For those who don’t spend time looking at new gadgets and researching upcoming technology, it is very easy to get left behind by the breakneck speed of innovation. The average person is likely aware of the term IP address, though that is where most of their knowledge ends. If you’ve wondered if your cell phone has an IP address, the answer is yes.
The truth is that a lack of knowledge about the internet and mobile phones can leave people exposed to scammers, security risks, personal information being leaked, and much more.
To save people from the many different traps and tricks that hackers and cybersleuths use nowadays, we will be going over the IP addresses of a cell phone. By the end of this article, you will have a comfortable knowledge of how to access your cell phone’s IP address and protect yourself and your private life.
What Does An IP Address Do?
An IP (internet protocol) address is assigned to different routers and WiFi devices. An IP address has four different numbers separated by a period ranging from 0 to 255. So when you see numbers arranged like “12.23.5.193” or “5.0.21.192,” you are more than likely looking at an internet protocol address.
If you have a device that can connect to the internet through WiFi, it will have an IP address. Every device that uses Wifi will have an IP address assigned to it.
The danger of exposing your IP address is that it will also reveal your relative location. So when someone has access to your IP address, they can discover where you live and may also be able to access your internet devices. Because of this, you must protect your IP address like you would a credit card number or social security card.
Why Are IP Addresses Necessary?
IP Addresses work like digital identification. While they won’t reveal your date of birth or blood type, they will point others directly to the location of a device used. There are methods to “cover up” an IP address, like a VPN (virtual private network) or using what is known as proxy servers, which will show a different IP instead of your own, effectively working as a decoy.
However, they are far more than just tools to track different people on the internet. They also work like the postal service. If you have a mobile phone that you want to connect to a friend’s router, you will need to connect to the public IP address of the router using your phone’s IP address.
When you click on a webpage, your computer requests an address and sends its address in return. To simplify a long-winded explanation, this is how the internet effectively communicates.
The Difference Between Public and Private IP Addresses
Throughout this article, you will see terms like “public IP, and “private IP.” The difference between these is relatively simple and can be differentiated easily by their names. Anyone on the network can identify a public IP address, while a private IP singles out a specific device on the network.
Websites, administrators, and many more can see a public IP address. This does not mean a public IP address is safe to give out, and VPNs and proxy servers are regularly used to obscure a person’s public IP. Contrarily, a private IP does not require a proxy server or a private network as it is already hidden from others surfing the web.
So, when public or private is used to categorize an IP address, it determines whether it is visible to websites and networks or only viewable to the devices within your network.
Your public address will be the router that ensures you can access the internet, while a private IP is typically used to identify different devices on a network.
The Difference Between Static and Dynamic IP Addresses
Another difference in IP addresses is whether or not they are static or dynamic. The term static means that the internet protocol address will not change throughout the use of a device and will need to be manually changed before it switches. You can contact your ISP (internet service provider) about assigning a static IP to your network.
A dynamic address can change frequently, automatically, and without the user’s knowledge. A dynamic IP address will be randomly assigned when you first set up your Wifi network. This process is handled by the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), which automatically assigns an address to each device that connects to the web.
How to Find Your Cell Phone’s Private IP Address
If you want to discover the private IP address of your phone, you will need to ensure that you know the type of phone you have. While the steps are generally similar, finding an IP address on an iPhone will not be the same as finding it on an Android. If you need to find the public IP address of your cell phone, then scroll down to the next section.
Finding Your Private IP Address on an iPhone
The following directions will give you a concise guide on how to access your private IP address:
- Go to your Settings tab or select the cog icon.
- From your Settings screen, scroll until you find WiFi.
- Find the name of your WiFi and quickly press it.
- You will see your private IP address next to the “IPv4 Address” header.
Sometimes, the public IP address will be directly next to the private address under “IPv6 Address.”
Finding your Private IP Address on an Android
Unlike iPhones, some of the user interfaces on Androids can change a bit. When following this guide, some settings or options may have slightly different titles on your Android. Thankfully, most key terms are similar enough that you should have little problem finding your IP address.
- Select your settings button or the cog icon on your Android.
- Go to “Network & Internet,” followed by “WiFi” or “Internet,” depending on your device.
- Ensure that you are connected to your network, or you will not be able to see your address.
- Select your WiFi network, choose “Advanced,” and tap “Network Details.”
- The address will be listed next to the “IPv6 addresses” header.
There is a high likelihood that your public address will also be close to or directly next to the private IP. Don’t begin to worry if it’s not listed; the public address is notoriously easy to access.
Finding Your Public IP Address on a Cell Phone
There are many ways to check a person’s public IP address, and it can be done on a desktop computer, laptop, or any cell phone with internet access. Because the public IP is visible, you can see it on several sites that specialize in showing users their IP addresses.
Visit a site like Whatismyipaddress or any alternative to discover your public address. A good internet protocol checker will also show you which internet service provider you use, as well as your city and state. These are not secondary trackers but information gathered from the IP address itself.
That does not mean that your information is not vulnerable on the internet. There are constant data leaks, and public records are regularly being pulled into the digital landscape, where they are unlikely to ever fully disappear. Check Public Record to see public information regarding you or your loved ones.
Last Call on Cell Phone IP Addresses
Any device connected to the internet will have an IP address associated with it. If you ever need to view a device’s public or private internet protocol address, either is easily accessed once you know where to look. There is a lot of confusing terminology around the internet and Wi-Fi devices, though it’s easy to understand once you get familiar with them.
Because of the invasive nature of the internet, some people may want to consider protecting their privacy with VPNs, proxy servers, or other digital disguises for their address. If you are averse to paying for premium protection, maintaining a cautious attitude around sketchy websites and spam emails should be enough to keep most scams and hackers at bay.
