How to Find Your IP Address on Any Device (Windows, Mac, iPhone & Android)

Whether you’re setting up a home network, troubleshooting a connection issue, or trying to configure a VPN, knowing how to find IP address on any device is one of those essential tech skills everyone should have. The good news? It only takes a few seconds once you know where to look.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to find both your public IP address (the one the internet sees) and your private IP address (the one used on your local network) on every major device and operating system – Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and your router.

Table of Contents

1. What Is an IP Address?
2. Public IP vs. Private IP: What’s the Difference?
3. How to Find Your Public IP Address
4. How to Find Your IP Address on Windows
5. How to Find Your IP Address on Mac
6. How to Find Your IP Address on iPhone
7. How to Find Your IP Address on Android
8. How to Find Your Router’s IP Address
9. How to Find Your IP Address on Chromebook
10. Why Does My IP Address Keep Changing?
11. Should You Hide Your IP Address?
12. Frequently Asked Questions

What Is an IP Address?

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique string of numbers assigned to every device that connects to a network. Think of it like a home address for your device – it tells the internet where to send information so it ends up at the right place.

IP addresses come in two versions: IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 addresses look like this: 192.168.1.1 – four groups of numbers separated by dots. IPv6 addresses are longer and look like this: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. Most networks still use IPv4 for everyday communication, though IPv6 is increasingly common.

Every time you visit a website, stream a video, or send an email, your IP address is what makes the connection possible. It’s how the internet knows where to send the data you requested.

Public IP vs. Private IP: What’s the Difference?

Before diving into how to find your IP address, it helps to understand that there are actually two types of IP addresses you might need – and they serve very different purposes.

Public IP Address

Your public IP address is assigned to you by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). It’s the address the entire internet sees when you connect. If you’re at home, all devices on your home network typically share the same public IP address – your router handles the traffic between them.

Your public IP is used for things like:

• Accessing geo-restricted content (streaming services check your public IP)
• Remote access and VPN configuration
• Website server logs
• Online gaming (host visibility)

Private IP Address

Your private IP address is assigned by your router and is only visible within your local network. Your laptop, phone, tablet, and smart TV all have different private IP addresses, even though they share the same public IP when going online.

Common private IP address ranges include:

• 192.168.x.x – the most common home network range
• 10.x.x.x – often used in larger networks
• 172.16.x.x to 172.31.x.x – less common but valid

Now let’s look at how to find each type on every major device.

How to Find Your Public IP Address

The fastest way to find your public IP address works on any device – no settings, no menus required.

Simply open a browser and search “what is my IP address” on Google. Google will display your public IP address right at the top of the search results page.

Alternatively, you can visit any of these dedicated IP lookup sites:

• whatismyipaddress.com – shows your public IPv4 and IPv6 address
• ipinfo.io – shows your IP along with location and ISP details
• icanhazip.com – shows just your raw IP address (great for developers)

These websites automatically detect and display your public IP the moment you visit them. No setup required – just open any browser on any device and you’ll have your answer in seconds.

How to Find IP Address on Windows

Windows gives you multiple ways to find your IP address. Here are the three most reliable methods.

Method 1: Using Settings (Windows 10 and 11)

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Click Network & Internet.
3. Click on your active connection – either Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
4. If on Wi-Fi, click the name of the network you’re connected to.
5. Scroll down to the Properties section.
6. Look for IPv4 address – that’s your private IP address.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt (Fastest Method)

1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type: ipconfig and press Enter.
3. Look for the network adapter you’re using (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
4. Your IP address appears next to IPv4 Address.

The ipconfig command also shows your Default Gateway – that’s your router’s IP address. It also shows your Subnet Mask, which defines your network range.

Method 3: Using the Taskbar

1. Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the bottom-right taskbar.
2. Click on the network you’re connected to.
3. Click Properties.
4. Scroll down to see your IPv4 address listed under the connection details.

All three methods show your private IP address. To find your public IP on Windows, use a browser and search Google as described above.

How to Find Your IP Address on Mac

On a Mac, finding your IP address is just as straightforward. Here are two simple methods.

Method 1: System Settings / System Preferences

1. Click the Apple menu (🍎) in the top-left corner.
2. Select System Settings (macOS Ventura and later) or System Preferences (older macOS).
3. Click Network.
4. Select the active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) from the left panel.
5. Your IP address will be displayed on the right side of the screen.

On macOS Ventura or later, you may need to click Details… next to the network name to see the full IP address information.

