If you are at all familiar with computers and how they connect to the internet, then you probably may be familiar with the term ‘IP address’. Every computer that connects to the internet has an IP address. It’s what identifies your computer when exchanging information on the net and what can be used to track your online activity by your ISP.
But what about smartphones? Since they pretty much work just like small, pocket-size computers, do they also have IP addresses?
Yes, a smartphone does have an IP address. Any device that connects to the internet has an IP address, mobile phones included. A phone is given an IP address when it connects to a Wi-Fi network or a cellular network. The IP address is used to identify the phone and communicate with it on the internet. If you switch between networks, your mobile phone can be assigned a different IP address.
To better understand this, let’s first look at what an IP address is.
What is an IP address?
IP stands for Internet Protocol, which is basically a set of rules put in place for addressing and routing data on the internet. The IP address is a number assigned to your device to identify it on the internet and know where to send data.
It’s just like how a person may have a postal address where they receive their mail. They don’t have to send their mail and fetch it themselves from whatever destination. There is a service provider who takes the mail and delivers it where the sender wants it to go and delivers any responses to the return address.
If you move houses, you will have a new address to which all your mail and correspondence can be sent. Similarly, if you switch from one hotspot to another or change network providers, your IP address will change.
That’s because the IP address is not generated by the phone but by the internet service provider because your smartphone does not directly connect to the internet. You first need to connect to a network that’s connected to the internet. This can be your home ISP connected via Wi-Fi, a public wireless network, or your mobile network provider.
Every time you connect to the internet, your ISP or mobile network operator gives you a new IP address.
Types of IP address
Every person who has their own internet network at home with multiple devices connected to a router will have two types of IP addresses– a private IP address and a public IP address.
- Private IP address
Every device that connects to a private home internet network has a private IP address, smartphones included. The router needs to be able to identify and communicate with each device on the network, and in order to do so, it generates a private IP address for each device.
- Public IP address
Unlike a private IP address which is generated by a router, a public IP address is assigned to a router by the internet service provider. The public IP address is the primary address used by the entire home network to access the internet and communicate with other devices outside the home network.
So, even though all your devices have their own private IP address generated by the router when communicating with each other on your home network, they all share and use the same public IP address provided by your ISP when connecting outside the private home network.
Where does the IP address come from?
If you connect to the internet using Wi-Fi, it is the internet service provider that gives you an IP address and grants you access to the internet. Your online activity goes through them, and they route it back to you using your IP address. If you use mobile data to connect to the internet, then it’s the mobile network that assigns your phone an ISP address.
A smartphone’s networking software is designed to follow Internet Protocol or the rules and regulations of connecting to the internet and sending data back and forth on it. As such, all your internet activity has an IP address attached to it, so that your online requests can be sent and returned to the correct user.
However, the IP address is not permanent, even if you’re using the same device. If you turn your router off at home, the IP address may change. When connecting to a public Wi-Fi in a different location, the IP address for your phone will change. If you switch between using Wi-Fi and using your mobile network data, your phone’s IP address can change.
How do I check my phone’s IP address?
Private IP address (local home network)
Android
Finding the local IP address on Android smartphones may differ from device to device depending on the version of Android. Generally, you need to go to Settings and navigate to the Wi-Fi settings. If not already connected to a Wi-Fi network, you need to do so in order to see the IP address.
Once you’re connected, tap on the network’s name to expand it and see the Advanced section. Here you will find all the network information, including IP address. The IPv6 address should appear at the bottom of the page.
iPhone
Head over to Settings and choose Wi-Fi. Connect to the Wi-Fi network if you haven’t already done so, then tap the network’s name to open more options. Here, you will see the IPv4 and IPv6 details for your smartphone.
Public IP address
Because a global IP address is open for any device on the internet to see, it’s very simple to find what yours is. All you have to do is launch your preferred internet browser and visit any of the many websites that will reveal your IP address to you. An example of such a site is WhatIsMyIP.
Some websites will give you more information than just your IP address. That’s because the IP address carries other information such as your location and ISP with it.
Can someone trace my phone using the IP address?
Generally speaking, it is possible to trace a phone using its IP address. However, it would be very difficult for the average person to do so, especially if they don’t know the IP address.
Remember, smartphones don’t have fixed IP addresses. Every time you log on to a mobile network or a Wi-Fi hotspot, the IP address may change. That makes it very challenging to guess someone’s IP address or keep one on file to use in the future to trace a phone.
Also, if your phone is not connected to the internet (switched off or in flight mode), it won’t have an IP address assigned to it, making it impossible to trace it that way.
Even if someone was able to find and trace your IP address on a public network, they won’t get much information in terms of the exact location. At best, the IP address would reveal the city the connected device is in, but it won’t show you an exact street address.
That being said, since your ISP is the one that assigns your router an IP address for your home network, they can locate you easily and track your activity. In most cases, internet service providers don’t share users’ IP address or their activity unless legally compelled to do so.
How can I hide my mobile phone IP address?
It can be quite unsettling to know that someone can know where you are located just based on your IP address. And even though it doesn’t reveal your exact physical address, some people just don’t like the thought of being tracked online.
If you have concerns about privacy issues, then the best solution is to use a VPN (virtual private network). VPNs hide your IP address and make it harder to track by routing all your traffic through their secure servers.
When someone looks up your IP address, it will look like you’re based in another part of the world, not where you are currently located.
Conclusion
As long as your smartphone is connected to the internet, it will have an IP address. The IP address is not fixed, so it may change whenever you connect to a different network. And although technically, someone can trace your whereabouts using your IP address, it is very difficult and can be made even more challenging by using a VPN.
However, whenever you connect to a public network, it’s very important to practice caution in order to prevent bad actors from hacking your phone. And to help you stay safe, I’ve put together a quick guide to help you protect your mobile phone from hackers and intruders. Be sure to check it out here.
