Where to find your IP address on iPhone

Your iPhone's IP address is in Settings under Wi-Fi. Open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, find the network you're connected to, tap the information icon next to it, and look for "IP Address" in the list. That's your local IP address — the one your home or office network uses to identify your phone.

If you need your public IP address instead (the one the internet sees when you browse), you'll need to check from a website or app, because your iPhone doesn't display this in Settings. Your public IP comes from your internet provider and is shared by all devices on your network.

The difference matters. Your local IP address (usually starting with 192.168 or 10.0) is what you use to connect to devices at home, like a printer. Your public IP address is what websites see, and it changes when your internet provider reassigns it — sometimes daily, sometimes monthly.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in Settings > Wi-Fi > network name > information icon, listed as "IP Address".
  • Local IP addresses start with 192.168 or 10.0 and only work on your home or office network.
  • Your public IP address (what the internet sees) is not shown in iPhone Settings and requires checking a website.
  • You'll need your local IP address to connect to home devices like printers; your public IP is mainly useful for troubleshooting internet problems.

Step-by-step: Finding your local IP address

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone. It's the gray icon with gears, usually on your home screen.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap Wi-Fi. You'll see a list of networks, with a checkmark next to the one you're currently connected to.

Step 3: Tap the information icon (a small circle with an "i") next to your connected network name. Don't tap the network name itself — that opens connection options instead.

Step 4: Look for "IP Address" in the list that appears. It will be a series of four numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.45. Write it down or take a screenshot if you need it later.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet provider and is what websites see when you visit them. To find it, you need to check from a website that displays it back to you. Open Safari or any web browser on your iPhone and search for "what is my IP" or "my IP address". The first result will show your public IP in large text.

You can also visit websites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io directly. These sites exist specifically to show you your public IP. The number you see there is the same for all devices on your network — your iPhone, computer, and any other device using the same internet connection will show the same public IP.

Your public IP changes periodically. Some internet providers change it daily, others monthly or longer. If you need a stable public IP for work or remote access, that's a separate service your provider may offer, but it's not something you can change in iPhone Settings.

Why you might need each type of IP address

You need your local IP address when connecting to devices on your home network. If you're setting up a printer, accessing a network drive, or troubleshooting a smart home device, you'll use the local IP. Some apps also ask for it when you're trying to stream from a computer to your iPhone or control a device on the same network.

You need your public IP address mainly for troubleshooting internet problems. If a website blocks you or your internet provider needs to investigate an issue, they'll ask for your public IP. Some people also check it to confirm they're connected to the right internet connection, especially when traveling or using a VPN.

Most of the time, you won't need either one. But when you do, knowing where to find them saves time and frustration.

What to do if you can't see the IP address

If you follow the steps above and don't see an IP Address field, you're likely not connected to Wi-Fi. Make sure the network name has a checkmark next to it in the Wi-Fi list. If it does and you still don't see the IP Address field, try disconnecting and reconnecting to the network: tap the network name, tap "Forget This Network", then tap it again and enter the password.

If you're using a cellular connection instead of Wi-Fi, you won't see a local IP address in Settings. Switch to Wi-Fi first, then follow the steps above. Your iPhone only displays local IP addresses for Wi-Fi connections, not for cellular data.

If the information icon isn't appearing next to your network name, try restarting your iPhone. Press and hold the power button, slide to power off, wait a few seconds, then press and hold again to turn it back on. This usually fixes display glitches in Settings.

Understanding what the other IP information means

When you tap the information icon next to your Wi-Fi network, you'll see several fields beyond just the IP Address. The Subnet Mask (usually 255.255.255.0) defines which devices are on your local network — you don't need to change this. The Router address is your Wi-Fi router's local IP, useful if you need to log into your router to change settings.

The DNS addresses are servers that translate website names into IP addresses so your phone can find them. Your router usually provides these automatically, and you won't need to change them unless you're troubleshooting a specific internet problem. Leave these fields alone unless someone specifically asks you to change them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my IP address on my iPhone?

You can't change your local IP address directly in iPhone Settings. Your router assigns it automatically. If you need a different one, restart your iPhone or forget and rejoin the Wi-Fi network — your router will assign a new one. You cannot change your public IP address from your iPhone; that's controlled by your internet provider.

Is my IP address private or can others see it?

Your local IP address is private — only devices on your home network can see it. Your public IP address is visible to any website you visit, but it doesn't reveal your home address or personal information by itself. If privacy is a concern, you can use a VPN app, which masks your public IP from websites.

Why does my IP address look different than my friend's?

Local IP addresses are assigned by your router and depend on your network setup, so they're usually different from house to house. Public IP addresses come from your internet provider and vary by location and provider. Both are normal and expected to be different.

Do I need my IP address to use Wi-Fi normally?

No. Your iPhone gets an IP address automatically when you connect to Wi-Fi, and everything works without you ever knowing it. You only need to find your IP address if you're troubleshooting a problem or connecting to a specific device that asks for it.