How to Change Your IP Address with a VPN
Check your public IP, approximate location, and internet provider above. Take control of what websites see: connect to BearVPN, change your IP, and refresh this page to compare the results.
1
Note your current public IP above, then download and install BearVPN on your device.
2
Open BearVPN, choose your preferred server location, and connect. Wait for the connection confirmation.
3
Return to this page and refresh. Compare your new public IP with the address you noted earlier.
Go PremiumGet BearVPN
Free DownloadDownload Now
Why Change Your IP Address with a VPN?
Hide your original public IP, encrypt your connection, and take control of your virtual location. Use BearVPN to browse more privately and break through network restrictions.
Protect Your Location Privacy
Keep your real location hidden and stay one step ahead of online trackers. Changing your IP address ensures your activities remain anonymous, protecting you from unwanted surveillance and helping you browse safely.
Encrypt Your Internet Traffic
Shield your browsing from snooping on public Wi-Fi. BearVPN uses AES-256 encryption to protect traffic between your device and the VPN server, keeping passwords and personal data safer while you browse, shop, and connect.
Bypass Geo-Restrictions
Unlock a world of content by changing your IP address. Whether it's streaming services, websites, or apps, you can access content that’s typically blocked or restricted in your region, giving you unlimited online freedom.
Avoid Censorship
Break free from online censorship and access the information you need. Changing your IP address lets you bypass regional restrictions, ensuring you have unrestricted access to the web, no matter where you are.
What Is an IP Address?
An IP address (Internet Protocol address) tells networks where to send data. The public IP above is the address this website sees for your connection. It can reveal your approximate location and network provider. With a VPN, this page can show the VPN server’s IP instead. Devices on home Wi-Fi typically share a public IPv4 address while using separate private addresses locally.
IP Address Types: IPv4, IPv6, Public, and Private
IPv4 and IPv6 describe the address version. Public and private describe how an address is used: on the internet or within a local network. An IPv4 address can be public or private.
IPv4
IPv4 uses four numbers separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.100. Its address space is limited, so home and mobile networks often let multiple devices share a public IPv4 address. Both public and private IPv4 addresses are widely used.
IPv6
IPv6 uses hexadecimal groups separated by colons, such as 2001:db8::1. It provides a much larger address space than IPv4. Your connection may use IPv4, IPv6, or both, depending on your network and the service you access.
Public IP
A public IP address is used for communication across the internet. The checker above shows the address your browser uses to reach this page. With a VPN or proxy, it may show the service’s exit IP rather than your internet provider’s address.
Private IP
A private IP address identifies a device within a local network, such as your home Wi-Fi. Your router usually assigns it, and the same address can be reused on other private networks. Check your device’s network settings to find this local address.
IPv4 vs. IPv6: What’s the Difference?
Compare IPv4 and IPv6 address formats, capacity, and configuration. Connection speed and security depend on the network and its setup, not just the IP version.
| Feature | IPv4 | IPv6 |
|---|---|---|
| Address Size | 32-bit (about 4.3 billion addresses) | 128-bit (340 undecillion addresses) |
| Address Format | Four decimal numbers, e.g., 192.168.1.100 | Colon-separated hexadecimal groups, e.g., 2001:db8::1 |
| Address Exhaustion | Limited address space; sharing and reuse are common | Vastly larger address space for continued network growth |
| Performance | Speed depends on routing and network conditions | Speed depends on routing and network conditions |
| Security | Does not encrypt traffic by default; can use IPsec | Does not encrypt traffic by default; can use IPsec |
| Compatibility | Widely supported across networks and services | Requires IPv6 support along the connection path |
| Network Address Translation (NAT) | Commonly used to share a public address | Usually unnecessary for address conservation |
| Configuration | DHCP or manual configuration | SLAAC, DHCPv6, or manual configuration |
Public IP vs. Private IP: What’s the Difference?
Why does your device show a different IP from this page? On a typical home IPv4 network, your devices use private addresses and share a public IP for internet access.
| Aspect | Public IP | Private IP |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Used for communication over the internet | Used for internal communication within a local network |
| Assignment | Provided by an ISP, or used as an exit address by a VPN or proxy | Usually assigned by your router; can also be set manually |
| Uniqueness | Globally unique address; may be shared by multiple devices or users | Unique within its local network; reusable in other networks |
| Example | 4.4.4.4 | 192.168.1.100 |
| Where to Find It | In the IP checker at the top of this page | In your device’s Wi-Fi or Ethernet settings |
How to Find Your IP Address
To find your public IP address, use the checker at the top of this page. To find the local IP address your device uses on Wi-Fi or Ethernet, follow the steps below.
Windows
Using Command Prompt:
Using Settings:
- Open Start, type cmd, and open Command Prompt.
- Type ipconfig and press Enter.
- Find your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter.
- Read its IPv4 Address, not the Default Gateway.
Using Settings:
- Open Settings > Network & internet.
- Select Wi-Fi and your connected network, or select Ethernet.
- Find the IPv4 address in the connection properties.
Explore More IP Address Tools
Look up another public IP with IP Lookup, or use IPv6 Lookup for an IPv6 address. Explore its approximate location and network provider.
![[object Object]](https://cms.bearvpn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ipv6-lookup.svg)
![[object Object]](https://cms.bearvpn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ip-lookup.svg)
Frequently asked questions
Connect to BearVPN to replace the public IP websites see with a VPN server’s address. Refresh this page and compare it with your original IP. If the original address still appears, reconnect and check whether your browser is excluded from the VPN. This checks the visible IP for your browser connection; DNS and WebRTC leaks require separate tests. Cookies and signed-in accounts can still identify you.
Your public IP may change when you switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, connect to a VPN, or receive a new address from your internet provider. Restarting a router may change it, but not always. If the IP in your device settings differs from this page, you may be comparing a private address with a public one.
IP location is estimated from databases, not GPS. The city shown may reflect an internet provider’s network, a mobile carrier’s gateway, or a VPN exit location rather than where you are. Different databases can report different locations for the same IP. Your IP can reveal an approximate area and network provider, but it does not reliably identify your street address. Changing your IP does not change your device’s GPS location.
