Find Your MacBook IP Address: 3 Fast Ways

This guide shows you how to find your MacBook’s IP address — both the local IP on your Wi‑Fi or Ethernet network and your public IP seen by the internet. You’ll need your MacBook turned on and logged in; no other tools are required.

What You’ll Need

• Your MacBook (any model running macOS Monterey or later)
• An active network connection (Wi‑Fi or Ethernet)
• About 30 seconds of your time

Step-by-Step

Method 1: System Settings (easiest for most users)

1. Click the Apple menu in the top‑left corner of your screen.
2. Select System Settings (on older macOS versions, it’s called System Preferences).
3. In the sidebar, click Wi‑Fi (or Ethernet if you’re using a cable).
4. Click the Details button next to your connected network name.
5. Your local IP address appears in the IP Address field. It usually looks like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.3.

Method 2: Using the Menu Bar (quickest)

1. Hold the Option key on your keyboard.
2. Click the Wi‑Fi icon in the menu bar (top‑right of your screen).
3. In the drop‑down list, find your connected network. Under its name, you’ll see IP Address: 192.168.x.x.

Method 3: Using Terminal (for the tech‑savvy)

1. Open Terminal (found in Applications → Utilities, or search with Spotlight using Cmd+Space).
2. Type ipconfig getifaddr en0 and press Return.
3. Your local IP appears immediately. If you see nothing, try en1 instead (some older MacBooks use that for Wi‑Fi).
4. To find your public IP, type curl ifconfig.me and press Return.

Common Mistakes

• Confusing local and public IP — your local IP (like 192.168.x.x) is only used inside your home network. Your public IP is what websites see, and it’s usually assigned by your internet provider.
• Looking at IPv6 instead of IPv4 — many Macs show both. IPv6 addresses look like fe80::1a2b:3c4d:5e6f:7890 and are longer. For most purposes, you want the IPv4 address (four numbers separated by dots).
• Checking the wrong network — if you’re on Wi‑Fi, don’t look at the Ethernet section. Make sure you’re viewing the details for the connection you’re actually using.
• Using an outdated method — on macOS Ventura and later, the old “Network” pane in System Preferences is gone. Use System Settings instead.

Tips

• Your local IP can change over time (DHCP lease), so if you need a fixed address for port forwarding or file sharing, consider setting a static IP in your router’s settings.
• To copy your IP quickly in System Settings, right‑click the address and choose Copy.
• If you’re troubleshooting a network issue, knowing both your local and public IP helps — many routers show your public IP on their status page, but the Terminal method above is faster.
• For remote access (like SSH), you’ll need your local IP, and your Mac must be on the same network as the device you’re connecting from.

Troubleshooting

No IP address shows in System Settings — This usually means your Mac isn’t actually connected to the network. Try turning Wi‑Fi off and on again, or re‑enter your Wi‑Fi password.

Terminal returns nothing for en0 — Try en1 or en2. You can also type ifconfig and look for the section labeled inet (that’s your IPv4).

IP starts with 169.254 — This is an Automatic Private IP Address (APIPA). Your Mac couldn’t get a proper IP from the router. Restart your router and Mac, then check again.

Public IP doesn’t match what websites show — Your public IP might be behind a carrier‑grade NAT (common with some ISPs). In that case, the IP you see via curl ifconfig.me is still what the internet sees, but it may be shared with other customers.

Can’t find the Wi‑Fi icon in the menu bar — Go to System Settings → Control Center, and under “Wi‑Fi” choose “Show in Menu Bar.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have two IP addresses?

Your Mac has both a local IP (on your home network) and a public IP (assigned by your ISP). They serve different purposes — the local one identifies your Mac inside your house, the public one identifies your whole network on the internet.

How do I find my IP address if I’m not connected to Wi‑Fi?

If you’re using Ethernet, follow Method 1 but click Ethernet in the sidebar instead of Wi‑Fi. If you have no network connection at all, you won’t have an IP address to find.

Can I find my MacBook’s IP address from my iPhone?

Yes, if both devices are on the same network. Open your router’s admin page (usually 192.168.1.1) and look at the connected devices list, or use a network scanner app. Your Mac’s IP will be listed there.

Does my IP address change every time I restart my Mac?

Usually not, but it can. Most routers assign IPs via DHCP, which typically gives you the same address each time as long as the lease hasn’t expired. If it does change, you can set a static IP in your router settings.

What’s the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 is the older, shorter format (like 192.168.1.1) and is still the most common. IPv6 is newer, longer, and designed to replace IPv4 due to address exhaustion. Most networks use both, but you’ll usually only need the IPv4 address.

Is my IP address visible to other people on the same Wi‑Fi?

Yes, anyone on the same local network can see your local IP address. This is normal and not a security risk by itself, but avoid sharing it with strangers — they could attempt to access shared folders or services on your Mac.

Related

• Reset Windows 10 Admin Password on Lenovo
• Zoom Audio Watermark: Enable & Add in Recordings
• How to Check Air Quality & Wildfires on Google Maps