Method 2: Using Terminal

1. Open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities, or search with Spotlight).
2. Type this command and press Enter: ipconfig getifaddr en0 (for Wi-Fi) or ipconfig getifaddr en1 (for Ethernet).
3. Your private IP address will appear on the next line.

To see all network information at once, you can also run: ifconfig | grep "inet " – this will list all active IP addresses assigned to your Mac.

Quick Tip: Wi-Fi Menu Bar Shortcut

Hold down the Option key and click the Wi-Fi icon in your menu bar. A dropdown will appear showing your IP address, router IP, and other network details without needing to open any settings.

How to Find Your IP Address on iPhone

Your iPhone has two IP addresses to be aware of: the public IP (visible to websites and apps) and the private IP assigned by your router.

Find Your Private IP on iPhone

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the (i) info icon next to the Wi-Fi network you’re currently connected to.
4. Scroll down to the IPv4 Address section.
5. Your IP address is listed under IP Address.

This screen also shows your subnet mask, router (default gateway), and DNS servers – all useful information if you’re troubleshooting a network issue.

Find Your Public IP on iPhone

Open Safari or any browser and go to google.com. Search “what is my IP” and Google will show your public IP address instantly.

Note on iPhone’s iCloud Private Relay

If you use iCloud+ and have iCloud Private Relay enabled, your IP address may be masked with an Apple relay server IP. To see your real IP, you may need to temporarily disable Private Relay in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Private Relay.

How to Find Your IP Address on Android

Android devices vary slightly by manufacturer (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, etc.), but the general steps are similar across all Android versions.

Method 1: Through Wi-Fi Settings

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Network & Internet (or Connections on Samsung devices).
3. Tap Wi-Fi.
4. Tap the gear icon or the network name you’re connected to.
5. Tap Advanced or scroll down to see network details.
6. Your IP address will appear in the list of connection details.

Method 2: On Samsung Devices

1. Go to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the network you’re connected to.
3. Tap View more.
4. Your IP address, subnet mask, and gateway will all be visible here.

Method 3: Using the Quick Settings Panel

On newer Android versions, you can sometimes see network info by long-pressing the Wi-Fi icon in the notification shade. This opens the Wi-Fi details for the currently connected network.

For your public IP address on Android, open Chrome or any browser and search “what is my IP” on Google.

How to Find Your Router’s IP Address

Your router’s IP address (also called the default gateway) is the address you use to access your router’s admin panel. This is where you can manage your network settings, change your Wi-Fi password, set up port forwarding, and more.

Find Router IP on Windows

1. Open Command Prompt (Windows + R, type cmd).
2. Run ipconfig.
3. Look for Default Gateway – that’s your router’s IP address.

Find Router IP on Mac

1. Open System Settings > Network.
2. Click on your active connection and then Details.
3. Click the TCP/IP tab.
4. The Router field shows your router’s IP address.

Find Router IP on iPhone

1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the (i) icon next to your connected network.
3. Look for the Router field under the IPv4 section.

Common Default Router IP Addresses

Most home routers use one of these default IP addresses:

• 192.168.1.1 – TP-Link, Netgear, Asus, D-Link
• 192.168.0.1 – Linksys, many others
• 10.0.0.1 – Apple AirPort, some AT&T routers
• 192.168.2.1 – Belkin routers

To access your router’s admin panel, type the router IP address into your browser’s address bar and press Enter. You’ll be prompted for a username and password – check the sticker on the bottom of your router for default credentials.

How to Find Your IP Address on Chromebook

1. Click the clock or Wi-Fi icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
2. Click on the Wi-Fi network name you’re connected to.
3. A panel will open showing network details including your IP address.

Alternatively, go to Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > [Network Name] and look for the IP address in the network details panel.

Why Does My IP Address Keep Changing?

If you’ve checked your IP address a few times and noticed it keeps changing, you’re not imagining things. Here’s why it happens.

Dynamic vs. Static IP Addresses

Most internet users are assigned a dynamic IP address by their ISP. This means the address can change periodically – sometimes every few days, sometimes every time your router restarts. ISPs use dynamic IP addresses because it’s more efficient – they can recycle IP addresses among customers rather than permanently assigning one to each user.

A static IP address stays the same permanently. Businesses often pay their ISP for a static IP, which is useful for hosting websites, running servers, or accessing devices remotely. Home users rarely need a static public IP.

