DeviceHowTo
macOS⏱ 2 min

How to Find Your IP Address on macOS

Locate local and public IP addresses for network troubleshooting.

Last verified: February 21, 2026

macOS displays the local IP address in System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Details under the TCP/IP tab, which also shows the subnet mask, router address (your gateway), and DHCP lease expiry time. A faster route for technical users is opening Terminal and running ifconfig en0 | grep inet, which outputs the IPv4 and IPv6 addresses for the primary Wi-Fi adapter. The router IP (listed as Router or Default Gateway) is particularly useful to note when setting up port forwarding or diagnosing which DHCP server is assigning addresses on the network.

Quick Steps

Follow in order for the fastest result.

  1. 1Open System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi. Click Details next to your connected network. The IP address is on the TCP/IP tab.
  2. 2To find your public IP address, open any browser and type: what is my ip address.
  3. 3Note the local IP (typically 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x) for router configuration and port forwarding tasks.

Still Not Working?

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Verify the Fix

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is my IP address on macOS?
Go to System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi and click Details to see the IPv4 IP. For your public IP, search 'what is my ip' in any browser.
What is the difference between a local IP and a public IP?
Your local IP (like 192.168.1.x) is assigned by your router and only works within your home network. Your public IP is assigned by your ISP and is what the internet sees. Devices on your home network share one public IP but each have a unique local IP.
Why does my IP address on macOS keep changing?
By default, routers assign IPs dynamically (DHCP) — they can change when the device reconnects or the lease expires. This is normal. If you need a stable IP for port forwarding or a NAS, assign a static IP in your router's DHCP reservation settings using the device's MAC address.
Why does my macOS show an IP starting with 169.254?
A 169.254.x.x address (APIPA) means your device attempted to get an IP from the router via DHCP but failed. This is almost always caused by a router issue, a cable problem, or the device being unable to reach the router. Follow the Fix Wi-Fi guide to obtain a valid IP.

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