Buzz
When a Mac computer connects to a network, it is assigned an IP address (Internet Protocol address). This IP address consists of four sets of characters, each separated by a period, with each set containing a maximum of three digits. When a Mac is connected to a network, such as the Internet, it uses both a private IP address (internal) to mark its location within a local network and a public IP address (external) which is the IP used by the Internet connection. Follow the steps below to find both of these addresses.
Steps
Finding the local IP address (for OS X 10.5 and newer)
Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen.
Scroll down and select System Preferences.
Click on Network, located on the third row.
Select your connection method. Typically, the computer will be connected via AirPort (wireless network) or Ethernet (wired network). The status 'Connected' will appear next to the network connection you are using. The IP address will be listed in smaller text just below the Status field.
- The active connection method is usually set by default.
Find the local IP address (for OS X 10.4)
Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen.
Scroll down and select System Preferences.
Click on Network, which is on the third row.
Select your network connection. You can choose the network whose IP address you want to view from the dropdown menu labeled Show. If you're using a wired connection, select Built-In Ethernet. If you're using a wireless connection, select AirPort.
Click on the TCP/IP tab (Internet Protocol Suite). Your IP address will appear in the configuration window.
Find the local IP address using Terminal
Access the Terminal tool. You can find it in the Utilities section within the Applications folder.
Use the “ifconfig” command. The standard “ifconfig” command provides a lot of unnecessary data, which may confuse the user. The following command will display your local IP address while filtering out most of the unnecessary information:
ifconfig | grep "inet " | grep -v 127.0.0.1
ifconfig | grep "inet " | grep -v 127.0.0.1
- This command excludes the 127.0.0.1 entry, which always appears regardless of the computer you use. It's a loopback response that can be ignored if you're only interested in the IP address.
Copy your IP address. Your IP address will appear next to the “inet” label.
Find your external IP address
Access your router’s configuration page. Most routers can be accessed through a web interface, where you can view and modify settings. Open the web interface by typing the router's IP address into a web browser. Refer to your router's documentation to find the specific router address. Common router addresses include:
- 192.168.1.1
- 192.168.0.1
- 192.168.2.1
Open Router Status. The location of the external IP address varies depending on the router device. Most display it under the Router Status or WAN (Wide Area Network) Status section.
- Under the Internet Port in Router Status, your IP address will be fully displayed. It consists of four sets of characters, each containing up to three digits.
- This is the IP address of the router you are using. Any connection made from this router will carry this IP address.
- This IP address is assigned to you by your ISP. Most public IP addresses are “dynamic,” meaning they change over time. This address can be hidden using a proxy server.
Search on Google using the keyword “ip address” or “địa chỉ ip”. The first result shown will be your external/public IP address.
Advice
- After finishing your tasks in Terminal, you can type “exit,” but the window won’t close completely. To close the program, use the top menu and select Terminal -> Close.
- If you want easier access to Terminal, drag and drop it into the dock.
- To find your IP address on a Windows computer, refer to related articles on Mytour.
Warning
- When using an IP address information website from your Internet service provider, you are likely using a transparent proxy server (such as VNPT). Be cautious, as the indirect IP address displayed could belong to the ISP, not your actual IP address.
