how change ip address to uk

How to Change Your IP Address to Another Country (Easy Ways)

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Need to unblock the internet or appear to be somewhere else than your actual location online? This article explains how you can change the IP country easily.

IP addresses are the exclusive numbers assigned to a particular device connected to the internet. Most authorities, websites, streaming sites, cyber-attackers, and third parties use this public identifier to extract your online details, especially your location. This information helps them know your coordinates, guess your location-based interests, and apply content restrictions. However, some effective workarounds are available today to help you change your IP country . The subsequent change of online location then enables you to experience safe, anonymous, private, and unrestricted internet browsing.

While you have reached this article, you would probably know what an IP address is and why you need to hide or change your IP country. But even if you don’t, no worries, this article explains it all for you.

But before we move on, assure yourself of one thing. Changing your IP address isn’t an online luxury but your due right and a necessity for privacy.

The online world is full of cybercriminals who keep looking for ways to prey on you.

Likewise, annoying advertisers are always searching for your details to track what you like so that they can barrage you with ads.

And, of course, you don’t want every snooper or perpetrator to keep an eye on your online activities, do you?

• Online Security
• Virtual Private Network (VPN)
• How to Get a UK IP Address With a VPN in 2023

Cloudwards.net may earn a small commission from some purchases made through our site. However, any earnings do not affect how we review services. Learn more about our editorial integrity and research process .

In this guide, we provide step-by-step instructions on how to get a U.K. IP address using a VPN, plus three VPNs with British servers.

Written by Mindy Born ( Writer )

Edited by Aleksander Hougen ( Managing Editor )

Facts checked by Jasna Mishevska ( Lead Fact-Checking Editor )

Last Updated: 20 Nov'23 2023-11-20T17:06:41+00:00

All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.

Key Takeaways: How to Get a UK IP Address

• Acquiring a U.K. IP address offers access to U.K.-exclusive content and services (for example, if you have a British bank account).
• Your chosen VPN must have U.K. servers for you to access U.K.-specific content.
• ExpressVPN is the best VPN option , with exceptional security and speeds for seamless U.K. streaming.
• NordVPN is another option , being a fast and reliable VPN with many U.K. servers.
• Proton VPN is a great free VPN , but its U.K. servers are not available for free.

If you are looking to access U.K.-exclusive content or a U.K. bank account from abroad, a U.K. IP address will allow you to reach streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer, Netflix U.K. and Amazon Prime Video in just a few clicks. We’re sure you know your reasons, so let’s dive directly into how to get a U.K. IP address in the most secure and effective way possible.

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are versatile tools that reroute your internet connection through servers located in the U.K., making it look like you and your IP address are based there.

While a VPN provider will help you access region-restricted content, it will also elevate your online security. Not all VPNs are created equal; some offer more robust features than others.

In this guide, we will walk you step-by-step through the process of obtaining a British IP address using a VPN. Follow the straightforward instructions in this guide and you’ll be accessing your favorite U.K. content from ‘Taskmaster’ to the ‘Great British Bake Off’ in no time.

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We rewrote this article to include the latest VPN recommendations and a detailed step-by-step guide on how to use a VPN to obtain a U.K. IP address.

Get a UK IP Address Abroad With a VPN: Quick Guide

Follow these simple steps to secure a British IP address using a reliable VPN. Whether you’d like to stream BBC iPlayer or access other English platforms, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we will walk you through the process step by step to be sure you have a seamless and secure connection.

Choose the VPN that best aligns with your needs from our recommended list and download the app for your device . We have used ExpressVPN for this example.

Once your VPN is set up, open the application and locate the list of available servers. Choose a server located in the U.K. and connect to it. Depending on the VPN software, this can often be done with a single click.

Click the button to connect , and that’s it. Once you have connected, your IP address will appear as if you’re browsing from the U.K.

How to Choose Best VPN With UK Servers for UK IP Addresses

Selecting the right U.K. VPN involves many factors. First, having a U.K. server presence is essential for accessing U.K.-specific content. Equally important is a VPN’s speed and capability to bypass geo-restrictions, ensuring uninterrupted streaming and browsing.

In 2016, the U.K. enacted the Investigatory Powers Act , which grants U.K. authorities the power to collect and retain citizens’ communications data, including internet records, without a warrant. Considering that, a VPN with a strict no-logs policy is essential, as it won’t have anything to hand over if asked. 

1. ExpressVPN

• Extensive server network
• Unblocks U.K. streaming apps
• Superfast Lightway protocol
• More expensive
• No anonymous payment options

ExpressVPN is a versatile solution. Its remarkable server network guarantees reliable performance with servers located across 105 countries and six continents, including U.K. servers in London, East London, Wembley, Docklands and the Midlands. ExpressVPN uses Lightway, its in-house VPN protocol, which is designed to balance security features with speed.

Also of note, ExpressVPN uses RAM-based servers for added privacy. This feature ensures no user data is kept. The company’s no-logs policy is backed by an audit by F-Secure, so users can be assured of their online privacy. It has a kill switch (called Network Lock), and its own encrypted DNS servers. 

Check out our full ExpressVPN review to learn more, or try ExpressVPN with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

• Unlimited GB
• Specialty streaming servers
• Independently audited
• Powerful ad blocker
• No split tunneling on macOS
• No NordLynx on certain servers

NordVPN stands out for its impressive download speeds, making it a go-to choice for those prioritizing speed. Beyond speed, NordVPN offers specialized servers catering to various needs, including dedicated IP servers, double VPN servers, obfuscated servers for bypassing censorship, P2P servers for torrenting and Onion over VPN servers for Tor Browser use.

NordVPN’s strict no-logging policy, confirmed by an audit, ensures user privacy. With over 5,800 servers across 60 nations, over 440 of which are within the U.K., NordVPN is an excellent choice for streaming, unblocking major platforms and providing a well-structured knowledgebase and customer support. 

You can check out our full NordVPN review for a deeper dive or try NordVPN with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. Proton VPN

• Unlimited free data plan
• Streaming-focused servers
• Excellent privacy credentials
• Free plan limits server locations
• U.K. servers not free

With Proton VPN’s paid plans, you have access to 36 U.K. servers in Manchester and London. Its large network of 3,000 servers across 60 countries gives you plenty of high-speed options. Proton VPN’s user interface boasts easy-to-use features like live tests for upload speeds, and paid users can benefit from NetShield ad blocker, alongside P2P and torrenting support.

Proton VPN’s paid plans offer a lot of additional features, but the VPN is known for its free plan with no data limits. There are also no ads on its free plan, and it does not log your data. Its strong privacy reputation is backed by audits, and its Swiss jurisdiction outside of the 14 Eyes alliance means it can be trusted to keep your data secure. Read our full Proton VPN review for more.

Can You Use a Free Proxy Server to Get a UK IP Address?

You may be tempted to use free proxy servers for a U.K. IP address, but they come with notable downsides. Proxy servers lack essential encryption, exposing your real IP address and leaving your data vulnerable. They are often sluggish, and many websites and most streaming services can detect and block proxy traffic, so a proxy is useless for streaming U.K. content.

For a safer alternative, consider trustworthy free VPNs with free U.K. servers, like TunnelBear or Windscribe. Unlike proxies, these VPNs prioritize your security. 

TunnelBear is a beginner-friendly service with a good free plan, but it limits your data to 1GB per month. Have a look at our full TunnelBear review to learn more. Windscribe is another VPN with an excellent free version that include U.K. servers, but you’re capped to 10GB of data for free. You can read all about the VPN in our full Windscribe review .

Final Thoughts: Best VPN for Accessing a UK IP Address

That wraps up our list of the best VPNs to get a U.K. IP address. ExpressVPN is the star of the show as the VPN most able to reliably access U.K. content, with NordVPN offering some fantastic features and Proton VPN coming in third. 

While free proxy servers may seem attractive, they won’t work for accessing international content, and their lack of encryption and slow speeds make them an unreliable choice. Opting for a reputable VPN is a great alternative, ensuring both data protection and problem-free access to U.K.-based content.

Are there any great VPNs we’ve left off the list, or do you have any suggestions? We would love to discuss it with you in the comments. Leave a note, and as ever, thank you for your readership!

FAQ: How to Get a UK IP Address

You have several options to acquire a U.K. IP address, including using a VPN. By using a VPN, you can access U.K. content seamlessly while abroad and bolster your online privacy and security. Notable VPN services with U.K. servers include ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Proton VPN.

To change your IP address to a U.K. one using a VPN, simply choose a trusted VPN with U.K. servers, subscribe and download its app. After installation, launch the VPN client and connect to a U.K. server. Once connected, your device will have a U.K. IP address, your online activity will be encrypted and routed through the U.K. server and you will be able to access British content.

Numerous VPN providers will allow you to have a U.K. IP address. ExpressVPN is our top pick, but you can also access U.K. servers using NordVPN, Proton VPN, CyberGhost VPN, Surfshark and more.

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How to Change IP Address to UK

The United Kingdom has some of the best English language internet-based content and services. Many of them are blocked for people living outside of the UK. Therefore, here we explain how to change IP address to the UK using a VPN service. VPN service providers allow you to unblock UK sites and content and stream multimedia content for free from anywhere in the world. VPN service also protects your online identity and anonymity.

Why Get UK IP Address?

Having a UK IP address can be vital if you are outside of the UK. It allows you to follow your favorite TV shows, movies, documentaries or stream live sports. The United Kingdom is famous for its varied entertainment options online.

For example, online gambling in the UK is very popular. But in many other nations, it is unavailable. Also, on-demand video services like BBC iPlayer and Netflix UK are offering a lot of entertainment within the UK. However, it is unavailable outside of the UK, because of the ’geo-restrictions. Therefore anyone outside of the UK won’t be able to access it unless they change IP address to the UK .

Reasons to Change IP to UK Address

Change IP Address to Watch UK TV: most of the UK websites and channels are geographically unavailable. Therefore if you are traveling or living overseas, then you won’t be able to access it.

Below is a message that comes up when trying to access BBC iPlayer from abroad:

Keep online anonymity:  hiding and changing your IP address will protect your internet identity and keep you anonymous.

Protect your online activity: just like keeping you anonymous, getting an IP address from the UK it will also protect your online information. Your actions won’t be traceable therefore your personal details will be safe.

Bypass online censorship: many countries online censorship is at a high level. Especially high censorship is in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. In these countries, a lot of contents are unavailable for their netizens. Therefore if you wish to access blocked information and online services then change your IP to UK . Getting a UK IP address allows you not only unblock UK sites but also see what anyone else in the world sees.

Now that you know what the other reasons why you should change your IP address to the United Kingdom are, we can look at how to get a UK IP address.

Best Way to Get UK IP Address

Below we are looking at some of the best options to change your IP address. It will allow you to protect your online identity, keep you anonymous and let you unblock sites and bypass online censorship.

VPN for UK IP

A VPN is a Virtual Private Network. It is the most modern technology method to protect yourself on the internet and unblock websites. All VPN service providers have several servers which are available in multiple locations around the world. It can even be from the same country. When you connect to a new place of duty, it provides you with a new IP address and hides your registered IP address. It also encrypts your internet traffic, which provides an extra layer of protection when surfing the internet.

When you connect to a new location, it gives you a new IP address and hides your registered IP address. Therefore, you can get United Kingdom IP address. It also encrypts your internet traffic, which provides an extra layer of protection when surfing the internet.

VPN also encrypts your internet traffic, which provides an additional layer of protection when surfing the internet.

How to get a VPN: there are plenty of VPN providers out there, but not all of them are equally good and reliable. We have come up with a list of best VPN providers and also you can visit our compare a VPN page to find the best VPN service for your needs. Once you have selected a reliable VPN provider, you will have to download its software, most of the best providers have an easy to use VPN software for Windows, Mac, Linux and mobile applications for your iPhone or Android phones. For the further setup, please follow the instructions of your preferred VPN provider.

Once you have selected a reliable VPN provider, you will have to download its software. Most of the best providers have an easy to use VPN software for Windows, Mac, Linux and mobile applications for your iPhone or Android phones. For the further setup, please follow the instructions of your preferred VPN provider.

To find out which are our the most recommended VPN services to change UK IP address, please check out our page about How to Hide My IP Address .

Video Guide on How to Get UK IP Address with a VPN

DNS to Get IP in the UK

DNS is a Domain Name System, which works similarly to the VPN. However, it doesn’t encrypt your internet data. Therefore it’s not as secure as using a VPN provider. You can still change your IP address to the UK. However, you won’t be able to mask your data.

To learn more, we have written an article about Smart DNS . Here are some Smart DNS and VPN providers that you may consider: OverPlay VPN, StrongVPN, Incognito VPN and CactusVPN.

Get a UK IP Address Free with Proxy

The Proxy is another popular tool to find UK IP address. Most of the proxy providers offer this service for free. However, it’s unreliable, often show many ads and has frequent downtime as well as it doesn’t provide data encryption, so your online surfing is unprotected and unsafe.

If you are traveling or living outside of the UK, then you will come across many websites, content and serves, which will be blocked outside of the United Kingdom. There are several options how to change IP address to the UK and unblock UK sites. You may consider Smart DNS and a Proxy service. However, the best of all is a VPN service. VPN service not only unblocks sites, but it also protects you online keeping you anonymous when browsing the internet.

Author: Inga

I’m a freelance writer living in Canada. Highly interested in topics on technology, online surveillance, and censorship. Love traveling and outdoor activities.

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How to get a UK IP address

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James Milin-Ashmore

• June 23, 2023

VPNs encrypt the data sent to and from your device, routing it through an entirely different server. If you use a VPN with server locations in the UK, you’ll be given a corresponding IP address that can be used to access services within the region.

Obtaining a UK IP can be particularly helpful if you have traveled abroad and want to access British streaming services on vacation. It's also great for other geo-restricted services such as online banking and for keeping your connection private while using a public network. This guide will explain how to get a UK IP address, and highlight the best VPN providers for doing so. 

We’ve looked at each provider in-depth below, but if you don’t have time to read through the entire report, here’s a summary.

Best VPNs for getting a UK IP address:

• NordVPN : Our top pick for getting a UK IP address. A super-fast provider with lots of servers in the UK. Can access almost any restricted British site or service. Strong security, custom protocol, and comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Surfshark : Great value VPN that can provide a UK IP. Unlimited device connections, good streaming capabilities, and offers WireGuard.
• ExpressVPN : A close third for getting a UK IP, comes with a custom protocol, has lots of security features, and is ideal for accessing streaming services.
• CyberGhost : User-friendly VPN with a large number of UK servers to choose from. Impressive speeds that are great for streaming.
• Proton VPN : UK streaming servers work with iPlayer and Netflix. Enjoy fast speeds and extra features like Double VPN and Tor over VPN.
• Mullvad : Privacy-focused, with strong speeds and excellent security features. However, it lacks the streaming support seen with other services.
• Atlas VPN : Reliable provider for getting a British IP address and is great for UK streaming services.

How to get a UK IP address with a VPN

It’s not difficult to get a UK IP address with a VPN. We’ve put together a quick step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Here’s how to get a UK IP address using a VPN:

• Select a VPN service to begin. We’ve listed several great options below, with NordVPN being our top recommendation overall.
• Sign up, make a note of your login credentials, and download the relevant app to your device.
• Sign in to the VPN.
• Select a server located within the UK.
• You’ll now be connected with a UK IP address. You may have to clear all cookies if you want to access services like BBC iPlayer.
• We’d also recommend that the kill switch is active at all times.

As you can see, it doesn’t take much effort to connect to a UK VPN server. Best of all, this method can be used from anywhere in the world, whether it’s the United States, Thailand, or Germany.

The best VPNs for getting a UK IP address

We used the following criteria to determine which VPNs are best for getting a UK IP address:

• Servers found in England and Scotland for accessing UK sites and services
• Native apps for all popular platforms (Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS )
• The ability to access multiple blocked UK streaming services
• Strong security and protocols
• Emphasis on privacy, and the VPN must store no traffic logs
• Does the provider offer value for money?
• Helpful customer support

To make the top three we only accept VPNs that tick all of the following boxes:

• Diskless servers (wiped daily making it near impossible for the VPN to retain any user data)
• The VPN must not log identifying data on customers and must have had its logging policy audited by a reputable third party (such as PWC). This ensures that VPNs which claim to adhere to certain practices actually do so
• The VPN must have been through a technical security audit by a third party . As opposed to a logging policy audit, this tests the security of the VPN product itself

You will find more information about how we assess providers further in this article, but you can also check out our VPN testing methodology page for a more in-depth look at our criteria.

Here’s a rundown of several of the best VPNs for getting a UK IP address, starting with our number one pick overall.

NordVPN  is our top recommendation for getting a UK IP address from anywhere in the world. It has 550+ servers split across four regions in the UK . Servers in Edinburgh and Glasgow ensure that there’s coverage in Scotland, while there are also locations found in London and Manchester.

