Change your computer's IP to another country: proxy or VPN, step by step
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There are two common ways to change your computer's IP to another country: a proxy or a VPN. A proxy is set per browser, per profile or per app, gives you a fixed IP in the country you choose, and works well when you need several different IPs or want to keep one IP for an account over time. A VPN sends all of the computer's traffic through an encrypted tunnel, which suits you when you want the whole machine to appear abroad and need encryption on public networks. This guide compares the two, shows how to set up a proxy on Windows, macOS and in a browser, and how to confirm the IP is in the right country.
Proxy or VPN: choose by what you need
If the goal is to view country-specific content with a fixed IP, or to work with several accounts each on its own IP, a private proxy fits better. If the goal is to protect your data on an untrusted network, a VPN is the right tool. There is a fuller comparison in proxy vs VPN.
| Private proxy | VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | One browser, profile or app | The whole computer |
| Extra encryption | No, it relays traffic | Yes, an encrypted tunnel to the VPN server |
| IP | Fixed and dedicated to one customer | Usually shared with other VPN users |
| Many IPs at once | Easy, one IP per profile | Hard, typically one IP per connection |
| Best for | Account management, tools, scraping, country checks | Protection on public Wi-Fi, using the whole machine from one country |
Which countries you can switch to
Private IPv4 proxies are available in seven countries: the United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Static ISP proxies, using IPs registered to consumer providers, are available in Vietnam and the US. Proxies are sold by country; you cannot pick a specific city or state.
Each IP is assigned to one customer and stays the same for the whole rental. To keep an IP long term, renew it in the dashboard before it expires.
Option 1: change the IP for all of Windows
Use this when you want every browser to share the foreign IP:
- Open Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.
- Under manual proxy setup, turn on Use a proxy server and enter the IP and port from your
ip:port:user:passline. - Save, open your browser and enter the username and password when prompted.
- Confirm the IP with what is my IP.
- Some apps ignore the system proxy; for those, see proxy works in browser but not in app.
Option 2: change the IP on macOS
- Open System Settings > Network, select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and click Details.
- Choose Proxies and enable Web proxy (HTTP) and Secure web proxy (HTTPS).
- Enter the IP and port for both, enable password authentication and fill in the username and password.
- Click OK and check your IP in the browser. A screenshot walkthrough is in the macOS proxy setup guide.
Option 3: change the IP for one browser or profile only
This is the most flexible approach: your main browser keeps your home connection while another browser or profile uses the foreign IP. In Chrome and Edge, use an extension such as SwitchyOmega to set a separate proxy. Firefox has its own proxy settings independent of the system; see Firefox proxy setup.
If you need several IPs in several countries at once, one per account, use an antidetect browser and assign one proxy per profile. When working with multiple accounts, follow each platform's rules; proxies do not make accounts immune to suspension.
Confirm the IP is in the right country
- Open what is my IP and confirm it shows the proxy IP.
- Look up the IP in the IP lookup tool to see the country. If one source shows the wrong country, cross-check as described in proxy shows the wrong country.
- Run the WebRTC leak test to make sure the browser does not expose your real IP.
- Set browser time zone and language to match the proxy country if sites localise content by those signals.
Things to know before switching
Changing your IP to another country does not make you fully anonymous. Sites still see your browser fingerprint, cookies, logged-in accounts and payment details. A proxy adds no encryption either, so stick to HTTPS sites on public Wi-Fi. Expect slightly slower speeds because data travels further; pick the country closest to the target site among those that work for you.
Finally, use a foreign IP for legitimate purposes: checking search results by country, verifying ads, managing business accounts in other markets. Do not use it to evade terms of service, abuse promotions or get around legal restrictions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the quickest way to get a US IP on my computer?
Buy a US IPv4 proxy, enable it in Windows or macOS proxy settings with the IP and port, and sign in with the username and password when the browser asks. Then confirm with an IP check tool.
Is a proxy as secure as a VPN?
A proxy does not add encryption like a VPN does. It is the right tool for a fixed country IP; for protecting data on public networks, a VPN is the better fit.
Can I switch to a specific city?
No. Proxies are sold by country, without city or state selection.
Can I change the IP for one browser without affecting others?
Yes. Use a proxy extension in Chrome or Edge, Firefox's own settings, or an antidetect browser with one proxy per profile.
Are SOCKS5 proxies available for changing my IP?
No. The proxies use HTTP/HTTPS with username and password authentication, which works with browsers, antidetect tools, Proxifier and most software.
Get an IP in the country you need
Private IPv4 in the US, Japan, Korea, Singapore, the UK, Hong Kong and Vietnam, plus static ISP in Vietnam and the US. Fixed IPs, automatic activation.
See pricing