How to Change the IP Address on a Mac

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: August 18, 2022

Changing the IP Address

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Using a Proxy Server

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Unplugging Your Router/Modem

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

Changing your IP address can be useful if you want to avoid being attacked by other users who are targeting your IP address, or if you simply want a new online identity from an IP standpoint. You can change your IP address on a Mac at any time through System Preferences.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Changing the IP Address

1
Click on the Apple logo
. You'll see this in the top left corner of your screen. A menu will dropdown.
2
Click System Preferences. You'll see this under "About This Mac."

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3
Click Network. You'll see this in the third organized row next to "iCloud."
4
Click on the network you’re using in the left sidebar. For example, if you’re using a Wi-Fi connection, click on “Wi-Fi.”
5
Click Advanced. You'll find this at the bottom right corner of the window.
6
Click the TCP / IP tab. You'll see this along the top of the window with tabs for DNS, WINS, 802.1X, Proxies, and Hardware.
7
Click the dropdown menu next to “Configure IPv4,” and select “Manually.”
- Alternately, you can click on “Renew DHCP Lease” to have your computer automatically generate a new IP address for you.^{[1]
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8
Enter your desired IP address into the field labeled “IPv4 Address.” You can take your current IP address and change the last part of the number. For example, your current IP address is "10.0.1.8," so your new IP address can be something like "10.0.1.129."
9
Click OK, then Apply. Your IP address will now be changed.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Proxy Server

1
Click on the Apple logo
. You'll see this in the top left corner of your screen. A menu will dropdown.
- Use this method if your current network isn't doing the trick, as a proxy server is another, but temporary, network you'll use to connect to the internet.
2
Click System Preferences. You'll see this under "About This Mac."
3
Click Network. You'll see this in the third organized row next to "iCloud."
4
Click on the network you’re using in the left sidebar. For example, if you’re using a Wi-Fi connection, click on “Wi-Fi.”
5
Click Advanced. You'll find this at the bottom right corner of the window.
6
Click the Proxies tab. You'll see this along the top of the window with tabs for DNS, WINS, 802.1X, TCP/IP, and Hardware.
7
Click to select a protocol under the header “Select a protocol to configure.”
- Select “SOCKS Proxy” if you are unsure about which protocol to choose. The “SOCKS Proxy” protocol is often used to route network packets between clients and servers through a proxy and is effective at boosting general security and hiding the client address of applications.
- Web Proxy (HTTP) and Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS) are also commonly used but are less protected than a SOCKS Proxy.^{[2]
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8
Enter the IP address of the desired proxy server into the blank field.
- If using a SOCKS proxy, navigate to the SOCKS proxy list at http://sockslist.net/ to select a type 4 or type 5 IP address.
9
Click OK, then click Apply. You will now be connected to the proxy server indicated.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Unplugging Your Router/Modem

1
Unplug your router or modem. Sometimes the router and modem are in the same unit so you can unplug them both from one plug. If the router and modem are separate, you can unplug either to reset your IP address.
- Wait a couple of seconds or minutes. Most residential connections have what is called a Dynamic IP Address. This means that your Internet Service Provider gives you a new IP address each time your router or modem connects to their network.^{[3]
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2
Plug the router back in. Wait for the router to reconnect to the internet.
3
Check the new IP address. You can find this in the "Network" section of "System Preferences."
- If that didn't work, unplug your modem again and wait a few hours before plugging it back in.^{[4]
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Community Q&A

Question

I have a school computer that won't let me change that. What can I do?

Community Answer

You'll want to take a look at UltraSurf or Psiphon for that. You may also want to look at using a proxy server.
Question

Will this help to connect to the internet?

Natalie Tellechea

Top Answerer

No.
Question

Is there any way I can do Method 1 but still connect to the Internet?

Community Answer

You'll have to make sure to still follow the subnet mask, which means is you need to find your old IP address. Make sure you keep the first three octets of numbers the same (192.168.0.x or 10.0.0.x, for example). If you don't, your router will get confused and think your traffic is coming from outside.