Based in Panama, it gives access to over 150 streaming services worldwide, including UK options such as BBC iPlayer. NordVPN’s network is fast enough to stream 4K content, and it offers a proprietary VPN protocol called NordLynx for improved performance. Knowledgeable staff are also on hand to help out 24/7, via live chat and email.

Apps for ​​Android, iOS, Linux , Windows, and macOS come with a range of additional features, such as Threat Protection, which blocks ads, malware, and phishing attempts. NordVPN collects some limited information about the user such as device identifiers, although it has been audited twice by PWC Switzerland.

• Over 550 UK servers
• Excellent connection speeds
• Custom NordLynx protocol
• Zero logs policy audited
• Diskless infrastructure
• Can lag when switching between servers

RELIABLE AND VERSATILE VPN: NordVPN is another provider which will be able to handle almost any task that needs a UK IP address. Strong security, capable unblocking, and multiple British servers. Industry-standard 30-day money-back guarantee is also included.

Read our full  review of NordVPN .

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a great option if value for money is an important factor. It has 350+ UK servers found in London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, and speeds are nippy thanks to the implementation of WireGuard. You’ll be able to use a single account with unlimited simultaneous devices, further lowering the cost if you share with somebody else.

It keeps no traffic logs, although it does collect some diagnostic information which is deleted 15 minutes after the VPN session is terminated. As we’ve noted, the company merged with Nord Security in 2022, although they promise that each service will operate independently.

You’ll find apps for every popular operating system, and it can even be installed on a router. Once again, it will work to access multiple UK streaming platforms, including Netflix, Sky, iPlayer, ITV Hub, and All 4.

Notable features include split tunneling, the ability to use a VPN in restricted territories with NoBorders, and MultiHop (Double VPN.)

• Unlimited device connections
• Audited no logs policy
• Rotating IP addresses
• Highly affordable provider
• Slower to switch servers
• Could improve customer support

VALUE FOR MONEY: Surfshark is an affordable VPN that is perfect for secure streaming and accessing a UK IP address. Comes with a watertight 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full  review of Surfshark .

3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN  is one of the more popular providers on the market thanks to a robust network of 3,000+ speedy servers, it comes with a range of capable apps for all popular devices (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS).

The custom Lightway protocol ensures high speeds from any UK location, and it’s based in the British Virgin Islands, which is especially privacy-friendly. The service was bought out by Kape Technologies in 2021 for $936 million, which is the highest sum ever paid for a business in the VPN industry. 

ExpressVPN keeps no identifying logs, while the provider has been audited by PwC. TrustedServer technology ensures that the server gets wiped upon every reboot.

A host of UK streaming platforms works with ExpressVPN, including the likes of Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, BT Sports, Now TV, and more. One slight drawback is that the service is slightly more expensive than much of the competition, but it still offers good value for money overall.

ExpressVPN comes with 24-hour customer support, and it’s one of the few providers to access UK sports streaming apps consistently.

• Proprietary Lightway protocol
• Numerous high-speed servers found in the UK
• Advanced security features like Tor over VPN
• Slightly more expensive than the others mentioned below

BEST VPN FOR A UK IP ADDRESS: ExpressVPN is a great choice for getting a UK IP address. Speedy servers, consistent connections, and the ability to access almost any service make ExpressVPN a standout choice for anyone who needs a UK IP. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full  review of ExpressVPN .

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost benefits from a massive global network spread across 90+ countries worldwide, along with a large number (700+) of UK-based servers in Berkshire, London, and Manchester.

CyberGhost has apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and macOS. Each is especially intuitive, with desktop versions that allow the user to specify which streaming service they would like to connect to, offering an optimized server that will work effortlessly. For example, you can select BBC iPlayer, and the best server for the task will be chosen automatically.

It is headquartered in Romania, which is privacy-friendly. CyberGhost also comes with WireGuard and offers secure NoSpy servers, as well as split tunneling, and more.

• Hundreds of servers throughout the UK and thousands worldwide
• Apps are easy to use
• Lacks settings for some advanced features
• Blocked in China

HUGE SERVER NETWORK: CyberGhost is great for connecting to the UK and beyond for an IP address from 90+ countries. Superb streaming capabilities and comes with an extended 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full  review of CyberGhost .

5. Proton VPN

Proton VPN is mainly focused on delivering fast speeds and strong security features and is developed by the team behind the secure ProtonMail service. It comes with Secure Core, which routes traffic through two VPN servers. However, this isn’t available while connected to the UK.

The UK-based servers are found in London and Manchester, and they can be used for P2P, as well as offering NetShield, which blocks ads, malware, and trackers. It’s not as consistent as the VPNs above in terms of accessing blocked streaming sites, but BBC iPlayer worked after a sole attempt, and the same is true for ITV Hub and All 4.

If security and privacy are the most important aspects behind your decision to use a VPN, it offers a kill switch with all apps, split tunneling, Double VPN, and Tor over VPN. However, it would be remiss not to mention that it handed over a climate activist's metadata to Swiss authorities in 2021. The service is based in Switzerland, and is subject to numerous legally binding orders.

Customer service is responsive, although it is one of the more expensive providers to make the list.

• Top-notch security and privacy features
• Double VPN and Tor over VPN
• Fast connection speeds
• Unblocks a range of UK streaming services
• Smaller selection of servers to choose from
• No live chat available

STRONG SECURITY FEATURES: Proton VPN is a premium pick that comes with the backing of a trusted team. Fast speeds, competent at unblocking, and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full  review of Proton VPN .

Based in Sweden, Mullvad is primarily focused on improving user privacy. For example, it adheres to a strict no-logs policy and a comprehensive privacy policy, collecting absolutely no user information during sign-up. Instead, it generates a 16-digit account number which is used to sign in.

With a clear emphasis on privacy and security above all else, Mullvad isn’t the best VPN for streaming. It’ll be able to access US Netflix, but you’re out of luck if you’re hoping to access iPlayer, ITV, or any popular UK service from abroad.

Mullvad offers 60+ servers in the UK, including high-speed options that are owned by the provider. These are split between London and Manchester.

The service supports OpenVPN and WireGuard, and offers extras like MultiHop and split tunneling. It also has a sole pricing plan, which is reasonably affordable.

• Decent speeds with most servers in its network, including the UK
• Strict no-logs policy
• Privacy-focused
• Doesn’t work with many UK streaming services
• Based in Sweden, which falls under the 14-Eyes Alliance jurisdiction

GOOD SECURITY AND PRIVACY FEATURES: Mullvad is another optimal choice for accessing a UK IP securely, and it is designed to improve online privacy. Offers the industry standard 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Mullvad .

7. Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN rounds out the list. Arguably best known for a decent freemium tier, you won’t be able to get a UK IP address without shelling out for the paid version of the software. It works out to be one of the more affordable providers overall, and it’s superb if you’re aiming to access UK streaming services, including the likes of Netflix UK, BBC iPlayer, Sky TV, and many more.

Additional premium features include SafeBrowse, Data Breach Monitor, and SafeSwap. The latter is an IP rotator, which will change your IP address periodically for improved anonymity.

It uses the WireGuard protocol, and a sole account works with unlimited simultaneous devices . However, it has a smaller network than most, and it doesn’t offer router support. It was acquired by Nord Security in October 2021.

• Capable UK streaming
• Great speeds
• Smaller server network
• No router support
• Customer service lacks a bit of polish

RELIABLE ACCESS TO UK STREAMING SERVICES: AtlasVPN rounds out the list with capable streaming, UK servers, and unlimited device connections. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full  review of Atlas VPN .

VPN for UK IP address – Testing methodology

Most premium VPNs will have a few UK servers on offer, but that’s not enough to make the list. For example, many providers struggle to access British services, especially if they predominantly focus on the larger US market. We’ve listed some of the key criteria we used to make our recommendations below.

• UK servers: Ideally, the providers will have servers found in England and Scotland for unblocking a range of UK sites and services. We also look at the strength of its network on the whole.
• App support : The VPN needs native apps for all popular platforms (Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS). Ideally, the VPNs will also have browser extensions, and router support. A native Linux app would also be a bonus.
• Streaming and performance : Does the VPN have the ability to access multiple UK streaming services (Netflix, Sky Go, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, BT Sports), as well as speeds that are fast enough to ensure no lag or buffering?
• Strong security : Strong security and up-to-date protocols are a must. We’ll check to ensure there are no IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks, as well as look out for key features such as a kill switch and split tunneling.
• Privacy and logging : The provider should improve your privacy and must store no traffic logs of user data. Preferably, it will have been audited by a trustworthy third party.
• Value for money : Does the service offer good value for money, all things considered? Are there any deals that help to bring the monthly price down? It must also offer a hassle-free money-back guarantee, just in case.
• Customer service : We selected services that offer email support, as well as 24/7 live chat. This way, you won’t have to wait for too long if you have a query. Many will also have detailed guides and FAQs available online.

Bonus points

Each of the VPNs listed above will meet the necessary criteria, offering industry-standard encryption and prioritizing privacy by logging as little data as possible. However, there are a few key reasons that we consistently place NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark in the top three positions frequently.

• Diskless servers: The use of RAM-only servers increases online privacy substantially. Our top providers (as well as CyberGhost) run their servers on RAM instead of traditional storage. This means that all data on the disk is lost the moment it’s turned off or rebooted. Additionally, a VPN’s data-clearing processes won’t be interrupted by external factors such as power cuts or theft since the moment they shut down, they’re wiped clean. Servers are run 100% from volatile RAM, writing no data to a physical hard drive or SSD. This ensures that all data on a server is completely wiped whenever it is shut down or rebooted.
• Based in countries not part of any known intelligence alliance: A huge number of countries share intelligence. A prime example is the 14 Eyes alliance (officially called SIGINT Seniors Europe, or SSEUR) which includes the UK, USA, Germany, France, Spain, and nine others, though other alliances (such as Maximator and the Afghanistan SiGINT Coalition) also exist, and it’s likely there are more partnerships that we are not aware of. Bonus points are awarded for steering clear of these locations. For example, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark are all based in Panama or the British Virgin Islands (which, crucially, is a distinct territory separate from Great Britain).
• Regular application and server audits from a respected third party: There are key differences between a server audit and an application audit. The former examines things like whether the VPN’s infrastructure inadvertently collects data that would disprove no-logging claims, and whether security best practices are being followed. Meanwhile, an application audit looks at the apps that a user runs on their device and checks for exploits that can be used to unmask your activity or otherwise compromise your hardware. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark have had both types of audit performed (though Surfshark’s app audit only examined the browser extensions rather than the desktop or mobile apps).

Get a UK IP address: FAQs

Can i use a free vpn for a uk ip address.

Possibly, but it’ll be tough to find a free provider with servers in the UK. Most ‘free’ VPNs tend to concentrate on servers in the United States  and only have a handful of servers on offer in the first place. If you do find a free service with UK servers, you probably won’t be able to select a specific city or location.

It’s also worth considering the various privacy risks associated with free VPN services, who may have no qualms about selling your personal data to advertisers or spamming the user with ads and trackers.

How can I check if I have a UK IP address?

One of the easiest ways to check your IP address is to use an online tool. For example, NordVPN has a simple IP checker that will show your location and the ISP.

Will a UK IP address slow down my connection speeds?

A VPN can slow down connection speeds to an extent, depending on the provider you’ve selected, as well as your physical distance from the server. Other factors may also come into play, such as the device you’re using, the protocol, and the time of day. The premium providers listed above can be used to stream, game, and torrent with no chance of lag or buffering.

Can I choose which UK city or country my IP address is from?

Yes, depending on the provider. For example, NordVPN will allow the user to choose from servers found in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, and London. CyberGhost has UK servers in Berkshire, London, and Manchester. If you’re not given the option to choose, it’s likely that the servers will be found in London.

Can I access blocked UK services with a VPN?

Yes, a VPN will spoof your location and allow you to access otherwise blocked services. We’ve noted the streaming capabilities of the providers listed above in terms of UK content, but the best VPNs will also be able to access banking apps (Barclays, Natwest, Lloyds, and HSBC) and any other British services that happen to be geo-restricted while abroad.

Is it legal to use a UK IP address while abroad?

Yes, it’s legal to use a UK IP address while you’re abroad. After all, many businesses ask remote workers to use a VPN to access data safely.

For BBC iPlayer, you should only access this service if you pay for a UK TV license. Always check the terms of service before streaming foreign content.

Why would I want a UK IP address?

A UK IP address will give you access to UK sites and services, and it will give the appearance that you’re located in the region. There are many reasons why this might be necessary. This includes anything from work to bypassing ISP throttling.

Can I get a UK IP address without a VPN?

It is possible to get a UK IP address without the use of a VPN.

For example, the Tor browser is primarily used to combat censorship, offering the ability to get around government firewalls in order for its users to access the open or dark web. Tor will send your data through a P2P network of relays, which is a safe, if slow, solution.

Alternatively, a free proxy server should be able to get the job done. However, many cap speeds or data, with questionable attitudes to your personal information. Proxies aren’t the best option for streaming either, as many servers have already been blocked by services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

Can I watch British TV services with a UK IP VPN?

Yes. When you connect to a VPN server in the UK, you appear to be back home. The VPN encrypts your internet connection and routes it to the server in Britain, which hides your real location from the websites and services you visit. This means that you can access streaming services that are usually blocked outside of the UK, which is perfect if you are on vacation but want to catch up on a bit of telly.

Not all VPNs work to access British TV services abroad. This means that you must pick a VPN provider carefully. Most VPNs have already been blocked, and it is getting harder and harder to find a reliable VPN that will let you watch your usual British streams while traveling overseas.

The VPNs we have recommended in this guide all make it part of their core mission to provide streaming-optimized servers in the UK. However, even the services we have recommended may work with differing British services. For this reason, it is worth checking each provider's individual review to see which services it works with. Alternatively, you could contact the VPN's customer support to ask.

The good news is that every VPN we have recommended with a UK IP also has a money-back guarantee. That means you can try the VPN to watch TV on your own devices to see whether it works with your favorite streaming services. If you have any problems, you can always get a refund.

Below, we have included a list of British streaming platforms that you can watch abroad with a VPN:

• BBC iPlayer
• Amazon Prime Video
• CuriosityStream
• Haystack TV
• Walter Presents
• Eurosport Player

Should I use a VPN to get a UK IP in Britain?

In the UK, the Investigatory Powers Bill grants government authorities the right to access citizens' private browsing data and communications metadata. To allow this to happen, ISPs in the UK are forced to engage in mandatory data retention for a period of 12 months. This means that ISPs are keeping tabs on every single website you visit.

Connecting to a VPN is the only way to prevent ISPs and local network administrators from being able to monitor what you do online. Unfortunately, if you connect to a VPN server outside of the UK, you may struggle to use local services.

This is why it is a good idea to connect to an IP address inside of Britain: it will encrypt your connection and prevent ISP data collection, but also allow you to continue using the internet as a normal British resident.

Did you know

The following information is available to any site you visit:

Your IP Address:

Your Location:

Your Internet Provider:

BLEEPINGCOMPUTER RECOMMENDS:

Using a VPN will hide these details and protect your privacy. We recommend using NordVPN - #1 VPN in our tests . It offers outstanding privacy features and is currently available with three months extra free.

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How to Change IP Address to Another Country

February 18, 2015 August 10, 2022

There are many reasons for internet users to change their IP (Internet Protocol) address to that of another country, depending on the location and nature of the users’ activity. One of the main reasons is to access the local content of an international website. For example, the available content on Youtube (the second most visited website after Google) changes depending on the country the user is accessing the site from. Similarly, changing the IP address can enable access to blocked content. Internet service providers and government agencies regularly censor and/or block content. The only reliable and convenient way to access such content is to change the IP address to another country.

This article explains the best methods that can be used to change the IP address of a computer. The advantages and disadvantages of changing the IP address to specific countries will also be covered. Finally, all the main advantages of changing IP address to another country will be mentioned along with a recommendation for the best country to pick when changing IP address.

The best methods to change IP address to another country are listed below:

• Use a VPN to Change Your IP Address to Another Country
• Use a Proxy to Modify Your IP Address to Another Country
• Use Tor to Change Your IP Address to Another Country
• Use a Fake IP Generator to Change Your IP Address to Another Country
• Use Smart DNS to Change Your IP Address to Another Country

Table of Contents

1. Use a VPN to Change Your IP Address to Another Country

The best method to change IP address to another country is via a VPN . Different VPN services have different sets of steps users have to complete before proper usage. Generally speaking, users first have to pick a VPN, go to the official website of the selected VPN, sign up for a VPN package, download/install the relevant VPN app, launch the app, sign in with the credentials created while purchasing the VPN, and connect to a server from the home screen. The VPN is also the easiest method to changed IP address to a different country. Using a VPN to changed IP address is also one of the easier methods on this list.

Some of the best tools for this purpose are dedicated VPN apps, VPN web browser extensions, and third-party open-source clients that support VPN services.

