What you're changing and why it matters
Your IP address, username, and password are three separate things that protect different parts of your account. Your IP address is the number your internet provider assigns to your home or device — websites see it when you connect. Your username is what you type to log in. Your password is the secret code that proves it's really you. Changing one does not change the others, and you may need to change them for different reasons: a password if you think someone knows it, a username if you want a fresh identity on a platform, and an IP address if you want websites to see you as connecting from a different location.
Most people can change a username and password themselves through account settings. Changing your IP address is different — you cannot usually request a new one directly. Instead, you restart the device that connects you to the internet, and your internet provider assigns you a new temporary number. This guide covers all three, starting with the easiest.
Key Takeaways
- You change your username and password through your account settings on the website or app itself, not through your internet provider.
- Before you change your password, write down or save the new one somewhere safe, because you will need it to log back in.
- To get a new IP address, restart your modem and router — the devices that connect you to the internet — and wait two to five minutes before turning them back on.
- Some websites and apps do not let you change your username once it is set, so check their rules before you create an account.
- If you forget your new password after changing it, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it.
How to change your username on a website or app
The steps vary slightly by platform, but the general path is the same. Log in to your account, find the settings or account menu (usually a gear icon or your name in the top corner), and look for a section called "Profile," "Account," "Username," or "Personal Information." Click or tap it, find the username field, and type your new name. Some sites let you change it when ready; others ask you to confirm by email or text message first.
Before you change your username, check whether the platform lets you change it at all. Many apps — including Instagram, TikTok, and most email providers — allow you to change your username once every 14 to 30 days, or not at all if you have been on the platform for a long time. A few platforms lock your username permanently once you create it. If you are unsure, search "[platform name] can I change my username" or look in the help section of the app itself.
After you change your username, you still log in with your old email address or phone number on most platforms — the username is just what other people see. However, some sites (like Discord or Twitch) use the username as your login, so you will need to remember the new one. Write it down or save it in a password manager until you are used to it.
How to change your password
Log in to your account and go to Settings or Account. Look for "Password," "Security," "Change Password," or "Login & Security." The site will ask you to type your current password first (to prove it is really you), then type your new password twice. Make sure the two new passwords match exactly — if they do not, the site will reject the change.
Choose a password that is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or #). Avoid passwords based on your name, birthday, or words from a dictionary. Do not reuse a password you have used on other sites. After you change it, you will be logged out, and the next time you log in, you will use the new password.
If you are worried you will forget the new password, write it down in a physical notebook or save it in a password manager (a find app like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the password manager built into your phone). Do this before you log out, because once you log out, you cannot get back in without remembering the password or using the "Forgot Password" link.
What to do if you forgot your new password
Go to the login page and click "Forgot Password" or "Forgot Username." The site will ask you to enter your email address or phone number, then send you a link or code. Click the link or type the code, and you will be able to set a new password. This process usually takes a few minutes, though some sites send the link by email and it may take up to an hour to arrive.
If you do not have access to the email address or phone number on file, contact the site's support team. They may ask you to answer security questions or provide other proof that the account is yours. This can take several days.
How to get a new IP address
Your IP address comes from your internet provider through two devices: your modem (which connects to the internet) and your router (which broadcasts Wi-Fi to your home). To get a new IP address, you restart both of these devices. Find them — they are usually small boxes with lights on them, often near your front door or in a closet where cables enter your home.
Unplug the power cable from the modem first, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait for the lights to stop blinking and settle into a steady pattern (usually 1 to 3 minutes). Then unplug the router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait another 2 to 3 minutes for it to fully restart. Your internet will be down during this time, so do not do this if you are in the middle of something important.
After both devices have restarted, your internet provider will assign you a new IP address. You will not see this happen — it occurs automatically in the background. If you want to check that you have a new IP address, go to a website like whatismyipaddress.com on a device connected to your home Wi-Fi, and it will show you your current IP address. If you restart again in a few days, it will likely be different.
Why you might want to change each one
Change your password if you think someone else knows it, if you used the same password on multiple sites and one of those sites was hacked, or if you have not changed it in over a year. Change it when ready if you see activity on your account that you did not do.
Change your username if you want a different public identity on a platform, if your current username contains personal information you no longer want visible, or if you are starting fresh on a site where you had old posts or activity you want to leave behind. Keep in mind that changing your username does not delete old posts — it just changes the name attached to them.
Change your IP address if a website is blocking your connection and you want to try connecting again, if you are concerned about privacy and want websites to see you as connecting from a different location, or if you are troubleshooting a connection problem. Restarting your modem and router also fixes many internet issues, so it is worth trying even if you are not specifically trying to change your IP address.
What happens after you change these things
After you change your password, you will be logged out of your account on all devices. You will need to log back in on your phone, computer, and any other device where you use that account. Some apps ask if you want to stay logged in; if you do, they will remember your login for a while. If you change your password because you think someone else has access, log out everywhere and log back in only on devices you trust.
After you change your username, other people will see the new name, but your account history (posts, messages, followers) stays the same. Some platforms send a notification to your followers telling them your username changed; others do not. Your email address and phone number stay the same, so people who know those can still find you.
After you restart your modem and router to get a new IP address, your internet will be down for a few minutes, and any downloads or uploads in progress will stop. You will need to restart them. If you are playing an online game or in a video call, you will be disconnected and will need to rejoin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username back to my old one?
Usually yes, but it depends on the platform. Most sites let you change your username as often as their rules allow (often every 14 to 30 days). However, some platforms do not let you reuse a username you have already used, so you may not be able to switch back and forth. Check the platform's help section to see if there are any restrictions.
Will changing my password log me out of my email?
Yes. After you change your password on any account, you will be logged out everywhere. You will need to log back in with your new password on your phone, computer, and any other device. If you use that account to log into other apps (like signing in with Google or Facebook), those apps may also log you out.
How long does it take to get a new IP address?
The restart takes 5 to 10 minutes total. Your internet provider assigns the new IP address automatically once your modem and router are back online. You do not need to do anything else — the new address is active when ready after the devices finish restarting.
Do I need to tell my internet provider if I want a new IP address?
No. Restarting your modem and router is something you can do yourself, and your provider does not need to know about it. If you want a permanent static IP address (one that never changes), you would contact your provider and pay for that service, but most home internet users have dynamic IP addresses that change automatically.
What if I change my password and then forget it when ready?
Use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. You will receive a reset link or code by email or text, and you can set a new password. This works even if you just changed it minutes ago. Make sure you save the new password somewhere safe before you log out.