Have you ever encountered a situation where you urgently need to know The IP address of your Android phonebut donโt know where to look for it? Perhaps you need to set up remote access to the device, connect to a local network to transfer files, or the network administrator asks you to provide your address to set up access rights. Unlike computers, where the IP is displayed in a couple of clicks, on smartphones the path to this information is not always obvious.
In this article we will look at all possible methods obtaining an IP address on Android - from standard system settings to specialized applications. You will learn how local IP (within your network) differs from external (which is seen by sites on the Internet), why the address may change, and what to do if it is not displayed. And also - how to check if your device is using IPv6 instead of the usual IPv4.
Important: if you are looking for IP to solve connection problems (for example, "No access" errors to the Internet"), at the end of the article there is FAQ with typical scenarios. But first, let's look at the basics.
1. What is a phone's IP address and why do you need it
IP address (from English Internet Protocol Address) is a unique numeric identifier of your device on the network. Without it, no connection to the Internet or local network is possible. An Android smartphone can have several IP addresses at once:
- ๐ถ Local (internal) IP โ assigned by the router when you connect to Wi-Fi. For example,
192.168.1.103or10.0.0.5. Needed for data exchange within your home/office network. - ๐ External (public) IP โ the address under which your phone is visible on the Internet. It is assigned by the provider (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, etc.). For example,
95.31.128.44. - ๐ Dynamic vs static โmost addresses change with each new connection (dynamic), but you can also set up a permanent (static) one.
Why you might need an IP phone:
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Setting up remote access (for example, via TeamViewer or AnyDesk).
- ๐ Transferring files over a local network (via FTP or SMB).
- ๐ Configuration parental controls or firewall on the router.
- ๐ฎ Connecting to multiplayer games over a local network (Minecraft, Terraria, etc.).
- ๐ ๏ธ Diagnosing problems with the Internet (for example, conflict of IP addresses).
Important: local and external IP are different things. If you are looking for an address to connect to a phone from another network (for example, from a computer), you need an external IP + port forwarding on the router.
2. How to find the local IP address on Android through settings
The easiest way is to look at the IP directly in the phone settings. The interface may differ slightly depending on the version of Android and the shell (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS etc.), but the general principle is the same.
Method 1: Through information about the Wi-Fi network
- Open
SettingsโWi-Fi(orNetwork and Internet โ Wi-Fi). - Click on the name of your network (to which you are connected).
- Scroll down to the section
AdditionalorNetwork information. - Find lines
IP address(orIPv4 address).
Example path for different shells:
| Manufacturer | Path to IP address |
|---|---|
| Samsung (One UI) | Settings โ Connections โ Wi-Fi โ โ๏ธ (network settings) โ IP address |
| Xiaomi (MIUI) | Settings โ Wi-Fi โ Network name โ View more โ IP address |
| Google Pixel (pure Android) | Settings โ Network and Internet โ Wi-Fi โ โ๏ธ โ Advanced โ IP address |
| Huawei (EMUI) | Settings โ Wireless networks โ Wi-Fi โ Hold network โ Network management โ IP address |
If instead of IP you see Unavailable or 0.0.0.0, this may mean:
- ๐ You are not connected to Wi-Fi (check your connection).
- โ๏ธ DHCP is disabled on the router (then the IP must be assigned manually).
- ๐ The network uses IPv6 instead IPv4 (more on this below).
โ๏ธ What to do if the IP is not displayed
Method 2: Through mobile data settings (3G/4G/5G)
If you use mobile data, the local IP is assigned by the telecom operator. It is impossible to see it through the standard Android settings - you will need a third-party application (more on this in the next section). However, you can find out public IPwhich sites see on the Internet (see section 4).
โ ๏ธ Attention: some operators (for example, Tele2) can use CGNAT a technology in which your phone does not receive a unique external IP, but โhidesโ behind the general address of the provider. In this case, for remote access you will need a VPN or special services like Ngrok.