This is important:

The main disadvantage of using a VPN is decreased internet speed. VPNs are also reasonably costly, usually requiring a monthly subscription of approximately $10 per month. Some VPN apps can also malfunction and compromise internet connectivity, sometimes even disabling the internet connection entirely.

2. Use a Proxy to Modify Your IP Address to Another Country

Proxy services allow users to quickly change their IP address to another country. The steps usually involve accessing a safe proxy website, using the URL bar available on the proxy website, typing the URL of the web page the user wants to access, and then clicking the Go button (or similar). This is usually available beside the URL input field on the official proxy website.

The best tools to use proxy services are generally just websites, apps, and browser extensions. Using a proxy is also arguably the easiest method to change IP address as it generally only involves accessing a website. It is not usually necessary to download or pay for any services. Proxy services have a good number of advantages, including reduced loading times, access to restricted websites/apps, and reasonable protection from phishing and malicious websites.

3. Use Tor to Change Your IP Address to Another Country

Tor is another effective method to change the IP address to another country with added anonymity and privacy. To use Tor, go to the official website of Tor, download the Tor browser for the right platform from the homepage, install the downloaded file, and launch the Tor browser. It is possible to select a specific country within the Tor settings. Linux users can also go to the Software Center of the Linux distribution in use to get the Tor browser without going to the official website.

Tor is another relatively easy way to change the IP address, however, it does require a download. The best tools to access Tor are simply the official browser and the official app available for mobile devices.

On the other hand, using Tor does greatly reduce internet speeds and can cause website to load incorrectly. There is also a lack of customization and encryption options as well as a significant P2P vulnerability.

4. Use a Fake IP Generator to Change Your IP Address to Another Country

Random IP generators are a lesser-known method used to change IP address. To do this, visit a fake IP generator website, and select the number of fake IP addresses needed. The website should then produce multiple IP addresses that can be used. Using these IP address can involve taking different steps depending on the operating system of the user. For example, Windows users should then go to the Control Panel and then to Network Connections. From there, click on Properties and then TCP/IP to finally input the fake IP address.

The best tools to use for fake IP generation are the websites accessible via any mainstream search engine. This method is one of the more difficult options on this list because it involves manually changing the network configuration. There is also room for manual error here. The main advantages of using fake IP generators are the fact it is free and causes minimal reduction in internet speeds. However, IP generators do not provide extra security/ privacy and are less likely to provide access to blocked content.

5. Use Smart DNS to Change Your IP Address to Another Country

Smart DNS services are able to change the IP address of a device by re-routing its internet data through a server that is located in another country. This usually involves visiting the official website of the Smart DNS provider, signing up for a package, downloading the SmartDNS app, launching the app, and selecting a server to turn on SmartDNS. However, there are simpler methods: users can also change the DNS of the device in question to another DNS that changes the IP address.

The best tools for using Smart DNS are specific DNS addresses offered by SmartDNS services and SmartDNS features which are available in some VPN apps. In terms of ease of implementation, smart DNS is fairly simple but more cumbersome than other methods on this list.

The advantages of using Smart DNS to change IP addresses are fast speeds, simple configuration, and the fact it is relatively economical (but not usually free). On the other hand, Smart DNS services do not offer encryption, or extra privacy and anonymity. There are also many untrustworthy smart DNS services. Finally, this method does not technically create a real IP address change.

What is the Safest Method to Change IP Address to Another Country?

Using a VPN is the safest method to change IP address to another country for many reasons. Perhaps the most significant is the fact that all modern VPN service providers offer secure VPN apps that use AES 256-bit encryption, providing near military-grade protection.

VPNs also usually offer servers in hundreds of countries and have thousands of servers. A huge server network ensures that the user gets lots of options to change IP addresses to many different countries rather than just a few. Frequent IP address changes are great for added security and privacy since hackers can’t locate the user to attack and advertising companies can’t track the user through a given IP address.

Most VPN services providers also offer advanced security features such as auto-connect and kill Switch. The Kill Switch and auto-connect feature ensure the user’s data is not exposed even when there is no VPN connection. More specifically, the auto-connect feature ensures the user’s internet traffic is not exposed for any period of time. These features are not available with any of the other options on this list.

What are the Advantages of Changing the IP Address to a Different Country?

The advantages of changing IP address to a different country are given below:

• Remain Anonymous Online
• Appear From a Different Location
• Unblock Sites
• Access Blocked Content Everywhere
• Bypass Online Censorship
• Avoid Online Surveillance
• Encrypt your Internet Connection Over Public Wi-Fi

1. Remain Anonymous Online

Privacy is a fundamental right and with cybercrime always on the rise, remaining anonymous online is essential. Changing the IP address makes users appear to be from a different country to websites/hackers/advertising companies.

Preventing websites from connecting IP addresses to user activity also reduces the amount of information advertisers can collect on users, reducing overall user manipulation. Changing IP address to a country with robust data privacy laws can also thwart attempts of cybercriminals to use a given IP address to steal data and user identity.

2. Appear From a Different Location

Changing IP address can make the user appear to be from a different location which can lead to massive savings while purchasing goods and services online. A good example of this is the purchase of event tickets as online booking agencies charge different rates for different countries. Some other services also record the IP address of the user, determine the user’s country and then change the price according to the GDP per capita of the country.

Some websites also track users to look at the products seen (by the user) before and then accordingly increase prices (shown to a given user) knowing the user is interested and hence willing to pay more.

3. Unblock Sites

The rise of streaming content has led to more geo-restrictions by streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, amongst others. Changing IP addresses with the help of the methods above can remove the geo-restriction and allow users to access content only intended for a specific country. For example, Netflix has a different selection of content for each country, with many shows only being available in certain countries. If a Netflix show is only available in the US, it is possible to select a US IP address to watch it.

With that said, users should always pay attention to the Terms of Service agreement available on streaming sites. Such documents notify users of the type of activities allowed and prohibited. Another issue readers should pay attention to is the fact that using a VPN to circumvent geo-restrictions may lead to legal trouble in some countries.

4. Access Blocked Content Everywhere

Sometimes a site may be available in every country but the type of content on the site may be blocked based on the location of the user. Changing IP address is a simple way around this, enabling access to blocked content. This is especially useful for people traveling to areas where there are many geo-restrictions. In some countries, for example, social media platforms and websites do not deliver the type of content that may offend the government or the general population of that country. Changing one’s IP address can enable access to such content. As previously mentioned, users should make sure that changing an IP address to view blocked content on a site that isn’t blocked is legal. Other places where changing IP addresses can allow access to blocked content include University campuses, schools, and offices.

5. Bypass Online Censorship

Online censorship is not as simple as blocked websites. Governments and internet service providers can engage in online censorship by blocking apps, browser extensions, forums, and products. Changing an IP address can get rid of online censorship since governments and ISPs can only carry out censorship programs with the help of IP addresses. Users who have the IP address of a country with no online censorship can make use of all online apps, and products among other offerings.

6. Avoid Online Surveillance

Governments like to keep an eye on the type of internet activity citizens take part in online. Even when there is no content blocked, surveillance programs quietly work in the background collecting information on online users.

Changing one’s IP address can thwart attempts at monitoring and collecting data. When the user changes IP address, surveillance programs attach specific internet activity to the new (changed) IP address rather than the original IP address of the user. This way online users can escape the clutches of even the most elaborate surveillance programs.

7. Encrypt your Internet Connection Over Public Wi-Fi

Changing IP addresses (and encrypting internet traffic via a VPN) can help users stay safe from snoopers and other interceptors. Changing the IP address means that the admin behind the public WiFi network or ISP would not have any opportunity to connect the activities of the user with the original IP address.

Which Country should You Change Your IP Address to?

The countries users should change IP address to are given below:

• Netherlands

The country users should change their IP address to is mainly dependent on the needs of the user, the distance between the user’s real location and the location of the desired country, whether or not P2P is easily enabled for IP addresses of the new country, and whether or not privacy is required.

In most cases, the US comes out as the best country users should change location to for the simple reason that almost all streaming services offer the best content on the US library versions (US Netflix and US Amazon Prime Video have more movies and TV series than any other country’s versions). There are also very few blocked websites or monitoring programs like those found in countries like Iran and China.

This does not mean that the US is the ideal place for privacy and security though. New stories of how government agencies in the US have expanded surveillance programs over the past decade are too many to mention here.

For users who want maximum privacy and security along with few online restrictions and censorship programs, Iceland and Estonia seem to be the best options. Other countries users can change their IP addresses to include Malaysia, Switzerland, Germany, and Canada as almost all offer good privacy laws along with the necessary online freedoms.

How to Manually Change Your IP Address to One in the Same Country

Changing IP address manually to one in the same country will require slightly different steps depending on the operating system of the device the user is on. But the general ways to change IP address will remain the same.

Steps for changing IP address manually on Windows are given below.

• Open the Control Panel

• Go to Network And Internet and then Network & Sharing Center

• Click on Network Connections (or first click on Change Adapter Settings and then on Network Connections)
• Select the WiFi or Ethernet connection of the device and left-click

• From the context menu click on Properties

• Go to TCP/IPv4

• Click on Properties again
• Choose the option that says “Use the following IP address”

• Provide an IP address

Mac users have to take similar steps, given below.

• Go to System Preferences
• Then go to Network
• Click on the IP address shown
• Modify the IP address by first going to Advanced.
• Then hit the TCP/IP option
• Change the IP address

How to change location and IP address with a VPN

Find out how to change your location and IP address using a virtual private network.

Although the primary use of a VPN for many is online security and anonymity, lots of people download them thanks to their ability to change the location of the IP address of your laptop, mobile, tablet and even your entire router, to somewhere entirely different.

And why would they want to do that? Maybe it's to get around the blocks that some offices and countries put on social media sites and apps like Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. And another popular use-case is to watch overseas Netflix catalogs and stream foreign sport.

In internet slang, this process is often called ‘geo-spoofing’, but it’s very straightforward. We’ll show you the easiest way how to change location with a VPN.

The best VPN in the world right now is ExpressVPN Of the hundreds of VPNs that we have reviewed, ExpressVPN tops the lot. Its pure speed and watertight security are a great start, and then there's the sheer amount of global servers it has and adaptability to tons of devices and streaming boxes.

It also comes with a 30-day money back guarantee and if you use the following link, you can claim 3 months FREE and a year of unlimited secure cloud backup from Backblaze with an annual plan.

Why use a VPN to change IP address and location? 

The most popular reason to change your IP address is to access region-locked content. For instance, some of the best Netflix US shows aren’t available to the streaming service’s subscribers in the rest of the world, while BBC iPlayer is similarly blocked for anybody outside the UK.

And then there may be certain sporting events you want to see that simply aren't being broadcast where you live. If streaming is your main concern, you’ll want to look for the best Netflix VPN and streaming VPNs .

Masking your true IP address is also a great way to stay more anonymous and, by definition, secure when you're online. In basic terms, they prevent the online activities you partake in from being known to the prying eyes of your internet service provider and even your government. Of course, the end-to-end encrypted VPN tunnels they use don't hurt, either! You can read more about this in our guide How does a VPN work?  

How to change location on phone, laptop, and more 

Believe it or not, this is actually the easy bit. Simply scroll below and follow the easy steps to change location with a VPN - in this case, ExpressVPN : 

• Download and install ExpressVPN by clicking here  
• Log-in and you should be offered a list of VPN connections 
• Pick the country you want your computer to change location and click the appropriate button  
• That’s it – it may take a few seconds, but your chosen VPN’s servers will do the grunt work for you and give you a new IP address 

The steps above are based on a macOS computer, but you'll be able to follow a similar process on other desktop operating systems and will also find VPN apps available for Android and iOS mobile devices. The very best software will make this nice and easy for you, that's why we like providers such as ExpressVPN and NordVPN so much.

You can make things even easier for yourself by installing a Chrome VPN extension in your browser.  

Changing IP address with free VPNs 

If you’re working to a tighter budget, you may be considering one of the best free VPNs out there.

However, most “free” VPN providers are forced to limit their bandwidth, which makes it unsuitable for accessing some geo-location services like video streaming websites. The provider also has to make money somehow, so may ask you to view ads or sell your personal data to third parties.

If you’re still determined to give free VPN providers a try, click here for our roundup of the more reliable ones. 

Some providers aren’t careful about what ads they show, some of which may contain links to malware. Consider installing an adblocker if you don’t have one already.  

Location lockout 

Unfortunately some websites and online services like Netflix are using advanced detection methods to check whether you’re connecting via a VPN. If this is detected then they may block you from viewing content or force you to access only the same data you could before.

This is a particularly common problem if you use a shared IP address, as these may be used by other people trying to “geo-spoof” their location in the same way you are. Some VPN providers such as NordVPN can actually provide a dedicated IP address if you’re willing to pay a little more per month.

However, before you go ahead and hand over more money, there are some quick fixes you can try. 

For starters, see if you can simply switch servers. Many providers offer VPN servers in multiple locations. For instance, ExpressVPN has a vast network of over 3,000 servers in 90 countries, so it’s easy to check a few different ones in your country of choice. In our latest review ExpressVPN was also able to access some geo-specific services like Netflix.

If this doesn’t work, it’s possible that you may have browsing data like cookies saved on your device which reveal your true location. 

The most common way this happens is when you first visit a website. A pop-up can appear asking if you want to share your location with it. If you’ve clicked Allow then this website will always know where you really are, even if you’re using a VPN.

Some websites may also be able to detect cookies on your browser, which reveal your true location. The best way to make sure this doesn’t happen is to clear your browser cache .

Be warned though, this will clear all your browsing history including useful links and cookies. As an alternative consider using your web browser in incognito mode . Using incognito mode in itself won’t change your supposed location - you’ll still need to use a VPN. 

For other Google products, you may also need to turn off location tracking services, as websites may be able to find you this way too. 

If you’re using Chrome on a computer, simply follow these steps: 

• Navigate to a Google search page 
• Click the padlock to the left of the website address
• Select Permissions > Location Access
• Select Block for current search engine

If you’re generally worried about sharing your data with Google, there are alternative search engines available which don’t record your IP address or personal data such as DuckDuckGo . You may also want to consider using a less intrusive web browser with more security and privacy options such as Mozilla Firefox .

Some VPN providers such as NordVPN offer browser add-ons which will automatically update your location for you. For more advice, see our guide How to choose the right VPN for you .

Fixing DNS leaks 

Another way in which websites can find out your real location, even though you’re using a VPN is through DNS leak . Some VPN providers will encrypt your web traffic but won’t forward DNS requests from your devices to their servers, instead letting you use the ones your ISPs provided. This is known as DNS leak and makes it easy to detect your real location, as well as which websites you visit.

Luckily there are ways to check that your VPN provider doesn’t do this. If your VPNS provider doesn’t use its own DNS servers to handle your requests, consider switching to one that does.  

DIY VPNs 

If you’re using a secure browser but all your VPN providers' servers keep being blocked, you can take matters into your own hands and set up a VPN server of your own. You’ll need some network administrator experience to do this but free and open source software like Outline VPN is designed specifically to let you easily set up your own VPN service. 

In order to do this you’ll need to have your own server. For most VPN applications a virtual private server or VPS should be perfectly fine.  

Contact the provider 

If all else fails, you may need to contact the service provider and ask if you can use the VPN with a service. Netflix, for instance, supports using VPNs only to view its own licensed content. It also doesn’t support using VPNs on its Basic ad-supported plan.

If the billing address for your payment card is also set to a particular country, your provider may only show you content on that basis too. If you’ve moved to a new country, you can open an account there. Alternatively you may be able to buy a prepaid gift card for the country whose content you want to access. 

Other VPN uses

Some countries censor popular websites entirely. China’s outright ban on Facebook and Twitter being one of the better known examples -– which is why we’ve tested the best VPNs for China . 

Or aside from the streaming and app accessing, there's also the security concern -  you may not want search engines logging your online activity. The data gleaned from such tracking helps advertisers target you with what they consider to be relevant content across multiple platforms. The list of VPN uses seems to go on and on. 

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Nate Drake is a tech journalist specializing in cybersecurity and retro tech. He broke out from his cubicle at Apple 6 years ago and now spends his days sipping Earl Grey tea & writing elegant copy.

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How to change your IP address

Want to change your IP address? It's easy — here's how to do it

How to change your IP address is a task you should know how to do, especially if you’re concerned about privacy and security. Thankfully, there are several easy ways to make that change.

But why change your IP address in the first place? One reason is that when browsing the internet at home, all of your traffic is tied back to your IP address. This makes it possible for your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to monitor you. Using the IP address your ISP provides also makes it easy for said provider to build a profile of your activity and enable targeted advertising.

Changing your IP address to one that’s based in another country also gives you access to that country’s streaming content, while changing your IP address via a gaming proxy server can also help you improve your performance.

With that said, this is how to change your IP address whether you're using a computer that runs Windows 11 or macOS .

