The Tool Desk
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How do I find my Mac’s IP address on Wi-Fi?
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
- Click Wi-Fi in the sidebar.
- Click Details next to the connected network.
- Read the IP address entry. The same pane shows the connection’s Router address and the current Wi-Fi address. Apple’s Wi-Fi settings guide documents these fields.
This is the local address for the selected Wi-Fi connection, not necessarily the public internet-facing address that a website sees. The steps here cover addresses displayed in macOS settings; they do not establish a method for looking up a public IP.
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Where do I find my Mac’s Ethernet IP and MAC addresses?
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
- Click Network in the sidebar.
- Select the Ethernet service. Its name and availability depend on the Mac’s Ethernet configuration, such as an attached adapter or dock.
- Click Details. Open TCP/IP for IP configuration and Hardware for hardware information, including the hardware MAC address. See Apple’s Ethernet settings guide and TCP/IP settings guide.
IP address vs. MAC address: what is the difference?
| Address | What it identifies | Where to find it in macOS |
|---|---|---|
| IP address | The address used for the Mac’s IP connection on the selected network service. It may be assigned automatically or configured manually. | Wi-Fi: the connected network’s Details pane. Ethernet: Network > selected service > Details > TCP/IP. |
| MAC address | An interface address used at the local network-access layer; it is not the Mac’s internet-facing IP address. | Wi-Fi: Advanced lists the Wi-Fi MAC address. Ethernet: the service’s Details > Hardware section lists hardware information. |
Apple’s TCP/IP guide explains that an IP address is needed when a Mac connects to an internet or IP network. Because the two addresses serve different purposes, do not substitute one for the other when a network administrator or support person asks for a specific value.
Why might the Wi-Fi address differ from the hardware MAC address?
macOS can use a private Wi-Fi address for a particular network instead of exposing the hardware Wi-Fi MAC address to that network. Apple says this feature helps reduce tracking by Wi-Fi network operators. Therefore, use the exact label shown in settings and provide the address requested for the relevant network; do not assume the current Wi-Fi address is always the hardware address. Apple’s private Wi-Fi address overview describes the feature.
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Private address options on macOS Sequoia 15 and later
On macOS Sequoia 15 or later, open System Settings > Wi-Fi > Details for the network to view the private-address control. Apple documents three options: Off uses the hardware MAC address, Fixed uses a private address that does not rotate, and Rotating changes to a different private address every two weeks. The default depends on network security: Apple says new networks using WPA2 or stronger use Fixed, while weak or open networks use Rotating. These controls and rotation details apply to the specified newer macOS versions, not as a general description of older releases.
Apple recommends keeping private addresses enabled on networks that support them. If a network has trouble connecting, first install current software updates and troubleshoot the network rather than turning the feature off as a routine step. Organizations may need to adjust network security or use a managed-device profile, and a managed Mac may not allow the user to change the setting. See Apple’s guidance on private Wi-Fi addresses.
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Can I change or renew my Mac’s IP address?
IP configuration is managed per network service. In System Settings > Network, select the service and open Details > TCP/IP. macOS supports IPv4 and IPv6 configuration there; depending on the setup, the address can be assigned automatically through DHCP or entered manually. If the service uses DHCP, the pane also provides an option to renew the DHCP lease. Apple’s guides cover TCP/IP settings and DHCP or manual IP configuration.
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