Where to find your IP address depends on what device you're using

Your device's IP address is a number assigned by your router — something like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.12. You find it differently on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android because each operating system stores network information in different places. The method takes less than a minute once you know where to look.

Most of the time you won't need your device's IP address. But if your router isn't connecting properly, if you're setting up a printer on your home network, or if you're troubleshooting why one device can't reach another, knowing the number helps you or a support person figure out what's wrong.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Status, and scroll down to find your IPv4 address listed under "IP assignment".
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and your IP address appears in the Details section.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Wi-Fi, select your network name, and the IP address is listed under "IPv4 Address".
  • On Android, open Settings, tap About Phone or About Device, then tap Status or Network, and look for "IP address".
  • Your device gets a new IP address each time it connects to the network, so write it down if you need it for something specific.

Finding your IP address on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click Network & Internet on the left side of the window.

Click Status (it's usually the first option). Scroll down until you see a section called "IP assignment". Your IPv4 address is the number listed there — it will look something like 192.168.1.100. That's your device's address on your home network.

If you see multiple numbers listed, the one you want starts with 192.168 or 10.0 (these are the ranges routers use for home networks). If you see a number starting with 169.254, your device isn't connected properly to the router — try disconnecting and reconnecting to Wi-Fi.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Click Network in the sidebar.

Select the connection you're using — either Wi-Fi if you're on wireless, or Ethernet if you're plugged in with a cable. Click the Details button. Your IPv4 address is listed in the window that opens — again, it will be a number like 192.168.1.50.

If you don't see an IP address listed, or if it starts with 169.254, your Mac isn't connected to the network properly. Try turning Wi-Fi off and back on, or unplugging and replugging the ethernet cable.

Finding your IP address on iPhone

Open the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi. Tap the name of the network you're connected to (it will have a checkmark next to it). Scroll down and look for IPv4 Address — that's the number you need.

If you don't see an IPv4 Address listed, your phone isn't actually connected to the network even though it shows the network name. Try forgetting the network (tap the info icon next to the network name, then "Forget This Network") and reconnecting by entering your Wi-Fi password again.

Finding your IP address on Android

Open Settings and scroll down to find About Phone or About Device (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Tap it, then look for Status or Network. Your IP address is listed there.

On some Android phones, the IP address is under Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi. Tap the network you're connected to, then tap Manage or the gear icon. The IP address appears in the details section.

If you're having trouble finding it, try this: go to Settings, search for "IP address" using the search box at the top, and Android will show you the setting directly.

What to do with your IP address once you find it

Write down your device's IP address if you're about to troubleshoot a network problem or set up a device like a printer. The address is only useful while your device is connected to your router — if you turn the device off or move it to a different network, it will get a new address.

If you're setting up a printer or another device that needs to know your computer's address, take a screenshot or write the number down before you start. Some routers let you assign the same address to a device every time it connects (called a "static IP" or "reserved IP"), but that's a router setting, not something you change on the device itself.

If a support person asks for your IP address, they're usually trying to figure out whether your device is actually connected to the network. Giving them this number tells them your device made it past the router and onto the network — the next step is checking whether it can reach the internet.

Why your IP address changes and when it matters

Your router assigns a new IP address to your device each time it connects, usually from a pool of numbers it keeps available. This is normal and expected. Most of the time it doesn't matter — your device will get a different number next week and everything will work the same.

The only time it matters is if you've written down an address for a specific reason, like setting up a printer to print only from that device, or configuring your router to give one device faster speeds. In those cases, the address you wrote down might not work a few days later because your device got a new one. If that happens, just find the new address and update the setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my Wi-Fi password?

No. Your Wi-Fi password is what you type to connect to the network. Your IP address is a number the router gives your device after you connect. You need the password to join the network; the IP address is assigned automatically once you're in.

Can someone see my IP address and find out where I live?

The IP address your router assigns (like 192.168.1.5) is only visible to devices on your home network — it's not visible to websites or the internet. The address that websites see is your public IP address, which is assigned by your internet provider and is different from your home network address.

What if I see two different IP addresses on my device?

You might see both an IPv4 address (like 192.168.1.50) and an IPv6 address (a longer number with colons). Both are normal — IPv6 is a newer system that works alongside IPv4. For home network troubleshooting, the IPv4 address is the one you need.

Do I need to know my IP address to use the internet?

No. Your device and router handle IP addresses automatically. You only need to know it if you're troubleshooting a connection problem or setting up a device on your network. For everyday internet use, you don't need to think about it.

What if my device shows "No IP Address"?

This means your device connected to the Wi-Fi network but the router didn't assign it an address. Try forgetting the network and reconnecting, or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. If the problem continues, restart the device itself.