How to change your IP address the easy way

The simplest way to change your IP address is to unplug your modem. Keep in mind that this may not work on the first try. It’s even possible that you’ll need to leave your router unplugged overnight.

1. Check your IP address . Our guide on how to find your IP address details the steps.

2. Unplug your router for five minutes . This may take longer, depending on your ISP.

3. Plug your router back in and check to see if your IP has changed . If not, repeat the steps .

How to change your IP address with a VPN

Changing your IP address with one of the  best VPN  services is one of the easiest ways to stop your ISP monitoring your internet activity, and changing to an address that’s based in another country can also give you access to that country’s streaming content. Thankfully, almost all providers make it a relatively straightforward task.

If you’re signed up to one of the many quality consumer VPN providers on the market, it couldn’t be simpler to change your IP address using a VPN . If you’re not, we recommend ExpressVPN — Tom's Guide readers can currently claim three months free on a 12-month plan .

1. Open up your VPN application . If this is the first time you’ve used it, accept any requirements it asks for on your device.

2. Select which server you want to connect to . If you’re just looking for privacy, choose one in your home country . If you want to access content from another country, pick one in your desired location .

3. Press the connect button — it should be easy to find.

4. Wait a few seconds for the VPN to connect. You'll now be using a new IP address.

How to automatically update your IP address: Windows

1. Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run box.

2. Type "cmd" in the search bar then hit Enter to open the command prompt box.

3. Type "ipconfig /release" . Be sure to include the space between "ipconfig" and "/release". Hit Enter . A wall of text will flood the screen.

4. Type "ipconfig /renew" and hit Enter . Close the command prompt window afterward.

How to automatically update your IP address: macOS

1. Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen. Click System Preferences .

2. Select Network .

3. Click Advanced .

4. Click TCP/IP on the following screen then click Renew DHCP Lease .

How to manually change your IP address: Windows

If you have an IP address you want to use, this is how you can manually set it on Windows.

1. Press the Start icon in the taskbar. Alternatively, click on the search icon .

2. Type "settings" .

3. Click Network & Internet in the following box.

4. Select your network (either Wi-Fi or Ethernet).

5. Find IP assignment and click Edit .

6. Click on the drop-down menu and select Manual .

7. Toggle IPv4 on .

8. On the following screen, set your IP address , along with Subnet mask, Gateway and Preferred DNS. You can also select Alternate DNS . Click save .

How to manually change your IP address: macOS

If you have an IP address you want to use, this is how you can manually set it on macOS.

1. Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the desktop and select System Preferences . On the System Preferences window that appears, click Network .

2. Click your current network and select Advanced .

3. Click the TCP/IP tab . Choose Manually from Configure IPv4.

4. Type a new IP Address . Click OK and then Apply .

Now you know how to change IP address, why not check out our other computing guides, including how to open HEIC files on Windows , how to use task scheduler on Windows , how to turn off automatic updates on Windows 10 , how to split your screen on Mac and how to recover data from a hard drive .

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Tony is a computing writer at Tom’s Guide covering laptops, tablets, Windows, and iOS. During his off-hours, Tony enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, reading speculative fiction novels, and spending too much time on Twitter. His non-nerdy pursuits involve attending Hard Rock/Heavy Metal concerts and going to NYC bars with friends and colleagues. His work has appeared in publications such as Laptop Mag, PC Mag, and various independent gaming sites.

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01net Best VPN 2023: Top 10 Most Reliable VPN Providers How to Change Your IP Address? Here’s How to Hide Your IP Easily How to Get an IP Address from Another Country

How to Get an IP Address from Another Country

An IP address is the single most important information about you in the online world. The most obvious bit of information that it produces is your location, which can be used to prevent access to particular websites and portals that aren’t available in your country.

For this reason, people are looking to get an IP address in another country, in a bid to bypass annoying geo-restrictions and access foreign content easily. The bad news is that changing your IP to another country is impossible unless you travel to that region.

However, if you use a VPN to get an IP in another country, that might not be the case. Today, I’ll explain to you how to change your IP to ANY region without the need to leave the comfort of your home, which is one of the easiest things to do.

How to Change My IP to Any Country? 5 Simple Steps!

As said, using a VPN, you can easily change your IP to any location you want. A VPN is here not only to change your IP but also to ensure safety and security online by applying encryption, which makes your traffic untraceable by hackers or your ISP.

In this process, you can also enjoy geo-restricted online content and streaming platforms. However, choosing a good VPN is vital in this case, so don’t just rush and get the one that won’t satisfy your needs.

Luckily, I have a great option, so let me show you how to use it in a few simple steps.

Step 1: Subscribe to a VPN

There you go – to change IP to another country, I recommend using ExpressVPN . This VPN has 3,000+ servers in 105 countries and 160+ worldwide locations. This lets you change your IP to 160+ different locations with a single click of a mouse!

A VPN this large isn’t going to be free, but you shouldn’t worry. It comes with a big 49% discount and 3 months free for the 1-year plan, lowering its price significantly. The current deal is backed up by a 30-day money-back guarantee for all subscription plans.

Visit ExpressVPN

Therefore, you can get a refund in the first 30 days if you’re not satisfied or you don’t need it anymore, not losing a dollar in the process. To subscribe to ExpressVPN, use the button above to get the cheapest deal.

The 3 best VPNs to change IP and region in 2023:

Step 2: Install a VPN

The next step is to install the VPN app on your device. You can change your IP to another country on any platform, so don’t limit yourself just to Windows or Mac, even if ExpressVPN is the best VPN on Mac .

Whatever the case, once you subscribe to ExpressVPN, it’ll let you download the app for your device.

Do so, and follow the on-screen steps to install the application.

Step 3: Open the App and Sign In

Now, open the application and sign in using your email and password from the registration process. ExpressVPN also gives you the activation code, so you can use it if prompted – it really doesn’t matter.

Step 4: Change Your IP to Another Country

To change your IP to another country, you need to connect to a VPN server in the region of your choice. Did you make up your mind? Which country is it going to be? In my case, I’ll change my IP address to Canada.

To do so, I’ll click on the three horizontal dots displayed, I’ll choose All Locations, and find Canada under the “Americas” option. Once I find it, I’ll double-click on it to connect to a server and change my IP to Canada .

As you can see, it’s pretty simple and requires a few mouse clicks to complete. Of course, the same process applies to changing your IP to any other country, so if you want Japan, you’ll look in “Asia Pacific” and if you want Germany, you’ll look in “Europe”.

Change IP with ExpressVPN

Step 5: Check Your New IP Address

Not sure if you got a new IP? Well, simply visit iplocation.net or ipleak.net and you’ll be able to see your new IP address, plus the country/location associated with it. Below, you can see that my new IP is located in Canada, which I wanted to achieve.

Why Should I Change My IP to Another Country?

Changing your IP address to another country yields many benefits, especially if you use a quality VPN like ExpressVPN. They include:

Bypassing Geo-Restrictions

The first reason to change your IP to another country is to bypass geo-restrictions and unblock sites . If you want to watch sports live streams or enjoy a TV channel from another country, you won’t be able to do it unless you have a corresponding IP address.

However, with ExpressVPN, you can pretend that you’re located there by getting an IP based in that location. This way, you can unblock any geo-restricted site, whether we’re talking about a streaming platform, betting site, or banking-related websites.

For instance, getting a UK IP gives you access to BBC iPlayer, while a US IP gives you access to platforms like Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+.

Watching Foreign Netflix Catalogs

Now that I touched on streaming, this is the #1 reason why people choose to change their IP to another region/location. However, the most prominent reason is to access foreign Netflix catalogs . As you know, Netflix has different libraries based on your country.

But if you get an IP address from Japan , Canada, or the US, you’ll be able to access these libraries and watch movies/shows that you can’t find when using your native IP. This is possible only with a quality VPN, though, so make sure you use ExpressVPN in this case.

Browsing the Web Safely

Using a VPN also encrypts your connection and makes it untraceable and unreadable by hackers, snoopers, and your ISP.

As such, a VPN like ExpressVPN will let you enjoy browsing safely and anonymously, which is one of its main benefits.

Anonymous Torrenting

The same applies to downloading torrents. Connecting to a VPN server anonymizes your connection, so you can even enjoy P2P activities without anyone knowing about it. Just make sure you stay on the legal side and avoid downloading copyrighted content.

Despite the ability to do that as well without repercussions, we don’t recommend violating copyrights for obvious reasons.

Saving Money on Flight Tickets

Did you know that the prices of flight tickets depend on your location among other factors?

By changing your IP to a less developed country, you can save a LOT of money on flight tickets and be able to enjoy vacations for significantly less money. If you’re traveling a lot, there’s your way to still make savings while satisfying your hedonistic needs.

I Don’t Want to Use a VPN – What Else Can I Do?

If you don’t want to use a paid VPN , you can use less efficient methods. However, beware that these methods aren’t as safe and often come with more than a few limits. The methods to change your IP to another country that come to my mind are the following:

Proxies are the go-to option for people who don’t want to spend money on a VPN. They’re free and they seemingly work… Right? Well, not exactly. First, most proxies don’t allow you to change your IP to the country you want.

And if they do, they offer two or three locations in the best case, so chances are that you won’t find the country of your choice. Then, we should mention that proxies have no security features, so your connection can still be traced to your original IP address.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the people behind proxies are usually unknown, so you don’t know if a proxy service tends to collect your personal info and hand it to third parties to make a profit.

Last but not least is that proxies won’t work for torrenting, unblocking geo-restricted sites, or watching Netflix. They can’t unblock any geo-restricted content, making them useful only if we’re talking about firewall restrictions, in which case, they won’t always work reliably. You can find more details in my VPN vs proxy comparison.

Free VPNs follow a similar route, with the difference of offering real servers, albeit just a few of them. They give you limited monthly bandwidth, poor performance, and very few security features, making them vastly inferior to ExpressVPN or any other paid provider.

They also tend to store logs and sell them to advertisers for additional revenue. On top of that, they’re known for displaying ads and pop-ups, which further ruins your browsing experience and makes everything slow and tedious.

Some of the VPNs you should avoid include Ninja VPN, Hola, Betternet, and many others. These are not secure, despite offering unlimited bandwidth for free – stay clear of free VPN services like this if you want to preserve your privacy even the slightest.

Verdict: Use a VPN!

To get an IP address in the country of your choice, my recommendation is to use ExpressVPN. Having its security, performance, and 160 worldwide locations in mind, this is THE best way to change your IP to a foreign country and circumvent annoying geo-restrictions.

While not a free option, you still have a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you use it without losing any money in the first 30 days. As such, you can test ExpressVPN for free , experience all the benefits, and decide whether or not you want to keep using it.

Try ExpressVPN Risk-free now

Let’s finally discuss a few more questions regarding an IP change to another country.

Can I change my IP to another country by resetting a router?

Resetting your router can change your IP address. However, you’ll just get another address from your ISP’s pool, which means you’ll still have the same online location. This method is useful for circumventing IP bans, for instance, but not for pretending you’re somewhere else.

The best way to alter your online location is by using a VPN. You’ll be connected to a remote server somewhere else, which assigns you an IP from that server. If a server is in Australia, let’s say, you’ll be given an Australian IP and so on…

Will changing my IP slow down my internet?

It depends on which method you’re using. Proxies will slow down the connection because they’re not made for high-speed connections and blazing-fast performance. Even VPNs can slow down your speed if you’re using free providers or those with inherently slow servers.

However, if using ExpressVPN or CyberGhost, the story is different. These VPNs offer 10 Gbps servers in 100+ countries, making the speed reduction barely noticeable. Closeby servers won’t reduce your speed either, leaving you to browse, stream, or download with 100% of your network capabilities.

Is it necessary to change my IP to another country?

Again, it depends. If you’re looking to get over geo-blocks or unblock foreign TV channels, it is. Basically, geo-restricted content requires you to alter your online location to access it. But if you’re just seeking to remove an IP ban or bypass certain firewall restrictions, it’s not always necessary.

In this case, you can use a VPN and connect to a server in your country. Or perhaps, you can change your IP by resetting your router, albeit, this method never works too well. In simple words, a VPN will be the most superior option , especially feature-packed ExpressVPN.

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• How to Change your IP address

How to change your IP address safely and easily in 2023

In today’s interconnected world, understanding how to change your IP address can be valuable. Whether you want to protect your online privacy, bypass geographic restrictions, or troubleshoot network issues, modifying your IP address gives you greater control over your internet experience.

Many people find the process of changing their IP address intimidating or confusing, asking questions like “What is an IP address?”, “Why would I want to change it?”, and most importantly, “How can I change it without breaking anything?”.

With our years of experience in the field, we can help demystify the concept of an IP address and provide you with clear, concise instructions on how to change them.

How to change your IP address with a VPN

Changing your IP address with a VPN is simple. All you need to do is install a secure VPN, connect to a server and your IP address will change. It’s that easy! But, we do offer more information on the process below.

If you don’t want to use a VPN, there are other tools that allow you to change your IP, such as a proxy, and we cover these later in this guide. But, be aware that other options won’t offer you the same security as a VPN.

What are the best VPNs to change your IP address?

• NordVPN : The best VPN to change your IP address . Fast servers in 59 countries. Apps for all popular devices. Many advanced features. No-logging policy. Works with Netflix US, iPlayer, and many more. TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for changing your IP.
• Surfshark : Best budget VPN to change your IP. Allows an unlimited number of connections. Great for families. Apps for all popular devices. Built-in adblocking and malware filtering. 30-day money-back guarantee.
• ExpressVPN : A superb all-rounder. Fast speeds thanks to its Lightway protocol. Servers in 94 countries. Works with around two-dozen Netflix regions.
• CyberGhost : Best way to change your IP for beginners. Over 7000 fast servers in 89+ countries. Fast Wireguard connections. Apps for all devices. Easy to use apps with fewer advanced settings.
• IPVanish : A fast US VPN with a proprietary network. Lots of advanced security features. No logs policy. Works with Netflix US. Apps for all platforms.
• PrivateVPN : Perfect for IP changing while torrenting. Kill-switch and obfuscation features. Robust AES encryption. Great speeds. Servers in 63+ countries.
• AtlasVPN : Excellent option for changing your IP. Works with most streaming services, like iPlayer, Hulu, Netflix, and more. Servers in 30+ countries. Includes malware filtering.

WANT TO TRY THE BEST VPN RISK FREE?

NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up at this page . You can use the VPN rated #1 for changing your IP address without limits or restrictions for a month—great if you want to bypass censorship or geo-restrictions.

There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't right for you and you'll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here .

Why would I need to change my IP address?

Many online services are geo-restricted, which means they are not available outside of their country of origin. The only way to access those services from abroad is to connect to a VPN server in that location. This gives you a valid IP address and causes the website or online service to become available again.

If you travel abroad on vacation, services from back home, such as internet banking or streaming services, will be geo-restricted. As a result, you will need to use a VPN to get an IP address in your home country.

Finally, a VPN can help you get around government, ISP, or local network restrictions. By connecting to a VPN, you can get an IP address in a country where locally censored content is still available. Thanks to the privacy provided by the VPN, you can access those usually censored services without being tracked.

Best VPNs for changing your IP address – Our hands-on review

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for changing your IP address .

How to find your current IP address

When you use a VPN it changes your IP address, and you can easily use a tool like ipleak.net to check that the VPN has correctly altered your IP address. The nice thing about IP checking tools is that they not only show your IP address but also the geographical location of that IP address.

This means that if you live in France and connect to a VPN server in New York, the IP address tool will clearly show your location as New York, making it pretty obvious that the VPN is working properly to alter your IP address location.

Of course, if a VPN is working properly, you should also see no DNS leaks or WebRTC leaks in the test results. You can find out more about these types of leaks, and how to check for them, in our detailed guide. So follow the link to find out more.

If you are interested in knowing what your home IP address is (perhaps because you want to share it with a trusted third party, or simply because you want to know your home IP address for interest’s sake) you can find it by using the same tool you use to check that a VPN is working.

You can follow the steps below to find out your home IP address:

• Make sure you aren’t connected to a VPN or any other location spoofing application (browser extension proxy, Tor, etc).
• Head over to our IP address checking tool in your browser
• Make a note of your IP address (it is the string of numbers that appears next to the words Your IP address: )

Now that you know your IP address, you can easily use it to double-check that a VPN is working properly when you connect to its servers. When connected to a VPN, you should not be able to see your real IP address in any of the results. Instead, you should detect an IP address for the remote location.

How to change your public IP address

Here are a few ways to change your public IP address(es):

1. Connect to a VPN to change your IP address

Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN encrypts your internet connection and routes it through a server in a location of your choosing. Websites, online services, and other devices on the web will only see the VPN server’s IP address and not your real IP address.

VPNs are useful for torrenting, unblocking region-locked content like that from Netflix and BBC iPlayer, and bypassing censorship at schools, in offices, and in countries like China.

Most VPNs can easily hide your IPv4 address, but many VPNs can leak your IP address through various security vulnerabilities. Furthermore, not all VPNs hide your IPv6 address. Choose a VPN that either disables IPv6 or can prevent IPv6 leaks by default.

