The IP address of your Android device is like a digital passport on the network: it identifies the gadget among billions of others. Without this address, it is impossible to connect to Wi-Fi, access local resources (for example, a printer or NAS), or even simply access the Internet. But if you suddenly need to find out this address - to set up a router, remote connection or diagnose network problems - the smartphone does not always show it in a prominent place.
In this article we will analyze all current methods definitions of the IP address on Android: from standard settings to hidden commands for experienced users. The instructions are suitable for devices Samsung Galaxy (including models with shell One UI), Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO (MIUI), Google Pixel (pure Android), as well as for brands Realme, Oppo, Honor and others. It doesnโt matter whether you use Wi-Fi, mobile data (4G/5G) or even Ethernet via an adapter - you will find a working method.
We warn you in advance: external (public) IP and local (private) IP are different things. The first is assigned to your router by your provider and is visible to the entire Internet, and the second is the internal address of the device. on the local network. We will show you how to find out both.
1. Local IP address through Android settings (the easiest way)
If you need internal IP address devices on a Wi-Fi network (for example 192.168.1.102), the fastest way is the standard settings. The interface may differ slightly depending on the version of Android and the shell, but the logic is the same:
Open
Settings(gear in the application menu or swipe down the notification panel).Go to section
Network and Internet(orConnectionson Samsung,Wi-Fion Xiaomi).Click on the name of your Wi-Fi network (there will be a checkmark next to
Connected).Scroll down to the block
AdditionalorNetwork informationโthere will be a lineIP address.
On some devices (for example, Google Pixel 7 with Android 14) the path is shorter: Settings โ Wi-Fi โ Network name โ Gear icon. Local IP usually has the format 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x or 172.16.x.x.
If the IP address starts with 169.254, this means that the device did not receive the correct address from the router. Try reconnecting to Wi-Fi or reboot the router.
For mobile data (4G/5G) local IP is more difficult to see - it is assigned dynamically by the operator and is usually not displayed in the interface. To find out, proceed to the following methods.
2. Public (external) IP through the browser
External IP address is the address that sites, servers and other devices on the Internet see. It does not belong to your smartphone, but to the router (if you are connected via Wi-Fi) or mobile tower (if you use mobile data). The easiest way to find it out is through online services:
- ๐ 2ip.ru - shows the IP, provider, city and even the weather at your location.
- ๐ WhatIsMyIPAddress - additionally checks whether your IP is on blacklists.
- ๐ IPinfo - provides technical details (hosting, AS number, coordinates).
Simply open any of these sites in your browser (Chrome, Firefox or Samsung Internet), and your public IP will appear on the main page. Please note: if you use VPN or a proxy, the service will show the VPN server address, not your real one.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Public IP may change when you reconnect to the network (especially for mobile operators). If you need a static address, contact your provider for the โdedicated IPโ service.
3. Using applications to determine IP
If standard methods do not work (for example, on custom firmware or older versions of Android), you can use specialized utilities. They will not only show the IP, but also provide additional information about the network.
| Application | Functions | Link to Play Market | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network Info II | IP, MAC, DNS, gateway, speed networks | Download | Works without root, shows IP history |
| IP Tools | Ping, tracing, WHOIS, port scanner | Download | There is a widget for quick access |
| Fing | Network scanner, device discovery, IP monitoring | Download | Useful for local network diagnostics |
How to use:
- Install any of the applications (for example Network Info II).
- Open it and go to the tab
Wi-FiorNetwork. - Find the lines
IPv4 address(local) andExternal IP(public).
Applications are convenient what is shown MAC address, gateway address (usually 192.168.1.1) and DNS servers - this information is often requested when setting up a router or solving connection problems.
4. Commands via Terminal Emulator (for advanced users)
If you prefer console commands or you root access, you can find out the IP via the built-in terminal. To do this:
- Install Terminal Emulator (for example, this).
- Enter the command to view network interfaces:
ip addr showOr an outdated but working alternative:
netcfg - Find in the output a block with the name of your connection (
wlan0for Wi-Fi orrmnet_datafor mobile data). The lineinetwill show the IP address.
Example output for Wi-Fi:
wlan0: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state UPlink/ether 12:34:56:78:90:ab brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
inet 192.168.1.105/24 brd 192.168.1.255 scope global wlan0
valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
For mobile data, the command can return an address like 10.x.x.x โthis is normal, since operators often use private ranges to save public IP.
