Of all the major smartphone brands, the iPhone has a reputation for having some of the most stringent security features. But you can further protect your online privacy, and help prevent tracking, by changing your IP address. Read on to learn how to change your IP address on an iPhone, and how using a VPN can help mask your IP address and protect your privacy.
Manually changing your IP address on an iPhone is the most basic way to configure your device’s IP number. But this method is effective only if you have a static IP address, because dynamic IP addresses automatically change — manually overriding any changes you make.
If you’re going to change your IP address manually, you need to choose an IP address that matches the range used by your network. You can find these IP addresses in your router settings. If you want to ensure that your IP address matches your router’s, you need to first find your router’s IP address.
Here’s how to manually change your iPhone’s IP address:
Open your iOS device’s Settings, tap Wi-Fi, and select the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to.
Scroll down, tap Configure IP under IPv4 addresses, and select Manual. Then, enter your desired IP address, and tap Save to make the switch.
You can also use the Tor browser to change your IP address on your iPhone. By routing your internet traffic through a network of servers, called nodes or relays, Tor hides your IP address, making it appear as though your traffic originates from the final network node rather than your actual location.
Several apps in Apple’s App Store claim to be associated with Tor, but many charge a subscription fee or may not be as secure as they purport to be. You can try using Onion Browser, which is specifically recommended by Tor.
Here’s how to use Tor browser to change your IP address on iOS devices:
Download a Tor browser app from the App Store, such as Onion Browser.
Open Tor browser on your iPhone.
Browse the web as you normally would — your real IP address will be masked behind an automatically assigned server.
You may find browsing on Tor to be laggy, with slower page load times. This is normal — a result of your internet data being routed more circuitously through multiple nodes.
You can also use a proxy server to change your IP address on an iOS device. Proxy servers change your IP address by acting as an intermediary between your device and the sites you visit. That means the IP address of the proxy server, not your actual IP address, is displayed, which masks your true location and identity.
To use a proxy server, you can either use a web proxy, download a dedicated proxy app, or manually configure a proxy connection on your device.
Here’s how to set up a proxy on your iPhone or iPad:
Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and tap the “i” button next to the network you’re using. Scroll down and select Configure Proxy.
Toggle Manual on, enter the Server and Port information, and Save your settings.
Note that your server and port information depend on the specific server you’re using. The server information refers to the IP address of your proxy server. To ensure secure browsing, use port 443, which uses HTTPS for a more secure internet connection.
You can also use a mobile VPN to change your iPhone’s IP address. Like proxies, VPNs mask your real IP address by acting as an intermediary between your device and the internet. As well as providing you with a virtual IP address, VPNs also encrypt the data you send and receive online, hiding your activity, and protecting financial transactions and other sensitive information.
Here’s how you can change your iPhone IP address via VPN:
Install a reliable VPN like AVG Secure VPN.
Open the app and toggle the VPN on.
Browse normally — your phone’s IP address will automatically change, and you’ll be connected to the fastest server connection available.
If you want to check if your VPN’s working, Google “what’s my IP address” and your new virtual IP address should be displayed on the results page.
The virtual IP address assigned to you by the VPN service will still be visible, but there’s not much someone can do with an IP address that can’t be traced back to your real location and identity.
Depending on your Wi-Fi and router settings, you may be able to change your IP address by performing a network reset. Although resetting can assign your device a new IP address, it will also interrupt your Wi-Fi connection and browsing experience, and won’t offer any of the security or privacy benefits of a proxy or VPN.
Here’s how to reset your IP address on an iPhone:
Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and select your network.
Tap Forget This Network.
Choose Forget when prompted with a new window.
Choose a new network, or reconnect to the previous network.
Changing your iPhone’s IP address can enhance your privacy by making it harder for websites to track your online activity, help you bypass geo-restrictions, and help resolve connectivity issues. But a changed IP address can also result in temporary service disruptions, violate terms of service for some apps or websites, or slow down your internet connection.
Here’s how changing your IP address can help you:
Helps avoid tracking and personalized ads: Changing your IP address can help you avoid being tracked by websites and online services, enhancing your privacy and reducing the collection of your browsing data.
Bypasses censorship: Some governments block or restrict access to some websites. Changing your IP address via proxy, Tor, or VPN can help you get around such restrictions.
Grants access to restricted content: Changing your IP address can grant you access to content that is otherwise limited to certain geographic locations, enabling you to enjoy a wider range of online media and services.
Prevents ISP or data provider tracking: By changing your IP address with a VPN, you can make it more difficult for your ISP or mobile provider to monitor your online activities.
Reduces risk on public Wi-Fi: Masking your public IP addresses makes it harder for hackers to target your device via an unsecured network — especially if you use a VPN to encrypt your internet data.
Here’s how changing your IP address can potentially hinder your online experience:
Creates functionality and compatibility issues: Changing your IP address can sometimes lead to problems with certain apps and services that rely on your original IP address for optimal performance.
Violates legal restrictions: Altering your IP address may violate the terms of service of some websites and services, and in certain jurisdictions, it could also lead to legal consequences.
Impacts performance: Depending on the method used, changing your IP address might result in slower internet speeds or connectivity issues.
Limits anti-tracking effectiveness: Changing your IP address does not disable iPhone cookies, prevent browser fingerprinting, or protect against other tracking methods that can still be used to monitor your online activities.
It’s easy to find your iPhone’s IP address — you just need to know where to look.
Here’s how to find your iPhone’s IP address:
Tap Settings > Wi-Fi. Select the “i” button next to your network.
Under the IPv4 address heading, look for IP Address to view your IP address and your router address.
While there are various ways to change your iPhone’s IP address, a VPN may be the fastest, easiest, and most secure method.
AVG Secure VPN has over 50 server locations to choose from, letting you easily change your IP address with the simple tap of a button. And with bank-grade encryption and a no-log policy, you’ll enjoy a seamless, anonymous browsing experience. Get a dedicated iPhone app designed to keep your online activities private — try it free today.
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