If you’re not sure how to set up a VPN just follow the simple steps below.

Here’s how to change your IP address with a VPN:

• Sign up for a suitable VPN provider ( we recommend NordVPN ).
• Download the appropriate VPN app for your device.
• Open the VPN app and select a server, within your own country is fine although if you want to access a specific service make sure to choose a server in a country where it’s unblocked.
• That’s it! You should now have a different IP address.

2. Use a proxy to change your IP address

Proxies work similarly to VPNs but with far less versatility and security. Your internet connection goes through a middleman server so that websites and other online resources see the proxy server’s IP address and not your own. Unlike VPNs, proxies often lack encryption, only affect certain apps, and can leak your IP address through other means.

A few different types of proxies can be used to change your IP address:

• HTTP/S proxies – Usually either browser extensions or special websites that work like a browser within your browser. They only change the IP address on data sent to and from your browser, but do not affect other apps or even DNS traffic. If encryption is included, these are sometimes called SSL proxies.
• SOCKS proxies – General purpose proxy servers that can be configured for specific apps including most web browsers. SOCKS5 , the latest version, includes support for encryption.
• SSH proxies – SSH proxies forward internet traffic from apps like your web browser through a Secure Shell ( SSH ) connection to a server, so your IP address is changed to that of the server. Although encryption is included, SSH is not a particularly fast protocol, and many websites and apps might not function properly when connected.

3. Use Tor to change your IP address for free

Tor , short for T he O nion R outer, is a volunteer-run anonymity network. The easiest way to get started with Tor is to download and install the Tor Browser, a barebones web browser that routes all web traffic through the Tor network. Tor encrypts your connection several times and then sends data through multiple nodes—servers operated by volunteer Tor supporters. Each node strips away one layer of encryption, and the sequence of nodes used changes every time you access a different website. This makes it nearly impossible to trace Tor traffic back to the source.

Websites will see the IP address of the last node in the chain, called the Exit Node.

Tor is free, but has its drawbacks. It’s relatively slow and only really suited for basic web browsing. Tor’s anonymity means it is often associated with illicit activity and the dark web, so even though it’s not illegal, using it might draw unwanted attention from your ISP and possibly even law enforcement. Those entities can’t see what you do while connected to Tor, but they can see that you are connected to Tor nodes.

4. Change IP addresses by unplugging your modem

You might be able to get a new IP address by unplugging your internet modem, waiting a few minutes, and then plugging it back in again. When this happens, you release your existing IP address so that your ISP can recycle it. When you reconnect, your ISP assigns you a new IP address.

This method isn’t guaranteed to work because your ISP might just give you the same IP address again. The longer you leave your modem unplugged, however, the higher the chance your IP address changes. If unplugging for a few minutes doesn’t get the job done, consider leaving it unplugged overnight.

Your ISP must use dynamic IP addresses in order for this to work. Most do.

5. Ask your ISP to change your IP address

Another option is to ask your ISP for a new IP address. Every ISP has different policies about how they handle such requests, so responses may vary. At minimum, you’ll need your account information and current IP address on hand.

Most ISPs use dynamic IP address systems, meaning IP addresses occasionally change and get recycled as devices connect and disconnect from the internet. With that in mind, note that your new IP address might not stay the same forever.

In some cases, you can request a static IP address from your ISP, though this might require paying an extra fee and/or going through an application process. Once provided with a static IP address , you can enter it into your device’s network settings. Static IP addresses never change unless you manually change them.

6. Change networks to get a different IP address

This might seem obvious, but you can get a different IP address by disconnecting from whatever network you’re currently connected to and connecting to a different one. You can switch to a different wifi network, for example, or switch from wifi to a mobile data connection if you’re on a smartphone.

Remember that public and open wifi hotspots are often prime hunting grounds for hackers. Try to stick with a wifi network that requires a password and is encrypted with WPA2.

How to change your private IP address

If you’re connected to a wifi router, then you probably share a public IP address with all the other devices connected to the same network. Each device, however, has its own private, or local IP address.

Changing your local IP address won’t really affect how your device communicates with other devices and servers over the internet, but there might be instances in which you need a different private IP address. These include troubleshooting a malfunctioning router or configuring how local devices, such as printers and IoT devices , function on your home network.

Renew your local IP address

If you’re connected to wifi or some other type of local network, you can change your private IP address from the router admin panel or from the device itself. I’ll show you how to do it on Windows and MacOS.

Here’s how to renew your IP address on Windows:

• Search for the Command Prompt and right click it to Run as administrator
• Enter ipconfig /release
• Enter ipconfig /renew

You should now see a new local IP address.

Here’s how to renew your IP address on Mac:

• Click the Apple menu and open System Preferences
• Select Network
• Highlight the network that you’re connected to in the left pane
• Click Advanced…
• Select the TCP/IP tab
• Click Renew DHCP Lease

You Mac should now be assigned a new local IP address.

The process for changing local IP addresses on the router varies depending on your router manufacturer and firmware. You can usually access your router’s admin dashboard by opening a web browser and entering 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 in the address bar.

How do I change my IP address on my mobile device?

Changing your IP address is easy on a mobile phone or tablet device. All you need is a VPN. In this guide, we have recommended the best VPNs for changing your IP address. Our recommendations have servers located globally, to let you get an IP address wherever you need it. To change your IP address on a mobile device, follow the steps below:

• Sign up for the VPN by following the link in this guide ( we recommend NordVPN )
• Install the VPN app for Android or iOS onto your device. You can find it in your regular app store.
• Launch the VPN app and login using your credentials.
• Choose a VPN server from the list and click connect .
• Your IP address will change as soon as the VPN connection is established.

Static vs Dynamic IPs: What’s the difference?

Dynamic IP addresses

Each time you connect to the internet or reboot your router, a dynamic IP address changes – in other words, they’re temporary IP addresses. Dynamic IPs are common for home users due to their cost-effectiveness. However, if you perform tasks like hosting a website, it’s best to opt for a passive IP address for stability,

Static IP addresses

In contrast, Static IPs never change, regardless of how often you disconnect from the web. These are best suited to activities that require an IP address that doesn’t change, such as online gaming. Static IPs are a popular option for business users, but unlike dynamic IPs, they come at an added cost. One of the drawbacks of static IPs is their security risks, making it easier for cybercriminals to attack networks thanks to the constant IP address.

Choosing between a static IP or dynamic IP address will depend on your needs. If you’re browsing the web, scrolling socials, and streaming Netflix, a dynamic IP will do. A static IP is the way to go if you’re a hardcore gamer or host a web server.

Your ISP always knows your IP address

No matter what methods you use to change or hide an IP address, the internet service provider always knows public IP addresses. This is inevitable because in order to connect to the internet at all, your ISP must assign you an IP address, and it must know what that IP address is in order to transmit communication and data from the internet to your device.

So even if you used one of the above methods to mask your IP address from websites, services, and other devices on the internet, your ISP is an exception that can see behind the mask.

Even if your ISP can identify you by your IP address, however, you can hide your online activity through encryption. A VPN or Tor will encrypt all data before it ever leaves your device, so even though your ISP can see that you are communicating, it cannot see the contents of those communications.

If you need an easy way to change your IP address to that of a different ISP, try switching between wifi and your smartphone’s mobile data connection. Chances are, your phone carrier and home internet use different ISPs.

How to Change IP address: FAQs

Why does changing my ip address catch captcha requests.

Changing your IP address may result in you catching CAPTCHA requests. The reason for this is because the IP address in question is likely shared with many other users. From the perspective of an online service such as Google , it sees an unusually high number of requests from the same IP address. It then attempts to verify you’re human (as opposed to a bot!) by presenting you with CAPTCHAs.

Will a free VPN change my IP address?

Technically yes, you can change your IP address with a free VPN. There are, however, a few things about these services that make them less than ideal. For instance, free providers usually have very low monthly bandwidth limits and more users than their networks can support. This means that you may not be able to use the VPN as much as you like, and you’ll have to put up with slow speeds when you do get connected.

One of the main functions of a VPN is to keep you safe online. Unfortunately, free providers tend to forget this, with plenty falsely claiming to follow no-logs policies or overhyping the effectiveness of their security features. Why take a chance when your privacy is at stake? We’d recommend choosing a reputable no-logs provider instead of just using whatever is free.

Is it illegal to change my IP address?

No, it’s not illegal to change your IP address. Indeed, you can legally use a VPN in almost any country in the world without having to worry about breaking any laws. However, some online activities are still illegal regardless of whether you’ve used a VPN to change your IP. This includes torrenting copyrighted material or, in some countries, accessing betting websites .

Will a VPN ever expose my real IP address?

The short answer is no. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet, shielding your real IP address from anyone trying to track you online. The data passing through this tunnel is highly secured with strong encryption algorithms, making it nearly impossible for someone to determine which server or network you are connected to or even know who you are. However, there are a few situations when your real IP address can still be exposed:

• If a malicious actor takes control of the VPN server and gains access to its logs.
• If the VPN service provider stores information that includes IP addresses (although many reputable VPNs do not store any logs at all).
• If a website or service you connect to uses an IP address checker to detect your true identity.

In all these scenarios, it is important to remember that a VPN does provide additional security and privacy by masking your real location and the IP address from websites and services you visit. However, for the utmost security and anonymity, it is recommended that you also use other privacy tools such as browser extensions, secure browsers, and encrypted messaging apps in addition to a VPN. With this multi-layered approach to online security, you can rest assured knowing that your real identity will remain hidden no matter what situation arises.

Do I need a dedicated IP address?

You can use a shared IP address, but they tend to come with more risk. A dedicated or static IP address is recommended but there are only a handful of VPNs with dedicated IP addresses. Having a unique IP address can help to protect you from specific threats, such as a Brute Force attack , but it’s worth noting that it isn’t foolproof. You will also need to ensure you follow good online security practices, including strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and not accessing suspicious websites.

Can I get a new IP address from my ISP?

It’s possible to get a new IP address with some ISPs. However, it really depends on the ISP in question. If you find that your ISP don’t accept your request, you could try some of the other options as listed in this post (such as unplugging your router). Of course, the best way to change your IP address while enjoying additional security and privacy-related benefits is to use a VPN.

Can I choose which location my new IP address is in?

A VPN allows you to choose the location of the server to which you connect. The best VPNs offer servers in dozens of countries around the world. Once you connect to one of these servers, you’ll be assigned an IP address to match that location. For example, if you connect to a server in Australia, you’ll be given an Australian IP address . It’s that simple! So yes, you can choose the location your new IP address is in.

What should I do if my IP address isn't changing with my VPN?

When you connect to a VPN server, your IP address should change to be in the location you selected. A VPN is designed to encrypt your data and route it to the remote service location, and as long as it is working correctly, your IP address should always update to the corresponding location.

Unfortunately, some VPNs are broken. They do not properly conceal your home IP address from the websites you visit, and/or they fail to conceal your DNS requests from your ISP. These problems are called “leaks” and VPNs that suffer from leaks are completely failing to:

• Provide you with online privacy
• Conceal your IP address from the websites you visit

If you want to know whether your VPN is changing your IP address, we recommend that you use an online IP address-checking tool . The IP address and DNS request results should show as the location of the VPN server (not your real location).

If for any reason you see a local IP anywhere on the IP leak test’s website, then it is likely that your VPN is failing to properly hide your home IP address. That means that the VPN is either no good (you need a new one), or you need to update your VPN software to make sure it is up to date and working correctly.

Remember that it is important to use a reliable VPN like the ones recommended on this page, and to periodically check for IP leaks using an online IP address-checking tool to ensure your VPN is working correctly on your device.

Will resetting my router change my IP address?

When you restart your router your ISP assigns you a new dynamic IP address. However, if your IP address is static, rebooting your router will retain that IP address.

2 Comments Leave a comment

I used Express VPN, but my subscription just ended and I’m thinking of switching to Nord, because it’s cheaper ATM. By the way, you state that there’s a 2 year deal for Nord with 66% off. When I opened the link you provided it redirected me to a 3 year deal with 75% off. Don’t get me wrong, that’s great, but please fix your links, because they are misleading.

I read lots of your articles.I find them very educational.Please tell me am I correct to sense that you are somewhat bias towards “ExpressVpn”? Thereis one line I disagree as it is not my experience with the 2 VPN providers I have tried out.(Express & Nord)

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PRIVACY ALERT: Websites you visit can find out who you are

The following information is available to any site you visit:

Your IP Address:

Your Location:

Your Internet Provider:

This information can be used to target ads and monitor your internet usage.

Using a VPN will hide these details and protect your privacy.

We recommend using NordVPN - #1 of 76 VPNs in our tests. It offers outstanding privacy features and is currently available at a discounted rate.

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How to get British IP address

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Why you should change your IP address to the UK

Your original IP address can be traced, and it can provide a lot of information about you and your online activities. Some of the information that IP says about its owner is user’s geographic location, internet service provider, and browser info. That’s already strong enough reason to change your IP. However, here’s a list of other great reasons to get British IP address:

• You are a Brit traveling abroad and willing to unblock British websites and services like BBC iPlayer and ITV.
• You are an online marketer that wants to test your marketing campaigns in the UK.
• Are looking to improve your English knowledge by surfing the internet just like people in Great Britain.
• You want to protect your online identity from the British government, ISP and hackers.

Methods to get British IP address

There are many ways how you can change an IP to the United Kingdom. Some of the most common ways of getting Britons IP address include VPN service, SmartDNS, and Proxy services. Each of these services has its benefits and purpose. Therefore, keep reading to find out which is the best method for getting right service for IP in the UK.

Method 1: Virtual Private Network

VPN for the United Kingdom is the most secure way of changing an IP address. By connecting to a remote server in the UK, it hides your original Internet Protocol address and provides you with a new UK IP. Furthermore, it encrypts your internet traffic making your connection completely anonymous.

Best VPNs are easy to use and compatible with all devices and operating systems.

Moreover, with a VPN you can also get IPs from other countries if you need to access other sites. For example, by connecting to a USA server, you can get American IP address.

Method 2: SmartDNS Service

SmartDNS is an excellent way to change IP if you wish to unblock UK websites. However, it doesn’t encrypt your traffic. Therefore, it still lets third parties like ISPs, authorities, and snoopers see that you are acquiring Brit IP address and performing some not supported activities online.

The main benefit of SmartDNS is that it allows unblocking streaming media and watch live TV like BBC iPlayer and ITV from the United Kingdom with no speed loss.

Method 3: Web Proxy

Web Proxy is another very effective way to obtain IP address for Britons. It looks like a simple website, but it takes care of your internet requests.

Typically, when you open a web proxy, there is a URL bar where you can type in British website that you wish to access. The web proxy follows your request and opens the site displayed in a frame.

Moreover, the unblocked website will see the web proxy Great Britain IP instead of your own.

The main advantage to web proxy for the United Kingdom is that they are usually free. However, most of the web proxies are ad-supported. Therefore, you’ll see a lot of advertisement and popups. Furthermore, they are not secure, so we advise not entering any passwords or financial information.

Method 4: Free HTTP Proxy Servers

HTTP Proxies are similar to web proxies. However, they are configured in your web browser instead of typing in the UK URL into a separate website. Also, HTTP Proxy service for the United Kingdom hides your IP. Therefore, the website you open will only see the Brit IP provided by the HTTP Proxy service you use.

They are safer to use than web proxies, and no ads will appear. However, most of the services for Great Britain are not compatible with SSL. Therefore, they are not safe for accessing emails, making online purchases, logging into membership accounts, etc. Moreover, HTTP proxies are often overused. Therefore, they tend to be very slow. That’s why they aren’t perfect for streaming videos and watching live sports from the UK.

Method 5: Paid Proxy Service

If you need a reliable internet connection then paid British proxy is more suitable service over the web proxy and free HTTP proxy services. Similarly like other proxies, it routes your requests through a server in the United Kingdom. That is the simplest and most practical way for you to appear that you are browsing the internet with Britons IP address.

Furthermore, all of the fee-based proxies are SSL compatible. It offers faster speeds and provides safer access.

Which is the safest way to get English IP?

Above we have replied and highlighted the best methods to your question “how to change my IP to the United Kingdom?”. For sure, you will find the one that works the best for your needs. However, you should know that not all the methods for obtaining English IP address are equally excellent and safe. Here are a few things to look out for when using one of the ways mentioned above to change your IP address to the United Kingdom:

• Is the service free? If the service you are signing up for is entirely free, then you may experience some hassles and even security issues.
• It’s the only purpose is to change your IP to the United Kingdom? Methods like proxies and smart DNS are some of the services that only let you get IP from the United Kingdom and other places around the world. They are meant for you to access English sites and services from abroad, but they don’t offer any security. Therefore, your English ISP can still track your online actions and know what you’re up to.
• Does it provide data encryption? Services like VPN that lets you obtain English IP address not only offer a vast number of servers around the world but also gives you online privacy and data encryption. This means that when you use VPN for the United Kingdom IP access then your ISP isn’t able to see and track your online activities.

