A ball and chain tied to a geolocation icon that reads IP

Wouldn’t it be weird if your home address changed from time to time without you moving? That’s precisely how dynamic IP (Internet Protocol) addresses work. Normally, this isn’t an issue for the regular internet user. But for some more specialized use cases, you would want a static IP address that always stays the same. And what a coincidence — this article is all about using a static IP. 

Table of contents

    Why you may need a static IP address

    Normally, your device gains a dynamic IP via DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). You’ll be switching away from it when setting a static IP address. But before you start rallying the troops to obtain a static IP, you may want to know why you’re doing all this. 

    Here are a few good reasons to get a static IP:

    You want to host a server
    If you want a server that potentially anyone (but most likely you when you’re away from home) could reach, you need a static IP. This goes for game servers, email servers, and setting up your own VPN server.
    You want more speed
    Both file downloads and uploads are faster with a static IP.
    You want a better VoIP experience
    VoIP (Voice over IP) is the technology behind all our live voice chats online. They don’t always turn out to be top quality — having a static IP may increase it.
    You want accurate geotracking
    If you want your device to show up more precisely on various geolocation tools, a static IP could help.

    How to set a static IP address

    One thing to do before following any of the guides is to contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider), as they’re the ones who assign static IP addresses. You’ll likely need to pay extra to get a dedicated IP address. 

    Your IP address might be in the IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) format, which looks like X.X.X.X, where X can be any value between 0 and 255. For example, your IP address may be something like 192.0.2.146.

    With that out of the way, follow the appropriate guide:

    How to set a static IP on Windows 11

    Enter “Settings” into the search bar and click Enter.
    1. Enter “Settings” into the search bar and click Enter.
    Click the hamburger button and choose Network & internet.
    1. Click the hamburger button and choose Network & internet.
    Click Advanced network settings.
    1. Click Advanced network settings.
    2. Scroll down to Hardware and connection properties and click it.
    3. Write down the current IPv4, Subnet mask, Default Gateway, and DNS server addresses for future use.
    4. Back on the Network & internet, click on either the Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection for your internet connection.
      • If you’re using Wi-Fi, you’ll need to click <name of connection> properties. 
    5. Click on the Edit button for the IP assignment setting.
    6. Select the Manual option from the drop-down menu.
    7. Turn on the IPv4 toggle switch.
    8. Enter your new IP address in the IP address window. 
    9. Enter the rest of the data according to what you noted down earlier. 
    10. Click Save.

    How to set a static IP address on Windows 10

    1. Open Settings.
    2. Click Network & Internet.
    3. Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on what you’re using. 
    4. Select your Network connection.
    5. Click the Edit button under IP settings.
    6. Select Manual on the drop-down menu.
    7. Toggle on the IPv4 switch.
    8. Fill in your new IP address. You can use your old Preferred DNS, Default Gateway, etc.
    9. Click Save.

    How to set up a static IP address on macOS

    1. Open the Apple menu.
    2. Choose System Settings.
    3. Find and click Network.
    4. Click on the network connection you use.
    5. Click Details.
    6. Choose TCP/IP.
    7. Click the Configure IPv4 pop-up menu and choose Manually. 
    8. Enter the new static IP address in the IP field and any other data you need. 

    How to set up a static IP address on Android

    There are a bajillion Android versions floating there, so the instructions may be different based on your manufacturer and other factors. 

    1. Open Settings. 
    2. Go to Wi-Fi.
    3. Click the “i” button next to your Wi-Fi connection. 
    4. Tap on IP settings.
    5. Choose Static.
    6. Input the IP address. 

    How to set up a static IP address on iOS

    1. Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi.
    2. Choose Network.
    3. Under IPv4, tap Configure IP.
    4. Choose Manual.
    5. Input your new static IP address.

    Don’t want to do any of that? There’s always the option of getting the Dedicated IP from Surfshark. This way, you’ll have a VPN server with a static IP — just connect to it when you go online and enjoy the benefits. 

    The difference between static and dynamic IP addresses

    There are some differences between static and dynamic IP addresses:

    Static IP address
    Dynamic IP address
    Never changes
    Changes frequently, for example, after rebooting a device
    Has to be requested from an ISP
    Can be changed at any time
    Costs money for the user and ISP
    Cheap to maintain

    And these are basically all the essential differences between static and dynamic IPs worth knowing!

    In conclusion: Surfshark is the easiest way to get a static IP

    Most people don’t really need a static IP address, as a dynamic one perfectly serves their needs. However, if you need to get a static address, the process isn’t that involved aside from getting it from the ISP. And, of course, the fastest way to do this is to use a static IP server via the Surfshark VPN app!

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    FAQ 

    How do I get a static IP address for free?

    Unless your ISP is giving out free IP addresses, you can’t! On the other hand, if you’re an existing Surfshark VPN user, you just need to switch to the static IP section on the app and join a static IP server. If you always join the same server, you’ll always have the same IP. 

    Is it okay to use a static IP address?

    It’s okay to use a static IP address. It’s a little less secure than a dynamic address (the static nature means that it makes your device easier to access if it also has an open port number), but not by much.

    How do I use a static IP address on my WiFi?

    If your home Wi-Fi network is run from a router provided by your ISP, you should ask the ISP to give you a static IP and then configure your router to use it. The exact details depend on the router in question. 

    What’s the difference between a dedicated and static IP?

    In general, a “static IP” is an IP address that doesn’t change over time. On the Surfshark VPN app, Static IP is a function: users can connect to a VPN server that will always have the same IP. However, that IP is shared by all the users connected to the server. Dedicated IP is a different Surfshark tool: it gives you a static IP that will never change and will always be yours — and only yours — as long as you’re subscribed to the service.