How to Get an IP Address | Know Yours, Fix Issues

When something on your network acts up, the fastest way to stop guessing is to grab the IP address in front of you. Maybe a printer won’t connect. Maybe a game console can’t join the same lobby. Maybe you’re setting up a camera, a home server, a NAS, or remote access. In all of those cases, knowing the right IP address saves time.

There’s one catch: people say “IP address” when they mean two different things. One is the address your router hands to your device at home or at work. The other is the address your internet provider shows to websites and apps. This article gives you both, plus the clean steps to find them on Windows, macOS, phones, and routers.

Know Which IP Address You Actually Need

Before you start clicking menus, decide what you’re trying to do. A “local” IP helps devices on the same network find each other. A “public” IP is what the outside internet sees. Mix them up and you’ll chase the wrong fix.

Local IP vs Public IP

Local IP (private): Used inside your Wi-Fi or wired network. Your router assigns it, often via DHCP. It usually looks like 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16–172.31.x.x.

Public IP: Used on the wider internet. Your router or modem holds it, and your internet provider assigns it. This is the one a website “sees” when you visit.

IPv4 vs IPv6

You may see one address or two. IPv4 is the older format with four number blocks. IPv6 is longer and uses hex groups separated by colons. Many networks run both. If a device setup screen asks for IPv4, don’t paste an IPv6 value.

Gateway And DNS In Plain Terms

Your device’s IP is only part of the story. Two other fields show up in the same screens:

• Default gateway: Usually your router’s local IP. Your device sends traffic there when it needs to reach anything outside the local network.
• DNS servers: The “name to number” helpers that turn a site name into an IP address.

How to Get an IP Address On Windows, Mac, And Phone

If you want the local IP, start on the device itself. If you want the public IP, start at the router or a lookup site. Use the steps below that match your gear.

Windows: Fast Checks In Settings

For Wi-Fi on Windows 11:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Network & internet → Wi-Fi.
3. Pick your connected network.
4. Scroll to Properties. Look for IPv4 address and IPv6 address.

For wired Ethernet, the path is similar: Settings → Network & internet → Ethernet → connected adapter details.

Windows: Command Line With ipconfig

When you need the full set of details (IP, subnet mask, gateway, DNS), the command line is blunt and dependable:

1. Press Win and type cmd, then open Command Prompt.
2. Type ipconfig and press Enter.
3. Find the adapter you’re using (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
4. Read IPv4 Address, IPv6 Address, and Default Gateway.

If you want extra detail (DNS, DHCP lease times), run ipconfig /all. The official options list is on Microsoft Learn’s ipconfig command reference.

macOS: Find It In Network Settings

On a Mac, you can grab the local IP from the active connection.

1. Open System Settings.
2. Select Network (or Wi-Fi if you’re on wireless).
3. Choose the active connection.
4. Look for IP Address (and IPv6 Address if shown).

You’ll often see the router listed too, which is handy when you need the gateway for admin pages or device setup.

macOS: Terminal Shortcut

If you like quick reads in Terminal:

• Wi-Fi IPv4:ipconfig getifaddr en0
• Ethernet IPv4: try ipconfig getifaddr en1 on some Macs

Interface names can vary, so if that returns nothing, list interfaces first with ifconfig, then retry the matching one.

iPhone And iPad: The Local IP In Wi-Fi Details

For the local IP on iOS or iPadOS:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the info icon next to the connected network.
3. Look for the IP Address field.

If you’re on cellular data, you won’t see a “local Wi-Fi IP” because you aren’t on a local Wi-Fi network. In that case, a public lookup is the better route.

Android: Where It Usually Hides

Android menus vary by brand, Android version, and UI skin. Still, the path is often close to one of these:

• Settings → Network & internet → Internet → tap your Wi-Fi network → network details
• Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → tap the connected network → details

Look for IP address and sometimes Gateway. If you see an “Advanced” section, open it.

Game Consoles, TVs, And Smart Devices

On consoles and streaming boxes, the IP is usually under a network status screen:

• Network settings → connection status
• Network settings → view connection details

If you’re stuck, the router method later in this article finds the device by name, brand, or MAC address, then shows the IP your router assigned.

Use This Checklist To Pick The Best Method

Different situations call for different checks. This table keeps it simple: choose the row that matches your task, then use the matching method.

