Find your IP on Mac OS

Needless to say, you have heard the term IP address multiple times before when we are talking about Internet access. Let’s cover some of the basics so that this issue becomes clearer for you and you can be braver when this topic comes up in a conversation or you simply need the exact parameters of the address. We will also cover a step by step guide on how to access your IP if you are using a Mac operating system.

What is an IP?

It is quite clear that IP is short from Internet Protocol and it basically helps you use the Internet. Think of it like this, just as a friend of yours needs your home address to send you a card, a certain computer requires your IP address to communicate with you. The structure of the Internet Protocol is 4 numbers as each of them is separated using a dot. Keep in mind that the numbers on the positions vary from 0 to 255.

How to see my IP address on a Mac computer? 

There is not a shadow of doubt that there a number of reasons why you might need to access this specific address from your computer. In order to do that, using your personal Macintosh computer, all you have to do is follow the 5 mentioned steps below. Overall, if you are using the Interned, then your Mac has an IP already assigned to it. It may be static or dynamic but both ways, you are free to view it.

Step 1

This is the easiest and considerably fast method for accessing the IP on a Mac machine. To begin the process, you have to navigate to the upper left corner of your desktop and click on the Apple logo. Keep in mind, that if you are having your browser on a full screen, you will need to hold the mouse at the top for a few seconds before the menu appears.


Step 2

After the drop down menu opens, click on the System Preferences. A new window with your System Preferences will appear, from where you can pretty much control everything that is happening in your computer.


Step 3

In this step you have to locate the Network icon and click on it. Most of the times it is on the third line, counting from the top.


Step 4

If you have done everything as stated above, you are now supposed to have your networks listed. Go ahead and pick the one that you want to get the IP for, with the help of the drop down menu. Your IP address will appear under the status bar.


Step 5

In order to get a better view and more thorough information about the network that you are using, you need to simply click on “Advanced” button and more information will appear. Afterwards, choose TCP/IP page from the top, and you get all the needed properties.


Extra tip: If you prefer, you can open the System Preferences window, using other methods. On the whole, it does not matter much but here is a faster approach that you might find in handy.

Spotlight

Well, it is always fast and easy to use the help of Spotlight. Simply do the combination that you are regularly using for calling the application (Command + Space by default), enter System Preferences in the space that is provided and simply press the return key.

And just like that, with the help of this guide, you now know how to get your Internet Protocol address. There is not a shadow of doubt that there are a number of other important information that you can find while going though the System Preferences, so go ahead and try out on your own. Yet, be extremely careful what you are changing as most surely you do not want to end up with non-functioning feature or computer.

Use this video as a further guide if needed:

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