3. IP addresses on Android
If the standard settings do not show IP or you need extended information (for example, MAC address, gateway, DNS servers), use specialized utilities. We tested 5 popular applications - all of them are free and do not require root access.
| Application | Shows | Features |
|---|---|---|
| IP Tools: WiFi Analyzer | Local/external IP, MAC, gateway, DNS | Port check, network scanner, speed test |
| Network Info II | IPv4/IPv6, information about Wi-Fi/mobile network | Detailed data about neighboring Wi-Fi networks |
| Fing | IP, MAC, open ports | Scanner for devices on the local network |
| WhatIsMyIP | Only external IP + geolocation | Minimalistic interface |
Recommendation: for most tasks IP Tools or Network Info II. If you need a network scanner (for example, to find other devices on the local network), select Fing.
Interface example Network Info II:
After installation, open the application and go to the tab Wi-Fi (or Mobile for mobile data). Here you will see:
- ๐ก
IP Addressโyour local IP. - ๐
External IPโpublic IP (if there is Internet). - ๐
MAC Addressโunique identifier of the network adapter. - ๐ช
Gatewayโrouter address (usually192.168.1.1or192.168.0.1).
If you need to check your IP frequently, add the application widget IP Tools to the main screen. This way you can see the address without launching the app.
4. How to find the external (public) IP address of the phone
The external IP is the address under which your phone is visible on the Internet. It is assigned by the provider (MTS, Beeline, etc.), and it can be:
- ๐ Dynamic - changes with each new connection (most often).
- ๐ Static - fixed address (usually paid by the provider).
You cannot see it through the Android settings - only through:
Method 1: Online services
Open the browser and go to one of the sites:
- ๐ 2ip.ru (shows IP + geolocation).
- ๐ก whatismyipaddress.com (detailed information about the provider).
- ๐ ipinfo.io (technical data in JSON format).
Example of display on 2ip.ru:
The site will show your external IP, country, city, provider and even approximate coordinates (accuracy ~5โ10 km). If you use a VPN, the IP of the VPN server will be displayed, not your real one.
Method 2: Through applications
Any of the applications from section 3 (for example, WhatIsMyIP or IP Tools) will show the external IP. on the main screen.
โ ๏ธ Attention: if you are connected to Wi-Fi, the external IP will be the address of your router, not your phone. To see the โcleanโ IP of the mobile operator, turn off Wi-Fi and use only mobile data.
5. IPv4 vs IPv6: what address does your phone use? bytes).
Modern networks support two protocols:
IPv4- familiar view format192.168.1.1(4 bytes).IPv6- new view format2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334(16 bytes).
How to find out which protocol is used on your Android:
- Open
Settings โ Wi-Fi. - Click on your network โ
Additional. - Look at the fields
IPv4 addressandIPv6 address.
If field IPv6 filled, your network supports the new protocol. This is normal - many providers and routers are already switching to IPv6 due to a lack of IPv4addresses.
What is the difference between working with IPv6:
- โ More addresses - there will be no conflicts in the local network.
- โก Faster packet routing (in theory).
- โ ๏ธ Not all older devices and apps support IPv6.
If you need to force use IPv4 (for example, for compatibility with outdated software), this can be done in the router settings or through applications like NetGuard.
How to disable IPv6 on Android?
1. Install the application NetGuard (root required for full control).
2. Go to Settings โ IPv6.
3. Select Disable IPv6 or IPv4 only.
โ ๏ธ Without root access, disabling may be unstable.
6. Static IP vs dynamic: how to assign a fixed address
By default, the router assigns devices dynamic IP via protocol DHCP. This means that with each new connection the address may change (for example, from 192.168.1.103 to 192.168.1.105). If you need permanent IP (for example, for port forwarding or server), it can be fixed in two ways:
Method 1: Assign a static IP in Android settings
- Open
Settings โ Wi-Fi. - Click on your network โ
Change network(orAdditional). - In the section
IP settingsselectStatic(instead ofDHCP). - Fill in fields:
IP address: select a free one in the range of your network (for example,192.168.1.200).Gateway: usually192.168.1.1(router address).Network prefix length:24(or subnet mask255.255.255.0).DNS 1 and DNS 2: you can leave8.8.8.8(Google) and1.1.1.1(Cloudflare).
