Change Public IP Address

TL;DR

Changing your public IP address to a specific one is usually not possible with standard home internet connections. Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) assigns you an IP, and they generally don’t allow manual changes. However, there are workarounds like using a VPN or contacting your ISP for a static IP.

Understanding Public IPs

Your public IP address is how the internet sees your home network. It’s assigned by your ISP. Most ISPs use dynamic IP addresses, meaning they change periodically (often when you restart your router). A static IP address stays the same.

Steps to Change Your Public IP Address

1. Check Your Current IP: First, find out what your current public IP is. You can use a website like WhatIsMyIP or Google “what is my ip”.
2. Try Restarting Your Router (Simple but Often Ineffective): This sometimes forces your ISP to assign you a new IP address, but it’s not guaranteed and the new one will still be dynamic.
   • Unplug your router from power.
   • Wait 30 seconds.
   • Plug your router back in.
   • Wait for it to fully restart (several minutes).
   • Check your IP again.
3. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network): This is the easiest and most common method.
   • A VPN masks your real IP address with one from their server network.
   • Choose a reputable VPN provider (e.g., NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark). Paid services are generally more reliable and secure than free ones.
   • Install the VPN software on your device(s).
   • Connect to a VPN server in a location of your choice. Your public IP will change to match that server’s IP address.
4. Contact Your ISP for a Static IP (Most Reliable, Often Costs Extra):
   • Call your ISP’s customer support.
   • Ask if they offer static IP addresses and what the cost would be.
   • If available, they will usually assign you a specific IP address and provide instructions on how to configure it (often involving router settings). Be prepared for this to incur an additional monthly fee.
5. Configure Your Router (After Getting a Static IP from ISP): This step varies greatly depending on your router model.
   • Access your router’s configuration page through a web browser. The address is usually something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 (check your router’s manual).
   • Log in with your router’s username and password (again, check the manual if you don’t know these).
   • Look for settings related to “WAN IP,” “Internet Connection Type,” or “Static IP.”
   • Enter the static IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS server addresses provided by your ISP. An example configuration might look like this:

     IP Address: 123.45.67.89
     Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
     Gateway: 123.45.67.1
     DNS Server 1: 8.8.8.8
     DNS Server 2: 8.8.4.4

   • Save the changes and restart your router.

Important Considerations

• Terms of Service: Check your ISP’s terms of service before attempting to change your IP address, as some providers may prohibit it.
• Security: Be cautious when using free VPN services, as they may log your data or contain malware.
• Dynamic DNS (DDNS): If you need a consistent hostname instead of a static IP, consider using a Dynamic DNS service. This maps a domain name to your dynamic IP address and updates automatically when it changes.