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Change-IP-Address-on-Mac-in-USA

Changing your IP address on Mac in USA can be quite useful if you wish to bypass a certain geographical restriction set up by any content or website. Furthermore, it is extremely beneficial to obtain a new identity online by simply hiding your actual IP address and location.

There are multiple ways to change the IP address on Mac in USA. Today’s article will show you how to change the IP address on Mac in USA in 2024.


Four Methods to Change the IP Address on Mac in USA in 2024

The four methods that we will be sharing with you today include:

  • Using a VPN
  • Using a proxy server
  • Changing the local IP address
  • Unplugging your router/modem

Method 1: Using a virtual private network (VPN)

This method is probably the most reliable and effective way to change the IP address on Mac in USA. Opting for the best VPN for Mac can enhance the overall experience, and there are several options available in the market, allowing users to choose a service that best fits their preferences and requirements.

Here’s how you can change the IP address on Mac in USA by using a virtual private network:

  1. First, click on the Apple icon at the top left corner of your screen.
  2. Next, from the drop-down menu, select Preferences and then click on Network.
  3. Next, click the Add button (+) in the list on the left, click the Interface pop-up menu, then choose VPN.
  4. To set up your desired VPN connection, click on the VPN Type drop-down menu. Next, select your desired VPN connection protocol (L2TP/IPSEC/IKEv2).
  5. Set up a VPN name for your connection and then click Create.
  6. Enter your VPN account username and the VPN server address.
  7. Click Authentication Settings, then enter the information you received from the network administrator.
  8. Click Apply, then click OK.
  9. Click the Connect button.

Feel free to browse the internet with a different IP address and complete freedom, without any hassles whatsoever.


Method 2: Using a proxy server

The second method to change the IP address on Mac in USA revolves around using a proxy server. The proxy connection does indeed help you change the IP address on Mac in USA, but the connection itself doesn’t offer any encryption and security towards your online traffic.

Here’s how you can change the IP address on Mac in USA by using a proxy server:

  1. First, click on the Apple icon at the top left corner of your screen.
  2. Next, from the drop-down menu, select Preferences and then click on Network.
  3. From the left sidebar, select the network you are currently using and click on the Advanced button. For example, the Wi-Fi connection or the Ethernet connection.
  4. Click the Proxies tab. You’ll see this along the top of the window with tabs for DNS, WINS, 802.1X, TCP/IP, and Hardware.
  5. From the option “Select a protocol to configure,” select the protocol. If you are unsure about which protocol to use, then continue with “SOCKS Proxy.”
  6. Enter the IP address of the desired proxy server in the SOCKS proxy server field.
  7. Click Apply, then click OK.
  8. Click the Connect button.

Now your actual IP address is replaced with a proxy server IP address. Remember that while your Private IP address in USA is hidden, your internet data can still be intercepted and decoded due to the lack of encryption and security measures.


Method 3: Changing the local IP address

The third method involves directly changing your device’s IPv4 address.

Here’s how you can change the IP address on Mac in USA by substituting your local IP address:

  1. First, click on the Apple icon at the top left corner of your screen.
  2. Next, from the drop-down menu, select Preferences and then click on Network.
  3. From the left sidebar, select the network you are currently using and click on the Advanced button. For example, the Wi-Fi connection or the Ethernet connection.
  4. Now, click the TCP / IP tab. You’ll see this along the top of the window with tabs for DNS, WINS, 802.1X, Proxies, and Hardware.
  5. Click the drop-down menu next to Configure IPv4, and select “Manually.”
  6. Input your desired IP address into the field labeled “IPv4 Address.” You can change the last four digits of your IP address. For example, your current IP address is “10.0.1.47,” so your new IP address can be something like “10.0.1.137.”
  7. Click Apply, then click OK.

