How to Change IP Address on Ubuntu Easily

Changing your IP address in Ubuntu might sound complex, but it’s actually quite easy once you understand how it works. Whether you’re setting up port forwarding, hosting a media server, or just managing your network configuration, Ubuntu provides simple tools to help you out.

In most cases, your router assigns IPs dynamically through DHCP. However, if you want a static IP for stability or configuration reasons, you can change it either through Netplan (via Terminal) or using Ubuntu’s Graphical User Interface (GUI). Let’s explore both methods

Method 1: Change IP Address via Terminal Using Netplan​

Ubuntu uses Netplan to handle all network configurations. It interacts with systemd-networkd and NetworkManager, which apply the changes to your network interfaces.

Step 1: List Your Network Interfaces​

Open the terminal using Ctrl + Alt + T, then type: ip link
This command lists all network interfaces and their current status.

Step 2: Edit the Netplan Configuration File​

Now open your Netplan YAML file:

sudo nano /etc/netplan/*.yaml

Inside the file, you’ll find your current configuration. Replace it with something like this:

network:
  version: 2
  renderer: networkd
  ethernets:
    enp0s3:
      dhcp4: no
      dhcp6: no
      addresses: [192.168.2.2/24]
      gateway4: 192.168.2.2
      nameservers:
        addresses: [8.8.4.4, 8.8.8.8]

• enp0s3 → your network interface name
• addresses → the static IP you want
• gateway4 → your router gateway
• nameservers → DNS servers (e.g., Google DNS)

Save the file (Ctrl + O, then Enter) and close it (Ctrl + X).

Step 3: Apply the Configuration​

Now apply your new settings with:

sudo netplan apply

To confirm your new IP: ip addr show
You’ve successfully changed your IP address using Netplan!

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Method 2: Change IP Address via Ubuntu GUI​

Prefer a visual method? No problem! Ubuntu makes this easy too.

Step 1: Open Network Settings​

Go to Settings → Network, then click the gear icon next to your network connection.

Step 2: Switch to Manual Configuration​

In the IPv4 tab, change the setting from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
Now, enter:

• IP Address
• Netmask
• Gateway
• DNS Servers

Click Apply to save changes.

Step 3: Verify the Change​

Go to the Details tab to confirm your new static IP address.

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Why Change Your IP Address?​

Here are some common reasons why you might need to change your IP on Ubuntu:

• Improve network stability or avoid IP conflicts.
• Set up port forwarding for servers or applications.
• Connect to a different subnet for specific network setups.
• Enhance privacy and control over network connections.

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Conclusion​

Changing your IP address in Ubuntu - whether via Terminal (Netplan) or GUI - is straightforward once you know the process. Both methods help you gain better control over your network configuration and connectivity .
So next time you need to configure your IP manually, you’ll know exactly what to do!