How to Find Your IP Address on Any Device
A precise guide to public and local IP addresses, device settings, router checks, IPv4, IPv6, privacy and the common reasons an address changes.
By TechniaHQRobot
Key points
A public IP identifies an internet connection; a private IP identifies a device inside a local network.
Windows and macOS show the local address in network settings.
A web IP-check service shows the public address presented to the internet.
An IP address usually reveals an approximate area, not a precise home address.
The quickest method depends on which address you need. Use an IP-check website for your public IP address. Open network settings for the private IP address assigned to your phone or computer inside the local network. Those two numbers can be different and both can be correct.
An IP address is a network identifier. Cloudflare explains that IPv4 addresses use four groups of numbers, while IPv6 uses a much larger address space represented with numbers and letters. Most households also use network address translation, so several phones, computers and televisions can share one public IPv4 address.
Public IP vs private IP: the distinction that prevents mistakes
| Address type | What it identifies | Where to find it | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public IP | The internet connection presented to websites | An IP-check page or router status page | Remote access, server configuration, network diagnosis |
| Private IP | One device inside a local network | Device network settings or router client list | Printer setup, local file sharing, router troubleshooting |
| Router address | The gateway used by local devices | Network details beside “gateway” or “router” | Opening the router administration page |
| IPv6 address | A device or interface in the IPv6 system | Device settings or an IP-check service | Modern internet routing without the limits of IPv4 space |
Private IPv4 addresses commonly begin with 10, 172.16 through 172.31, or 192.168. These ranges are not routed across the public internet. Seeing 192.168.1.23 in Windows does not mean websites see that number.
Find your public IP address
Open a reputable IP-check page. It reads the source address of the web request and displays the public IPv4 or IPv6 address. Repeat the check after switching from home Wi-Fi to mobile data and the result will usually change because you are using a different network.
A virtual private network changes the public address visible to websites. The site sees the VPN server address rather than the normal address assigned by the internet provider. This can change the apparent region, but it does not make the user anonymous to the VPN provider or to every service involved.
A router status page can also show the wide-area network address. This method is useful when a browser-based result appears unusual. Some providers use carrier-grade NAT, which means the router itself may receive a non-public address while many customers share another public address upstream.
Find a local IP address on each device
Windows 11 and Windows 10
Microsoft’s current route is Settings → Network & internet. Select the connected Wi-Fi network or Ethernet connection, open its properties and look for the value beside IPv4 address. The same page can show DNS servers, gateway information and an IPv6 address.
The command-line alternative is to open Command Prompt and run ipconfig. Read the active adapter rather than a disconnected virtual adapter. The default gateway is normally the router address.
macOS
Open Apple menu → System Settings → Network, select the active connection and open Details → TCP/IP. Apple documents that the address can be assigned automatically with DHCP or entered manually by an administrator.
A normal home network should usually stay on DHCP. Entering a random manual address can create a conflict with another device or place the computer outside the router’s subnet.
iPhone and iPad
Open Settings → Wi-Fi, then tap the information button beside the connected network. The IPv4 section shows the device address, subnet mask and router. The “Private Wi-Fi Address” setting refers to a randomized MAC address used to reduce tracking across Wi-Fi networks; it is not the same thing as the IP address.
Android
Menu names vary by manufacturer. A common path is Settings → Network & internet → Internet or Wi-Fi → connected network → network details. Look for IP address, gateway and DNS. Some phones place the information under an Advanced section.
Router client list
Open the router administration interface and find a page named Connected devices, DHCP clients, Network map or Client list. It can reveal each device name, local IP address and sometimes the MAC address. Do not expose the router administration page to the public internet unless the manufacturer provides a secure, necessary method.
IPv4, IPv6, static and dynamic addresses
IPv4 provides about 4.3 billion possible addresses, which is not enough for every connected device to have a permanently unique public IPv4 address. IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses and provides a vastly larger space.
A dynamic IP can change. Most residential connections and local devices use dynamic assignment. A static IP remains fixed by arrangement with an internet provider or network administrator. Static public addresses are useful for servers and business systems, but they require deliberate security controls.
Do not confuse a DHCP reservation with a public static IP. A reservation tells the router to keep giving the same private address to one device. It does not guarantee that the internet provider will keep the same public address.
What an IP address reveals
An IP address can reveal the internet provider and an approximate geographic area. Google notes that an IP address may be used to estimate a general location. The estimate can be wrong when the provider routes traffic through another city, when a mobile carrier uses central gateways or when a VPN is active.
An IP address normally does not expose a precise street address to an ordinary website visitor. Internet providers can associate addresses with subscriber accounts and time periods, subject to local law and legal process.
Treat screenshots containing network settings carefully. A private address is usually less sensitive than a password, but a screenshot may also reveal Wi-Fi names, router models, device names, DNS configuration or remote-access details.
Troubleshooting with the correct address
Use the private address when a laptop must connect to a printer, media server or local dashboard. Use the public address when diagnosing a remote service, checking VPN behavior or confirming which connection is visible to the internet.
If a local device cannot be reached, confirm that both devices are on the same network, guest isolation is not enabled and the target address has not changed. If a remote connection fails, check the firewall, router forwarding, provider restrictions and whether carrier-grade NAT is present. Opening a port to the internet can expose a service to automated scans, so prefer a secured VPN or an authenticated remote-access product.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to find my public IP address?
Open a reputable IP-check page in a browser. The address shown is the public IPv4 or IPv6 address that the website sees for that connection.
Why is the IP address in my device settings different?
Device settings usually show a private local address assigned by the router. A public IP belongs to the internet-facing connection and can be shared by several devices.
Can someone find my exact home from my IP address?
An IP address can often suggest a country, region or city, but it usually does not reveal an exact street address. The internet provider holds more precise subscriber records.
Why does my IP address keep changing?
Most residential connections use dynamic addressing. The internet provider or router can assign a different address after a reconnect, lease renewal or network change.
Editor : @techniahqrobot
TechniaHQRobot editorial coverage on AI, robotics, automation and Physical AI.