Being regular users of VPN services, we recommend this method as the safest way to get English IP address .

There are at least five ways how you can get British IP address from anywhere in the world. However, not all of them are safe and secure options. Therefore, we advise choosing the method #1 to change your IP address to the UK with the VPN service. VPN lets you stay anonymous when accessing blocked sites.

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How-To Geek

How to change your ip address.

Need to fix networking issues? Changing your IP address should help.

Quick Links

Why would you want to change your ip address, static vs. dynamic ips: should you get a static address instead, key takeaways.

The simplest way to change your IP address is to power off your router, wait at least 10 seconds, then power it back on. If that doesn't fix your problem, you may want to set a static IP address instead.

Changing your IP address is a simple fix for a number of networking issues. However, there's more than one way to cook that particular egg. So let's go over your options for getting a new IP address, and why you'd choose one over the other.

Your  IP address is a set of numbers that works both as a way to locate you in the real world as well as serves as your digital address. When you connect to the internet, for example, your internet service provider or ISP will assign you an IP that will reveal to the sites you visit where you're connecting from---it's why sites will usually change language when you're accessing them from abroad.

Changing your network IP will make you appear like you're somewhere else, great for circumventing censorship blocks or even changing your Netflix library to that of another country. However, that's not possible without using outside help, so to speak. You'll usually have to use a third-party program to alter your IP that way, and it only works while that program is active.

There are a few ways to temporarily change your IP like this, we discuss them at length in our article on how to hide your IP address . In most cases, your best bet is to use a virtual private network (VPN) to fake your IP and thus make it appear that you're somewhere else. It's pretty cool, and easy to do.

However, it's not just your internet connection that broadcasts an IP address: each device you own also has its own, unique IP. This is so each device can properly communicate with both the network and each other.

If there's a problem with your network's IP or that of a specific device, they may not connect properly or have some other issues. A VPN won't fix these problems, at least not for the long-term; the only way to get rid of these issues is to permanently change your IP address. Luckily, this isn't that hard to do.

The first way to fix any issues is to change your network's IP. This is a lot easier than you may think thanks to something called the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol . DHCP is a protocol---a set of rules that governs how machines "talk" to each other---which can change the IP address associated on the fly, hence "dynamic."

To do so, all you really need to do is turn your router off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it on again . (Simply resetting usually doesn't work, but it depends very much on the router.) Once the router is fully on and working again, you should have a new IP address.

You can, of course, check to make sure. To do so, before you switch off the router, find your IP address either by asking your favorite search engine what it is or using a tool like IPleak.net . Write down the IP, switch your router on and off, and then check again.

However, the above fix is a short-term one that mainly only works if you have a simple issue, like if your router suddenly starts acting up. If you have permanent networking issues with your devices, you may have to throw out DHCP altogether and instead set up a static IP address, one that doesn't change.

Related: How to Set Static IP Addresses on Your Eero Router

Setting a static IP address will hopefully get rid of any networking issues, or at least narrow down the list of possible causes for why your devices aren't talking to each other. That said, there are a few different ways to tackle this issue.

First off, you could reach out to your ISP and simply ask them to change your IP address. You'll probably have to explain what the issue is and walk through a few steps with them---this really depends on your ISP---but if the tech is worth their salt, they'll take care of it for you.

Manually Set a Static IP Address

However, that may not be necessary: there are plenty of ways you can track down and fix any issues yourself, starting with changing your router's IP to static. We have a full tutorial on how to set a static IP on your router , and this should hopefully change any issues you have on the network level.

That said, it could be your laptop or desktop causing the issues. In that case, you could try setting a static IP on your Windows computer ---or, if you prefer, using the Windows command prompt . Members of Team Penguin can check out this tutorial on how to set a static IP in Ubuntu . It's also worth noting that  iPhones have a built-in function for changing IPs and setting static ones too .

Whichever route you end up taking, with a few minutes of work your networking issues should be a thing of the past.

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> What Is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) And What Does It Do? > How to get an IP address for any country in 2023

How to get an IP address for any country in 2023

An IP address in another country provides access to geo-controlled content in that country. In this article, I’ll tell you about 7 top VPNs that provide IP addresses in other countries.

• At a Glance

Despite what many people think, your online activities aren’t private. In fact, your employer, Internet Service Provider (ISP), and in some countries, the government, can see exactly what you get up to on the internet. VPNs prevent this kind of monitoring by encrypting your traffic, ensuring that anyone without the correct decryption key will find it completely incomprehensible.

VPNs are also useful for accessing geo-restricted sites and services from abroad (like your favorite country version of Netflix). These platforms often check the user’s IP address to see if they’re located in a supported country and if not, refuse access.

• Can a VPN Grab IP Addresses in Other Countries?

When you connect to a VPN, you’re given a new, country-specific IP address. This means that once you’re connected, you’re free to use the internet as though you were actually in your chosen country.

WANT TO TRY THE TOP VPN RISK FREE?

NordVPN offers a risk-free trial period that is available by visiting this page . This allows internet users to give the top-ranked VPN a solid try with no restrictions. This makes it an excellent choice for those in search of an IP address in other countries.

There are no hidden terms - simply contact NordVPN support within 30 days if you decide the provider isn't right for you and you'll get your money back. Start your NordVPN trial here .

• Best VPNs for Getting an IP Address for Any Country

The seven VPN service providers listed below have proven to reliably obtain IP addresses from countries around the globe.

Best VPNs for getting an IP address:

• NordVPN : Best VPN to grab an IP address in any country. The provider’s large global server network provides reliable access to foreign IP addresses and geo-blocked content. NordVPN provides fast and well-protected connections for most popular devices. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Surfshark : Best budget IP grabber. This budget-priced VPN provides a reliable IP-grabbing option for internet users on a tight budget. Surfshark boasts an impressive global server network, fast connections, and comprehensive digital security and privacy. Offers simultaneous connections.
• ExpressVPN : Best Premium VPN. This provider asks for a premium price. However, it offers great bang for the buck. The provider boasts a large global server network, top-notch app and router support, and much more.
• CyberGhost : Easy global IP address for new users. First-time VPN users will appreciate Cyberghost’s comprehensive security and privacy protections, access to a massive global server network, fast connections, and easy-to-use apps.
• Private Internet Access (PIA) : Reliable Access to global IPs. PIA delivers fast, reliable access to IP addresses around the globe. The provider’s fast, well-protected connections provide reliable access to geo-controlled content.
• PrivateVPN : Mighty-mite VPN firm. While this provider’s global server count is the smallest on this list, the servers are located in 63+ countries. PrivateVPN provides comprehensive connection protection, fast connection, and excellent privacy protection.
• Atlas VPN : Unlimited global IP addresses. This VPN puts no limits on the number of devices you can connect to its global server network, providing unlimited global IP addresses.
• How to Change Your IP Address to Any Country

There’s no need to worry; even if you’ve never used a VPN before, getting a regional IP address is extremely simple:

• First, sign up for one of the VPNs listed below (I recommend NordVPN ).
• Download and install the appropriate version of the software for your device.
• Connect to a server in the country you’d like an IP address.
• You now have a country-specific IP address and should be able to access that country’s geo-blocked content. If you’re still having problems, try clearing your browser’s cookies and cache, then refreshing the page.

PAID VPN COVERAGE FOR FREE: Do you only need a VPN for a short time? If so, you can take advantage of NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee . You’ll be asked to pay upfront but can cancel during this period for a full refund, no questions asked. This effectively lets you try the service out, risk-free, for a month.

• Choosing the Right VPN for Getting a Foreign IP Address

Choosing a VPN isn’t as simple as it should be. There are a plethora of services to consider, and new ones appear all the time. To make things easier, when finding the best VPNs for getting a foreign IP address, I’ve only considered services meeting all of the criteria below:

• Has servers in at least 50 different countries
• Doesn’t log any information that could identify you
• Provides consistent, high-speed connections
• Uses powerful encryption and offers various additional security features
• Has apps for the most popular operating systems
• Provides access to geo-fenced content

For more information about the criteria I used, take a look at the testing methodology section found further down this article.

• Best VPNs for getting a Foreign IP Address – Summary table

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for a foreign IP address.

Here are the seven best VPNs for getting an IP address in any country.

Apps Available:

Website:   www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee:   30 DAYS

NordVPN offers 5,200+ servers in 59+ countries all over the world. Better still, some of these locations even allow you to choose a server in a particular city. This is especially useful if you’d like to stream local TV online or bypass city-specific sporting blackouts. With high speeds and the ability to unblock all but the most stubborn services, NordVPN is ideal for those looking to stream foreign content abroad .

The provider’s connection speeds are the fastest I’ve ever measured, making them excellent for any kind of online activity you plan to conduct.

This service comes with 256-bit encryption and protection against DNS, IPv6, WebRTC, and port forwarding leaks enabled by default. However, it also offers several more advanced features including an adblocker, a malware scanner, Tor-over-VPN functionality, and more.

The provider also recently added threat protection, which helps you to avoid viruses, infected websites, and trackers. The provider’s Meshnet feature allows users to connect to any remote device directly over encrypted private tunnels and discover traffic routing.

NordVPN doesn’t keep any logs and if you’d like another layer of anonymity, you can choose to pay with Bitcoin.

The provider owns and operates many of its server farms, keeping outside contractors away from its customers’ personal info. Plus, all NordVPN servers are run solely from volatile RAM, writing no data whatsoever to an actual hard drive. This means all data is completely wiped from a server if it is rebooted, shut down, or even unplugged and moved or stolen.

Support is on hand 24/7 via live chat in case of any issues. Email support, a searchable support library, and more is available.

The provider has apps for Linux, Windows, macOS (with native M1/M2 Mac support), iOS, ChromeOS, Android TV, and Android. Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions are also available. The provider is also compatible with select WiFi routers.

• Extensive security options
• Keeps no logs of online activity
• Fastest connections on this list
• Highly affordable
• Wide-ranging global server network
• Apps aren’t exactly user friendly

BEST VPN TO CHANGE IP ADDRESS: NordVPN is a secure, inexpensive VPN with a huge network of high-speed servers and a strong commitment to your privacy. It’s the best VPN around to use to change your IP address to that of another country. It includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read my full NordVPN review

• 2. Surfshark

Website:   www.Surfshark.com

Surfshark offers a decent global server network and an unlimited simultaneous connections allowance at a very affordable price.

The provider has a server network that, while it is one of the smallest on this list, is growing quickly. The provider has over 3,200 servers stationed in 100+ countries around the globe. Many of the countries listed in the app offer individual city connections, allowing users to select a server located as close as possible to the content they wish to access.

The service protects its customers’ internet connections using military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. Ad blocking, tracker, malware, and phishing protection are also available. You can obtain added anonymity by taking advantage of the provider’s MultiHop server option, which routes your connection through twin VPN servers.

A no-server-logs policy and the ability to pay for your Surfshark subscription using various forms of cryptocurrency as payment add up to comprehensive privacy protection. The provider has joined the growing rank of VPN providers that run their servers 100% from RAM. Since no data is written to a physical hard drive or SSD, all data is securely wiped when a server is restarted or powered off.

Consistent, high-speed connections are the rule with Surfshark , and the provider delivers that speed to all popular device platforms. Apps are available for Amazon Fire TV, iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, and macOS platforms. The macOS app offers native support for Apple Silicon. Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions are also available. The provider also works with a large number of router makes and models.

An unlimited simultaneous connections allowance means you can connect every connected device you own to Surfshark VPN servers, and they won’t call foul.

For an extra $1.49 (USD) per month, users can score truly private search, antivirus protection, and data breach alerts.

24/7 customer support is available, including live chat, email, a support library, and more.

• Provides reliable access to many countries
• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• Super fast connection speeds
• Global server coverage needs expansion

BUDGET-PRICED OPTION: Surfshark offers high-quality service at a low price. The provider can protect a houseful of internet users thanks to its unlimited simultaneous connections allowance. The provider offers reliable access to most of the world, top-notch online security, and fast connection speeds. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of Surfshark .

• 3. ExpressVPN

Website:   www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN offers a huge amount of freedom to users looking to access foreign services abroad. It has over 3,000 servers spread between 94+ countries, and its speeds are fast enough to stream live HD content without any noticeable buffering . Additionally, ExpressVPN is capable of bypassing the strict regional blocking used by platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

This VPN uses 256-bit encryption, IPv6 and DNS leak protection, and a kill switch (which halts all traffic if you disconnect suddenly) to keep your activities private at all times.

ExpressVPN doesn’t log any personally identifiable information but allows you to sign up almost completely anonymously using Bitcoin and a throwaway email address if you’d like to.

The provider also runs all of its servers using its proprietary TrustedServer technology, which runs all server operations 100% from RAM. No data is ever written to a physical hard drive, so all data is securely wiped when an ExpressVPN server is restarted, shut down, or unplugged.

If you need help, you can reach customer support 24/7 over live chat. A searchable support library, email support, and more are also available.

ExpressVPN apps are available for macOS (with native Apple Silicon support), Windows, Linux, iOS, Chromebook, Android TV, and Android devices. Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions are available to protect your browsing.

The VPN service also offers custom router firmware and its own custom “Aircove” VPN router to make protecting all of your devices as easy as possible.

• Provides high-speed servers in a huge number of countries
• Great content-unblocking power
• Strong security and privacy
• Doesn’t log any personally identifiable information
• Only five simultaneous connections
• More expensive than some other VPNs

WIDE GLOBAL SERVER NETWORK: ExpressVPN is a secure, privacy-oriented service with servers in 94+ countries and the ability to unblock popular services abroad. It even comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read my full ExpressVPN review .

• 4. CyberGhost

Website:   www.CyberGhost.com

Money-back guarantee:   45 DAYS

CyberGhost currently has more than 9,000+ servers across 90+ countries. This service’s main draw is that it’s extremely user-friendly ; users can see which service each server is designed to unblock as well as the server’s current load, making it easy to get a low-latency, high-speed connection wherever you are in the world.

Additionally, CyberGhost permits up to seven simultaneous connections, which means you can protect a lot of your devices at once.

This service keeps you safe using a combination of 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, automatic ad-blocking, malware-scanning, and an always-on kill switch. Best of all, every one of these features is enabled by default, meaning CyberGhost is perfect for novice users.

CyberGhost doesn’t log any information on its servers that could see your activities traced back to you. Bitcoin payments are accepted.

Should you need any help, you’ll get it, since a live chat option is available 24/7 .

CyberGhost provides apps for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, Amazon Fire, and iOS devices. It works with select network routers via manual installation. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are available.

In addition to comprehensive VPN services, CyberGhost also offers a password manager, alerts when cyber breaches expose your personal information, and more. Windows users can take advantage of virus and malware protection, windows privacy customizations, and other features.

Customer support is an always-available proposition, thanks to live chat, a contact us form, email, and a searchable support library.

• Intuitive and easy-to-use
• High-speed servers
• Unblocks a multitude of streaming services
• Lacks some advanced features that other providers offer
• Doesn’t work in China

USER-FRIENDLY YET VERSATILE: CyberGhost has high-speed servers in dozens of countries, a user-first privacy policy, and pre-configured security features. It comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read my full CyberGhost review

• 5. Private Internet Access

Website:   www.privateinternetaccess.com

Private Internet Access (PIA) provides reliable, well-protected access to IP addresses around the globe.

The PIA global server network includes more than 3,300 servers spread well among over 80 countries, providing access to global IPs. This ensures that you’ll have access to geo-fenced content around much of the globe.

The provider protects its customers’ internet connections with banking-grade encryption, IP/DNS leak prevention, and a kill switch. The provider also blocks ads, trackers, malware, and dangerous websites.

PIA servers never save user logs tracking your online travels . The provider also accepts Bitcoin as a subscription payment. Use a disposable email address to sign up for the VPN for an additional bit of privacy.

While PIA’s connection speeds may be the slowest on this list, they can still handle your favorite online activities, including streaming, gaming online, and more. No data caps or bandwidth limitations to deal with here .

PIA’s app selection includes options for Android, Android TV, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux devices. Chrome, Opera, and Firefox browser extensions are also available.

The provider’s router features allow you to protect all of your connected devices via a single point of access. That router connection counts as only one of the 10 devices that can be simultaneously connected to the provider’s servers on a single user account.

PIA’s customer support options include a live chat option, a trouble ticket system, and a searchable support library.

• Access to geo-controlled content around the globe
• Comprehensive privacy and security protections
• Support for most popular devices
• No streaming-optimized servers
• Connection speeds could be better

RELIABLE ACCESS TO GLOBAL IP ADDRESSES: Private Internet Access delivers access to geo-controlled content by reliably providing IP addresses from around most of the world. PIA offers well-protected connections for popular devices. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of Private Internet Access .

