Finding your Mac’s IP address is a fundamental troubleshooting step for any network issue. Whether you are setting up a new router, diagnosing a connection problem, or configuring network permissions, this numerical identifier is the foundation of how your Mac communicates on a local network.
An Internet Protocol address comes in two primary versions depending on your network infrastructure. You will likely encounter an IPv4 address, formatted as four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g., 192.168.1.10), or an IPv6 address, which uses hexadecimal values and colons for the next generation of internet addressing. Both serve the same purpose, but the method to locate them differs slightly depending on your specific needs.
Using System Settings (Ventura and Later)
Apple streamlined network management in macOS Ventura, moving preferences from System Preferences to System Settings. This interface provides a clean, organized view of your connection status and is the recommended method for most users.
Step-by-Step Guide
To find your IP address using the modern settings panel, follow these steps:
Open the Settings application from your Dock or the Apple menu.
Click on Network in the sidebar on the left.
Select the active connection on the right, which will typically be labeled "Wi-Fi" for wireless or "Ethernet" for a wired connection.
Click the Details button near the bottom of the screen.
Look for the section labeled TCP/IP . The IPv4 Address field is where your local IP address is displayed.
Using the Terminal (The Classic Approach)
For users who prefer command-line efficiency or are working in an environment with restricted GUI access, the Terminal provides a direct query to the system’s network stack. This method works consistently across virtually all versions of macOS.
Executing the Command
To retrieve your IP address via Terminal, you will use the ipconfig command, specifically targeting the getifaddr parameter.
Open Terminal , which is located in the Utilities folder within your Applications folder.
Type the following command exactly as shown, replacing en0 if you are using a wired connection:
ipconfig getifaddr en0
The terminal will return a standard IPv4 address, such as 192.168.1.5. If you are connected via Ethernet, you will likely need to use en1 or en2 instead of en0 .
Understanding the Network Interface
The terms en0 and en1 refer to the network interfaces on your hardware. On most modern MacBooks, en0 is reserved for the Wi-Fi card, while the built-in Ethernet port is often en2 . If the command returns a blank line, you are using the wrong interface identifier for your current connection.
Finding the Router and External IP
While the local IP address is useful for managing your home or office network, you might also need to identify your public-facing address, which is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). This address is visible to the rest of the internet.