โ ๏ธ Attention: On some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi) commandsnetcfgorifconfigcan be deleted. In this case, use the applications from the previous section.
5. IP address via ADB (for developers)
If you have a computer with ADB drivers (part Android SDKinstalled), you can find out the deviceโs IP via the command line. This method is useful if the smartphone does not respond to touches, but USB debugging is enabled.
Instructions:
- Connect Android to the PC via USB and enable debugging (pop-up window on the phone).
- Open
Command Line(Windows) orTerminal(macOS/Linux). - Enter:
adb shell ip routeOr for older versions of Android:
adb shell netcfg
In the response, find the line with your network interface. For example:
192.168.1.0/24 dev wlan0 proto kernel scope link src 192.168.1.105
This method will also show default gateway (usually 192.168.1.1), which is useful for manual network configuration.
What to do if ADB does not see the device?
Make sure that it is enabled USB debugging in Settings โ For developers. If the drivers are not installed, download them from the smartphone manufacturer's website (for example, Samsung USB Drivers for devices Galaxy).
6. Alternative methods: through a router or another device
If for some reason you cannot get an IP directly on your Android device, you can find it through other gadgets on the same network:
- ๐ก Through the router: Go to the routerโs web interface (usually at
192.168.1.1or192.168.0.1), find the sectionDHCP clientsorConnected devices. There will be a list of all gadgets with their IP and MAC addresses. - ๐ป Via a computer: In Windows open
Command lineand enterarp -a. In the list, find the MAC address of your Android device (you can find it in its settings) - the IP will be next to it. - ๐ฑ Through another Android device: Install Fing (from the section about applications) and scan the network - the app will show everything connected devices with IP.
These methods are especially useful if you do not have physical access to your smartphone (for example, it is lost on your home network), but need to connect to it remotely via IP.
Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on and the connection active|
Reboot the router and smartphone|
Check if Airplane mode is enabled|
Update the router firmware (outdated models may not provide IP via DHCP)-->
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about IP addresses on Android
Is it possible to change the IP address on Android?
Yes, but the methods depend on the IP type:
- Local IP: Can be set manually in the Wi-Fi settings (section
Additional โ Static IP). Specify an address from the same range as the router (for example,192.168.1.150if the gateway192.168.1.1). - Public IP: Can only be changed through a VPN or proxy. Regular users cannot manually change the external IP - it is assigned by the provider.
Why does my IP start with 169.254?
This is APIPA address (Automatic Private IP Addressing), which Android assigns to itself if it cannot get an IP from router via DHCP. Reasons:
- The router does not provide an address (DHCP server failure).
- Incorrect network settings on the smartphone (for example, a static IP is specified outside the range of the router).
- Blocking the device's MAC address in the router settings.
Solution: reboot the router, check the Wi-Fi settings on your phone or reset the network settings (Settings โ System โ Reset โ Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).
How to hide your IP on Android?
To hide public IP use:
- ๐ก๏ธ VPN: Applications like ProtonVPN, NordVPN or 1.1.1.1 (from Cloudflare) will replace your IP address VPN servers.
- ๐ Tor Browser: Routes traffic through the network Tor, hiding the real IP.
- ๐ Proxy: Can be configured manually in the Wi-Fi settings (section
Additional โ Proxy), but it is less reliable than a VPN.
It is impossible to hide a local IP - it is needed to work on a home network.
How to find the IP of another device on my network?
Use scanner applications (for example, Fing or Network Scanner):
- Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Start scanning in the application.
- In the list, find the desired device by name or MAC address - its IP will be next to it.
For routers with firmware OpenWRT or DD-WRT you can use the command nmap via SSH.
Why is my public IP changing?
This is normal for most providers and mobile operators. Reasons:
- Dynamic IP: The provider saves addresses by issuing them temporarily. When reconnecting (or once a day), the IP may change.
- mobile data: Operators often change IP when moving between towers or after long periods of inactivity.
- Resetting the router: If you use Wi-Fi, rebooting the router may lead to a change in external IP.
If you need a permanent IP, order a service from your provider Static IP (usually paid).
Local IP (for example, 192.168.1.105) is needed to access the device within your network, and public (for example, 95.213.128.55) - for identification on the Internet. Most connection problems can be solved by knowing the local IP.