An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a number that identifies each computer across the internet or a network. When you connect to the internet or an IP network, your computer needs an IP address.

Your IP address can be provided in two main ways:

  • Automatically: Your computer is assigned an address using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).

  • Manually: Your ISP or network administrator gives you an IP address and you enter it in Network settings.

Follow these steps to enter your IP address or have it assigned automatically.

  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Settings, then click Network  in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)

  2. Click the network connection you want to use on the right, then click Details.

  3. Click TCP/IP.

  4. Click the Configure IPv4 pop-up menu, then choose an option:

    • If your address will be assigned automatically, choose Using DHCP.

    • If your ISP or administrator gave you an IP address, choose Manually, then enter the address in the IP address field. If your ISP gave you additional information such as the subnet mask and router, enter those values in the labelled fields.

  5. If you received a DNS server address, click DNS, click the Add button  at the bottom of the list of DNS servers, then enter the address.

Note: Most IP addresses are IPv4 addresses, which look like a series of numbers separated by three full stops, similar to this: 123.45.67.89. If you received an IP address that’s a longer series of numbers and letters, divided by seven colons (for example, fa80:0000:0000:0123:0203:93ee:ef5b:44a0), it’s a different type of IP address called IPv6. To enter an IPv6 address, click the Configure IPv6 pop-up menu, choose Manually, then enter your IPv6 address.