How to find an IP address on a computer, phone, and TV

What is an IP address?

An internet protocol (IP) address is a unique numerical identifier for a device on a network, allowing it to send and receive data over the internet or a local network. It allows devices to recognize each other and communicate, with every networked device (computers, phones, and smart TVs) assigned a unique private number. In simple terms, your IP address is like a home address to which others can send data. Let’s say you want to watch a movie — you send a request to the streaming service, and its server uses your IP address to deliver the content back to you.

IP addresses can also be either static or dynamic. A static IP address remains the same every time your device connects to the network, while a dynamic IP address changes periodically or each time you connect. Most home networks use dynamic IP addresses, which are a more practical option for you and your internet service provider. A device with both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections may have a separate IP address for each network interface. 

How to find an IP address on Windows

Finding your IP address on Windows 7, 8/8.1, 10, or 11 takes only a few steps:

Windows 7

1. 1.Open the start menu and click "Control panel."
   
2. 2.Under "Network and internet," click "View network status and tasks."
   
3. 3.Click "Local area connection."
   
4. 4.In the pop-up window, click "Details."
   
5. 5.You’ll see your IP address under "IPv4 address."
   

Windows 8/8.1

1. 1.Open the Start menu, type "Network," and select "Network connection settings."
   
2. 2.Click "Connections" on the left.
   
3. 3.Click on "Network."
   
4. 4.You’ll see your IP address under "IPv4 address."
   

Windows 10

1. 1.Open the start menu and click on "Settings."
   
2. 2.Click "Network and internet."
   
3. 3.Click on the network you’re connected to.
   
4. 4.Scroll down to see your private IP address under IPv4 address.
   

Windows 11

1. 1.Open the start menu and click on "Settings."
   
2. 2.Click "Network and internet" on the left.
   
3. 3.Click "Properties" at the top.
   
4. 4.Scroll down a little and find your IP address listed under IPv4 address.
   

How to find an IP address using the command prompt (CMD)

1. 1.Right-click the Windows Start menu and choose "Run."
   
2. 2.Type "cmd" in the search field and click "OK."
   
3. 3.In the black and white window, type "ipconfig" and press "Enter."
   
4. 4.You’ll see your IP address under "IPv4 address".
   

How to find an IP address on a Mac

Follow these steps to find your IP address on your computer running the macOS system:

1. 1.Open the Apple menu and select "System settings." (For MacOS Ventura and newer versions). If you’re running an older Mac, you’ll find the following settings in "System preferences."
   
2. 2.Click "Network."
   
3. 3.Click "Wi-Fi."
   
4. 4.Click "Details" next to the network you’re connected to.
   
5. 5.You’ll see your IP address in the pop-up window.
   

Mac terminal

1. 1.Open the Mac terminal. You can find it via search in "Utilities."
   
2. 2.Enter one of the "ipconfig" Mac commands to find your IP address.
3. 3.For Wi-Fi network, type "ipconfig getifaddr en0" and press "Enter" to find your IP address.
4. 4.For wired connections, type "ipconfig getifaddr en1" and hit "Enter" to see your IP address.
   

How to find an IP address on an iPhone

All iPhone users need to do to find their IP address is:

1. 1.Open the "Settings" app.
2. 2.Tap "Wi-Fi."
   
3. 3.Tap the information icon on the right of the network name.
   
4. 4.Scroll down to "IPv4 address," and you’ll find your IP address there.
   

How to find an IP address on Android

Finding an IP address on an Android device is also easy:

1. 1.Open "Settings" and tap "Connections."
   
2. 2.Tap "Wi-Fi."
   
3. 3.Tap the gear icon next to your current network.
   
4. 4.Tap "View more."
   
5. 5.Scroll down to see your device’s IP address.
   

How to find an IP address on a TV

The following steps can be used with most TVs, though menu options may vary by manufacturer. If you can’t access your TV via a remote or an app, alternative methods are discussed below.

Finding the IP address using your remote

1. 1.Open the "Settings" menu.
   • Samsung: Press the "Home" button on the remote, then select "Settings."
   • LG: Press the "Settings" button on the remote and select "All settings."
   • Sony: Press the "Home" button, and navigate to "Settings."
   • Vizio: Press the "Menu" button, then select "Network."
2. 2.Locate the "Network" or "Connection" settings option.
   • Samsung: Go to "All settings" > "Connection" > "Network."
   • LG: Go to "Network," then "Wi-Fi connection" or "Wired connection."
   • Sony: Go to "Network."
   • Vizio: Select "Network."
3. 3.Select "Network status" or "Advanced settings."
4. 4.Scroll down to check for your IP address.

Finding the IP address through your router

1. 1.Open a web browser on any device connected to your Wi-Fi network.
2. 2.Type your router’s IP address (typically 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) into the address bar.
3. 3.Log in using your router’s username and password (often found on the back of the router or in the user manual).
4. 4.Navigate to the "Device list" or "Connected devices" section.
5. 5.Look for your TV in the list of connected devices. It may appear under the device name, such as "Samsung TV" or "LG smart TV."
6. 6.Look for the IP address next to the TV’s name.

Finding the IP address using a network scanner app

1. 1.Download a network scanner app, such as Fing (available for Android and iOS) or Advanced IP Scanner (for Windows).
2. 2.Open the app and start a network scan.
3. 3.Once the scan completes, it will show a list of devices, including their IP addresses, hostnames, and sometimes device types.
4. 4.Look for your TV in the list. It may appear as “Samsung smart TV,” “LG WebOS,” or the specific model number.
5. 5.The IP address will be shown next to the TV’s name.

Finding the IP address using a universal infrared (IR) remote app

1. 1.Download an app like AnyMote or ZaZa Remote (available on Google Play or Apple’s App Store) that can control your TV via IR or Wi-Fi.
2. 2.Use the app to control your TV and access the "Settings" menu.
3. 3.Navigate to "Network" settings and then to "Network status."
4. 4.The IP address of your TV should be displayed there.

Finding the IP address using a smart home assistant

If your TV is integrated with a smart assistant like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Siri, you may be able to access network details through the companion app. Open the Alexa or Google Home app on your phone to manage connected devices, which should contain information like the IP address of your TV.

How to find your IP address using online tools

Using online tools to find your IP address can often be quicker than digging through your computer settings. You have a couple of options:

• Open a search engine. Simply search for "What is my IP address" directly in Google, Bing, or any other preferred search engine. You’ll see your public IP address at the top of the search page. Alternatively, you may also use NordVPN’s "What is my IP" tool.
• Use a website. NordVPN has an IP lookup website designed to show your IP address.

Why knowing your IP address is important

You can typically navigate the web or a network without knowing your IP address. However, you may need to know it in certain situations.

• Accessing devices remotely. Let’s say you’re at work and want to access files on your home computer. To establish this remote desktop connection, you might need to know the public IP address of the computer you wish to access.
• Setting up port forwarding. If you want to set up port forwarding for a LAN party with your friends, you’ll need to know your router’s IP address and the public IP address of the device you want to forward traffic to. Port forwarding will route traffic from the internet to all the connected computers. This setup will let you and your friends play video games remotely as if you were in the same room.
• Hosting a server. If you’re hosting a web server, you’ll need your IP address so people can find you online and connect to your server.
• Connecting your devices. Many devices like printers, routers, telephones, and personal servers can be accessed and managed through a home or work network. Knowing how to find your printer’s IP address or your router’s IP address can be key to creating smart homes or offices and maximizing the potential of newer technology.