Use Angry IP Scanner? What It Is & How to Use It

Yes, you can use Angry IP Scanner to quickly find all active devices on your local network. You enter an IP range, and the tool pings each address, telling you which ones respond and what ports are open. It is a free, cross-platform utility that runs directly from a downloaded file or via Java, making it a practical first stop for network troubleshooting and inventory checks.

What Angry IP Scanner Actually Does

Angry IP Scanner (often called “ipscan”) is a lightweight network scanner that checks a range of IP addresses to see which ones are alive. It sends an ICMP echo request (a ping) to each address, and if a device replies, the scanner records it. It also attempts to resolve the hostname (like “Johns-Laptop”) and can optionally probe common ports to see which services are listening, such as web servers on port 80 or file sharing on port 445.

The tool is written in Java, so it runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux as long as you have a Java runtime installed. The project is open source and has been around since 2001, with regular updates. It is not a commercial product; it is a free utility maintained by a small community of developers.

How the Scanning Works

When you start a scan, Angry IP Scanner sends a ping to every IP in the range you specify. The default method is ICMP, but if your network blocks ICMP (some routers do), you can switch to TCP ping, which tries to connect to a specific port (commonly port 80). If the connection succeeds, the host is considered alive.

For each responding host, the scanner can also perform a port scan. You can choose to scan a list of common ports (like 21, 22, 23, 25, 80, 443, 3389) or define your own range. The port scan is done after the host is confirmed alive, so it does not waste time on dead addresses.

Results are displayed in a table with columns for IP address, ping time, hostname, open ports, and any MAC address information (if the network allows it). You can sort by any column, export the results to CSV or TXT, and even run custom commands on selected hosts (like opening a web browser to that IP).

Why You Would Use It

There are several common reasons to run Angry IP Scanner:

• Find unknown devices: You suspect someone is using your Wi-Fi without permission. Scanning your subnet shows every active device, and you can compare it against your known list.
• Check if a server is up: You have a NAS or a printer that is not responding. A quick ping scan tells you if the device is reachable at its IP.
• Inventory your network: You want a list of all devices on your office network for documentation. The export feature gives you a clean CSV file.
• Test firewall rules: You want to see which ports are open on a machine you control. The port scanner helps verify that your firewall is blocking what it should.
• Locate a device by IP: You have an IP address but do not know which physical device it is. The MAC address (if shown) can help you identify the manufacturer, and the hostname often gives a clue.

How to Use It Step by Step

1. Download and install: Go to the official Angry IP Scanner website (angryip.org) and download the version for your OS. On Windows, you can get an installer; on macOS, a .dmg file; on Linux, a .deb or .rpm package. Alternatively, download the portable ZIP version—no installation needed.
2. Set the IP range: In the “IP Range” field, enter the start and end IPs. For a typical home network, that might be 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254. You can also enter a single IP, or use CIDR notation like 192.168.1.0/24.
3. Choose scan method (optional): Go to Tools → Preferences → Scanning. The default is ICMP ping. If that fails, switch to TCP ping and set a port (like 80).
4. Start the scan: Click the “Start” button (or press Ctrl+I). The scan runs quickly—usually under a minute for a /24 subnet.
5. Read the results: Green rows are alive hosts. Click on a row to see details like open ports. Use the “Ports” tab to see which services are listening.
6. Export if needed: Go to File → Export All, choose CSV or TXT, and save the list.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

“It shows all my devices as dead.” This usually means ICMP is blocked. Switch to TCP ping (Tools → Preferences → Scanning → Method → TCP) and try again. Some devices (like phones in sleep mode) may not respond to ping at all, even if they are connected. That does not mean they are off; they are just not answering.

“It does not show the MAC address.” MAC addresses are only visible if the scanner can query the ARP table on your local machine. On some networks (like those with client isolation), this is not possible. Also, you need to run the scanner with administrative privileges to see MAC addresses on some systems.

“Is it a hacking tool?” Angry IP Scanner is a legitimate network utility. It is used by network admins, IT pros, and hobbyists. However, scanning networks you do not own or without permission may be considered unauthorized access in some jurisdictions. Always scan only networks you administer or have explicit permission to test.

“Does it slow down my network?” A ping sweep sends a small packet to each IP. On a typical home network, the impact is negligible. A full port scan on many hosts can generate more traffic, but still minor. If you are scanning a huge range (like a /8), you might want to throttle the speed in the preferences.

Comparing Angry IP Scanner to Other Tools

Angry IP Scanner is not the only network scanner. Here is how it compares to a few common alternatives:

• Nmap: Nmap is far more powerful and flexible, with dozens of scan types and scripting. But it has a steeper learning curve and is command-line based (though a GUI like Zenmap exists). Angry IP Scanner is simpler and more approachable for quick checks.
• Advanced IP Scanner: This is a Windows-only tool with a similar GUI and features, plus remote shutdown and wake-on-LAN. Angry IP Scanner is cross-platform, which is a big advantage if you use macOS or Linux.
• Fing: Fing is a mobile app (and desktop version) that scans Wi-Fi networks. It is very user-friendly and shows device names and MACs. Angry IP Scanner gives you more control over ports and ranges.
• Built-in router admin page: Your router’s DHCP client list shows connected devices, but it only shows devices that have requested an IP. Angry IP Scanner shows every device that responds to ping, including those with static IPs.

Safety and Legal Considerations

Using Angry IP Scanner on your own network is completely legal and safe. However, scanning someone else’s network without permission is not. In many countries, unauthorized scanning is considered a form of computer intrusion, even if you do not exploit anything. Always get written permission before scanning any network you do not own.

On the technical side, the scanner itself is safe—it does not send malicious payloads or attempt to break into devices. It only sends pings and connection attempts. That said, some intrusion detection systems (IDS) may flag a scan as suspicious, so do not be surprised if your own security software alerts you when you run it.

One more safety tip: if you are scanning a corporate network, inform the IT department first. A full port scan on hundreds of hosts can trigger alerts and might be seen as an attack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Angry IP Scanner free? Yes, it is completely free and open source. You can download it from the official website without paying anything, and there are no premium tiers or hidden costs.

Do I need to install Java? The installer versions for Windows and macOS bundle a Java runtime, so you do not need to install Java separately. If you use the portable ZIP version, you may need to have Java installed.

Can I scan a range larger than /24? Yes, you can enter any start and end IP, such as 10.0.0.1 to 10.0.255.254. Just be aware that scanning a large range takes longer and may generate a lot of traffic. Use the “Speed” setting to adjust the number of threads.

Why does it show my phone as offline? Phones often enter a low-power sleep mode where they stop responding to pings. This is normal. The phone is still connected to Wi-Fi, but it does not answer ICMP requests. Try waking the phone and rescanning.

Can I use it to find my own IP address? The scanner shows the IPs of other devices, but not directly your own. To find your own IP, use the command ipconfig (Windows) or ifconfig (macOS/Linux), or check your network settings.

Does it work on a guest network? It will scan whatever network your computer is connected to. If you are on a guest Wi-Fi that isolates clients, you will only see your own device and maybe the router. That is a limitation of the network, not the scanner.

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in t | Start IP | - | 192.168.1.1 | 0 | 255.255.255.255
in e | End IP | - | 192.168.1.254 | 0 | 255.255.255.255
out hosts | Hosts to scan | - | (e - t) + 1 | 0