How to change IP address on Android: a detailed guide with working methods

Changing the IP address on Android may be necessary to bypass regional blocking, increase anonymity, or solve connection problems. Unlike computers, where the procedure often comes down to manually setting network parameters, on smartphones the algorithm depends on the type of connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) and the version of the operating system. It is important to understandthat static IP (assigned to the device) and dynamic IP (issued by the DHCP server) change differently.

Many users confuse external IP (assigned by the provider) and local IP (internal address on the network). The first determines your position on the Internet and is visible to sites, and the second is used for interaction between devices on the same network (for example, at home). In this article we will look at both options - from simple methods like reconnecting to the network to advanced solutions using ADB and third-party applications.

If you plan to hide your real IP to access blocked resources, remember: some methods (for example, VPN) can slow down internet speed. For technical tasks - such as setting up remote access to a device - it is better to use a static local IP.

1. Method: Reconnect to Wi-Fi or mobile network

The fastest way to change dynamic IP is to force the router or mobile operator to give you a new address. This works because most providers and home networks use a protocol DHCP with a limited IP lease time.

For Wi-Fi:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on the current network and select Forget (or Delete).
3. Connect again by entering your password.

For mobile data:

• 📱 Turn on Airplane mode for 30-60 seconds, then turn it off.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone - this will reset the network settings.
• 📡 If the SIM card supports Dual Stack (IPv4 + IPv6), try disabling IPv6 in the mobile network settings.

This method will work in 70–80% of cases, but some providers (for example MTS or Beeline) can issue the same IP for several days. In this case, proceed to the following methods.

2. Method: Using VPN applications

VPN (Virtual Private Network) is the most reliable way to hide an external IP and replace it with a server address in another country. In this case, all traffic is encrypted, which additionally protects against data interception.

Popular VPN services for Android:

Setup instructions:

1. Download VPN from Google Play (avoid applications with ratings below 4.0).
2. Register (free versions often require email).
3. Select the server country (for example, Netherlands or USA).
4. Click Connect and wait for the IP to change.

⚠️ Attention: Free VPNs can sell data about your activity. Paid services (like NordVPN or ExpressVPN) offer a policy no-log, but cost from 300 ₽/month.

3. Method: Setting up a proxy server manually

A proxy, unlike a VPN, does not. encrypts traffic, but also allows you to spoof IP. This method is suitable for working with specific applications (for example, Telegram or browser), and not for the entire system.

How to set up a proxy on Android:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on the current network → Change network → Additional.
3. In the section Proxy select Manual.
4. Enter proxy data (for example, host: 103.86.98.98, port: 3128).
5. Save and reconnect.

Free proxy servers can be found on sites like FreeProxyList or HideMy.name, but they are often unstable. For stable operation, it is better to rent a private proxy (from 50 ₽/month).

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, banking) block access when a proxy is detected. Also, the proxy does not hide your real IP from the provider - only from the target services.

4. Method: Changing the local IP manually (for Wi-Fi)

If you need to assign to the device static local IP (for example, for a portable server or remote control), do the following:

Steps for Android 10–14:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → Current network → Advanced.
3. In section IP settings select Static.
4. Fill in the fields:
   • IP address: for example, 192.168.1.100 (the last digit must be different from other devices in network).
   • Gateway: usually 192.168.1.1 (router address).
   • Network prefix length: 24.
   • DNS 1 and DNS 2: you can specify 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare).

For Android 9 and older:

• 🔧 Use applications like NetMaster or WiFi Static —they simplify setup.
• 📱 On some firmware (for example, MIUI or ColorOS) the path to the settings may differ.

⚠️ Attention: If you specify an IP that is already occupied by another device, a conflict will arise and the Internet will be lost. To avoid this, first check the list of connected devices in the router’s control panel (usually at 192.168.1.1).

Find out the IP range of the router (usually 192.168.1.0–192.168.1.255)

Check free addresses on the network

Write down the current DNS settings (in case of a rollback)

Reboot the router after the changes

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5. Method: Changing IP via ADB (for advanced)

If standard methods do not help, you can resort to Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and enabling developer mode.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode:
   • Go to Settings → About phone.
   • Tap on Build number 7 times.

adb shell
su
ifconfig wlan0 down
ifconfig wlan0 hw ether 00:11:22:33:44:55
ifconfig wlan0 up

For a mobile network, use the command:

adb shell
su
setprop net.dns1 8.8.8.8
setprop net.dns2 8.8.4.4

⚠️ Attention: Changing the MAC address (spoofing) can disrupt the operation of some applications (for example, banking) and lead to blocking of the device in the provider's network. Use this method only as a last resort. case.

6. Method: Reset network settings

If the IP does not change in any of the ways, perform a complete reset of the network settings. This will delete all saved Wi-Fi, passwords and VPN settings, but often helps when the old address is stuck.

How to reset settings:

1. Open Settings → System → Reset.
2. Select Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings.
3. Confirm the action.

After reboot:

• 🔄 Connect to Wi-Fi again - the router will issue a new one IP.
• 📶 For the mobile network, you may need to reboot or manually select the network in Settings → Mobile network → Operators.

Important: on some smartphones (for example, Samsung Galaxy with One UI) network reset settings also deletes Google accounts and application data. Before the procedure, make a backup copy.

7. Problems and solutions

Even after changing the IP, difficulties may arise. Considered errors and ways to eliminate them:

Problem	Cause	Solution
IP does not change after reconnection	ISP uses static IP or long DHCP lease period	Use VPN or wait 24 hours
No Internet access after changing IP	Incorrect DNS or gateway	Return the settings to DHCP or check the router settings
VPN connects, but IP does not change	DNS or IPv6 leak	Disable IPv6 in VPN or network settings
Applications do not work with the new IP	Blocking by proxy/VPN service (for example, Netflix or banks)	Use residential proxy or disable VPN for specific applications

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔌 Router settings: some models (for example, TP-Link or ASUS) allow you to assign an IP to the device's MAC address.
• 📄 Tariff conditions: mobile operators (like Tele2) can bind IP to a SIM card.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Does IP change when moving to another country?

Yes, when connecting to local mobile network or Wi-Fi you will be assigned the IP of that country. However, some operators (for example MTS) can save Russian IP when roaming - in this case, only a VPN will help.

Is it possible to change IP without root access?

Yes, all the methods from this article (except changing the MAC address via ADB) work without root. To change MAC on some firmware (for example LineageOS), you may need to unlock the bootloader.

How to hide IP from your provider?

It is impossible to completely hide IP from your provider - it always sees your real address. However, a VPN with encryption (for example ProtonVPN) hides the content of the traffic and the target sites you visit.

Why do some sites not open after changing the IP?
This may be due to:
• Blocking of the target IP range service (for example, it blocks some proxies). torrent traffic). VKontakte blocks some proxies).
• DNS leak (check for dnsleaktest.com).
• Provider restrictions (for example, Rostelecom can block torrent traffic).

Try changing the VPN server or using Tor Browser.