In computer networking, does a device's IP address usually change when its location or network connection changes?

Introduction / Context:
Every device that communicates on the Internet uses an Internet Protocol (IP) address so that data can be routed to and from it. Many users wonder whether this address is fixed forever or can change when they move their device. This question explores the basic idea of dynamic IP addressing and how location and network changes affect the IP address assigned to a device.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The device can connect through different networks such as home Wi-Fi, office Wi-Fi, or mobile data.
• We are mainly concerned with public IP addresses used on the wider Internet.
• Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) assign addresses dynamically.
• MAC addresses, by contrast, are hardware identifiers at the data link layer.

Concept / Approach:
In practice, most consumer and mobile Internet connections use dynamic IP addressing. This means that when your device connects to a network, the router or ISP's DHCP server assigns an available IP address from a pool. When you disconnect and later reconnect, or when you move to a different network, you are often assigned a different IP address. Some business connections use static IP addresses that do not change, but this is not the default for normal users. Location is related because changing networks often happens when moving from home to office or to another city, which triggers a new IP assignment.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that most home broadband and mobile data plans use dynamic IP addresses. Step 2: Understand that when you disconnect from one network and connect to another, a different router or ISP may assign a new IP address. Step 3: Note that moving between physical locations often means moving between networks, which usually changes the IP address. Step 4: Recall that MAC addresses are hardware level identifiers and are different from IP addresses. Step 5: Conclude that the correct general statement is that the public IP address often changes when networks or locations change.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this behaviour by checking your public IP address at a website from your home network and then checking again from your office or mobile hotspot. You will almost certainly see different IP values. Even on the same network, rebooting or reconnecting the router may result in a new IP assignment, depending on the ISP. Networking tutorials on DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) explain how dynamic assignment works, reinforcing that most consumer IP addresses are not permanently fixed.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
No, an IP address is permanently fixed to the device hardware and never changes: This confuses IP addresses with MAC addresses; IPs are logical and often dynamic. Yes, but only when you travel to a different country, not within the same city: The change depends on the network, not strictly the country; switching local networks can also change the IP. No, because IP addresses and MAC addresses are the same thing: They are different concepts at different layers of the networking model.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent confusion is between static and dynamic IP addressing. Some businesses pay for static IPs, so users may wrongly assume that all IP addresses are fixed. Another pitfall is mixing up MAC and IP addresses; MAC addresses are usually fixed to network cards, while IP addresses can be reassigned many times. Keeping this distinction clear helps you understand how location and network changes affect your online identity.

Final Answer:
Yes, for typical users the public IP address often changes when you move between networks or locations.