Finding your IP address on a Mac in three steps

Your IP address is a number that identifies your Mac on your network — like a mailing address for data. You need it to troubleshoot connection problems, set up port forwarding, or check which device is using your bandwidth. On a Mac, you can find it in System Settings in under a minute.

Open System Settings, click Network in the sidebar, select your connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and look for the IP Address field. That four-part number — something like 192.168.1.105 — is what you need. The process is the same whether you use Wi-Fi or a wired connection.

Key Takeaways

  • Your IP address appears in System Settings under Network, next to the connection you are currently using.
  • A private IP address (starting with 192.168 or 10.) is what your router assigns to your Mac and is different from your public IP.
  • If you need your public IP instead — the one the outside internet sees — you can find it by searching "what is my IP" in any browser.
  • Your private IP can change if your router restarts, so write it down if you need it for port forwarding or device identification.

Using System Settings to find your private IP address

System Settings is the fastest way to find the IP address your router assigned to your Mac. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select System Settings, then click Network in the left sidebar. You will see your current connection listed — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet — with a green dot next to it.

Click that connection name. A panel opens on the right showing your connection details. Scroll down until you see IP Address. That is the number you are looking for. It will be four groups of numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.50 or 10.0.0.15.

If you are connected to Wi-Fi, you can also see your router's address (listed as Router) and your DNS servers. These details are useful if you are setting up port forwarding or troubleshooting DNS problems, but the IP Address field is what most people need.

The difference between private and public IP addresses

The address you see in System Settings is your private IP address — the one your router uses to talk to your Mac inside your home network. It always starts with 192.168, 10., or 172.16. This address only works on your local network. Outside your home, the internet sees a different address: your public IP address.

Your public IP is assigned by your internet service provider and is shared by all devices in your home. If you need your public IP — for example, to set up remote access or to report abuse — open any web browser and search for "what is my IP". The first result will show it.

For most home network tasks like port forwarding, connecting to a printer, or identifying which device is using bandwidth, you need the private IP address from System Settings. Only use your public IP if you are setting up something that needs to work from outside your home network.

Finding your IP address from the Terminal

If you prefer the command line, you can find your IP address in Terminal without opening System Settings. Press Command-Space to open Spotlight, type Terminal, and press Enter. Then type this command and press Enter:

ifconfig | grep "inet " | grep -v 127.0.0.1

Terminal will show several lines. Look for the line that starts with inet and shows an address like 192.168.1.105. That is your private IP address. This method is faster if you use Terminal often, but System Settings is easier if you only need it once.

Why your IP address might change

Your router assigns a new private IP address to your Mac each time it connects to the network. If your router restarts or your Mac loses connection and reconnects, the address can change. This usually happens within a few minutes, but it means you cannot rely on the same IP address forever.

If you need a device to keep the same IP address — for example, to set up port forwarding to a game server or security camera — you can assign a static IP address in your router settings. This tells the router to always give that Mac the same address. The steps vary by router model, but you usually log into your router's admin page (often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and look for DHCP settings or a static IP option.

Using your IP address for network troubleshooting

Knowing your IP address helps you diagnose connection problems. If your Mac cannot reach another device on your network, you can ping it using Terminal to see if the connection works. Open Terminal and type ping 192.168.1.50 (replacing the address with the device you want to test). If you get responses, the connection is working. If you get "no route to host" or timeouts, there is a connection problem.

Your IP address also tells you which network your Mac is on. If your address starts with 192.168.1, you are on a different subnet than a device with an address starting with 192.168.2, and they cannot talk to each other without a router bridge. Checking IP addresses is often the first step in figuring out why devices cannot see each other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my IP address on my Mac?

You cannot change it directly on your Mac — your router assigns it automatically. If you want a different address, you can restart your Mac and reconnect to Wi-Fi, which may trigger a new assignment. Or you can set a static IP in your router settings so the same address stays assigned to your Mac.

What if I do not see an IP address in System Settings?

If the IP Address field is blank or missing, your Mac is not connected to the network properly. Check that Wi-Fi is on and you are connected to your network, or plug in an Ethernet cable if you use wired connection. Wait a few seconds and refresh System Settings. If it still shows nothing, restart your Mac and try again.

Is my private IP address the same as my public IP?

No. Your private IP (192.168.x.x) only works inside your home network. Your public IP is assigned by your internet provider and is what websites see when you visit them. Search "what is my IP" in a browser to see your public address.

Do I need to write down my IP address?

Only if you are setting up port forwarding, connecting to your Mac remotely, or assigning it a static address. For everyday use, you do not need to remember it. If you need it again, you can always open System Settings and check.