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How to change the IP address on a Mac [The UK Guide]

Mac background

 

Your IP address is a unique identifier that other users might attack if they want to reach you. You can protect yourself against this danger by changing your IP address at will. This is possible both on an iPhone and Android phone or on a Mac via System Preferences.

In this detailed guide on how to change the IP address on Mac, we have tried our best to portray the steps required to change an IP address whether static or dynamic on a Mac computer. Mac operating system is considered the most secure system but that doesn’t mean a Mac user is safe while surfing the web.

Attackers often target people by deliberately installing malicious malware on their systems. Changing the IP address is a significant step to safeguarding your identity online.

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How to change the IP address on a Mac manually

  • Click the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen, bringing up a menu.
  • Click on the  System Preferences option.
  • Now, you need to Click Network. You can find this next to “iCloud in the third row.
  • Click on the network you’re connected to in the sidebar menu. Click on Wifi if you are using a wifi connection.
  • Click on the  Advanced button. You can see this at the bottom right of the window.
  • Click the TCP / IP tab as highlighted in the image.
  • Click the dropdown menu and select “Manually ” from the list. Alternatively, you can click on “Renew DHCP Lease” which will generate a new IP address.
  • Enter your IP address into the field labeled “IPv4 Address.”
  • Finally, click OK and  Apply. Your IP address will be changed.

 

How to change the IP address on a Mac using a proxy server

  • Firstly, click on the Apple logo. You can find it in the top left corner of your screen. If you’re looking for a new online identity from an IP standpoint, this option gives you temporary access to the internet with a different IP address.
  • Click on the System Preferences.
  • Click Network. You can find this next to “iCloud in the third row.
  • Click on the network you’re connected to in the sidebar menu. Click on Wifi if you are using a wifi connection.
  • Click Advanced at the bottom right corner of the window.
  • Click the Proxies tab. You’ll see this at the top menu of the window with tabs for DNS, WINS, 802.1X, TCP/IP, and Hardware.
  • “Select a protocol to configure.” Click to select a protocol in the checkbox menu.

Select “SOCKS Proxy” if you are not sure about a protocol. The SOCKS Proxy protocol is a type of proxy that routes network packets between clients and servers.

HTTP (web proxy) and HTTPS (secure web proxy) are also commonly used but may not be as secure as a SOCKS Proxy.

  • Enter the IP address into the blank field of the server of your choice.
  • Click OK, then click Apply. Your system will be connected to a proxy server.

How to change the IP address on a Mac by unplugging your router

router unplugged

 

  • Unplug your router or modem to reset your IP address. Wait a couple of seconds or minutes because most residential connections have a Dynamic IP Address. This certainly means that your ISP gives you a new IP address each time your router connects to their network.
  • Plug the router back in and wait to reconnect.
  • Check again in the Network settings if your IP address has changed. If that didn’t work then unplug your router and wait for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • For further guidance on how to find your Ip address click on the hyperlink.

How to Change Your IP Address with a VPN

 

vpn

VPN is by far the most secure method to encrypt your web activity and mask your IP address. Your IP address is like your home address on the internet. VPNs will replace your old IP address with a new one, encrypt all of your web activity for privacy, and change virtual locations.

  1. Download the VPN app.
  2. Create an account.
  3. Click Connect.

How to change the IP address with TOR

 

Tor browser

 

Besides paid VPNs, there is an option of downloading the Tor browser. It’s a product of the Tor Project, which aims to shore up global efforts against surveillance and network intrusion. Tor is free for download, has been carefully engineered, and includes sophisticated encryption and anonymity standards. It is most commonly used by journalists, human rights activists, and whistleblowers who want to remain hidden on the Internet.

Tor can be a helpful tool for general internet browsing, but streaming HD video or other data-intensive tasks are best served by using an alternative. Ordinarily, this would involve getting creative about obtaining an Australian IP address from outside of the country; however, we will be covering Tor in greater detail at the end of this guide.

Another way is to use a free proxy. Proxies are similar to free VPNs. They can log your data and online activity and most of the well-known streaming services have already blocked certain proxies such as Netflix.

Mac IP address FAQs

You can easily change your IP address on mac systems by using a free VPN (which we do not recommend) because they sell your personal data to 3rd party advertisement companies. You can also get a free IP address if you use a Tor browser. It’s free and secure. 

This can happen when your device has more than 1 wireless network access point, or your device has a router and as well as broadband sharing mode.

You can be hacked even if you have a firewall and antivirus installed on your computer. But IP addresses on the other hand are not a very secret thing.

This simply means that someone else has configured your IP address on the device. This is a command example of an IP conflict between 2 devices.

The DHCP server will assign your mac computer a new IP address in a few moments. Keep connecting again, close the application that is using the connection, then reopen the app. lastly, you can restart your computer. 

  1. Navigate to system preference.
  2. Click on the network.
  3. Click on the network connection.
  4. Now, click on IPV4 configuration.
  5. Choose, manually and type your IP address.


  1. Select system preferences by clicking on the apple icon in the top left corner.
  2. Select Network in the system preference window.
  3. choose the network connection from the menu on the left.
  4. Either from a USB connection or an ethernet, your IP address will be displayed.


  1. Use the Tor browser.
  2. Use a proxy service.
  3. Connect your device with a different network.
  4. Ask your internet service provider to change your IP address.
  5. Use a free VPN.
  6. Use NAT firewall.


Conclusion

This article guided you on how to change the IP address on a MAC. Typically, you can leave the DHCP to manage IP addresses for a device. Setting IP addresses by hand can be useful, but the increased overhead is not worth it unless you are doing so to troubleshoot a problem. We hope we answered all of your questions about how to change the IP address on Mac.