How to set up a static IP address

How to set a static IP address on macOS

macOS makes it fairly easy to switch from automatic DHCP settings to a manual static IP address on your local network. Many people use a static private IP address on a Mac for file sharing, remote desktop access, local servers, NAS systems, smart home devices, or other tools that rely on stable network connections.

Before you start, check your current network settings first and write them down. This way, you can easily switch back to DHCP (or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) if something stops working.

To set a static IP on a Mac, follow these steps:

1. 1.Click the Apple menu on the top left corner of your screen and open “System Settings.”
   
2. 2.Select “Network” > “Wi-Fi.”
   
3. 3.Choose your active network connection and click “Details” next to it.
   
4. 4.Open the “TCP/IP” tab and next to “Configure IPv4,” select “Manually.”
   
5. 5.Enter the private IP address you want your Mac to keep on your local network, along with your subnet mask and router address. You can find these details in the same TCP/IP settings window or by checking your current network information before changing the settings. Click “OK” to save the changes.
   

macOS will now keep using the same private IP address every time your device reconnects to the network.

How to set a static IP address on Windows 10 and 11

Windows lets you manually assign a static private IP address directly through the network settings menu. A fixed local IP can help if you use remote desktop tools, connect to local servers, manage smart home devices, or want more stable connections between devices on your network.

Windows 10 and Windows 11 use slightly different interfaces, but the steps for setting a static IP address remain mostly the same. To set a static IP address on Windows 10 or Windows 11:

1. 1.Click the Start button and open “Settings.”
   
2. 2.Go to “Network & internet.”
   
3. 3.Next to your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), open “Properties.”
   
4. 4.Scroll to “IP assignment” and click “Edit.”
   
5. 5.In the dropdown menu, select “Manual.”
   
6. 6.Turn on “IPv4.” Enter your preferred static IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS server addresses, and click “Save.”
   

If you’re not sure which values to enter, check your current network information first. You can do that by opening Command Prompt and entering:

Windows will display your current IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server information.

After saving the changes, Windows will keep using the same private IP address on your local network instead of requesting a new one automatically through DHCP.

How to set a static IP address on Android

Android phones and tablets usually use dynamic IP addresses by default. You may want to switch to a static IP if you use remote access systems, local servers, smart home devices, or custom DNS settings. To do so:

1. 1.Open “Settings.”
   
2. 2.Go to “Network & internet” or “Connections” > “Wi‑Fi.”
   
3. 3.Tap your connected network, then tap “Modify network.”
   
4. 4.Under “IP settings,” select “Static.”
   
5. 5.Enter your IP address, gateway, subnet mask, and DNS addresses, and tap “Save.”
   

Once saved, your Android device will keep using the same private IP address on that Wi-Fi network instead of requesting a new one automatically through DHCP.

Keep in mind that Android menus may look slightly different depending on your phone manufacturer and Android version, but the overall process stays similar across most devices.

How to set a static IP address on iOS

By default, iPhones and iPads use DHCP to receive IP addresses automatically from the router. However, some setups work better with a static private IP address, especially if you use smart home devices, local servers, remote access tools, or network storage on your home network.

To set a static IP address on iOS:

1. 1.On your iPhone’s home screen, tap “Settings.”
   
2. 2.Go to “Wi-Fi.”
   
3. 3.Tap the information icon (little “i”) next to your connected network.
   
4. 4.Scroll to “Configure IP.”
   
5. 5.In the dropdown menu, select “Manual.”
   
6. 6.Enter your static IP address, subnet mask, and router address. You can find your current network details in the same Wi-Fi settings screen before making changes. Tap “Save” to apply the changes.
   

After saving the settings, your iPhone or iPad will keep using the same private IP address on that network.

Check out our video on how to set up a static IP on MacOS, Windows, Android, and iOS below.

How to set a static IP address on Linux

Linux gives you more control over network settings than most operating systems, which makes it popular for servers, development environments, and advanced network setups. Many people configure a static private IP address on Linux machines they access regularly through SSH, local servers, network storage, or other devices on the same network.

Most modern Linux distributions include graphical network settings, although menus may vary slightly depending on your desktop environment and distro. To set a static IP address on Linux:

1. 1.Right-click the top-right corner and open “Settings.”
   
2. 2.Open the “Wi-Fi” tab. Click the gear icon next to your active connection.
   
3. 3.Open the “IPv4” tab. Next to “IPv4 method,” select “Manual.”
   
