Your IP settings are in different places depending on what device you're using

Your IP address is a number that identifies your device on your network — something like 192.168.1.5. Your IP settings also include your gateway (the router that connects you to the internet) and your DNS servers (the computers that translate web addresses into numbers). You'll need to know where these settings live if you're troubleshooting a connection problem, changing how your device connects, or just checking that your network is set up the way you think it is.

The location of these settings depends on whether you're on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, or a tablet. Each operating system hides them in a different menu, but the process is straightforward once you know where to look. This guide walks you through finding them on the most common devices.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, select Network & Internet, then choose your connection type to see your IP address and related settings.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and click Details to view your IP settings.
  • On iPhone and iPad, open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, select your network, and scroll down to see your IP address and DNS information.
  • On Android phones, go to Settings, find Wi-Fi or Network settings, long-press your connected network, and tap Modify to view IP details.
  • Your IP address may change automatically if your router uses DHCP, which is the default for most home networks.

Finding IP settings on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Once Settings opens, select Network & Internet from the left menu.

If you're connected by Wi-Fi, click Wi-Fi in the left menu, then click the name of your network under "Known networks." Scroll down and click Properties. Your IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS servers will all appear on this screen. If you're connected by ethernet cable instead, click Ethernet in the left menu, then click your connection name and select Properties to see the same information.

If you need more detailed settings — such as changing from automatic IP assignment to a static IP — click Edit next to "IP assignment" on the Properties screen. This is where you would manually enter an IP address if your network requires it, though most home networks do not.

Finding IP settings on Mac

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

Select your connection type — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet — from the list on the left. If you're on Wi-Fi, make sure you're connected to your network first. Once selected, click the Details button (or Advanced on older versions). A window will open showing your IP address, subnet mask, router address, and DNS servers.

To change from automatic IP assignment to a static address, click the TCP/IP tab in that same Details window. The dropdown at the top currently shows "Automatic (DHCP)." Click it and select Manual if you need to set a fixed IP address. Most home networks use automatic assignment, so you won't need to change this unless you have a specific reason.

Finding IP settings on iPhone and iPad

Open the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on, then look for the network you're connected to — it will have a checkmark next to it. Tap the network name or the information icon (a circle with an "i") next to it.

Scroll down on the screen that appears. You'll see your IP Address listed, along with your Subnet Mask, Router, and DNS information. If you need to change any of these settings, tap Configure IP at the top of the screen. The default is "Automatic," which means your router assigns your IP address. You can change this to "Manual" if your network requires a static address, though this is rare for home networks.

Note that iPhone and iPad only show IP settings for Wi-Fi connections. If you're using cellular data, those settings are managed by your carrier and are not visible in Settings.

Finding IP settings on Android phones and tablets

Open Settings and look for Network, Connections, or Wi-Fi — the exact name varies by manufacturer. Tap Wi-Fi to see your available networks. Find the network you're currently connected to and long-press it (hold your finger on it for a few seconds).

A menu will appear with options including Modify or Edit. Tap that option. A new screen will open showing your connection details. Look for a section labeled Advanced or IP Settings and tap it. Your IP address, gateway, DNS servers, and other network information will be displayed there.

If you need to change from automatic to static IP assignment, look for a dropdown or toggle labeled DHCP or IP Assignment. The default is usually "DHCP," which means automatic. Change it to "Static" only if your network requires a fixed address. The exact steps vary depending on your phone's manufacturer and Android version.

What your IP settings actually mean

Your IP address is the unique number your device uses on your network. It typically starts with 192.168 on a home network. Your subnet mask (usually 255.255.255.0) tells your device which other addresses are on the same local network. Your gateway or router is the address of your router — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — which is how your device reaches the internet.

Your DNS servers are computers that translate web addresses (like google.com) into IP addresses that your device can use. Most home networks use the DNS servers provided by your internet service provider, but you can change them to use public DNS services like Google's (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare's (1.1.1.1) if you want.

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. When DHCP is on, your router automatically assigns your device a new IP address each time it connects. This is the default for home networks and is usually what you want. A static IP means your device always gets the same address. You might use this for a printer, security camera, or server that needs to be reached at a consistent address, but it's not necessary for regular computers and phones.

When you might need to check your IP settings

You'll want to find your IP settings if your device isn't connecting to the network, if you're setting up port forwarding on your router, or if you're troubleshooting a slow connection. Knowing your IP address also helps when you're calling your internet service provider for support — they often ask for it.

If you're setting up a new device on your network or trying to access a device remotely, you may need to know its IP address or change it to a static address so it doesn't move around. If you're changing your DNS servers to improve privacy or speed, you'll need to access these settings as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your router is using DHCP, which automatically assigns a new IP address each time your device connects. This is normal and is the default setting on most home networks. If you need your device to keep the same address, you can change it to a static IP in your network settings, though this is rarely necessary for phones and computers.

What's the difference between my IP address and my Wi-Fi password?

Your Wi-Fi password is what you type to connect to your network. Your IP address is the number your device gets once it's connected. They're separate things — knowing one doesn't tell you the other. Your IP address is visible to other devices on your network, while your password should stay private.

Can I change my IP address if I don't like the one I have?

Yes, but it will change automatically the next time your device reconnects to the network if DHCP is on. If you want a specific address, you can set it to static in your network settings. However, most people don't need to do this — your router assigns addresses automatically and handles conflicts on its own.

What should I do if my IP address starts with 169.254?

An address starting with 169.254 means your device couldn't reach your router to get an IP address. This usually means your Wi-Fi connection is weak, your router is offline, or there's a problem with your network. Try moving closer to your router, restarting your device, or restarting your router to fix it.

Do I need to write down my IP settings somewhere?

You don't need to write them down for everyday use — your device and router handle this automatically. If you're setting up port forwarding or remote access, you might want to note your static IP address or your public IP address (which is different from your local IP and can be found by searching "what is my IP" in a web browser). For most situations, you can just look them up again when you need them.