How to Find IP Address from Facebook Messenger

The world of messaging apps has evolved, and Facebook has answered the call with its Messenger app. Originally integrated into the Facebook platform as “Facebook Chat,” it has since become a standalone software accessible on Android, iOS, and desktop devices. Messenger has gained popularity, and did you know that you can actually find out someone’s IP address through it? There are legitimate reasons why you might want to uncover the true location of a Facebook user, especially if you suspect they are being dishonest.

However, Facebook, including its Messenger app, does not readily provide IP addresses to users. Although they do collect this information for internal purposes, it remains hidden from the public. So, how can you find the IP address of someone you are chatting with on Messenger?

Luckily, there are several methods available to you, depending on your skills and preferences. In this article, we will discuss three straightforward methods you can use to reveal the IP address of anyone on Messenger. It’s important to note that we are sharing this information for educational purposes only and not to encourage any malicious activities.

Ways to Discover Someone’s IP Address on Messenger

Before diving into the methods to obtain an IP address on Messenger, it is crucial to establish a connection with the person you want to uncover. Once you are connected, you can choose to employ social engineering and an IP grabber or utilize the command line to sniff out the user’s IP address. Generally, there are three methods you can use:

Use an Already-made IP Grabber

One of the easiest methods, even for non-technical users, is to utilize an IP grabbing service. This process involves getting the user to visit a URL that you provide. Once the user accesses this URL, their IP address will be captured. To appear less suspicious, most IP grabbers disguise themselves as URL shorteners. The most popular IP grabber available on the internet is Grabify. It’s a free and user-friendly tool that allows you to collect IP addresses. Let’s walk through the steps involved:

• Find content that you know the user will be interested in and obtain the URL of that content.
• Head to Grabify and paste the URL into the provided input field.
  
• Click the “Create URL” button, and Grabify will generate a shortened URL for you. Alongside the shortened URL, you will find a tracking code that you can use to access logged IPs.
  
• Return to Messenger and recommend the content to the user. Rather than providing the actual URL, share the shortened URL instead. Clicking on this link will still lead them to the content.
• When the user clicks the link, Grabify will capture their IP address before redirecting them to the actual URL.
• Using the tracking code, go back to Grabify and paste it into the input field where you previously entered the URL. Instead of clicking the “Create URL” button, click the tracking code button.
• You will then see a list of all the requests made to that shortened URL. This list provides IP addresses, locations, user agents, operating systems, and other relevant details.
  

Create a Custom IP Grabber

Although the previous method is the easiest, experienced individuals are less likely to fall for it because it employs shortened URLs. Many internet users are reluctant to click on such links, and some even use tools to reveal the actual URL hidden behind them, bypassing Grabify in the process. If you possess coding skills, you can create your own website to collect IP addresses. Here’s how:

• Create a website with valuable content, whether it be a static website with text or even a web application. Ensure that you have middleware in place to gather IP addresses and send them to a database.
• Host your custom IP logger. Since you don’t anticipate high traffic, you can use a free hosting plan. Check out some of the best available options in this article.
• To acquire a domain name, you may need to pay, as free dot com domains are hard to come by. However, if you haven’t bought a domain from GoDaddy before, you can grab one for $0.99.
• With your website up and running, direct the person on Messenger to visit your website.
• Once they visit the URL, you can check your IP log database to retrieve the captured IP addresses. For geolocation information, you can use services like Ipinfo.io and utilize their IP checkup tool.

Using the Command Line

If you are familiar with using the command line, obtaining the IP address of any user you are chatting with is as simple as inputting a single command. The possibility of achieving this lies in the way Messenger app chat interactions work. On Windows, you can use Command Prompt, and on Mac, the Utility tool is at your disposal. Here’s how it works:

• Ensure that you have an active chat session with the person.
• Close all other windows except for the Messenger desktop app while you are engaged in a chat with the user.
• Open the command-line tool (either Command Prompt on Windows or Utility on Mac).
• Type the command “netstat -an” and press enter.
• You will then see a display of packets sent to your device, with the user’s IP address appearing at the end. Be mindful that if you have multiple chat tabs open, it may be challenging to differentiate which IP address corresponds to the user.

How to Prevent IP Tracking on Messenger

Just as you are seeking to discover the IP addresses of users you know on Messenger, there are also individuals out there trying to uncover your own IP address. It’s essential to note that skillful hackers can exploit your IP address for malicious actions, such as slowing down or even shutting down your internet connection. Some may even employ advanced technology to remotely access your vulnerable devices. To safeguard your IP address, consider using either a proxy or a VPN server.

Mr Reviews recommends Luminati, Smartproxy, and Shifter as the best providers for buying proxies specifically for Messenger. If you prefer a VPN service, ExpressVPN, SurfShark, or NordVPN come highly recommended.

FAQs About Messenger IP Finder

• Is Finding Out Someone’s IP Address Illegal?
  Currently, there are no laws that make it illegal to obtain someone’s IP address. Hence, you are not breaking the law by doing so. While you may assume that your IP address should remain confidential, the truth is that an IP address is public data. Every device that connects to the internet reveals its IP address with each request.

• What is the Best Method to Prevent IP Tracking on Messenger?
  In the previous sections, we discussed both proxies and VPNs. Both options serve the same purpose of concealing your IP address. However, if you are a regular user with no automated activities, VPN software is the better choice.

To conclude, an IP address is a unique identifier online that can be utilized to determine a user’s location. If you are curious about discovering the whereabouts of someone you are chatting with on the Messenger app, you can use the methods outlined above to find their IP address. You can then leverage an IP lookup tool like IPinfo.io to determine their location. Additionally, it’s crucial to keep your own IP address hidden and prevent tracking by using a proxy or VPN server.

Remember, these techniques should only be used responsibly and ethically. Happy chatting!