Where to find your IP address on macOS
Your Mac's IP address lives in System Settings under the Network section. Open System Settings (the gear icon in your dock or Applications folder), click Network on the left sidebar, then select the connection you use — Wi-Fi if you're wireless, Ethernet if you're plugged in. The IP address appears on the right side of the window, labeled as "IP Address". It's a four-part number like 192.168.1.105.
If you don't see the Network option in System Settings, your Mac may be running an older version. On macOS Monterey and earlier, the setting lives in System Preferences instead — the process is identical, just a different name for the same menu.
Key Takeaways
- Open System Settings, click Network, select your connection type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and read the IP Address field on the right side.
- Your local IP address (starting with 192.168 or 10.) is what your router assigns — different from your public IP that websites see.
- The Terminal app can show your IP address faster if you type ifconfig and look for "inet" next to your connection name.
- Your IP address can change if you restart your router or if your Mac reconnects to Wi-Fi, so write it down if you need it for a specific task.
Using Terminal for a faster lookup
If you're comfortable with the Terminal app, you can see your IP address in seconds without opening System Settings. Press Command + Space to open Spotlight search, type "Terminal", and press Enter. A black window opens.
Type ifconfig and press Enter. A wall of text appears. Look for the section labeled with your connection type — "en0" for Ethernet, "en1" or "en5" for Wi-Fi on newer Macs. Under that section, find the line that starts with "inet" (not "inet6"). The number after "inet" is your IP address. Close Terminal when you're done.
The difference between local and public IP addresses
The IP address you see in System Settings is your local IP address — the one your router uses to talk to your Mac inside your home network. It usually starts with 192.168 or 10. and never changes unless you restart your router or your Mac loses connection and reconnects.
Your public IP address is different. It's what websites and services on the internet see when you connect to them. Your router assigns this address to your entire home network, so all your devices share it. If you need your public IP (for remote access or troubleshooting with your internet provider), visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com in your web browser. That public address changes when your internet provider reassigns it, which can happen days or months apart.
Why you might need to know your IP address
You usually need your local IP address when you're setting up a device on your home network — a printer, security camera, or smart speaker — and the setup instructions ask for your computer's IP. You also need it if you're troubleshooting a connection problem with your internet provider or if you're sharing files with another computer on the same Wi-Fi network.
Write down your local IP address if you're about to do one of these tasks, because it can change if your router restarts or your Mac reconnects to Wi-Fi. Most home routers keep the same address for the same device most of the time, but it's not may provide.
What to do if the IP address field is blank or missing
If System Settings shows no IP address, your Mac is not connected to the network. Check that Wi-Fi is turned on (click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar at the top right) and that you're connected to your router's network name. If you're using Ethernet, make sure the cable is plugged into both your Mac and your router.
If you're connected but still see no IP address, restart your Mac and try again. If the problem continues, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting two minutes for it to fully restart. Then check System Settings again.
Checking your IP address on multiple connections
If your Mac is connected to both Wi-Fi and Ethernet at the same time, you have two different local IP addresses — one for each connection. System Settings shows only the one for whichever connection is active (usually Wi-Fi takes priority). To see both, use Terminal and the ifconfig command, which lists every connection your Mac has.
Most of the time you only need the address for the connection you're actually using. If you're troubleshooting a specific device or service, make sure you're looking at the IP address for the right connection type.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my IP address change if I restart my Mac?
Your local IP address usually stays the same after a restart, because your router remembers which address it gave you. It can change if your Mac is off for a long time or if your router restarts, but in most home networks it remains stable for weeks or months.
Can I set a permanent IP address on my Mac?
Yes, you can assign a static IP address in System Settings under Network > Advanced > TCP/IP, but most people don't need to. A static address is useful only if you're running a server or need a device to always be reachable at the same number. For everyday use, let your router assign it automatically.
Is my local IP address the same as my public IP address?
No. Your local IP address (192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x) is only visible inside your home network. Your public IP address is what the internet sees and is assigned by your internet provider to your router. Websites cannot see your local IP address.
Why does my IP address start with 192.168 instead of something else?
Your router uses 192.168 or 10 as the starting range for all devices on your home network — this is a standard set aside for private networks that never connect directly to the internet. Every home router uses one of these ranges, so your local IP address will always start with one of these numbers.
Do I need my IP address to connect to Wi-Fi?
No. Your Mac gets an IP address automatically from your router after you connect to Wi-Fi. You only need to know your IP address if you're setting up another device, troubleshooting a problem, or sharing files with another computer.