Why Does Your IP Change When Switching Wi‑Fi?
Learn why your device gets a new IP address each time you switch Wi‑Fi networks, how DHCP, MAC rotation, and cellular IPs work, and how VPNs keep you consistent.
Does Your IP Address Change When You Switch Wi‑Fi? The Quick Answer
Changing from one Wi‑Fi hotspot to another usually gives your phone a new IP address. Ever wondered why that happens? It’s not a glitch; it’s the network doing its job, handing out new “library cards” each time you check out a book.
What Is an IP Address? Public vs. Private
An IP address is a unique label that lets data find its way to and from your device. The public IP is what the internet sees, assigned by your ISP or carrier. The private IP lives inside your local network and stays invisible to the wider world.
How Wi‑Fi Assigns IPs
When a phone connects, it asks the router for an address via DHCP. The router hands out a private IP, and NAT maps it to a public one. On iPhone, Apple’s private Wi‑Fi address feature rotates the MAC each time you join a network, making the router treat you as a new device.
Why Does My IP Change?
Trigger | Mechanism | Result |
|---|---|---|
New Wi‑Fi network | New DHCP lease | New private and public IP |
Private Wi‑Fi rotation | Router sees new MAC | New lease |
Lease expiry | Time limit reached | New lease |
Router pool exhaustion | Limited address range | New address |
When you leave Wi‑Fi range, your phone switches to cellular. The carrier hands you a fresh cellular IP, which feels like a sudden teleportation.
Checking Your Current IP
On iOS
- Open Settings → Wi‑Fi.
- Tap the i icon beside the network.
- Look for IP Address and Configure IPv4.
On Android
- Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi‑Fi.
- Tap the connected network.
- View IP address and Gateway.
VPNs and Proxies
A VPN reroutes your traffic through a server, so the internet sees the VPN’s IP, not yours. A proxy does the same but often without encryption. Both can stabilise your public IP even when you change Wi‑Fi.
Forest VPN – Affordable, Reliable, and Easy to Use
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Troubleshooting Unexpected Changes
- IP changes on the same network – Check the router’s lease time.
- No IP address – Restart the router or reset network settings.
- IP changes every app launch – Disable or re‑configure VPN/proxy.
Quick FAQ
- Does your IP address change when you change Wi‑Fi? Yes, because a new DHCP lease is issued.
- Will my public IP stay the same with a VPN? Yes, the VPN masks it.
- What happens when I switch to cellular? You receive a new cellular IP.
- Does Forest VPN keep my IP stable? Yes – the app automatically re‑routes traffic through the same server unless you switch manually.
- Is Forest VPN free? It offers a free tier with limited servers; paid plans unlock more locations and higher speeds.
We’ve unpacked the why and how of IP changes. Try Forest VPN today to keep your IP consistent and enjoy secure, fast browsing wherever you go.
Does your IP address change when you change wifi? Public vs. Private Explained
An IP address is a unique label that lets data find its way to and from your device. The public IP is what the internet sees, assigned by your ISP or carrier. The private IP lives inside your home network, hidden from the wider web.
What Is an IP Address?
- Public IP – the address the internet uses to reach your router.
- Private IP – the address assigned to your device by the router via DHCP.
Picture a house with two doors: the front door (public IP) opens onto the street, while the back door (private IP) leads to a courtyard only your neighbors use. When you connect to Wi‑Fi, the router hands you a private IP, then uses NAT to translate that into the public IP the world sees.
Checking Your Current IP Address
On iOS
- Open Settings > Wi‑Fi.
- Tap the information icon (i) next to your network.
- Your IP Address is listed under “IP Address.”
- The Router field shows the public gateway, and “Subnet Mask” and “Router” are the private details.
On Android
- Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi‑Fi.
- Tap the name of your connected network.
- Scroll to “IP address” and “Gateway.”
- The “IP address” is the private address; the “Gateway” is the router’s private address, while the public IP is shown in the router’s admin page.
Why the IP Changes When Switching Wi‑Fi
Trigger | Mechanism | Resulting IP |
|---|---|---|
New Wi‑Fi network | New router’s DHCP | New private IP and new public IP via NAT |
MAC rotation | Router sees new MAC | New DHCP lease |
Lease expiry | Time runs out | New private IP |
Pool exhaustion | Router runs out of addresses | New private IP |
The Role of NAT
Network Address Translation lets many devices share one public IP. The router keeps a table that maps each private IP to a unique port number, allowing traffic to flow back to the correct device.
Real‑World Example
Imagine a café where every customer gets a temporary seat number (private IP). The café’s host (router) assigns a unique table number (public IP) to each customer for the duration of their stay. When you leave, your seat number is released and the next customer receives a new one.
Troubleshooting Unexpected IP Changes
- Check the DHCP lease time – If it’s very short, your device may request a new lease frequently.
- Verify MAC address rotation – Some routers treat each MAC change as a new device.
- Inspect router logs – Look for repeated “DHCP request” entries.
- Restart your device – A fresh start can clear stale leases.
- Reset your router – This clears the address pool and can resolve stuck assignments.
Quick FAQ
Does a new phone give a new IP? Yes. A new device will receive a fresh private IP from the router’s DHCP server and, consequently, a new public IP via NAT.
Can I keep the same public IP when switching Wi‑Fi? Only if the new network’s router shares the same public IP (e.g., a corporate network) or if you use a VPN that masks your IP.
What if my public IP keeps changing on the same network? It’s likely that your ISP assigns dynamic public IPs, or your router’s NAT is re‑assigning the public IP on each DHCP renewal.
Takeaway and Call to Action
Now that you understand the difference between public and private IPs, you can spot why your device’s address changes when you switch Wi‑Fi. Keep an eye on your DHCP lease, and if you need a stable public IP, consider using a reliable VPN service. Forest VPN offers affordable, user‑friendly plans that keep your IP consistent and secure. Try Forest VPN today and take control of your online identity.