October 3, 2024

What is My Local IP Address? A Complete Guide

Knowing what a local IP address is, and how you can find it, is fundamental to how devices on your network talk to each other. Whether you’re troubleshooting a connection issue, setting up a new device, or getting into your router, knowing what a local IP address is and how you can find it can come in rather handy. 

In this article, we will show you everything you need to know about a local IP address and how to find it across devices.

What’s my Local IP Address?

First of all, it is very important to define what it is before getting into how to find your local IP address. An IP address is short for Internet Protocol Address and is a numerical address assigned to every device connected to any network utilizing Internet Protocol in its communication. To put this in simpler terms, it’s like a digital address that enables devices to communicate with each other.

There are two types:

• Public IP address: The IP address provided by the ISP to your device, which is why your device must be located or detected on the internet.
• Local IP Address: This is the private IP address of your device, assigned to your device by the router and used within your local network, such as your home or office network.

The local IP identifies a device on the local network so that it can communicate with other devices on the same network but is not visible to the greater internet and therefore can be used only for internal purposes.

How to Know Your Local IP Address

How to find your local IP address may vary slightly depending on the device being used. Below are several sets of directions for commonly used devices and operating systems.

How to Find Your Local IP Address on Windows

• Open the Start Menu and type “cmd” into the search bar to open the Command Prompt.
• Type: In the Command Prompt window, ipconfig and press Enter.
  Look for the line that says IPv4 Address. The number beside it is your local IP address.

How to Find Your Local IP Address on macOS

• Click the top left Apple logo and select System Preferences.
• Click on Network.
• Under the left-hand menu, click on your active connection Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
• Your local IP address will be displayed under “Status.”

How to Find Your Local IP Address on a Router

• Open your web browser and in the address bar type your router’s IP address, which is usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
• Log in with your router administrative panel – the credentials are usually printed on it.
• Look for the Heading: Connected devices or LAN. Your local IP address would be written right there, beside the name of your device.

How to Find Your Local IP Address on iPhone or iPad

• Open Settings.
• Tap Wi-Fi.
• Tap the info icon-the “i” in a circle-next to the network you are connected to.
• Your local IP address will be listed next to the heading labeled IP Address.

How to Find Your Local IP Address on Android

• Open Settings first, then go to Network & Internet or Connections.
• Tap on Wi-Fi.
• Tap the gear icon next to the network you are connected to.
• Your IP address will be under the heading labeled IP Address.

Why would you need to know your Local IP address?

Knowing your local IP address is helpful for several situations:

• Troubleshooting: If there is a problem in networking, like poor connections, knowing your local IP aids in diagnosing whether the issue is with your device or the router.
• Device setup: During the process of setting up devices, such as printers or smart home devices, you may sometimes be asked for an entry regarding the local IP address so that they can connect to your network.
• Remote Access: Further, if you want to access any device remotely on your home network, then one must know the local IP address of that device to be able to connect directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between a local IP address and a public IP address?

A: A private or local IP address is used within a network-private network in a house or office-and is not visible to the public internet. The public IP address is assigned by your ISP and is visible to external networks, for example, websites that you visit.

Q: Can I change my local IP address?
A: You can change it, either just by restarting your router, which may give you a new IP, or more directly. You could handle it by going on the network settings on your device and assigning yourself an IP address.

Q: Does my local IP address match my public IP address?

A: No, your local IP address differs from your public one. Your local IP is used within your home network only, while your public IP addresses your device to the greater internet.

Q: How do I find what my public IP address is?

A: Just type “what’s my IP” in Google, it shows your public IP address right at the top results.

Q: Can anybody hack me through my local IP address?
A: Very unlikely, Your local IPs are present within your private network only and usually are guarded by your router firewall. Still do not forget to secure your network using password protection and encryption.

Conclusion

Knowing your local IP address can be important for a number of other reasons when it comes to managing your home or office network. Whether you’re troubleshooting issues, setting up new devices, or simply trying to improve your network security, knowing how to find your local IP can save a lot of time and hassle. This guide will show you how to find your local IP on any device in just a few easy steps.