How to Set Static IP on Any Device: A Complete Guide

Setting a static IP gives your device a consistent address on your network, making it easier for other devices and services to find it. This can be useful when you’re running a server, accessing another device remotely, or setting up port forwarding, which can be problematic with a changing IP address.

Learn how a local static IP differs from a public IP address. We’ll also cover how to set a static IP on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices. Note that the methods outlined below configure a private IP address within your local network. They don’t change the public IP address websites and online services see.

Static IP vs. DHCP Reservation

Setting up a static IP on your device or your router can assign the same private IP each time it connects, but the two methods work differently.

Static IP Configuration	DHCP Reservation
Configured on the device	Configured on the router
Device uses the address without asking DHCP	Router assigns the reserved address through DHCP
Must be updated manually if network settings change	Router can supply updated gateway and DNS settings
Useful when you can’t depend on the router’s DHCP server	Easier to manage on most home networks
Settings may cause problems when using another network	Device can keep using automatic settings elsewhere

A Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) reservation is generally the simpler choice for home networks. It reduces the risk of address conflicts and keeps network settings centralized on the router.

Manual configuration may make more sense for servers, network equipment, or devices that need to retain their local address even when DHCP is unavailable.

What You Need to Know Before Setting Up a Static IP

Make a note of your current network configuration details before changing anything. Using incorrect settings can prevent your device from connecting to your router or the internet.

You’ll need:

• Current private IP address: The address currently assigned to your device.
• Default gateway: Your router’s private IP address, often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
• Subnet mask or prefix length: Most home IPv4 networks use 255.255.255.0 (which is equivalent to a /24 prefix in networking shorthand).
• Domain Name System (DNS) servers: You can often use your router’s address or your preferred DNS provider.
• DHCP range: The group of addresses your router assigns to devices.

You can find most of this information with the ipconfig command line tool on Windows, ip route and ip addr on Linux, or the network details shown in your device settings.

Keeping a copy of the original values makes it much easier to restore your connection if the new settings don’t work.

How to Choose an Available Static IP Address

Your static IP must belong to the same subnet as your router, but it shouldn’t already be assigned to another device.

For example, suppose your network uses these settings:

• Router: 192.168.1.1
• Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
• DHCP range: 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200

You could potentially assign your device 192.168.1.50. It’s on the same subnet but outside the range the router uses for automatic assignments.

Don’t use:

• Your router’s address
• An address already assigned to another device
• The network address, such as 192.168.1.0 on a /24 network
• The broadcast address, such as 192.168.1.255 on a /24 network

Using an address outside the DHCP pool helps avoid conflicts, but first check your router’s connected device list to confirm that another device isn’t already using it. You can also create a DHCP reservation instead of configuring the address.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Static IP Address

Advantages	Disadvantages
✅ Keeps local devices easy to locate	❌ Requires manual setup
✅ Supports stable port-forwarding rules	❌ Incorrect details can break connectivity
✅ Simplifies access to printers and servers	❌ Can create conflicts if you reuse the address
✅ Makes some remote-access configurations easier	❌ May need updating following network changes
✅ Supports IP allowlisting when using a static public IP	❌ Static public IPs may cost extra

A fixed public IP can be scanned repeatedly because it doesn’t change, but that doesn’t make it unsafe. The real risk depends on which services and ports you expose, how you configure them, and whether you keep your software, firewall, and authentication controls up to date.

How to Set a Static IP Address on Windows 11

Windows lets you configure separate manual settings for Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections.

1. Open Settings and select Network & internet.
   
2. Choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on your connection.
   
3. Open the properties for your active network.
   
4. Find IP assignment and select Edit.
   
5. Change Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
   
6. Turn on IPv4 and enter your new static IP address, subnet prefix length, gateway, and DNS servers.
   
7. Click Save.

Open Command Prompt and run ipconfig to confirm that Windows is using the new address. You can also run ping followed by your router’s IP address to check whether your device can reach the router.

How to Set a Static IP Address on macOS

The exact labels may differ slightly depending on your macOS version.

1. Open System Settings and click Network.
   
2. Select your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection and click Details.
   
3. Select TCP/IP.
   
4. Open the Configure IPv4 menu and choose Manually.
   
5. Enter the IP address, subnet mask, and router address.
   
6. Open DNS, add your DNS server addresses if necessary, then click OK and Apply.
   

To restore automatic addressing later, return to the TCP/IP settings and select Using DHCP.

How to Set a Static IP Address on Android

Android menus vary between manufacturers and software versions. The following path is common on Samsung devices and many other Android phones:

1. Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi.
   
2. Select the settings icon beside your current network.
   
3. Next to the IP setting, click on DHCP and switch it to Static.
   
4. Enter the IP address, gateway, network prefix length, and DNS addresses. When you’re done, tap the checkmark icon at the top of the page to save your changes.
   

Android normally saves the settings for that specific Wi-Fi network only. Your phone can continue using automatic addressing on other networks.

If Android fills in some fields, check them carefully before saving. The suggested address may still fall within the router’s DHCP range.

How to Set a Static IP Address on iPhone or iPad

You can assign a manual IPv4 address to an individual Wi-Fi network in iOS and iPadOS.

1. Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi.
   
2. Tap the information icon beside your connected network.
   
3. Select Configure IP under IPv4 Address.
   
4. Choose Manual.
   
5. Enter the IP address, subnet mask, and router address.
   
6. Tap Save.

If you also want to change the DNS servers, select Configure DNS, choose Manual, and enter the addresses you want to use.

These settings only apply to the selected Wi-Fi network. They won’t set a static address for mobile data or other Wi-Fi connections.

How to Set a Static IP Address on Linux

Steps differ between distributions and desktop environments. On Linux systems that use NetworkManager, you can usually configure the address through the graphical settings:

1. Open Settings and select Network or Wi-Fi.
   
2. Click the settings icon beside your active connection.
   
3. Open the IPv4 tab and change the IPv4 method from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
   
4. Enter the IP address, netmask or prefix, gateway, and DNS server. Then click Apply.
   
5. Disconnect and reconnect to the network.

You can run ip addr to view the assigned addresses and ip route to check the default gateway.

Server distributions and systems that don’t use NetworkManager may require configuration through Netplan, systemd-networkd, or another network management service. Check which service your distribution uses before editing a configuration file.

Static Private IP vs. Static Public IP

The term static IP address can refer to two different types of addresses. Understanding the difference is important because they’re configured in different places and serve different purposes.

Type	What It Identifies	Who Assigns It	Common Uses
Static private IP	A device on your local network	You or your router	Printers, local servers, port forwarding, cameras
Static public IP	Your internet connection	Your internet service provider (ISP) or another service	Remote access, public servers, IP allowlisting

A private IP only works inside your home or business network. Common private IPv4 address ranges include 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, and 172.16.x.x through 172.31.x.x.

Your public IP address identifies your connection to websites and other internet services. Manually entering a private address in your device settings won’t change the public IP assigned by your ISP.

For example, a dedicated IP address from Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN gives you an exclusive, consistent public-facing VPN IP address. It doesn’t replace the private address your router assigns to your device.

Get a Consistent Public IP Address With PIA VPN

Setting a static private IP makes your device easier to find on your local network, but it doesn’t change the public IP address websites see. If you need a consistent public-facing address while using a VPN, PIA VPN’s Dedicated IP add-on gives you an IP address reserved exclusively for you.

A dedicated IP address can be useful for IP allowlisting, remote work systems, and reducing verification prompts associated with changing or shared IP addresses. PIA VPN uses a privacy-first token-based system designed to keep your dedicated IP separate from your VPN account.

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