Finding Your IP Address on Mac

Your Mac has two IP addresses: a local IP address that identifies it on your home network, and a public IP address that identifies your entire network to the internet. The local IP is what you need most often — to connect devices, troubleshoot network problems, or set up port forwarding on your router. You can find it in System Settings in under a minute.

The fastest way is to open System Settings, click Network in the sidebar, select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and look for the IP Address field. That number — usually starting with 192.168 or 10.0 — is your local IP. If you need your public IP instead, you can check it from a website like whatismyipaddress.com, but most home network tasks use the local address.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in System Settings under Network, next to the connection you are currently using.
  • Local IP addresses on home networks usually start with 192.168 or 10.0, while public IPs are the address your internet provider assigns to your modem.
  • You need your local IP to connect other devices to your Mac, set up port forwarding, or troubleshoot network problems.
  • If your Mac is connected to Wi-Fi, check the Wi-Fi settings; if it is plugged in with Ethernet, check the Ethernet settings instead.

Finding Your Local IP Address Through System Settings

Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting System Settings. In the sidebar on the left, click Network. You will see a list of connection types — Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or others depending on what your Mac has.

Click the connection you are currently using. If you are on Wi-Fi, click Wi-Fi. If you are plugged in with a cable, click Ethernet. On the right side of the window, you will see details about that connection. Look for the line labeled IP Address. The number next to it — something like 192.168.1.105 — is your local IP address on your home network.

Write this number down or take a screenshot if you need it for later. This address only works on your home network; it will not help you connect to your Mac from outside your house.

Finding Your Local IP Address Using Terminal

If you prefer the command line, Terminal gives you the same information in a single command. Open Terminal by pressing Command+Space, typing terminal, and pressing Enter.

Type this command and press Enter: ifconfig | grep "inet " | grep -v 127.0.0.1

Terminal will show you a list of IP addresses. Look for the one that starts with 192.168 or 10.0 — that is your local IP. Ignore any address that starts with 127.0.0.1; that is your Mac talking to itself and is not useful for network connections.

Understanding Local vs. Public IP Addresses

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and only works inside your home network. Every device on your Wi-Fi or Ethernet has its own local IP. These addresses follow a pattern: they start with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16. Your Mac uses this address to communicate with your printer, smart home devices, other computers, and your router.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet provider to your modem. It is the address the rest of the internet sees when your Mac connects outward. You cannot find this address in System Settings because your Mac does not directly know it — your modem does. If you need your public IP, visit whatismyipaddress.com or search "what is my IP" in any browser. Your public IP changes periodically unless your provider charges extra for a static IP.

For home network tasks — connecting a printer, setting up a security camera, or troubleshooting a connection — you always need the local IP, not the public one.

What to Do If Your IP Address Changes

Your router assigns local IP addresses automatically using DHCP, which means your Mac might get a different local IP the next time it connects. If you are setting up a device that needs to reach your Mac reliably — like a printer or security camera — a changing IP address will break the connection.

To prevent this, you can assign your Mac a static local IP address in your router settings. Log into your router (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1 into a browser), find the DHCP or Local Network settings, and look for an option to reserve an IP address or set a static assignment. You will need your Mac's MAC address, which you can find in System Settings under Network by clicking the connection and looking for the Wi-Fi Address or Ethernet Address field. Assign your Mac an IP address near the top of your router's range — like 192.168.1.10 — to avoid conflicts.

Checking Your Connection Status

If you have an IP address, your Mac is connected to the network. If the IP Address field in System Settings is blank or shows 169.254.x.x, your Mac is not properly connected. Try these steps: disconnect from Wi-Fi and reconnect, or unplug and replug your Ethernet cable. If that does not work, restart your Mac and your router — turn off the router, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on.

If you still see no IP address after reconnecting, your router may not be assigning addresses correctly. Restart your router first, then restart your Mac. If the problem persists, check that your router is working by seeing if other devices can connect to it.

Using Your IP Address for Network Tasks

Once you have your local IP address, you can use it to connect other devices to your Mac. To share files over your home network, go to System Settings, click General, then Sharing, and turn on File Sharing. Other devices on your network can then connect by typing your Mac's IP address into their file browser.

If you are setting up a printer, the printer usually finds your Mac automatically, but if it does not, you can add it manually by going to System Preferences, Printers & Scanners, clicking the plus button, and entering your Mac's IP address. For remote access tools like Apple Remote Desktop or third-party software, you will also need your Mac's IP address and a password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IP address start with 169.254?

That address means your Mac is not connected to your router. Disconnect from Wi-Fi and reconnect, or unplug and replug your Ethernet cable. If the problem continues, restart your router by turning it off for 30 seconds, then back on.

Can I find my IP address on my iPhone or iPad?

Yes. Go to Settings, tap Wi-Fi, tap the network you are connected to, and look for the IP Address field. The process is the same as on Mac — the address will start with 192.168 or 10.0 if you are on a home network.

Is it safe to share my local IP address with someone?

Your local IP only works inside your home network, so sharing it with someone outside your house is harmless — they cannot use it to connect to your Mac. Your public IP is more sensitive, but even that does not directly expose your personal files. Still, do not share either address with strangers.

What if I need my Mac's IP address but I cannot access it?

Ask someone else on your network to check your router's settings. Most routers have a web interface (usually at 192.168.1.1) where you can see all connected devices and their IP addresses. You will need your router's password to log in.