Why Your Private IP Might Change

Your private IP address is assigned by your router via DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). Every time a device connects or reconnects to your network, the router may assign it a slightly different private IP from its available pool.

If you need a consistent private IP (for example, for network printing or local server access), you can configure a DHCP reservation in your router’s settings to always assign the same private IP to a specific device based on its MAC address.

Should You Hide Your IP Address?

Your IP address reveals some information about you – not your home address specifically, but your general location (usually at the city or regional level) and your ISP. Websites, advertisers, and trackers can use your IP to build a profile of your browsing habits.

Here are a few reasons people choose to hide or mask their IP address:

• Privacy – Prevent advertisers and websites from tracking your location and browsing behavior.
• Access geo-restricted content – Watch streaming services or access websites that are blocked in your region.
• Security on public Wi-Fi – Protect yourself on unsecured networks like coffee shops or airports.
• Avoid targeted ads – Reduce the amount of location-based advertising you see.

How to Hide Your IP Address

The two most common tools for masking your IP address are:

VPN (Virtual Private Network) – A VPN routes your internet traffic through a server in another location, replacing your real IP with the VPN server’s IP. This is the most popular and reliable method. Popular VPN services include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Mullvad.

Tor Browser – The Tor network routes your traffic through multiple encrypted relays, making it extremely difficult to trace. It’s slower than a VPN but offers stronger anonymity. Best for sensitive browsing rather than everyday use.

If you use an iPhone with iCloud+, Apple’s iCloud Private Relay feature partially masks your IP in Safari by routing your DNS requests through Apple’s servers.

For more on staying secure on your home network, check out our guide on how to find your WiFi password – a great first step to understanding your home network setup.

Final Thoughts

Finding your IP address is quick and simple once you know where to look. To recap:

• For your public IP on any device: Google “what is my IP” or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com.
• For your private IP on Windows: Use ipconfig in Command Prompt or check Settings > Network.
• For your private IP on Mac: Check System Settings > Network, or use Terminal with ipconfig getifaddr en0.
• For your private IP on iPhone: Settings > Wi-Fi > tap the (i) icon next to your network.
• For your private IP on Android: Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > tap your network name.
• For your router’s IP: Look for “Default Gateway” in your network settings or run ipconfig.

Whether you’re fixing a network problem, setting up remote access, or just satisfying your curiosity, knowing your IP address gives you more control over your digital life. Bookmark this page so you can come back whenever you need a quick refresher.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my IP address right now?

The quickest way to find your current public IP address is to open any browser and search “what is my IP” on Google. Google will display your IP address directly in the search results – no need to visit another website.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your IP address carries some risk. While it won’t reveal your exact home address, it can disclose your general location (city or region) and your ISP. Malicious actors could potentially use your IP in targeted attacks or to track your approximate location. As a general rule, don’t share your IP address with strangers or untrusted parties.

Can someone track me with my IP address?

Your IP address can reveal your general geographic location (usually city-level accuracy) and your internet service provider. However, it cannot reveal your exact home address, your name, or personal information without additional data. Law enforcement can subpoena your ISP to link an IP to an account, but random individuals cannot do this. To prevent IP-based tracking, use a VPN.

Why do I have two different IP addresses?

You have a public IP address (assigned by your ISP, shared by all devices on your network) and a private IP address (assigned by your router, unique to each device on your local network). Both are completely normal – every home network works this way.

How do I get a static IP address?

For a static public IP, contact your ISP – some offer it as a paid add-on. For a static private IP, log into your router’s admin panel and set up a DHCP reservation, which permanently assigns a specific IP to a device based on its MAC address.

What is IPv6 and do I have one?

IPv6 is the newer version of the IP address format, designed to replace IPv4 as the internet runs out of available IPv4 addresses. An IPv6 address looks like this: 2001:db8::1. Many devices today have both an IPv4 and an IPv6 address. When you search “what is my IP” on Google, it typically shows your IPv4 address, but sites like whatismyipaddress.com will show both.

Does my IP address change when I switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data?

Yes. When you switch from Wi-Fi to your cellular data connection, your public IP address changes because you’re now using a different network – your mobile carrier’s network instead of your home ISP. Your private IP also changes since you’re no longer on your local Wi-Fi network.

How do I find the IP address of another device on my network?

Log into your router’s admin panel (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and look for a section called “Connected Devices,” “DHCP Client List,” or “Device List.” This will show all devices currently connected to your network along with their private IP addresses and device names.