To communicate with a Wi-Fi network, a device must identify itself to the network using a unique network address called a media access control (MAC) address. If the device always uses the same Wi-Fi MAC address across all networks, network operators and other network observers can more easily relate that address to the device's network activity and location over time. This allows a kind of user tracking or profiling, and it applies to all devices on all Wi-Fi networks.
To reduce this privacy risk, iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7 use a different MAC address for each Wi-Fi network. This unique, static MAC address is your device's private Wi-Fi address for that network only.
Logical addresses are created and used by Network Layer protocols, such as IP or IPX. The Network Layer protocol translates logical addresses to MAC addresses. For example, if you use IP as the Network Layer protocol, devices on the network are assigned IP addresses, such as 207.120.67.30. Find MAC address from the device information. The quickest way to find MAC address on Android.
Join Wi-Fi networks with a private address
The MAC-Address is also used with the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) protocol. So how it works is, PC A sends a ARP-Request to PC B with its own IP-Address, MAC-Address, the IP-Address of the receiver and the broadcast address mentioned above (ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff). After that PC B checks if the Packet was send to him or not. MAC Address or media access control address is a unique ID assigned to network interface cards (NICs). It is also known as a physical or hardware address. It identifies the hardware manufacturer and is used for network communication between devices in a network segment. MAC Address usually consists of six groups of two hexadecimal digits. What I need to know is what range of MAC addresses can I use without fear that one day some device may be connected to our network with that MAC? I have read the Wikipedia article on MAC addresses and this section seems to indicate that if I create an address with the form 02-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX then it is considered a locally administered address.
Using a private Wi-Fi address doesn't affect how you join or use most Wi-Fi networks. Connect to Wi-Fi as you normally do.
- If your Wi-Fi router is configured to notify you whenever a new device joins the network, you will be notified when your device first joins with a private address.
- If a network can't use a private address to provide parental controls or identify your device as authorized to join, you can stop using a private address with that network.
- Rarely, a network might allow you to join with a private address, but won't allow internet access. If that happens, you can stop using a private address with that network.
Turn private address off or on for a network
You can stop or resume using a private address with any network. For better privacy, leave the setting on for all networks that support it.
What Is Mac Address Table
iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- Open the Settings app, then tap Wi-Fi.
- Tap the information button next to a network.
- Tap Private Address. If your device joined the network without using a private address, a privacy warning explains why.
Apple Watch
- Open the Settings app, then tap Wi-Fi.
- Tap the name of the network you joined. If you haven't joined the network yet, swipe left on its name and tap more .
- Tap Private Address.
Learn more
Parts Of A Mac Address
- If you erase all content and settings from your device, or you use the Reset Network Settings feature, your device will use a different private Wi-Fi address the next time it connects to the Wi-Fi network.