• 6. PrivateVPN

Website:   www.PrivateVPN.com

PrivateVPN might not have as many servers as some of its rivals (200+ across 63+ countries), but it does offer blazing fast speeds. Further, this service can reliably access platforms many VPNs struggle with, like Netflix , and the BBC iPlayer . These characteristics make PrivateVPN perfect for anyone who’d like to use foreign streaming services regularly .

This service keeps your traffic safe using a combination of 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch (Windows only). PrivateVPN allows users to sign up near-anonymously using Bitcoin , but it also has a strict no-logging policy to keep your information private.

Should you need any assistance, live chat is available 22 hours per day (it’s offline from 1-3 PM PST).

PrivateVPN apps are available for Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. Manual installation is required for Linux systems and select routers.

• Fast speeds for downloads
• Exceptional unblocking ability
• Keeps no logs of any kind
• Small server network
• Lacking live chat support 24/7

IDEAL FOR STREAMING: PrivateVPN is a privacy-conscious VPN with strong security measures, very fast speeds, and the ability to unblock popular platforms abroad. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our PrivateVPN review .

• 7. Atlas VPN

Website:   https://atlasvpn.com/

Money-back guarantee:   30 days

Atlas VPN provides fast, protected access to content that is usually restricted to users in other countries.

The Atlas VPN server network of 750+ servers in 42+ countries around the globe. While the network isn’t exactly the largest in the business, it provides reliable access to IP addresses around much of the globe.

Atlas VPN’s connection speeds compare well with other providers and can easily handle your favorite online activities . The provider never imposes data caps or bandwidth limitations on its customers’ usage.

The provider’s reliable connections are well-protected by banking-grade encryption , a kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection, and other protections. The provider’s Safebrowse and Safebrowse Plus features protect you from online dangers and irritating ads.

Tracking logs are not a worry when you’re connected to Atlas VPN servers. Cryptocurrency can be used to pay for your subscription, and signing up with a disposable email address adds privacy protection.

The provider offers apps for Android , iOS, macOS, Windows , Linux, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV device platforms. However, the provider does not offer support for browser extensions or routers. Happily, both features are in development.

The provider allows users to simultaneously connect as many devices as they’d like to its servers.

Atlas limits live agent chat access to paying customers. Luckily, email, a contact form, and a support library are available to all users.

• Fast connections to global IPs
• Blocks ads and other online nasties
• Live chat is available only to paying customers
• No browser or router support

UNLIMITED GLOBAL IP ADDRESSES: Atlas VPN's fast connections provide unlimited and reliable access to IP addresses from around the globe. The provider offers plenty of well-protected bandwidth for all of your favorite online activities. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of Atlas VPN.

• My Methodology for Assessing VPNs for an IP Address in Any Country

You’ll find that not all VPNs reliably provide an IP address in a large number of countries.

These are the VPN features I research to determine the top VPN providers to provide fresh IP addresses in other countries:

• Server network: The larger a global server network that is offered by a VPN, the more chances that the provider can offer you an IP address based in the country of your choice.
• Connection speed: One of the popular reasons for wanting to grab an IP address in another country is to access geo-blocked content in those countries. This means fast download speeds are a must when considering a VPN. Also, VPNs that restrict their users’ usage by imposing data caps or connection throttling should be discarded out of hand.
• Value: The true value of any VPN provider is calculated by comparing the set of features it offers to the price it asks in return for those features. VPN’s that charge a premium price while lacking in features should be dropped from consideration. All of the providers on this list offer an excellent return on investment.
• Ease of use: If you’re a rookie VPN user or are simply looking for an easy way to protect and enhance your online activities, you will appreciate easy-to-use apps. NordVPN offers apps for most popular device platforms, while also offering top-notch router support and browser extensions for the Chrome and Firefox platforms.
• Security and privacy: Online security and privacy is an important consideration when choosing a VPN provider. Don’t settle for less than government-grade encryption, a kill switch , and other online security and privacy protections. Give the VPN bonus points for additional protections like malware and virus protection, and ad blocking. Never use a VPN that doesn’t have a “no logs” policy.
• Streaming: Any VPN worth consideration should offer reliable unblocking of streaming sites. Any VPN that I recommend for streaming boasts top-notch unblocking abilities.

My research doesn’t end with the factors above. In fact, they are just a small part of my comprehensive VPN testing methodology . My data-driven approach helps me to better understand the VPNs and their services, allowing me to recommend only those that are a good fit for your needs.

• Do I Need to Change My TCP/IP Settings or Enable DHCP?

No. When you use a VPN it handles all of the behind-the-scenes settings and such, taking care of TCP/IP settings and DHCP settings. When you run a VPN app, select a VPN server, and click the connect button, the VPN server temporarily assigns an internet-facing IP address to your device.

• Can’t I Just Use a Free VPN Instead?

You might be tempted to use a free VPN , but I’d advise against doing so for several reasons. To begin with, these services tend to have more users than their (often very limited) networks can support. As a result, you’re likely to experience slow speeds, stuttering video, and possibly even disconnection from the VPN. Further, free VPNs are usually the first to be blocked by content providers, so there’s a strong possibility you won’t be able to access the services you want.

Free VPNs don’t bill the user directly, and instead, choose to make money in other ways. This often means inserting large ads into the pages you visit, or offering higher speeds in exchange for a monthly fee. The problem is that some services resort to shadier tactics. For instance, they might store tracking cookies on your device to harvest valuable consumer information which can be sold to advertisers at a later date. By acting in this way, these services remove any control you might have had over who sees your data.

Finally, finding a safe, free VPN is harder than it ought to be. An in-depth study of free VPN apps found that of 283 services, nearly 40% contained malware, over 80% leaked personal information over IPv6, and 18% never used any form of encryption whatsoever. Better-known services aren’t necessarily any safer: in 2015, Hola was found to be selling idle user bandwidth to help run a botnet.

Using a reputable VPN with a proven history of standing up for its users’ privacy is the best way to protect yourself online.

• Can I Watch Foreign TV From Abroad With a VPN?

Most streaming platforms rely on a simple IP address check to see if the user is in a supported country or not. Since VPNs change your IP address, once connected, you’re free to use platforms like BBC iPlayer, Sling TV , and SBS from anywhere. You may even be able to change your Netflix or Amazon Prime Video region and stream content that’s only available in specific countries.

However, some services have more advanced geo-blocking measures. For instance, you might be asked to provide a form of ID that’s only available in a particular region, or the platform might require a payment method linked to a local address. If you usually live in the required country, you should still be able to sign up from abroad, but if not, you’ll find it extremely difficult to do so.

• Why Can’t I Get An IP Address for Some Countries?

VPNs tend to have a higher number of servers in high-traffic areas like the US, the UK, and Canada. In smaller countries, though, you’ll often find that there are far fewer to choose from or none at all.

There are a few reasons why this might be the case:

• Lack of customer demand
• Local laws make it difficult to guarantee your privacy
• The region has poor internet infrastructure, low internet penetration, or is too dangerous
• The government has instituted a country-wide firewall that blocks the VPN
• The cost of running servers in a given country outweighs the benefits

It’s worth noting that some VPNs offer servers in remote locations like Grenada and Mauritius, but these often aren’t actually located there. Instead, these virtual servers are located in another country (most commonly wherever the VPN is based or in a country close to the stated one), and simply make your traffic appear as though it originates elsewhere.

On one hand, this means you may get faster speeds than you would with a physical server. But it also means your provider may be subject to different data privacy laws with regards to traffic flowing through that server. However, as long as your provider doesn’t log personally identifiable information, this shouldn’t matter. Virtual servers are usually labeled as such on the VPN’s server list, but you can always ask the provider directly if you’re unsure.

• Why Else Might I Need An IP Address From Another Country?

Have you ever received an alert saying that one of your accounts has been accessed by someone in another country? These automated systems are designed to protect you from fraud, but can rarely tell the difference between a hacker and a user who’s simply on vacation. Banks tend to err on the side of caution and restrict access, which can cause major problems if you’re in a foreign country. However, by connecting to a VPN server in your home country before logging in, you can reduce the chance of this happening at all.

When traveling, you’ll likely use public WiFi networks more often than normal. Unfortunately, these hotspots are rarely as secure as they should be, and as such, are a popular target for hackers. Further, you might find that some entirely innocent websites are blocked. With a VPN, you not only prevent your activities from being monitored, but you can also easily bypass any blocking which might be in place.

• How to Get an IP Address FAQs
• Will a VPN ever expose my real IP address?

Yes, a VPN can expose your real IP address depending on what kind of VPN you are using. Using one of our recommended VPNs won’t expose your IP address at all since their service covers the bases that prevent any such exposures. However, if you’re opting for a free version instead, then there could be a risk as these may not provide the same level of protection due to lack of resources or expertise.

This means that if the free VPN provider’s security protocols aren’t up to par - i.e., weak encryption - then it can still be intercepted by authorities or third parties, exposing your real IP address for certain activities you do online.

• Can I Change My IP Address to Another Country for Free?

While free VPNs can be used to change your device's IP address to one located in another country, it's not a good idea. Most free VPNs have a limited number of countries to choose from, do not do a good job of protecting your privacy, and limit your usage.

• How Do I Get a US IP Address?

Simply subscribe to a reliable VPN provider, like NordVPN, install and fire up the provider's app on your connected device, select a VPN server located in the United States, and click the connect button. BAM! Your device has a fresh IP address, located in the US.

• I Watched Porn on My Employer's VPN. Can They Tell That I Did?

Unlike the VPNs listed in this article, corporate VPNs are controlled by your company's IT administrators. They can log your activity, and they can tell if you visit a porn site while connected to their VPN.

• Is it Legal to Change Your IP Address?

Using a VPN to change your IP address on the internet is completely legal, except for in the few countries where using a VPN is illegal or heavily restricted. Belarus, China (heavily restricted), India (heavily restricted), Iran (heavily restricted), Iraq, Jordan (heavily restricted), Myanmar, North Korea (heavily restricted), Oman (heavily restricted), Pakistan (heavily restricted), Russia, Sri Lanka (heavily restricted), Turkey (heavily restricted), Turkmenistan, Uganda (heavily restricted), UAE (heavily restricted), Uzbekistan (heavily restricted), Venezuela (heavily restricted).

• Which VPN Providers Can Offer Me a Static IP Address?

There are several VPN providers that can provide static or dedicated IP addresses. These providers include NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access. You will Sometimes be required to pay an extra fee for a static IP, or find that the availability of the addresses is limited to select countries.

• Is Using a Proxy Server the Same as a VPN Connection?

No. While proxy servers and VPNs can both help you access content you might normally not have access to, there are crucial differences between the two services.

First of all, while a VPN encrypts your internet connection to hide your online antics from being observed, a proxy server does not encrypt your connection, meaning your online travels can still be tracked and observed. VPNs also offer other protective measures, helping you avoid online hazards, and not tracking your online activities. Some proxy servers, especially free proxy services, may track your online travels, selling the information to interested outsiders.

• Why Would I Want to Change My IP Address?

There are several advantages to changing your IP address. Changing your IP address opens access to geo-fenced content, and keeps others from tracking your geographic location by looking at your IP address. 

• What's the Best Way to Change My Device's IP Address?

There are two popular ways to change your device's IP address. First, you can use a proxy server, which changes your IP but does not encrypt your internet connections. By using a VPN, you not only change your IP address, you also encrypt your internet connection, preventing anyone from monitoring your online activities. 

Contents [ hide ]

Roundup - best VPNs for speed

Privacy alert: websites you visit can see these details about you:.

The following information is available to any site you visit:

Your IP Address:

Your Location:

Your Internet Provider:

This information can be used to target ads and monitor your internet usage.

By using a VPN you can hide these details and protect your privacy.

I recommend NordVPN - the top provider in my testing . It offers outstanding privacy features and there is currently a discounted rate available through this link .

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• VPN server 🌎
• UK IP address

How to get a UK IP address from anywhere in 2023

1. Sign up for ExpressVPN, with its fast, secure servers in the UK.

2. Download the VPN app to your device.

3. Connect to a UK server location.

That’s it! With your new UK IP address, you can instantly access sites and stream what you want with greater online anonymity in the UK.

30-day money-back guarantee

Best UK VPN

Use a vpn to get a uk ip address.

A VPN reroutes your internet traffic through a VPN server in a country of your choice—like the UK—so apps and websites will think you are located in the United Kingdom.

With ultra-fast VPN servers in UK locations like London, ExpressVPN makes it easy to get a UK IP address from anywhere.

What is a UK IP address?

A UK IP address is an identifier assigned to your device when you‘re online that tells the sites you visit that you’re in the United Kingdom.

Normally provided by your internet service provider, your unique IP address, or Internet Protocol address, can reveal your real identity and location.

But you can easily change your IP address and your apparent location with a VPN, giving you more control over what sites and apps know about you and enhancing your anonymity online.

Use the IP address checker to find out what this simple string of numbers can reveal about you, if you don’t use a VPN.

Why use ExpressVPN?

Server locations in the uk.

Choose from 5 UK server locations across London and the Midlands.

Use on up to 8 devices simultaneously

Install ExpressVPN on all your devices, and connect up to eight at once with a single subscription.

Lightning-fast speeds

Get ultra-fast speeds for better video quality with a global network of 10-Gbps servers.

Unlimited bandwidth

ExpressVPN gives you unlimited VPN bandwidth so you can stream or game at optimal speeds.

Secure access anywhere

ExpressVPN uses best-in-class encryption, so you can safely access all the apps and services you need.

24-hour live chat support

Real humans are available 24/7 to help you with setup and troubleshooting.

Why get a UK IP address?

A UK IP address allows you to browse the internet as if you were in the United Kingdom. This is useful for accessing websites that use geoblocking to restrict their content to certain regions.

If your VPN doesn’t have servers in the UK, or isn’t optimized for maximum compatibility, you may lose access to these services whenever you connect. But a premium VPN like ExpressVPN is engineered to protect your privacy and security no matter what you’re doing online, whether you’re scrolling news sites, watching live sports , or streaming in HD from platforms like BBC iPlayer , Channel 4 , or Now TV .

Download a UK VPN for all your devices

Protect yourself everywhere.

A single ExpressVPN subscription includes software solutions for every device in your home, including gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox and smart TV systems like Apple TV , Amazon Fire TV Stick , and Samsung Smart TV . Get a UK VPN APK for your Android devices, or download a UK VPN for PC . You can even get a UK VPN extension for Chrome .

Plus VPN extensions for your favorite browsers

Can’t find your device? Check out these manual configurations and setup tutorials for a wide range of other devices and platforms.

FAQ: Getting a UK IP address

Is it safe to use a vpn to get a uk ip.

Yes! Using a VPN is not only a safe way to get a UK IP address, it’s also the safest way to be online in any situation. 

Using a VPN shields your online activity from your ISP, Wi-Fi operators, governments, and other third parties. This can reduce the amount of targeted advertising you receive and prevent others from profiting from your browsing history.

Is it legal to use a VPN to get a UK IP address?

VPN technology is legal in jurisdictions around the world. Individuals and companies use VPNs to protect their private information and online activity, including in places with highly restrictive governments.

How do I change my IP address location to the UK?

Open the ExpressVPN app and select the dropdown menu in the location bar. Choose your preferred location, or simply select “United Kingdom” and ExpressVPN will pick the best server location for you.

How can I get a UK IP address on my phone?

Download the ExpressVPN app to your phone, sign in, and connect to a server location in the United Kingdom. Congrats! You now have a UK IP address on your phone. ExpressVPN has apps for both iOS and Android .

Can I use a UK proxy to change my IP address?

You can use a proxy, but it’s not recommended. Unlike a VPN, most proxy services you’ll find are pretty slow and don’t offer any privacy or security benefits. So-called “free proxy services” are especially dangerous, as many will find other ways to monetize your data, like selling it to third parties. A premium VPN is the best way to change your IP address.

What British TV channels can I watch online with a VPN?

With ExpressVPN, you can securely stream free-to-air British TV channels like BBC iPlayer , ITVX , Sky Go , Channel 4 , My5 , and Now TV . ExpressVPN also works with premium streaming services that specialize in British content like BritBox and Acorn TV .

ExpressVPN for all countries

ExpressVPN users can connect to VPN server locations in 105 countries and counting. Access any of these VPN servers from the UK or anywhere else in the world.

Get a UK IP address risk-free

Try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days. If you’re not happy for any reason, get in touch with Support for a full refund.

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• How To Change Ip Address

How to change your IP address in UK with NordVPN?

• Updated: November 15, 2023

Gerald Hunt

• How to change your IP address with NordVPN in UK ?
• How does NordVPN change your IP address in UK ?

Why would you want to change your IP address with NordVPN?

• Why is NordVPN not changing my IP address in UK ?

Final Thoughts

How to change your IP address in UK with NordVPN? Well, all you need to do is register NordVPN’s premium subscription, download and install its application, and then perform a few easy steps to change your actual IP address with NordVPN easily.

