What is a MAC Address?
A MAC (Media Access Control) address, sometimes called a hardware or physical address, is a unique identifier assigned to a specific network access device. For the purposes of this document, each wired and wireless network adapter.
What is MAC Randomization?
For privacy, software manufacturers introduced the ability hide a network adapter MAC address by creating a random MAC address for each time the device connects to the network.
When Should MAC Randomization Be Turned Off
MAC randomization should be turned off for trusted networks, such as those for for home and/or work. Conversely,, MAC randomization should be turned on for untrusted networks, such as guest networks found in coffee shops, public buildings, etc.
Why Should MAC Randomization Be Turned Off
Trusted networks are normally managed for security purposes. During the management of connections on the trusted network, it is important that traffic be mapped back to a room, location, device, person, etc.
What Happen When MAC Randomization Isn't Turned Off
There are many issues that can happen when MAC randomization is not turned off. Some of the larger ones are listed here:
- A single device can present in the system as hundreds of other devices. This can cause
- IP address exhaustion whereas new device may not be able to get connected to the network due to the previously connected devices consuming all available IP addresses
- Previous devices become orphaned in the management system causing problems for organization and cleanup.
- Traffic cannot be mapped back to a property, room, device, person, etc.
How To Turn Off MAC Randomization
iOS 17.2 (iPhone/iPad)
NOTE MAC randomization for iOS 14 and higher is enabled by default.
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Tap the (i) icon next to the network name
- Toggle off the Private Wi-Fi Address option.
Android 14 (Internal Code Name: Upside Down Cake)
NOTE MAC randomization for Android 10 and higher is enabled by default.
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet (or Connections) > Wi-Fi
- Tap the ellipses in the top right.
- Select Advanced settings > Manage networks
- Tap the network name
- Tap View more
- Click MAC address type and change Randomized MAC to Phone MAC
Windows 11
NOTE MAC randomization is disabled by default in Windows..
If randomization is enabled for all networks:
- Go to Settings > Networks & Internet > Wi-Fi.
- Turn off Random Hardware Addresses.
If randomization is turned on for one or more networks:
- Go to Settings > Networks & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage Known Networks
- Select the network name
- From the dropdown menu for Random hardware addresses, choose Off
Mac OS X
NOTE MAC randomization currently only applies to AirPlay and AirDrop and there are no settings to disable this.
Linux
NOTE MAC randomization is not available by default Linux.