What an IP address is and why you need to find yours

An IP address is a number that identifies your device on a network — like a mailing address for your computer or phone. It looks like four numbers separated by dots: 192.168.1.5 or something similar. When you set up a home network, you need to know your device's IP address to log into your router, troubleshoot connection problems, or check which devices are actually connected to your wifi.

Your device has two IP addresses: a local IP address (the one inside your home network) and a public IP address (the one your internet provider assigns, visible to websites you visit). For home network security, you almost always need the local one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address is a four-number sequence like 192.168.1.5, and you find it through your device's network settings, not by searching online.
  • On Windows, open Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi, click your network name, and scroll to "IPv4 address".
  • On Mac, open System Settings > WiFi, click Details, and look for "IP Address" in the TCP/IP tab.
  • On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > WiFi, tap the network name, and the IP address appears under the network details.
  • On Android, open Settings > About Phone > Status, or Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > tap your network and scroll down.

Finding your IP address on Windows

Open the Settings app and go to Network & Internet. Click WiFi on the left side. Under "WiFi networks," you'll see your current network name listed. Click on it.

A panel will open showing your network details. Scroll down until you see IPv4 address — that's your local IP address. Write it down or take a screenshot. If you're connected by ethernet cable instead of wifi, click Ethernet instead of WiFi in the first step, then click your connected network.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Open System Settings (not System Preferences — Apple changed the name in recent versions). Click WiFi on the left sidebar. Next to your network name, click Details.

A window will open. Click the TCP/IP tab at the top. Your local IP address is listed next to IPv4 Address. If you're using ethernet, click Network instead of WiFi in the first step, then select your ethernet connection and click Details.

Finding your IP address on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap WiFi. Find the network you're connected to (it will have a checkmark next to it). Tap the network name itself — not the arrow next to it.

A details panel will appear. Scroll down and look for IP Address. The number shown there is your local IP address. This method works the same way on both iPhone and iPad.

Finding your IP address on Android

The steps vary slightly depending on your phone's manufacturer and Android version, but the general path is: open Settings and look for About Phone or Device Information. Tap Status or Network. You should see IP Address listed there.

If that doesn't work, try: Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi. Tap and hold your connected network name, then tap Manage. Scroll down — your IP address will be listed under the network details. If neither path works on your specific phone, search your device's settings for the word "IP" and Android will jump you to the right screen.

What to do once you have your IP address

Most commonly, you'll use your local IP address to log into your router's settings page. Open a web browser on that device and type your IP address into the address bar — for example, type 192.168.1.1 and press Enter. This takes you to your router's login page, where you can change your wifi password, see which devices are connected, or adjust security settings.

You might also need your IP address to troubleshoot a connection problem — for example, if your device keeps dropping off the network, you can check whether it's getting assigned the same IP address each time. Some routers let you "reserve" an IP address for a specific device so it never changes, which can help with devices that need a stable connection.

The difference between local and public IP address

Your local IP address (192.168.1.x) only works inside your home network. It's assigned by your router and changes if you restart the router or if the device reconnects. Your public IP address is assigned by your internet provider and is what websites see when you visit them. You don't need your public IP address for home network setup — it's mainly relevant if you're troubleshooting internet-wide issues or if you're trying to access your home network from outside your house.

If you do need your public IP address for some reason, you can find it by opening any web browser and searching "what is my IP address" — the search results will show it when ready. But for setting up and securing your home network, you only need the local one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your router assigns local IP addresses automatically using DHCP. If a device disconnects and reconnects, it may get a different address. If this causes problems, you can set a static IP address in your router settings, which reserves a specific address for that device. Most routers call this "DHCP reservation" or "static IP reservation."

Is it safe to share my local IP address?

Your local IP address only works on your home network, so sharing it with someone outside your house doesn't let them connect to your devices. However, don't share it unnecessarily — if someone is on your wifi network and has your device's local IP address, they could try to access it. Keep your wifi password strong instead.

What if I can't find the IP address in my settings?

Make sure you're looking in the right place for your device type — the steps differ between Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android. Also confirm you're actually connected to the network (you should see a checkmark or "Connected" label). If you're still stuck, restart the device and try again.

Can I use my IP address to log into my router from outside my house?

No — your local IP address only works inside your home network. To access your router from outside, you'd need your public IP address and would have to enable remote access in your router settings (not recommended for security reasons). Most people don't need to do this.