An IP address is a sequence of unique numbers that can accurately determine your actual location. Think of it as your home address that is visible to everyone on the internet. This can cause anyone to track you,  prevent you from accessing different sorts of content online, and seriously jeopardize your online security and privacy.

This is why it is highly recommended to change IP address in UK with NordVPN – the most secure VPN provider in the industry.

For our users in the UK, understanding the significance of an IP address is crucial. It’s akin to a unique home address on the internet that reveals your precise location. This visibility can lead to tracking, restricted access to content, and potential threats to your online security and privacy.

To address this, it’s highly recommended to change your IP address in the UK, and NordVPN stands out as the most secure VPN service in UK . By doing so, you enhance your online security and protect your privacy effectively.

If you are less interested in NordVPN and more interested in knowing which other providers can change your IP address in UK.

So without any delay, let’s get right into it…

Here are the steps to change your IP address in UK with NordVPN.

• Subscribe to NordVPN .
• Download and install the NordVPN application on your device.
• Get a VPN subscription . You can find NordVPN subscription plans here.
• Download the VPN app to your device . You can download the appropriate application for your device from the NordVPN download center.
• Once installation is finished, launch the application and enter your NordVPN’s account details to log in .
• Click the “Quick connect” button to connect to the most optimized server for you in the whole network.
• That’s it. You have now changed your IP address through NordVPN .

Check now. You should be able to now see the IP address of the country server you connected to.

Make sure to check your IP address on either www.ip2location.com or www.maxmind.com after connecting to NordVPN.

You can also avail of NordVPN’s free trial to test the service before committing to the premium subscription. Even if you are not satisfied with the service during the subscription tenure, you can cancel it with this super easy NordVPN cancellation process .

How does NordVPN change your IP address in UK?

NordVPN changes your actual IP address in UK by rerouting your internet traffic from one of its many servers in the VPN network. Let’s see how it all works:

• You selected a server from NordVPN’s application. NordVPN application offers around 5500 servers in 60 countries . NordVPN is the most secure VPN to get a New Zealand IP address in UK .
• The moment you are connected to the server you’ve selected, the NordVPN application will form an encrypted tunnel that will cover all the traffic coming from your device . This tunnel will start from your device and end on the selected server, decrypting your traffic and transmitting it to the final stop.
• That’s it – anyone trying to track your real location through your IP address will only find themselves discovering the NordVPN server location .

There are countless advantages to changing your IP address in UK with NordVPN. For example, they can learn your actual location, identity, and even your present and past browsing activity data. We have pitched a few of the advantages of changing your IP address with NordVPN.

• You can mask your actual location and identity in UK, which ultimately protects you from hackers or any other individual or organization with malicious intent.
• To access geo-restricted content that is blocked to you otherwise. For example, watching Netflix with NordVPN or Disney+ with NordVPN can be done within a matter of 3 simple clicks.

• You can also encrypt your online internet data to minimize your online footprints.
• To overcome ISP throttling which can seriously impact your ability to download torrents, stream various contents, and do online gaming.

You can learn more about NordVPN in our detailed NordVPN review .

Why is NordVPN not changing my IP address in UK?

NordVPN is one of the most solid VPN providers globally and the best one to change your IP address in UK, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. It also has its fair share of connectivity issues. Let’s take a look at some of the troubleshooting steps you can follow if NordVPN isn’t changing your IP address.

• Ensure to clear your browser cache, cookies, and history completely, then reconnect NordVPN and check.
• Restart your device and NordVPN one time.
• Reset your network adapters. For Windows, you can take help from fix the connection issues on Windows .
• Flush your DNS one time. Run this command “ipconfig /flushdns” directly in “Command Prompt.”
• Check your anti-virus or firewall software and ensure NordVPN is allowed from their exceptions.
• Contact NordVPN’s customer support for further assistance.

For further troubleshooting tips, we suggest reading: why NordVPN isn’t connecting? – 11 quick fixes .

To find out how you can use NordVPN with popular devices, check out the following guides:

• How to use NordVPN on Firestick?
• How to use NordVPN on Roku?
• How to use NordVPN on PS4?
• How to use NordVPN on Kodi?

Let’s review some frequently asked questions.

Can Britishers change the location with NordVPN?

Yes, Britishers can reroute their internet traffic with NordVPN’s  own servers, ultimately changing your actual location and IP address. Your actual location and IP address get replaced with the VPN server’s location, and IP address after the VPN connection is successfully established. You can change your IP address to the UK , US, Canada, Australia or any other country.

Can I change my phone IP address with NordVPN in UK?

Yes, NordVPN can change your phone IP address and replace it with its own network’s IP address so that your real identity and location in UK remains hidden and secure. Being one of the best VPN providers in the industry, NordVPN offers a straightforward, easy-to-use, and compact VPN application for Android and iOS devices.

Can I be tracked if I use NordVPN in UK?

No, if you use a top-notch VPN like NordVPN, you will not get tracked in UK. However, poorly configured VPNs can easily let you be tracked due to their weak security encryption technology or their inherent flaw of leaking IPs.

It is imperative to stay vigilant about your online security, privacy, digital footprints, and anonymity in today’s internet age. Only changing your IP address can help you achieve optimized cybersecurity. One of the best tools to do that is NordVPN.

There are plenty of ways to utilize NordVPN to change your IP address in UK. For example, you can configure NordVPN onto your router or download an extension for either Chrome browser or Firefox browser.

With NordVPN’s lightning-fast speed , you will be able to download enormous torrent files in just a matter of a few minutes. Torrenting with NordVPN in UK has never been so simple, easy, fast, and reliable. If you’re interested in NordVPN, you can try it out risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

This wraps it up. We hope you found our how to change your IP address in UK with NordVPN guide useful. If you did, please consider sharing it on your social media accounts.

Gerald Hunt's Biography :

Gerald is a steadfast believer in the inviolable right of every citizen to freedom of expression. Writing about online privacy and security without any regard for political correctness is his way to counter the instruments threatening our liberty. In his spare time, he loves to binge watch Netflix, anime and play video games.

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How to Get a Proof of Address in the UK With 7 Methods

8 minute read

Key Takeaways

Common documents accepted as proof of address in the UK include utility bills, council tax bills, the UK driving licence, bank statements, and official government correspondence.

Newcomers to the UK, who might not have traditional proof of address, may be able to use alternative documents like letters from educational institutions or employers.

Having to prove your identity will be one of the first things you will need to do when opening a bank account, applying for daily life services, or engaging with government agencies in the UK. This involves providing valid proof of identity and proof of address in the UK.

To verify your identity, you can use documents such as your ID card or passport.

But what about proof of address? This article gives a complete look at proof of address in the UK—what it is, why it's needed, the list of commonly accepted documents, and where to get it. We will also cover where to find it if you've just arrived in the UK.

What Is a Proof of Address in the UK?

Proof of address is a document that validates your residence in the UK, containing both your name and physical residential address.

Banks and government agencies require proof of address for compliance, security, and determining eligibility for specific services, benefits, or welfare programs, as well as for overall record-keeping.

In practical terms, documents confirming the active use of your current address, such as recent utility bills and credit card statements, serve as proof of address. Alternatively, a lease agreement can also be utilised.

🔍 Tip: Learn the basics of proof of address in our article on what proof of address is .

Why Does Your UK Bank Need Proof of Address?

Banks and financial institutions are required to comply with strict security measures to prevent illegal activities like money laundering.

Whether you’re opening an account, applying for a credit card or applying for a loan, the bank has to ensure a valid identity by checking the validity of both your identification and residential address.

Banks may have different approaches when asking for documents to verify your address, but they'll typically request 1 to 2 documents.

These documents usually have to be from original sources such as a current UK driving licence, HMRC Tax Notification, or recent bills.

Other Scenarios Where You Will Need Proof of Address in the UK

• Renting a property in the UK  When renting a property in the UK, it is required that you provide paperwork that confirms your current address as part of verifying your identity, along with other documents that prove you have the right to rent in the UK.
• Government registrations For certain government registration processes like registering to vote, obtaining a driving licence, registering a birth, and applying for benefits, proof of address is required. This is because the government needs to both verify your identity and assess your eligibility for these services.

What Documents Are Accepted As Proof of Address?

Banks and institutions have their own set of accepted documents. In addition, the procedures for submitting these documents and the validity periods of each document can also vary.

For example, a bank or credit card statement or a utility cannot be any more than 3-4 months old, whereas a council tax bill is valid for 12 months.

You can check the specific document validity requirements with your bank before giving any documentation.

Commonly Accepted Documents as Proof of Address in the UK

• Valid UK driving licence
• Recent utility bill (gas, electricity, water, or landline phone)
• Council tax bill for the current local authority tax year
• Recent credit card or bank statement 
• Internet banking statements may be accepted
• Recent Building Society or Credit Union statement or passbook (within the last three months)
• Tenancy agreement
• Mortgage statement issued by a recognised lender for the entire preceding year
• Residential permit
• Current-year council or housing association rent card or lease agreement.
• Current-year HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) self-assessment letters or tax demand
• A solicitor's letter confirming a recent property purchase within the past three months or official confirmation from the land registry regarding the address
• Letters from a government entity such as the HMRC
• Vehicle or home insurance certificate

📌 Note: Since policies vary between organisations, some documents may be acceptable while others may not. 

To determine whether a document will be accepted or to explore alternative options, the best approach is to get in touch with the organisation making the request.

Conditions for a Legitimate Proof of Address in the UK

• You need to provide two separate documents for proof of identification and proof of address. You cannot use the same document for both . For example, even if an institution allows a valid UK driver's licence for both proof of identification and proof of address, if you use a valid UK driver's licence for proof of identification, you likely have to provide another type of document, such as utility bills, for proof of address.
• All documents must be recent within a specific timeframe, typically 3 - 12 months, depending on document types and requesting organisations. Expired documents won't be accepted.
• Documents used for proof of address should show your full name and current address.
• Banks reserve the right to obtain additional identification and address verification documents if required.

How To Get a Proof of Address in the UK?

As highlighted, providing evidence of your address is a vital prerequisite for a range of activities in the UK.

In this section, we'll go over the most common ways to get proof of address in the UK.

⚠️ Caution: Address fraud is a legal violation. Only try to secure these documents if you are currently residing in the UK.

1. Gather Your Utility Bills

Utility bills are one of the simplest forms of proof of address. 

If you reside or own a property in the UK and the bills are under your name, this can serve as a reliable proof of address.

Generally, these bills are considered valid proof of address for a period of three months, indicating the active use of the specified address.

It's also essential that the bills display the date, your full name, and your current address. 

2. Use a Council Tax Bill 

Council tax is an annual fee paid to your local council in the UK, and the funds collected are utilised to support various services such as waste collection,  street lighting, police, and so on. 

This tax is paid by the household, making the bill a valid proof of address as long as it dates back no more than 12 months. 

3. Use the UK Driving Licence

Depending on the institution’s policy, a legitimate UK driving licence can serve as valid proof of address. 

Nevertheless, given that the UK driver's licence is also accepted as photo identification or proof of identity, it's important to note that it cannot be utilised for both photo identification and proof of address simultaneously; you must choose one or the other.

If you need more information regarding driving licence in the UK, check out this UK driving licence guide from the UK government website.

4. Use Recent Bank Statement

Bank statements are commonly relied upon as proof of address since a trustworthy source, like banks, is the issuer. 

If you have an account or cards with a UK bank, make sure your registered address matches your most updated residential address. If it does, you can use the bank statement from the last three months as proof of your address.

5. Use Documentation from Government Entities

Official letters or statements from government entities can be used as proof of address as well.

For example, you can use documentation from

• HM Land Registry - A government entity responsible for maintaining and recording property ownership in England and Wales.
• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) - The UK's tax authority. Tax-related documents often contain the taxpayer's registered address, providing a reliable confirmation of residence. 

6. Lease Agreement

A lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant outlining the terms and conditions of renting a property. If you've rented a place, you may be able to provide a lease agreement stating your residence at the current address as proof of address.

7. Home Loan or Insurance 

In some cases, a mortgage loan or insurance that indicates ownership of the property and residency at the address can also be used as proof of address. 

What Can Be Used as Proof of Address When You Just Arrive in the UK?

If you've recently arrived in the UK, you may not have typical documents like utility bills, bank statements, or a driver’s license with your updated UK address just yet. 

Let's take a look at what options are available in this situation.

Proof of Address If You Are New to the UK

If you have just arrived in the United Kingdom and are thinking of opening a bank account or are dealing with government agency activities, it can be quite difficult as you may not have some of the required documents, such as a registered address or utility bills to use as proof of address.

Some institutions and high street banks allow for alternative documents such as the following:

• A document from your educational institution (university, college, or language school) if you've arrived in the UK for studies. Your UCAS details or a letter from the Student Loan Company may also be deemed acceptable.
• A letter from your employer verifying your address.

Certain banks or institutions state that they accept EU driving licences, but it's essential to consider that the address on that existing EU licence most likely needs to be a UK address.

Previously, for EU residents just arriving in the UK and seeking to open a UK account, certain banks offered an option allowing the use of a European address as a substitute for proof of address in the UK. 

Unfortunately, following the UK's withdrawal from the EU (Brexit), the opportunities for those with addresses outside the UK have diminished.

We suggest reaching out to your preferred bank directly to clarify which documents are accepted.

Can I Open an Account Before Arriving in the UK?

Yes, if your home bank has a correspondent banking relationship with a British bank, there is a possibility that they can set up a UK bank account for you.

You might also be interested in an international account which many UK banks offer. These accounts are designed for non-residents who may not have the option to supply proof of address in the UK yet.

Examples of banks that offer international accounts are:

• Barclays International Bank Account , with options for non-UK residents and those planning to move to the UK.
• HSBC International Bank Account , allowing you to open accounts overseas before you land in over 30 destinations, the UK included. 
• Lloyds International Current Account , in which you have the flexibility of 3 currencies (GBP, EUR, USD) and a fee-free international payment. Lloyds Bank will require information about your country of residence, the country you are applying from, and the country you are moving to. Additionally, eligibility criteria include your gross annual income.
• NatWest International Account empowers individuals to make their finances work both in the UK and internationally. Eligible for those residing in any of the listed countries found on the NatWest International Select Account and NatWest Cash Management Account page.

However, international bank accounts may need a large initial deposit and require a certain amount of minimum payments each month. 

Are there UK Banks that Don't Need Proof of Address?

At he moment, all major traditional banks in the UK require proof of address before allowing you to open an account with them.

For a detailed breakdown of the necessary documents for each major UK bank, check out the following:

If you've reviewed the document details provided by your preferred bank and find it challenging to meet their requirements, it’s worth reaching out to the bank directly. Such communication is often encouraged by the banks themselves.

In addition, you can find a list of alternative options that a bank may accept based on the situation on the Financial Conduct Authority website (FCA), the regulatory body for banks in the UK.

There are also some cases where you can open an account with a UK bank from outside the UK. For example, you can apply for a UK account with HSBC from outside the UK . 

Lastly, consider looking into financial institutions beyond conventional banks. 

Certain virtual banks , e-money providers, or neobanks — which usually own banking or money service licences but are not traditional banks—may have a more flexible list of what can be used as proof of address or proof of identity.

Examples of such alternatives are:

• Revolut account : Revolut is a fintech company offering accounts with over 29 currencies, including GBP, EUR, and USD. You can use the account for everyday spending and international transfers. They partner with banks that the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects. 
• Wise multi-currency account : Wise offers a multi-currency account as a Money Service Business, providing accounts with access to 40 currencies across 160 countries. This account allows you to receive, send, and spend money. 

🔎 Insight: Explore more in our article on how to open a Revolut Personal Account online in 2023

Final Thought

In the UK, proof of address is a fundamental requirement for various essential services, including banking, renting, and government registrations. Accepted documents include utility bills, council tax statements, the UK driving licence, bank statements, and government-issued documents.

While all UK banks require proof of address, newcomers who lack common documents may consider obtaining a letter from official sources like universities, the Student Loan Company, or employers. 

Alternatively, exploring international account offerings or virtual banks may provide viable options. Conversations with these institutions can help clarify the possibilities. 

If you're in the UK for business and want to open a business bank account, keep in mind that there are extra requirements besides proof of address. 

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What is acceptable proof of address in the UK?

Utility bills, bank statements, and lease agreements are acceptable standard documentation that would satisfy any bank's need for proof of address.

Can I open a bank without proof of address?

Some financial institutions will accept a written affidavit by someone you live with in lieu of a proof of address. It's advisable to ask the institution about their policy on this before consulting with a notary or lawyer.

Is a driver's licence acceptable proof of address?

A valid UK driving licence may be accepted as proof of address, depending on the institution's policy. However, it cannot be used simultaneously for both proof of identity and proof of address.  If you use a driver's licence for identity proof, you must provide another form of documentation for proof of address.  Conversely, if you use a driver's licence as proof of address, you need to provide another form of documentation for proof of identity.

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