Method 4: Unplugging your router/modem

Here’s how you can change the IP address on Mac in USA by unplugging your router/modem:

  1. If your internet service provider (ISP) has assigned you a dynamic IP address, then you are advised to follow the steps below:
  2. Unplug your router/mode. Sometimes, both of the devices are combined so that you can unplug the whole unit altogether.
  3. Plug the router/modem again and wait a few minutes for the device to receive internet connectivity.
  4. Connect your Mac to the router/modem and check your IP address on any IP location website such as What is my IP Address?, IP2location.com or IPaddress.com.

Why should you change the IP address on Mac in USA?

Apart from the fact that changing your public IP address ensures additional security and enhanced privacy, there are other reasons for it.

Sometimes routers can create internal network conflicts, which can cause them to issue incorrect IP addresses to your devices. You can easily solve this problem by manually changing your IP address.

Many vide0-on-demand streaming services offer content that is geo-blocked or geo-restricted in several countries like UK, Canada, Australia. To bypass any content or website’s geo-restriction issue, you’d need to change your IP address in USA by using a reliable VPN or proxy service.

Similarly, online gamers looking to obtain lower ping and lag results can utilize the VPN technology and achieve their target by changing their IP address in the online game.


Is changing the IP address on Mac legal in USA?

Yes, changing the IP address on Mac in USA is completely legal, but it does depend on what you change your IP address to and what exactly you do with that new IP address.

For example, changing the IP address to test a website before taking it to live or simply trying to increase your online protection in USA is completely fine but changing the IP address to impersonate someone of an organization is where the issue arises. This act is called IP spoofing, and it is indeed illegal.

Using a reliable free VPN for Mac not only safeguards your online activities but also protects you from potential legal issues. Accessing a banned website or unintentionally stumbling upon restricted content can lead to trouble with authorities. Moreover, the best free VPN for mac prevents cybercriminals from using IP spoofing techniques for identity theft or launching organized distributed denial-of-service attacks that can cripple websites.


IP Address Conflict Troubleshooting

Sometimes while changing the IP address, you may assign a similar IP address to two different devices. If this happens then, your Mac device will display the following error message “another device is using your IP address.”

This error message occurs when two devices have the same IP address on a single network, confusing the router to know which is which.

You can avoid this problem by simply resetting and renewing your IP address or assigning a manual IP address to your Mac device or MAC Address in USA.


Public Vs. Private IP address

There are two major types of IP addresses in USA. A public IP address is the IP address that is assigned to your device over the internet. That IP address is what other people on the internet are seeing.

It is dynamic, which means it changes. However, you can ask your internet service provider (ISP) to assign you a private IP address.

A private IP address is used to identify your device on the local network. The router uses these IP addresses to distinguish between the devices connected to it in the same house, company, or organization.


Now that we’ve answered your ‘Change the IP Address on Mac’ query, here are a few IP address guides you’d find informative as well:


Change the IP Address on Mac in USA: FAQs

You can change the IP address on Mac in USA for free by using one of the best free VPN for Mac. These VPN providers don’t charge a single penny, and while they can’t compete with the level of performance the premium VPN providers offer, they are still a decent option to change the IP address on Mac for free.

You can find out the IP address on your Mac in USA by simply visiting any IP location website such as whatismyipaddress.com?, IP2location.com, or IPaddress.com.

You can also find your IP address by simply going to System Preferences -> Select Network -> Click on your connected network, and you will see your IP address on the right side of the screen.

It would be best if you used the Tor browser to hide your IP address on Mac in USA. Your Mac IP address and WAN IP address will be hidden from anyone trying to look for it by connecting to the Tor network. In addition, due to the Tor Cloud, you will be browsing anonymously on the internet.


Final Thoughts

We hope that our article on how to change the IP Address on Mac in USA will help you change or find your actual IP address on Mac in USA for various purposes such as additional security, privacy, and unblocking geo-blocked streaming content.

While all of our mentioned ways for changing the IP address on Mac in USA are equally important, we recommend using a virtual private network for this job increases your online security, privacy, and data protection.