How to Find Your IP Address on Any Device 

How to Find Your IP Address on Any Device 

Your IP address is like the return address on a letter; it tells the internet where to send information back to you. So, when you Google, “Best Chinese restaurant near me,” your IP address is what helps the internet send those search results back to you. Basically, your IP address is the reason you’re currently enjoying that pork egg roll.

If you’re troubleshooting your connection, setting up a new router, or just curious about how your devices communicate online, knowing how to find your IP address is important and pretty easy to do. Let’s walk through how to locate your IP address on every major device, plus what those numbers actually mean for your internet connection.

What Is an IP Address?

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a string of numbers that is unique to your device on a network. Without it, websites don’t know where to send the data you request.

Most IP addresses look something like this: 192.168.1.1 (IPv4 format) or 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 (IPv6 format). IPv4 addresses use four number groups separated by periods, while IPv6 addresses use eight groups of hexadecimal numbers separated by colons.

Over 4 billion IPv4 addresses exist worldwide, but we’ve nearly exhausted this supply, which is why IPv6 adoption continues to grow [1].

Public vs. Private IP Addresses

You actually have two IP addresses working simultaneously.

Your public IP address is the one the rest of the internet sees. Your internet service provider assigns this address to your home network, and it’s the same for every device connected to your Wi-Fi. When you visit a website, that site sees your public IP address, not your individual device’s address.

Your private IP address is the one your router assigns to each device inside your home network. Your phone, laptop, smart TV, and gaming console each get their own private IP address. These addresses only work within your local network—they help your router direct traffic to the right device.

How to Find Your Public IP Address

Finding your public IP address takes seconds, regardless of which device you’re using.

The Fastest Method

Open any web browser and search “what is my IP address" or “my IP." Google displays your public IP address right at the top of the search results. Easy, right?

You can also visit dedicated IP lookup sites like WhatIsMyIPAddress.com. IP address sites like this one will instantly display your public IP address when the page loads.

Why Your Public IP Address Matters

Your public IP address reveals your approximate geographic location (usually your city and state). Websites use this information to serve localized content, and streaming services use it to determine which content libraries you can access.

Some internet providers assign static public IP addresses that never change, while others use dynamic IP addresses that change periodically. Most residential internet plans use dynamic addresses because they’re more efficient and cost-effective for providers to manage.

How to Find Your Private IP Address on Windows

Windows has multiple ways to find your private IP address, depending on whether you prefer clicking through menus or typing commands.

Using Settings (Windows 10 and 11)

1. Click the Start button and select Settings (the gear icon)
2. Click Network & Internet
3. Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet (whichever connection you’re using)
4. Click on your active network connection
5. Scroll down to Properties
6. Look for IPv4 address—that’s your private IP address [2]

Using Control Panel

1. Open Control Panel
2. Click Network and Sharing Center
3. Click on your active connection next to Connections
4. Click Details
5. Your private IP address appears next to IPv4 Address [3]

How to Find Your Private IP Address on Mac

Mac computers make finding your IP address straightforward through System Settings or Terminal.

Using System Settings (macOS Ventura and later)

1. Click the Apple menu and select System Settings
2. Click Network in the sidebar
3. Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
4. Your IP address appears right below the connection status [4]

Using Terminal

1. Open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight or find it in Applications > Utilities)
2. Type ipconfig getifaddr en0 (for Wi-Fi) or ipconfig getifaddr en1 (for Ethernet)
3. Press Enter
4. Your private IP address displays immediately [5]

How to Find Your Private IP Address on iPhone or iPad

iOS and iPadOS make checking your IP address simple through the Settings app.

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Wi-Fi
3. Tap the i icon next to your connected network
4. Your private IP address appears under IPv4 Address [6]

How to Find Your Private IP Address on Android

Android devices vary slightly depending on the manufacturer, but the process remains similar across most phones and tablets.

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Network & Internet or Connections
3. Tap Wi-Fi
4. Tap on your connected network name
5. Look for IP address in the network details [7]

Some Android devices display the IP address immediately, while others require you to tap Advanced or scroll down to reveal network details.

