How to Change the Localhost IP in Mac OS X

Are you tired of using the default localhost IP address in your Mac OS X machine? Do you want to assign a custom IP address to your localhost? This article will guide you through the process of editing the hosts file on your Mac and changing the localhost IP.

Step 1: Open the Terminal App

To start, open the Terminal app on your Mac. You can find it in the Applications > Utilities folder or by pressing Command + Space and typing 'Terminal' to bring up Spotlight search. Alternatively, you can use Spotlight search to quickly locate the app.

Step 2: Navigate to the Hosts File

Once you have opened the Terminal app, navigate to the hosts file using the following command:

```

cd /etc/hosts

```

The `cd` command stands for 'change directory,' and it allows you to move through your file system. The `/etc/hosts` path is where the hosts file is located on your Mac.

Step 3: Open the Hosts File in a Text Editor

To open the hosts file, use the following command:

```

open -a TextEdit /etc/hosts

```

This will open the hosts file in TextEdit, which is a default text editor on your Mac. If you prefer to use a different text editor, such as Sublime Text or Atom, you can replace `TextEdit` with the name of that app.

Step 4: Edit the Hosts File

Once you have opened the hosts file, you will see a list of existing hostname mappings. To add a new mapping, simply enter your custom IP address followed by one or more hostnames, separated by spaces. For example:

```

127.0.0.2 localhost.local

```

Make sure to leave an empty line after the last entry and append your new mappings underneath the existing ones.

Step 5: Save Your Changes

After you have made your changes, save the hosts file by clicking on 'File' > 'Save' in TextEdit. You will be prompted to enter your administrator password to confirm the changes.

Changing the localhost IP address in Mac OS X is a straightforward process that can be accomplished using the Terminal app and a text editor. By following these steps, you can assign a custom IP address to your localhost, which can be useful for testing purposes or for creating a local development environment.

Mac os x change localhost ip