If you’ve got a NAS drive humming away somewhere on your home network — maybe handling your backups, serving up media, or just keeping your files in one place — chances are, at some point, you’ll need to know how to reach it. That usually starts with a basic but essential step: how to find IP address of NAS. Without it, you’re locked out of the very thing you set it up for — whether it’s managing settings or just grabbing a file when you’re not at home.
No need to stress — this isn’t one of those things you need a tech degree for. It’s more about knowing where to poke around than anything else.We’ll show you how to dig up your NAS’s IP address, whether it’s a Synology box, a QNAP unit, or something else you’ve got tucked away.First stop? The router — it usually knows where everything is.
4 Simple Ways to Find Your IP Address
1. Access Router Admin Panel
- Open a browser and type your router’s IP (typically
192.168.1.1or192.168.0.1). - Log in with the default or your admin credentials.
- Look for “Connected Devices”, “LAN Devices”, or “DHCP Clients”.
- Locate your NAS by name or MAC address.
If you’re unsure how to access your router, check out our guide how to find your router’s IP address.
2. Check on Your Computer
On Windows, open Command Prompt and type arp -a. This shows a list of devices with their IP and MAC addresses.
On Mac or Linux, open Terminal and enter the same command: arp -a.
3. Use a Network Scanner
You can also use a network scanning tool like Angry IP Scanner (Windows, Mac and Linux) or Advanced IP Scanner (Windows only).
These apps scan all the devices connected to your local network and display their IP addresses. To speed things up, try filtering the results by manufacturer names such as Synology or QNAP.
4. Use Vendor Utility Tools
Not finding it? Don’t worry — most NAS brands also offer dedicated software for this exact task.
- Synology Assistant (for Synology)
- Qfinder Pro (for QNAP)
- WD Discovery (for Western Digital)
These utilities scan your local network and pinpoint your NAS automatically.
FYI: Your NAS and your computer must be on the same network. If they’re not — say, one’s on Wi-Fi and the other is wired to a different router — you might not see it.
Pro Tip: Consider assigning your NAS a static IP in your router settings. That way, it won’t grab a new address every time you reboot it — which makes accessing it a lot easier down the line.
Accessing Your NAS Remotely: How to Find Its Public IP Address
Ever tried reaching your NAS while you’re away from home — maybe you needed a file or wanted to check something on it? If yes, there’s one thing you absolutely need: its public IP address. That’s the one your router uses to talk to the internet, not the internal one you see on your home network.
What’s the Difference Between Private and Public IPs?
And just to clear it up: there’s a difference between the IP your NAS uses inside your home and the one it’s known by out in the world. The one at home — that’s called a private IP. It’s like the NAS’s room number in your house. The public IP? That’s the house’s street address. If that still feels a little fuzzy, this quick article breaks it down nicely.
- Private IP: This is your NAS’s address on your internal network (e.g., 192.168.0.15). It’s not visible to the outside world.
- Public IP: This is the external IP address your ISP assigns to your router. It’s what websites and services see when you go online.
How to Check Public IP:
- Use your browser to visit your IP-checking tool (such as WhoerIP).
- Or, in router settings, look under WAN status.
Pro Tip: Public IPs can change. To avoid this, set up Dynamic DNS (DDNS) or request a static IP from your ISP.
How to Find IP Address of WD NAS
For Western Digital My Cloud or similar:
- Use WD Discovery software.
- Or access your router’s device list to find “WDMyCloud” or similar.
- The MAC address can help you identify the device if unsure.
Default IPs are usually assigned dynamically; WD does not use fixed defaults.
How to Find IP Address of Synology NAS
Synology makes this easy:
- Use Synology Assistant (Windows/Mac).
- Or scan your LAN using a tool like Advanced IP Scanner.
- Alternatively, press and hold the RESET button for 4 seconds to reassign DHCP IP if forgotten.
Pro Tip: Synology’s default hostname is usually
diskstation.
How to Find QNAP NAS IP Address
For QNAP devices:
- Download and run Qfinder Pro.
- You can also log into your router to see devices with names like
QNAPxxx. - Use QTS web interface if you know the IP already.
QNAP’s default IP is not static unless set manually.
