Posted on by

How To Find IP Address? Beginner’s Guide

SSupported by cloud service provider DigitalOcean – Try DigitalOcean now and receive a $200 when you create a new account!

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to a computer network. Think of it as a digital home address that allows devices to find and communicate with each other over the internet.

Why Do We Need IP Addresses?

  • Identification: It uniquely identifies your specific computer, phone, or smart device on a network.
  • Location: It provides a routing destination for data packets, ensuring websites and emails reach the correct device.

The Two Primary IP Versions

  • IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4): The traditional format consisting of four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g., 192.168.1.1). It uses a 32-bit architecture, limiting total addresses to about 4.3 billion.
  • IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6): The newer format created because the world ran out of IPv4 addresses. It uses hexadecimal characters separated by colons (e.g., 2001:db8:0:1234:0:567:8:1) and offers an virtually infinite number of addresses.

Public vs. Private IP Addresses

  • Public IP Address: The address assigned to your home router by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). The entire internet sees this address when you visit a website.
  • Private IP Address: The internal address assigned to your specific device (like your phone or laptop) by your local router. It is only visible to other devices inside your home network.

You can learn how to delete apps on iPhone using step by step guide.

Step by Step Guide to Find Your IP Address

Method 1: Find Your Public IP Address (Easiest)

This method works on any device (PC, Mac, iPhone, Android) connected to the internet.

  1. Open any web browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge).
  2. Go to Google.com.
  3. Type “What is my IP address” into the search bar and press Enter.
  4. Google will display your Public IPv4 or IPv6 address at the very top of the results.

Method 2: Find Your Private IP Address on Windows 11 / 10

Via Settings app:

  1. Press the Windows Key + I to open the Settings menu.
  2. Click on Network & internet in the left sidebar.
  3. Click on Wi-Fi (or Ethernet if you are using a wired connection).
  4. Click on your connected network’s Properties (the network name).
  5. Scroll down to the bottom; look for IPv4 address or IPv6 address.

Via Command Prompt (Advanced):

  1. Press the Windows Key, type cmd, and press Enter.
  2. In the black window, type ipconfig and press Enter.
  3. Look for the line that says IPv4 Address under your active network adapter.

Method 3: Find Your Private IP Address on Apple Mac (macOS)

  1. Click the Apple Menu icon in the top left corner of your screen.
  2. Select System Settings (or System Preferences).
  3. Click Network in the sidebar.
  4. Select your active network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) from the list.
  5. Click the Details button next to your connected network.
  6. Your private IP address will be displayed clearly at the top or under the IP settings section.

Method 4: Find Your Private IP Address on Mobile Devices

On Apple iPhone / iPad (iOS):

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap on Wi-Fi.
  3. Tap the blue “i” icon next to the network you are currently connected to.
  4. Scroll down to find your IP Address listed under the IPv4 Address section.

On Android Devices:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap on Network & Internet (or Connections depending on the brand).
  3. Tap on Wi-Fi and then tap the Gear/Settings icon next to your active network.
  4. Look under the network details page to find your listed IP Address.

You can learn how to screen record on Mac using step by step guide.

How To Set Up A Static IP Address For Gaming Or Hosting?

To set up a static IP address, you must configure it both on your router (via DHCP Reservation) and on your specific device.

Configuring it through your router is the best method because it prevents IP address conflicts if another device tries to claim the same number.

Step 1: Find Your Router’s Gateway IP and Subnet Mask

Before changing settings, you need your router’s login address.

  • Windows: Open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and look for Default Gateway.
  • Mac: Go to System Settings > Network > Details, and look for Router.
  • Note down this number (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).

Step 2: Configure DHCP Reservation on Your Router (Recommended)

This forces your router to always give the exact same IP address to your gaming console or PC.

  1. Open a web browser on any device.
  2. Type your Default Gateway IP into the URL bar and press Enter.
  3. Log in using your router credentials (found on a sticker on the physical router).
  4. Navigate to the LAN Settings, DHCP Server, or Static IP Lease section.
  5. Find your gaming device or PC from the connected device list.
  6. Select Reserve or Bind IP to permanently lock its current address.

Step 3: Set a Manual Static IP on Your Device

If your router does not support DHCP reservation, configure the device directly.

For Windows 11 / 10 PCs

  1. Open Settings > Network & internet.
  2. Click Wi-Fi or Ethernet, then click your network name.
  3. Next to IP assignment, click Edit.
  4. Change the dropdown from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual and toggle IPv4 to On.
  5. Enter your details:
    IP address: Pick a high number like 192.168.1.150 so it doesn’t conflict with lower numbers.
    Subnet prefix length: Enter 24 (equivalent to Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0).
    Gateway: Enter your router’s IP address.
    Preferred DNS: Enter 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) for faster gaming speeds.
  6. Click Save.

For PlayStation 5 (PS5)

  1. Go to Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection.
  2. Highlight your network and press the Options button on your controller.
  3. Select Advanced Settings > IP Address Settings > Manual.
  4. Enter your chosen IPv4 Address, Subnet Mask (255.255.255.0), and Default Gateway.
  5. Set Primary DNS to 8.8.8.8 and click OK.

For Xbox Series X / S

  1. Press the Xbox button, select Profile & system > Settings > General > Network settings.
  2. Select Advanced settings > IP settings > Manual.
  3. Enter your IP address, Subnet mask (255.255.255.0), and Gateway.
  4. Set up your DNS settings manually using 8.8.8.8 as the primary.

Step 4: Next Steps for Gaming and Hosting

A static IP is only the first step. To actually host servers or fix connection issues, you must open the virtual doors on your router.

  • Port Forwarding: You must now log back into your router and forward specific game ports (like port 3074 for Call of Duty or 25565 for Minecraft) directly to your new static IP address.
  • DMZ (Demilitarized Zone): For consoles experiencing a “Strict NAT” type, placing the static IP into the router’s DMZ section will open all ports instantly, though this should be avoided for PCs due to security risks.
,