achieve with a different IP.

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What is an IP address?
Public vs. local IP addresses
How to find your IP address on iPhone (iOS)
How to change your IP address on iPhone
How to change your iPhone IP address without Wi-Fi
Why change your iPhone IP address?

What is an IP address?

An IP address, or internet protocol address, is a unique string of numbers assigned to every device connected to a network. This address serves two primary functions: it provides an identity to a connected device and enables it to communicate with other devices over the internet or a local network. Essentially, it’s akin to a postal address for your device, ensuring data sent across the internet reaches the correct destination.

There are two types of formats for IP addresses. The most widely used one is IPv4, and its IPs look like 192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x. There’s a newer standard called IPv6 that’s slowly catching on, and it’s formatted slightly differently, like 2001:4860:x:x. It’s very likely that you only have an IPv4 for now.

Public vs. local IP addresses

There are two types of IPs you should know about. These are your public IP address and your local IP address. Knowing the differences will help you understand how changing your IP can impact your online experience.

Public IP address

This is the address assigned to your network by your internet service provider (ISP), and it’s the address that websites and online services see when you connect to them. For example, if your iPhone is connected to your Wi-Fi at home, your public IP will be that of your whole Wi-Fi network. It will have its own public IP address if it’s connected directly through your carrier. Unlike local IPs, your public IP is unique across the entire internet. 

Changing your public IP address can help bypass regional restrictions, reduce tracking, and enhance online privacy.

Local IP address

These are assigned to devices by your home or office network router. Local IPs allow multiple devices to connect internally and to the internet. If your iPhone is connected to your home Wi-Fi, it will also have a local IP address. However, if it’s connected to the internet through your carrier, it won’t have a local IP address. 

These IPs are not visible to the outside world. They are used only for internal network communication, device identification, and ensuring the smooth data transfer between devices on the same network.

How to find your IP address on iPhone (iOS)

Finding the IP addresses of your iPhone is easy, and it involves different steps for both types. 

Public IP address

The easiest way to find your public IP address is to go to a website specifically for that purpose, such as whatismyipaddress.com. It will show your public IP address and approximate location on a map.

If you click more details, it will show your ISP, a more detailed location, and other information about your connection.

Local IP address

If you’re connected to Wi-Fi, the network will also assign you a local IP address. Remember that this one can’t be used to track you throughout the internet. To find it, follow these steps:

1. Tap the Settings icon on your home screen or App Library, then tap on Wi-Fi near the top.

2. Next to the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to, tap the i icon to access the network’s settings.

3. Scroll down, and you’ll see your IPv4 address. If you need your IPv6 address, scroll further down.

How to change your IP address on iPhone

Changing or resetting the IP address on an iPhone can be done with a few simple steps, but they will be different depending on the method you choose. 

How to change your iPhone IP with a VPN

Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is the most effective method to change your iPhone’s IP address.

1. Select a VPN provider known for robust security features and a wide range of server locations, such as ExpressVPN.
2. Download and install the VPN app. Visit the App Store and download ExpressVPN.
3. Open the app, sign in, and connect to a VPN server. Choose the location based on your needs.
4. Once connected, your iPhone’s IP address is now that of the VPN server and shared by many users. You can verify this change by visiting an IP checker website like whatismyipaddress.com.

How to change your iPhone IP with Tor

The Tor network offers another method to change your IP address, focusing on anonymity and privacy. Note that you generally cannot choose the location of your IP address when you use Tor. 

Here’s how to use it on your iPhone:

1. The first thing to do is download the Onion Browser. While the official Tor Browser is unavailable for iOS, Onion Browser is a good alternative (recommended by the Tor Project itself) that uses the Tor network. 

2. Onion Browser will ask you to download another app called Orbot. This is normal and it’s better than the built-in Tor that Onion Browser uses. Tap on Allow to grant permissions to add VPN configurations. Note that this isn’t a VPN, but rather how Orbot provides the connection to the Onion Browser.