4. 4.Enter your static IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS servers. You can usually find your current network details in the same settings window before making changes. Click “Apply” to save the changes. Reconnect to your network if needed.
   

If you use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi, open the Ethernet connection settings instead. Once applied, Linux will continue using the same private IP address on your local network instead of requesting a new one automatically through DHCP.

How to set a static IP address on Raspberry Pi

Many people use Raspberry Pi devices for media servers, smart home projects, local web servers, network monitoring, or remote SSH access. In setups like these, a static private IP address makes the Raspberry Pi much easier to find and reconnect to on your local network.

Without a static IP, your router may assign a different address every time the Raspberry Pi reconnects, which can break remote access tools, scripts, or connected services.

To set a static IP address on Raspberry Pi:

1. 1.Open “Network settings” from the network icon in the top-right corner. Select “Advanced options” > “Edit connections.”
   
2. 2.Select your preferred connection and double-click it.
   
3. 3.Open “IPv4 Settings.” Change “Method” to “Manual.”
   
4. 4.Click “Add.” Enter your static IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS settings, and save the changes.
   

If you use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi, select the Ethernet connection instead of the wireless one.

For encrypting your Raspberry Pi’s online traffic, check out our tips on how to download and set up a VPN on your Raspberry Pi.

How to set a static IP address on PS5

Many gamers set a static private IP address on a PS5 to make port forwarding easier and keep online gaming features working more reliably. A fixed local IP can also help with remote play setups, NAT-related connection issues, and situations where the console becomes harder to reconnect to after a router restart.

If you want to set a static IP address on PS5, simply follow these steps:

1. 1.Open “Settings.”
2. 2.Go to “Network” > “Settings” > “Set up internet connection.”
3. 3.Select your current network and choose “Advanced settings.”
4. 4.Under “IP address settings,” select “Manual.”
5. 5.Enter your preferred static IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS settings. Save your changes and reconnect.

Before changing the settings, check your current network details first so you can reuse the correct gateway and subnet information.

Once saved, your PS5 will keep using the same private IP address on your local network instead of receiving a different one automatically through DHCP.

How to set a static IP address through a router (DHCP reservation)

For most people, setting a static private IP address through the router works better than configuring every device manually. Instead of changing network settings on each device, you tell the router to always assign the same local IP address to a specific device.

This method is usually called a DHCP reservation. It keeps devices on the same private IP address while still allowing them to use automatic DHCP settings. Many people use this setup for printers, NAS systems, gaming consoles, smart TVs, Raspberry Pi devices, and smart home hubs. 

Keep in mind that router menus vary depending on the manufacturer, but the overall process stays similar across most routers. To set a static IP address through a router:

1. 1.Open a web browser and enter your router’s IP address in the address bar. Log in using your admin username and password.
   
2. 2.Open the advanced settings section.
   
3. 3.Go to “IP” > “DHCP server.”
   
4. 4.Open the “Leases” tab. Select the device marked with “D” for dynamic (meaning it uses a dynamic IP address). You can usually identify the correct device by its current IP address, hostname, or MAC address. If you’re unsure which device to choose, check the connected devices list in your router settings first. Click “Make static.”
   

Once saved, the router will automatically assign the same private IP address to that device every time it reconnects to your local network.

On other routers, look for sections called “DHCP reservation,” “Address reservation,” or “Static lease.”

Why is a DHCP reservation usually better?

For most home networks, DHCP reservation offers a simpler and more reliable way to keep devices on the same private IP address. Instead of manually entering network settings on every device, you let the router handle the process automatically. A few other advantages are that DHCP reservation:

• Lowers the risk of mistakes. If you manually configure static IP addresses on multiple devices, you can accidentally reuse the same IP address or enter the wrong subnet mask, gateway, or DNS settings. DHCP reservation helps avoid those problems because the router manages IP assignment itself.
• Makes devices easier to manage over time. If you later change your network settings or replace your router, you usually won’t need to reconfigure every device individually. The router keeps assigning the same local IP address automatically whenever the device reconnects.
• Keeps all IP reservations in one place. You can manage connected devices directly from the router settings instead of opening network settings on every device separately.

This method works especially well for devices that stay on the same network most of the time, like printers, NAS systems, gaming consoles, Raspberry Pi devices, smart TVs, and smart home hubs.

How to verify your static IP is working

After setting a static private IP address, make sure the device actually uses the new settings correctly. A wrong subnet mask, gateway, or DNS address can block internet access or prevent devices on the local network from communicating properly. 