How to Find External IP of NAS
To access your NAS from outside your LAN:
- Set up port forwarding in your router.
- Find your public IP address.
- Access your NAS via
http://[YourPublicIP]:PortNumber
Example: http://92.123.45.12:5000
Security Warning: Opening ports to the public internet introduces risks. Use secure protocols (HTTPS, SFTP) and enable firewalls.
How External Access to NAS Devices Works
External access involves:
- Port forwarding: Routes incoming traffic to your NAS.
- DDNS services: Maps dynamic public IPs to a constant domain.
- VPN or reverse proxy (for advanced users): Adds encryption.
FYI: Never expose admin ports without strong credentials, 2FA, and HTTPS.
How WD My Cloud External Access Works
WD My Cloud provides an external access feature that allows users to access their NAS device remotely through the MyCloud.com portal or mobile apps. Instead of requiring complex port forwarding or VPN setup!
Once external access is enabled in the My Cloud dashboard, users can:
- View, download, and manage files via browser or mobile.
- Share folders and generate download links.
- Back up files or sync data across devices remotely.
No technical networking knowledge is needed — it’s designed for plug-and-play usability.
Advanced Options for WD My Cloud External Access
For users who want more control, WD also supports:
- FTP/SFTP access (manual router setup required)
- Manual port forwarding (customize ports 8080/8443)
- Use of your own VPN server for total control
Synology — QuickConnect: Simple Remote Access to Your NAS
QuickConnect is Synology’s built-in service that lets you access your NAS remotely without setting up port forwarding or a static IP address. It creates a secure tunnel through Synology’s cloud, so you can connect to your files, apps, and the DSM interface from anywhere. Just go to quickconnect.to/YourQuickConnectID in your browser to log in.
With QuickConnect, you can:
- Browse and download files via browser or mobile app
- Stream media or access photos remotely
- Manage your NAS settings through the DSM dashboard
It’s ideal for users who want easy, no-hassle remote access with basic security already built in. Just enable it in your NAS settings, create a Synology account, and you’re good to go.
Default IP Address Table for NAS Brands
| Brand | Default Hostname or Access Method | Static Default IP | Tool/Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD MyCloud | WDMyCloud | DHCP assigned | WD Discovery |
| Synology | diskstation.local | DHCP assigned | Synology Assistant |
| QNAP | QNAPxxxx.local | DHCP assigned | Qfinder Pro |
| Asustor | asustor.local | 169.254.x.x (if no DHCP) | Control Center app |
| TerraMaster | tnas.local | 192.168.1.100 (fallback) | TNAS PC App |
| Netgear | readycloud.netgear.com | DHCP assigned | NETGEAR Discovery Tool |
| Buffalo | nas.local | DHCP or 192.168.11.150 | NAS Navigator |
| Iomega | iomega-xxxxxxxx | 192.168.1.100 (default) | Storage Manager |
| Ugreen NAS | ugreen-nas.local | DHCP assigned | Ugreen Smart NAS App |
Note: Some NAS devices fall back to static IPs if they can’t find a DHCP server. Always check your router first.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to find IP address of NAS is essential for accessing files, managing backups, or configuring remote access. Whether you’re using Synology, WD, QNAP, or others — the method is usually the same: scan your local network, check your router, or use the vendor’s app. For remote access, understand the difference between private and public IPs, and always prioritize security.
Need to check your IP or browser fingerprint? Use our tool at WhoerIP.com for a fast, private check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone take access to my NAS?
Yes, if your NAS is exposed to the internet without proper security settings, attackers can gain access. Always use strong passwords, enable firewalls, and update firmware.
Is my NAS secure in local network?
Generally yes, but not bulletproof. Anyone on your LAN can scan and try to access it. Protect it with strong credentials and limit permissions.
How do I find someone's NAS IP on the same network?
Use a network scanner like Angry IP or nmap to find devices. Look for known hostnames or MAC vendors (like Synology Inc., QNAP Systems).
What if I can’t access the NAS interface?
Try resetting the NAS to factory settings or connecting it directly to a PC and scanning locally.
Do I need an app to find NAS IP?
Not always. Your router and free IP scanners usually do the job. However, branded tools are more convenient.