Method 2: Reserve IP on the router (recommended)
A more reliable method is to bind MAC address the phone to a fixed IP on the router. This way the address will not change even after resetting the settings on the phone.
Instructions for routers TP-Link:
- Open the router control panel (usually at
192.168.1.1or192.168.0.1). - Go to
DHCP โ Address reservation. - Add a new rule by specifying MAC address the phone (can be found in the Wi-Fi settings on the phone) and the desired IP.
- Save and reboot the router.
- ๐ Restart your phone and router.
- ๐ฑ Reset the network settings on your phone:
Settings โ System โ Reset โ Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings. - ๐ ๏ธ Update the router firmware (instructions are usually on the device sticker).
โ ๏ธ Attention: if you assign a static IP manually, make sure that it does not conflict with other devices on the network. For example, if the router distributes addresses in the range192.168.1.100โ192.168.1.200, select an IP outside this range (for example,192.168.1.201).
Static IP is needed only for specific tasks (servers, port forwarding). For normal use, dynamic IP is preferable - it eliminates conflicts on the network.
7. Frequent problems with the IP address on Android and their solution
Sometimes the IP address may not work correctly. Let's look at typical situations and how to fix them.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
IP address 0.0.0.0 or not displayed |
No network connection, DHCP failure | Restart the router and phone. Check your Wi-Fi settings. |
IP address conflict (IP address already in use) |
Two devices received the same IP | Reboot the router or assign a static IP manually. |
| No Internet access with the correct IP | Invalid gateway or DNS | Check the IP settings (the gateway must match the router address). |
| External IP does not change after reconnection | The provider uses "sticky" dynamic IPs | Wait 10-20 minutes or contact provider support. |
If the problem cannot be solved:
Critical error: if after resetting the network settings the phone stops connecting to Wi-Fi, check if the MAC address filter is enabled on the router. Your device may be blocked.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about IP addresses on Android
Is it possible to find out the phone's IP remotely (for example, if it is lost)?
No, if specialized software is not installed on the phone (for example, Cerberus or Find My Device from Google). The usual methods (via Google account or operator) only show the approximate location, but not the IP. If the phone is connected to your Wi-Fi, you can go to the control panel of the router and see the list of connected devices (section DHCP Clients or Connected Devices).
Why does my external IP change every day?
This is normal - most providers use dynamic public IPwhich are updated once every 24 hours or with each new connection. If you need a fixed address, order static IP from your operator (usually for a fee, ~100โ300 rubles/month). An alternative is to use services like No-IP or DynDNS, which bind the domain name to your dynamic IP.
How to hide your IP address on your phone?
There are three ways:
- VPN: applications like ProtonVPN, NordVPN or 1.1.1.1 (from Cloudflare) will replace your real IP with the VPN server address.
- Tor Browser: anonymizes traffic, but works slowly.
- Mobile proxy: manual configuration in Wi-Fi settings (requires proxy server data).
โ ๏ธ VPN does not hide your IP from the router or provider - it masks it only for sites and services on the Internet.
Is it possible to determine the location of the phone by the IP address?
Only approximately. Using external IP, services like 2ip.ru will show the city and provider, but not the exact address. Local IP (within your network) does not contain geodata at all. To accurately determine your location, other methods are needed (GPS, cell tower data).
Exception: if an attacker gains access to your router, he will be able to see the local IPs of all connected devices. Therefore, always change the standard password of the router admin panel (admin/admin)!
What to do if the phoneโs IP address is blocked on a website or in a game?
Possible solutions:
- ๐ Reboot the router - the provider may issue a new external IP.
- ๐ถ Connect to the mobile data (IP will be different).
- ๐ก๏ธ Use a VPN (for example, ProtonVPN has a free tariff).
- โ๏ธ Contact site/game support and ask to unblock the IP (prepare a screenshot errors).
If the blocking is permanent (for example, an IP ban in an online game), the only reliable way is to change the external IP via VPN or mobile data.