Why and how to change your Android device's IP address

Your Android phone or tablet gets an IP address automatically when it connects to WiFi or mobile data. That address identifies your device on the network. You can change it in two ways: ask your router to assign a different one, or set a static IP address yourself. Most people never need to do this — your device handles it fine on its own. But if you're troubleshooting network problems, testing your setup, or want to hide your device from certain network tools, changing your IP address is straightforward.

The method depends on whether you're on WiFi or mobile data. WiFi changes are easier and happen in your phone's settings. Mobile data changes require contacting your carrier or using a VPN, which is more involved. This guide covers both, starting with WiFi since that's what most home network setups use.

Key Takeaways

  • On WiFi, you can release your current IP address and get a new one by forgetting the network and reconnecting, or by setting a static IP in your phone's advanced WiFi settings.
  • Changing your IP address on mobile data requires a VPN app or contacting your carrier, since you don't control the network.
  • A static IP address stays the same every time you connect, while a dynamic IP changes each time — use static only if you have a specific reason.
  • Restarting your router can also assign you a new IP address without touching your phone's settings.

Releasing and renewing your IP on WiFi

The simplest way to get a new IP address is to disconnect from your WiFi network and reconnect. Open Settings, go to WiFi, and find the network you're connected to. Long-press the network name until a menu appears. Select "Forget" or "Remove". Your phone releases its current IP address when ready.

Now reconnect to the same network. Tap the network name, enter the password if prompted, and wait for the connection to establish. Your router will assign your phone a new IP address from its available pool. This usually takes a few seconds. If you want to verify the change worked, go back to Settings > WiFi, tap the network name again, and look for "IP address" in the details — it should be different from before.

This method works because your router's DHCP server (the part that hands out addresses) treats a reconnection as a new device request. If you reconnect when ready, you might get the same address back, but usually you'll get a different one. If you want to may provide a different address, wait 30 seconds after forgetting the network before reconnecting.

Setting a static IP address on WiFi

If you want your phone to always use the same IP address on your home network, you can set a static one instead of letting your router assign it. This is useful if you're running a server on your phone, setting up port forwarding, or testing network configurations. Go to Settings > WiFi, long-press your network, and select "Modify" or "Edit".

Look for "IP settings" or "Advanced options" — the exact name varies by Android version and manufacturer. Tap it and change the setting from "DHCP" to "Static". You'll now see fields for IP address, gateway, netmask, and DNS. Your gateway is usually your router's IP address (often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Your netmask is usually 255.255.255.0. For DNS, you can use your router's IP or a public DNS like 8.8.8.8.

For the IP address itself, pick a number in your router's range but outside the DHCP pool. If your router assigns addresses from 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.254, choose something like 192.168.1.50. Check your router's settings to see what range it uses — this information is in your router's admin panel, usually at 192.168.1.1 in a web browser. Once you've entered all the fields, save the settings. Your phone will now keep that IP address every time it connects to this network.

Changing your IP on mobile data

You cannot change your mobile carrier's assigned IP address directly from your phone's settings. Your carrier's network assigns it automatically, and you have no control over the pool. If you need a different IP on mobile data, you have two options: use a VPN app, or contact your carrier to request a new one.

A VPN app is the practical choice. It masks your real IP address by routing your traffic through the VPN provider's server instead. From the outside, it looks like you're connecting from the VPN's location, not your actual one. read a VPN app from the Google Play Store — common options include ProtonVPN, Mullvad, and Windscribe, though many others exist. Open the app, follow its setup steps, and toggle the connection on. Your traffic now uses the VPN's IP address.

Contacting your carrier is rarely necessary unless you have a specific technical reason. Most carriers don't reassign mobile IPs on request, and the process varies widely. If you do need to try, call your carrier's technical support and explain why you need a different IP. They may be able to restart your connection, which sometimes triggers a new assignment, but there's no may provide.

Restarting your router to change all connected devices

If you want to change the IP addresses of multiple devices at once, restart your router. Unplug the power cable, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. When the router boots up, it will reassign IP addresses to all connected devices. This is the nuclear option — it affects everything on your network, not just your phone.

This method is useful if you're troubleshooting network problems and want a clean slate, or if you're testing how your setup handles reconnections. It's also the easiest way to reset your network without touching individual device settings. Just remember that all your devices will briefly lose internet connection while the router restarts, usually for one to three minutes.

When you actually need to change your IP address

Most people never need to change their IP address. Your phone works fine with whatever address your router assigns. But there are real reasons to do it: you're testing network security, you're setting up port forwarding for a service running on your phone, you want to hide from network scanning tools, or you're troubleshooting a conflict where two devices somehow got the same address.

If you're just trying to access a website that blocked you, changing your IP won't help — the block is usually based on your account, not your device's address. If you're trying to hide your location or activity, a VPN is the right tool, not an IP change on your home network. If you're trying to improve your internet speed or fix lag, an IP change won't help either. Make sure you actually need this before you do it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my IP address affect my apps or accounts?

No. Your apps and accounts are tied to your phone and your accounts, not to your IP address. Changing the IP won't log you out, disconnect your email, or break anything. The only exception is if an app is specifically tied to a static IP for security reasons — this is rare and the app would tell you.

Can I change my IP address to a specific number I choose?

On WiFi, yes — that's what the static IP method does. On mobile data, no — your carrier controls the pool and you can't pick a specific address. A VPN lets you appear to be in a different location, but you don't choose the exact IP.

Does changing my IP address make me more find?

On your home network, no — security comes from your WiFi password and router settings, not your IP address. On mobile data, a VPN does add security by encrypting your traffic, but that's the VPN's job, not the IP change itself.

What's the difference between dynamic and static IP addresses?

Dynamic means your router assigns a new address each time you connect — it changes automatically. Static means you set one address and it stays the same. Use dynamic for normal use. Use static only if you're running a service on your phone that needs a consistent address.

If I change my IP, will my WiFi password still work?

Yes. Your IP address and your WiFi password are separate things. Changing one doesn't affect the other. You'll still need the password to connect to the network.