What You’re Trying To Do	Best Place To Look	What You’ll Get
Connect to a printer, NAS, camera, or local web panel	Device network settings	Local IPv4 (and IPv6 if enabled)
Remote access setup, VPN rules, allowlists, server hosting	Router WAN status or public lookup	Public IP (changes on many home plans)
Fix “no internet” while Wi-Fi shows connected	Windows ipconfig /all or device network details	IP, gateway, DNS, DHCP status
Reach your router admin page	Device network details	Default gateway (router’s local IP)
Set a static IP for a device that must stay put	Router DHCP reservation screen	Stable local IP tied to the device
Figure out which band or network a device is on	Router client list	Device name, IP, MAC, connection type
Check if IPv6 is active on your network	Device network details and router status	IPv6 address and prefix info
Confirm your IP allocation is normal and valid	Registry reference pages	Context on how IP blocks are managed

Find Your Public IP Address Without Guesswork

Your public IP is the one seen by sites you visit. If you’re behind a router, your laptop or phone won’t “own” the public IP directly. Your router does.

Option 1: Check Your Router’s WAN Status

This is the cleanest method when you can log in to your router:

1. On a device connected to the router, open a browser.
2. Go to your router’s admin address (often the default gateway like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
3. Sign in, then open the Status or Internet page.
4. Look for WAN IP, Internet IP, or IPv4 Address.

If your router shows a WAN IP that starts with 10.x.x.x, 192.168.x.x, or 172.16–172.31.x.x, your provider may be using carrier-grade NAT. In that case, a public lookup site will show a different address than your router’s WAN value.

Option 2: Use A Public IP Lookup Site

Search for “what’s my IP” and you’ll see a result that reports your public IP. This method is handy on phones, on guest Wi-Fi, or when you can’t log in to the router. It also reflects the address seen from the outside, which is what most remote-access setups care about.

Get IP Addresses From Your Router’s Device List

When you’re setting up smart gear, a router’s client list is gold. It shows every device that got an address from the router. It’s also where you can lock a device to the same local IP every time.

Find The Client List

Router brands label this screen in different ways. Look for:

• Connected devices
• Client list
• DHCP clients
• LAN status

Match The Right Device

Device names can be messy. If you see duplicates or vague labels, match using one of these:

• MAC address shown on the device sticker or in its network menu
• Vendor name the router displays
• Connection type (wired vs Wi-Fi)
• Time last seen

Reserve A Stable Local IP

If you plan to connect to the device often (NAS, camera, home server), use a DHCP reservation on the router. That keeps the local IP stable while still letting the router manage the pool. It’s cleaner than hard-coding a static IP on the device, and it avoids collisions.

If you want context on how internet number resources are managed at the registry level, ARIN’s overview of IP address resources is a solid reference.

Common IP Problems And The Fix That Usually Works

Once you can see the IP details, you can diagnose the usual network headaches. Use this table as a quick match between what you see and what to try next.

What You See	What It Often Means	What To Try Next
IPv4 starts with 169.254	No DHCP lease from the router	Toggle Wi-Fi off/on, reboot router, renew DHCP, check cable if wired
No default gateway shown	Device can’t reach the router	Reconnect to the right network, check password, move closer to Wi-Fi
DNS looks blank or odd	Name lookups failing	Restart router, set DNS on router, or test a different DNS server
Public lookup shows a different IP than router WAN	Carrier-grade NAT in play	Ask ISP about a public IPv4 option, use IPv6, or use a relay service
Two devices share the same local IP	Static IP conflict	Remove hard-coded static settings, add DHCP reservation, reboot both devices
IPv6 present, IPv4 missing	IPv4 disabled or not leasing	Check router DHCP settings, check adapter settings, reboot router
VPN on, public IP looks unfamiliar	VPN exit address is showing	Disconnect VPN to see ISP public IP, or set split tunneling rules

Privacy And Safety Notes When Sharing An IP

People share IP addresses in screenshots and tickets all the time. A local IP is usually low-risk outside your network. A public IP is more sensitive, since it can tie activity to a connection at a point in time.

When you post logs or screenshots:

• Blur the public IP unless a trusted admin asks for it.
• Leave the local IP visible if it helps troubleshooting, since it won’t route on the public internet.
• Hide router admin usernames, Wi-Fi names, and device serial numbers.

Quick Recap So You Leave With The Right Number

If you need a device-to-device connection inside your home, grab the local IPv4 from the device settings or from the router’s client list. If you need what the internet sees, check the router WAN page or a public lookup. If anything looks off, use the symptom table above and start with DHCP, gateway, then DNS.