Mac: Another device is using your IP address
If the "Another device is using your IP address" error appears on your Mac, it doesn't necessarily mean anything bad. Read in this practical tip how you can prevent the error.
IP address assignment on Mac - how it works
With a simple setting, you can ensure that your Mac is only ever assigned one IP address by your router:
- The error occurs when another network device, such as a router, uses the same IP address as your Mac.
- As a result, there is an address conflict because each IP address is unique (similar to a telephone number). As soon as two devices communicate via one address, there is a conflict.
- To fix the error and avoid it in the future, switch to the system settings.
- Select the "Network" option here.
- Now click on "AirPort" under "Environment".
- Switch to the "TCP / IP" tab and make sure that the "DHCP" option is set under "Configure IPv4".
- This means there is no IP conflict and you can continue surfing the Internet with your Mac.
This practical tip is based on Mac OS X. We will tell you how to read websites offline in Safari in the next practical tip.