To verify that your static IP works correctly:

1. 1.Open Command Prompt on Windows or Terminal on Linux and macOS.
2. 2.Enter one of the following commands:On Windows:
   ipconfigcopy⁠‌
   On macOS or Linux:
   ip addr ifconfigcopy⁠‌
3. 3.Find your active network adapter and check whether the displayed IPv4 address matches the static IP address you configured.
4. 4.Test your internet connection and make sure websites still load correctly.
5. 5.If you use the device for file sharing, remote access, printers, media servers, or smart home tools, confirm those connections still work as expected.
6. 6.Restart the device and make sure it reconnects using the same private IP address instead of receiving a new one through DHCP.

Troubleshooting common static IP issues

Even a small mistake in your static IP settings can cause connection problems. If something stops working after switching from DHCP to a static private IP address, checking a few common issues usually helps fix the problem quickly:

• No internet connection after setting a static IP. If your internet stops working after setting a static IP address, one of the network settings is usually incorrect. Double-check all the values you entered and compare them with your current network information before making changes. If you’re unsure which setting causes the issue, switch the device back to automatic DHCP temporarily and test the connection again.
• IP address conflicts. Two devices cannot use the same private IP address on the same network. If that happens, devices may randomly disconnect, lose internet access, or fail to communicate properly with other devices on the network. To avoid an IP address conflict on Windows or another operating system, choose an IP address outside your router’s DHCP pool whenever possible. DHCP reservation can also help because the router automatically manages IP assignments and prevents duplicate addresses.
• The device loses connection to another Wi-Fi network. A manually configured static IP only works correctly on networks that use the same IP range and gateway settings. If you connect your laptop or phone to another Wi-Fi network later, the settings may no longer match that network. For example, a static IP configured for your home network may stop working on public Wi-Fi, at work, or in a hotel. In situations like these, switching back to automatic DHCP usually fixes the problem immediately.
• Static IP settings disappear after restarting. If the device starts using a different IP address after rebooting, the settings may not have saved correctly. Restarting the router can also sometimes interrupt local network assignments. Check whether the static IP configuration is still enabled in the network settings and confirm that another device does not already use the same IP address. If the issue keeps happening, a DHCP reservation through the router often provides a more stable long-term solution.

When do you need to set up a static IP?

Most people don’t need a static IP address for everyday internet use. Dynamic IP addresses assigned through DHCP work perfectly fine for phones, laptops, streaming, browsing, and most smart devices.

However, some devices and services work better with a fixed private IP address because they need stable local network connections. A static IP becomes useful when other devices, apps, or services need to consistently find and connect to the same device on your network.

You may want to set up a static IP if you:

• Use remote desktop or SSH access regularly.
• Run local servers or media servers.
• Set up port forwarding for gaming or apps.
• Use NAS systems or network printers.
• Manage smart home devices or automation tools.
• Access Raspberry Pi devices remotely.
• Host file sharing services on your network.
• Want more stable connections between devices on your local network.

In situations like these, keeping the same private IP address makes devices easier to find, reconnect to, and communicate with across your local network.

Static IP addresses are also great for virtual private networks (VPNs). If some members of your team work from home while others are in the office, you can host programs and sensitive files on a server or system (with a static IP address), to which team members can connect with a VPN client (an application on their device). Now everyone has secure access to the same resources, wherever they are based.

What to consider before changing to a static IP

Before assigning a static private IP address, make sure you understand your current network setup. Incorrect settings can block internet access or create IP conflicts with other devices on the network.

Before making changes:

• Check your current IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS settings. Your IP address shows your current network range, the subnet mask defines which part of the IP address belongs to the local network (most home networks use “255.255.255.0”), the gateway is usually your router’s local IP address that connects devices to the internet, and DNS servers help load websites and online services correctly. You can usually find these details in your current network settings before making changes.
• Make sure the IP address fits your local network range. Most home networks use ranges like “192.168.x.×” or “10.x.x.×,” so choosing an address outside that range may prevent the device from connecting properly.
• Avoid using addresses already assigned to other devices. Two devices using the same private IP address can cause connection drops, network conflicts, or devices disappearing from the network.
• Check your router’s DHCP pool before choosing an IP address. Picking an address outside the automatic DHCP range lowers the risk of the router assigning the same IP to another device later.
• Consider using a DHCP reservation instead of manual configuration when possible. If you only need a stable local IP for one device, DHCP reservation through the router is usually the easier and safer option.