How to Change My Phone IP Address Without a VPN?

Do You Need to Change Your IP address?

An IP address provides your identity on the internet and gives away your geo-location.

Based on these two aspects, you might want to change your IP address to reap the benefits of a new internet identity and geo-location.

Here are the main reasons why you should change your phone’s IP address:

• Internet privacy: A new IP address means you get a new identity on the internet. Interested parties tracking you on the old IP address will die. Additionally, a new IP address also changes your geo-location.
• Avoid IP Bans: Governments and institutions use IP filtering techniques to determine which users can access specific content. If your old IP address is banned, a new IP address will help you bypass the ban. In a way, you will be avoiding censors put in place to restrict access.
• Access geo-restricted content: Several online services, such as streaming platforms, use geo-blocks to restrict content to a specific region. If you change your IP address, you also change your geolocation, and thus, you will bypass several online geo-blocks.

How to Change Your Phone IP Address Without a VPN

Other than a VPN, there are various methods you can use to change your public IP address on your phone. Some methods offer security and privacy, like a VPN, while some don’t.

These methods include:

1. The Onion Router (Tor)

Tor is an online anonymity network to change your IP address. You will need to install a Tor browser on your device to use Tor.

This anonymity network comprises several volunteer nodes (servers) that randomly bounce your online traffic until it reaches its destination.

Tor has three nodes: the entry node, the relay node, and the exit node. The entry node knows your IP address and passes your traffic to the relay nodes.

The relay nodes bounce your traffic in the network while encrypting it on each node, making it difficult for traffic analysis and surveillance.

Finally, your traffic is passed to the exit node, where it reaches its destination. To the destination, your traffic will seem to originate from the exit node.

Thus, entities on the internet will think the exit node’s IP address is your IP address.

When using Tor, your traffic is encrypted, and it’s a means to access the dark web. However, Tor has some downsides: it is slow, you can’t choose your IP address, and it is banned on most websites and networks.

2. Proxy Server

A proxy server works like an intermediary. When connected to one, all your internet requests go through the proxy, which forwards them to the relevant destination.

When the results are available, the proxy fetches them and relays them to your device.

Entities on the internet will see your internet traffic as originating from the proxy and hence the proxy server’s IP address, not your actual IP address.

However, depending on the proxy you use, your internet traffic may or may not be encrypted. Some free proxy servers also reveal your IP address.

This is why you may not be able to bypass geo-restrictions when using some proxy servers. Other proxy servers may require you to change your IP address manually.

Unlike VPNs and Tor, proxy servers don’t offer adequate security and privacy. Some proxy servers may alter your traffic and inject malware or ads. Others are notoriously known for stealing and selling your data to third parties.

On the upside, proxy servers are fast, and some cache some websites. You can retrieve your searches when the internet is down.

I recommend using residential proxy servers for the best results.

3. Use Different Networks

Any network you connect to assigns your phone a new IP address defined by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) or the network admin.

For instance, if you switch from cellular data and connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot, you will get a different IP address.

Switching from one Wi-Fi network to another will also give you a new IP address – make sure they are in other areas to avoid getting another Wi-Fi network from the same provider.

Switching from one ISP to another will also give you a new IP address.

However, this method will only help you bypass IP bans and maybe protect your identity. It will be difficult to bypass geo-restrictions using this method alone.

Note: Beware of public Wi-Fi hotspots. They are one of the avenues threat actors use to compromise your online privacy and security.

4. Unplug Your Modem

ISPs are known to recycle IP addresses now and then. This usually happens when the current user disconnects from the IP address, releasing it.

Therefore, you might get a new IP address if you unplug your modem or modem router and wait a few minutes before plugging it back.

This is not guaranteed, especially if your lease on the IP address as determined by your ISP is not over.

This method might only help you bypass IP bans. It will be hard to bypass geo-restrictions since your ISP will assign you a new IP address with the same geo-location.

5. Request a New IP Address from Your ISP

Depending on your ISP’s policies, you may request a change to your public IP address occasionally. However, your new IP address might change anytime since most ISPs use dynamic IP addresses.

You can also opt for the static IP address package if your ISP offers it. This package provides a new non-changing IP address for an extra fee as stipulated by your ISP.

If it is for Wi-Fi use, you will need to manually enter the static IP address on your phone.

Static IP addresses allow you to access specific sites and avoid IP bans. But your online identity will be tied to a single IP address.

All the above being said, a VPN is still the best and most efficient way to change your IP address on your phone. Check out our roundup of the best Android VPNs if you need advice on picking a VPN.

Change Your IP address Manually

This method works if you have a static IP address. It can be from your ISP or a network admin from your institution or workplace.

They are designed to work on Wi-Fi networks, guarantee access to restricted sites, and avoid IP bans.

Here is how you can manually change your IP address on both your Android and iPhone smartphones:

How to change your IP address on Android manually

1. Open your Settings, go to Connections, then tap on Wi-Fi
2. Tap the gear icon next to your current network
3. Go to IP settings and select Static
4. Input your new IP address and then Save

How to manually change your IP address on iPhone

1. Open the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi
2. Select your Network, and in the IPv4 section, tap Configure IP
3. Choose Manual, and input your new IP address

Is it Illegal to Change My Phone IP Address?

No, it is allowed to change your IP address regardless of your device. The methods in this guide are legal, and you can use them as alternative ways when you don’t have access to a VPN.

Summary

Modifying your phone’s IP address can unlock new opportunities online. The methods described above are effective in obtaining a new IP address.

Yet, opting for a VPN is highly recommended. Beyond simply providing you with a fresh IP address, a VPN ensures enhanced security and privacy, access to a vast network of servers, and exceptional capability in overcoming geographical restrictions and censorship.