3. Open the Onion Browser app and connect to the Tor network. The app will automatically handle the complex process of routing your traffic through multiple layers of encryption across various servers worldwide.

4. Once connected, your internet traffic is anonymized, effectively changing your IP address to one that’s shared with many other Tor users. This makes it extremely difficult to trace your online activities back to you.

Using Tor on your iPhone is free and is great for increasing your anonymity. However, the multiple layers of encryption and rerouting can slow down your internet connection.

How to change your iPhone IP manually

Changing your iPhone’s IP address manually is a more direct approach, primarily affecting your local IP address within your home or office network. This method helps troubleshoot network issues or configure a device setup that requires a specific IP configuration. To do it, just follow these steps:

1. Tap the Settings icon on your home screen or App Library, then tap on Wi-Fi near the top.

2. Next to the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to, tap the i icon to access the network’s settings.

3. Scroll down, tap on Configure IP to change how your device acquires an IP address, and select Manual.

4. Fill in the IP address, Gateway, Network prefix length, and DNS fields.

5. Tap Save in the upper right corner to apply your changes.

How to change iPhone IP address without Wi-Fi

Changing your iPhone’s IP address without Wi-Fi involves using cellular data. Here are some methods to do it:

1. Use a VPN service over your data connection. This will change your IP address to one provided by the VPN service, offering you a new level of privacy and the ability to bypass regional restrictions over your cellular connection.
2. Quickly change your public IP address by turning Airplane Mode on and off. This process disconnects you from the cellular network, and upon reconnection, you’re likely to be assigned a new IP address.
3. Another method to refresh your public IP address is by restarting your iPhone. This forces your device to reconnect to the cellular network, potentially assigning a new IP address upon reconnection.
4. If you need a new public IP address for specific reasons, contacting your mobile carrier directly might be an option. Some carriers may be willing to change your IP address upon request, although this is not a common practice and may only be available for some users.

Why change your iPhone IP address?

Replacing your real IP address with a different one can offer a variety of benefits, enhancing your online experience in terms of security, privacy, and accessibility. Here are several reasons you might consider changing your IP:

1. Access to restricted content and web services

One of the most popular reasons to change your IP address is to be able to access different types of content and web services that might not be available in your geographic location. For example, if you’re an expat, you might want to access your bank or government accounts in your home country, and using a VPN could help you connect to your accounts without running into problems because you’re overseas.

2. Improved privacy

Changing your IP address conceals your physical location from stalkers, snoops, bullies, and the like. When you’re browsing the internet, trackers can also follow you around the internet using your IP address. So by replacing yours with a different one, you can also lessen targeted advertising, tracking, and potential data collection by ISPs (Internet Service Providers) or government agencies.

3. Finding discounts

Prices for online shopping, hotel bookings, and flights can vary based on your geographical location. By changing your virtual location through your IP, you might find better deals or lower prices that are targeted to a specific market or country.

4. Improved internet connection speeds

When changing your IP address to reflect a location that is closer to the service you’re trying to use, such as an online gaming site, you could speed up your internet and get a gaming advantage by reducing lag or ping.

5. Avoid targeted advertisements

Online advertisers and networks compile detailed profiles of users based on their location, browsing habits, and other online activities. It’s creepy. By changing your IP, you can obscure your actual location and browsing patterns, making it harder for ad networks to target you with personalized advertisements.

6. Software testing and development

Developers and testers might use a VPN to change their location to test apps and websites as they appear to users in different geographical locations. This helps to ensure that digital products provide a consistent and user-friendly experience worldwide.

7. Market research and SEO

Marketers, researchers, and SEO specialists might change their IP address to see search results, advertisements, and content as they appear to users in different regions. This can provide insights for competitive analysis, marketing strategies, and understanding local trends.

8. Break through censorship

As most online censorship happens based on your location, changing your virtual location can offer access as if you are in a different country. It also provides a layer of anonymity and security for those wishing to share their views, report on sensitive issues, or access information.