How to Find Your Private IP Address on Smart TVs and Gaming Consoles

Many smart devices allow you to check IP addresses through their settings menus, which proves useful when troubleshooting streaming issues or setting up port forwarding for online gaming.

PlayStation 4 and 5

1. Go to Settings
2. Select Network
3. Choose View Connection Status
4. Your IP address appears under IP Address [8]

Xbox One and Series X/S

1. Press the Xbox button to open the guide
2. Go to Profile & system > Settings
3. Select General > Network settings
4. Choose Advanced settings
5. Your IP address displays under IP settings [9]

Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony)

Most smart TVs display IP addresses under Settings > Network > Network Status or Settings > Network > View Network Information. The exact menu structure varies by brand and model, but look for network or connection settings.

Why do you need it?

When Would I Need to Know My IP Address?

Knowing how to find your IP address helps in several practical situations:

Remote access

Setting up remote desktop connections, accessing security cameras, or managing smart home devices often requires knowing your IP addresses.

Gaming and streaming

Some online games and streaming setups work better when you configure port forwarding or set static IP addresses for specific devices.

Security and privacy

Monitoring your public IP address helps you understand what information you’re sharing online. Using a VPN changes your public IP address, which enhances privacy and can help access geo-restricted content.

Tech support

When you contact customer service for internet providers or tech companies, representatives often ask for your IP address to diagnose connection problems.

Can Someone Track You Through Your IP Address?

Your public IP address reveals your general location (usually your city), but it doesn’t pinpoint your exact street address or identify you personally. Internet providers know which IP addresses they’ve assigned to which customers, but this information isn’t publicly available.

Websites track your IP address to analyze traffic patterns, prevent fraud, and serve targeted content. While this feels invasive to some users, IP addresses alone don’t contain sensitive personal information like your name, phone number, or physical address.

If privacy concerns you, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) masks your real public IP address by routing your traffic through the VPN provider’s servers. This makes it appear as though you’re browsing from a different location entirely.

Comparing Internet Providers for Better Connectivity

Your IP address connects you to the internet, but the entirety of your online experience depends heavily on which internet service provider you choose. If you’re in a city, you probably have a lot of options. However, if you’re located in a rural area, you might only have one or two to choose from. If you enter your zip code here, we can quickly provide you with a list of providers who service your area.

Different internet providers offer varying speeds, reliability, and coverage across different areas. When you compare internet providers in your area, consider these factors:

Download and upload speeds

Streaming, gaming, and video calls all demand adequate bandwidth. Most households need a minimum of 100 Mbps for smooth performance with multiple devices.

Connection type

Fiber internet delivers the fastest and most reliable speeds, but cable and fixed wireless also perform well in many areas. DSL and satellite typically offer slower speeds.

Data caps

Some providers limit how much data you can use each month. Unlimited data plans work best for households that stream frequently or have many connected devices.

Price and contracts

Internet providers near you may offer promotional rates that expire after 12 months, or contract-free options that provide more flexibility.

Ready to Find the Best Internet Providers Near You?

Now that you understand how to find your IP address and how it connects you to the internet, it’s time to ensure your internet provider is up to par for your needs.

The right internet provider will make (or break) your online experience. You need fast internet if you want to score those concert tickets during pre-sale, and you need reliable internet if you’re going to nail that virtual sales pitch with THE client. Right? Right.

Enter your zip code below to see which internet providers, plans, and prices are available in your area. Find the perfect plan for your household in minutes, not hours of research.

You can also use our internet provider comparison tool to compare your top picks side-by-side to see which comes out on top.

Sources

[1] Worldpopulationreview.com. “Country Ranking IP Address by Country"

[2] Support.microsoft.com. “Essential Network Settings and Tasks in Windows"

[3] Networking.grok.lsu.edu. “Article"

[4] Techhelp.towson.edu. “TDClient"

[5] Avg.com. “Find IP Address"

[6] Support.apple.com. “Use a private network address."

[7] Help.joinposter.com. “How to Check IP Address of the Local Network on IOS Android and Windows"

[8] Playstation.com. “Support"

[9] Support.xbox.com. “Hardware Network"