Change Wi-Fi Settings from Static IP to DHCP on Android

How to Change Wi-Fi Settings from Static IP to DHCP on Android Devices.

Learn how to switch your Wi-Fi connection from a static IP back to DHCP on your Android phone. If you previously set up a static IP for a specific reason and now want to go back to automatic settings, this guide will help you do it.

I’ll show you this on a Sony Xperia 1V running Android 15, but the steps work on almost any Android phone from Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Motorola, and other brands.

What is DHCP and why use it?

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. That sounds complicated, but it’s actually simple. When you connect to Wi-Fi, your router automatically gives your phone an IP address. You don’t have to type anything. It just works.

Most people never need to think about DHCP because it’s the default setting on every phone.

Static IP vs DHCP – quick recap

DHCP (automatic)

• Your router assigns an IP address automatically
• No manual setup required
• Great for everyday use
• The IP address might change occasionally

Static IP (manual)

• You type in a fixed IP address yourself
• Requires manual setup
• Useful for things like port forwarding or running a home server
• The IP address never changes

When should you switch back to DHCP?

You might want to go back to DHCP if:

• You set up a static IP for a temporary project and now you’re done
• Your internet stopped working after setting a static IP
• You switched Wi-Fi networks and the static IP doesn’t match
• You just want things to work automatically without any maintenance

Before you change anything – try these quick fixes first

If your Wi-Fi internet isn’t working and you think it might be a static IP issue, try these two things before changing settings:

Restart your phone
Turn your phone off and on again. This fixes many random network glitches. It’s always worth trying first.

Try airplane mode

1. Swipe down to open quick settings
2. Tap the airplane icon to turn on Airplane Mode
3. Wait 5-10 seconds
4. Tap the airplane icon again to turn it off

This resets your phone’s connections and can fix small issues.

If those don’t work and you’re still having problems, then switching from static to DHCP is a good next step.

How to change from static IP to DHCP step by step

Step 1: Open Settings
Find the Settings app on your phone. It looks like a gear icon.

Step 2: Go to Network & Internet
Tap on “”Network & internet”” or just “”Connections”” depending on your phone brand.

Step 3: Tap on Internet
You’ll see your Wi-Fi network and mobile data listed here.

Step 4: Find your connected Wi-Fi network
Look for the network you’re currently connected to. Next to it, you’ll see a gear icon (??) or an info icon. Tap that.

Step 5: Tap the pencil icon to edit
Look for a pencil icon (??) or an edit button. Tap it to modify the network settings.

Step 6: Open advanced options
Look for “”Advanced options”” or a small arrow pointing down. Tap it to expand the menu.

Step 7: Change IP settings from Static to DHCP
Find where it says “”IP settings”” or “”DHCP.”” Tap on it. A menu will pop up. Select “”DHCP”” instead of “”Static.””

Step 8: Save your changes
Tap “”Save”” or the checkmark icon to apply the settings.

That’s it. Your phone will now automatically get an IP address from your router.

What happens after you switch to DHCP

Once you save the change, your phone will:

• Ask your router for an available IP address
• Automatically receive the correct Gateway and DNS settings from the router
• Connect to the internet using those automatic settings

You don’t need to type or remember anything. The router handles it all.

How to test if it worked

Check your new IP address
Go back to the network details screen (same place where you saw the static IP before). You should now see a different IP address that was automatically assigned by your router.

Test your internet connection
Open a website or use an app that needs the internet. Make sure everything loads normally.

Compare with mobile data (if needed)
If you’re still having internet problems:

1. Turn off Wi-Fi
2. Use your mobile data (5G or 4G)
3. Try opening the same website

If the site loads on mobile data but not on Wi-Fi, the problem isn’t your phone’s static IP setting anymore. It might be your router or internet connection itself.

A note about DNS servers

When you switch to DHCP, your phone will receive DNS settings automatically from your router. If you had set custom DNS servers (like 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8) while using static IP, those will go away.

If you still want custom DNS settings but want automatic IP assignment, check if your router allows you to set DNS servers there. That way every device on your network uses your preferred DNS automatically.

What if you need a static IP later?

If you eventually need a static IP again, you can always switch back. The same steps work in reverse:

1. Go to the same network settings screen
2. Tap the pencil icon
3. Open advanced options
4. Change IP settings from DHCP to Static
5. Enter your desired IP address, Gateway, and DNS
6. Save

Common question: Can I set a permanent IP address without using static mode on my phone?

Yes. A better way to give your phone a permanent IP address is to set it up in your router instead of on your phone. Look for “”DHCP reservation”” or “”IP reservation”” in your router’s settings. You give your phone’s MAC address a specific IP, and the router always assigns that same IP automatically.

This gives you the best of both worlds: a fixed IP address for your phone, but you don’t have to manually configure anything on the phone itself. The phone stays on DHCP and just receives the same IP every time.

Quick summary

To change from static IP to DHCP on Android:

1. Open Settings
2. Go to Network & Internet > Internet
3. Tap the gear icon next to your Wi-Fi network
4. Tap the pencil icon to edit
5. Open Advanced options
6. Change IP settings from Static to DHCP
7. Tap Save

After you switch, your phone will automatically get an IP address from your router every time you connect. No more manual typing. No more config problems. Just simple, automatic Wi-Fi that works.

If your internet still isn’t working after switching to DHCP, try restarting your phone or checking if other devices can connect to the same Wi-Fi network. The problem might be your router or internet service, not your phone.