Mac network settings
How to find your IP address on Mac.
For the public address a website sees, open Check my IP on your Mac. For the address assigned to its Wi-Fi or Ethernet interface, open the connection's details in System Settings. These values often differ on a home IPv4 network.
Find your local Wi-Fi or Ethernet IP
- Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
- Select Network in the sidebar.
- Select the connected service: Wi-Fi or your Ethernet connection. A USB Ethernet adapter may have its own service name.
- Open Details, then TCP/IP.
- Read the address information for that service. Note whether you are looking at IPv4 or IPv6. The router address is a separate value.
These instructions follow Apple's TCP/IP settings documentation. Available fields vary by network service and macOS version. You do not need to change the configuration or renew a lease simply to read an address.
Which address should you copy?
| Task | Address to check |
|---|---|
| Connect to your Mac on the same local network | The address of the active Wi-Fi or Ethernet interface. Service and firewall settings also determine access. |
| Tell website support what address it sees | The public address shown by Check my IP, using the affected browser and connection. |
| Investigate the router's upstream connection | The router's WAN status page. The Router field on your Mac is usually its local gateway, not its WAN address. |
Why your Mac and a website show different addresses
A home router usually translates private IPv4 addresses before traffic reaches a website. For example, your Mac might have 192.168.1.25 locally while the website sees a public address. The public vs private IP guide explains that relationship.
A VPN, proxy or browser relay may also affect the public address used for this visit. Wi-Fi and Ethernet can each have their own addresses, so read the service you are investigating. If both are connected, an address in one service's settings does not prove that your browser used that service.
What if I see IPv6 or a self-assigned address?
Several IPv6 addresses can be normal. A link-local address does not, by itself, show internet access. Run the IPv6 test to check this browser's reachability. For an unfamiliar address, the IP range checker explains its category.
An IPv4 address beginning with 169.254 is link-local, as defined in RFC 3927. It can be assigned when ordinary address configuration is unavailable. If you expected an address from your router and IPv4 is not working, check the cable or Wi-Fi connection and follow Apple's DHCP lease renewal instructions. Working IPv6 or another active interface can still provide internet access.
If the connection is not working, record the active service and address type before changing settings. Follow the provider's or administrator's instructions; choosing a random manual address can create a conflict.