Where to find your iPhone's MAC Address

Your iPhone's MAC address (Media Access Control address) is a unique identifier that your phone uses to connect to Wi-Fi networks. You can find it in Settings under Wi-Fi without needing any special apps or tools.

Open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, then look for the network you're currently connected to. Tap the information icon (the small circle with an "i" inside) next to your network name. Scroll down and you'll see "MAC Address" listed there — it's a string of letters and numbers separated by colons, like AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF.

This method only shows the MAC address for your current Wi-Fi connection. If you need it for a different network, connect to that network first, then follow the same steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iPhone's MAC address appears in Settings under Wi-Fi next to the network you're connected to.
  • Tap the information icon beside your network name and scroll down to see the MAC Address field.
  • Each Wi-Fi network your iPhone connects to may have a different MAC address due to privacy features in newer iOS versions.
  • You need the MAC address when setting up network access controls, guest networks, or device tracking on your home router.

Why you might need your iPhone's MAC address

The most common reason to find your MAC address is to set up your home Wi-Fi network. Some routers let you control which devices can connect by adding their MAC addresses to an approved list — this is called MAC filtering. If you're setting up a guest network or parental controls, your router may ask for the MAC address of each device you want to allow.

You might also need it if your internet provider requires device registration, or if you're troubleshooting connection problems with your network administrator. Some workplaces or schools require MAC addresses before connecting to their networks.

Understanding randomized MAC addresses on newer iPhones

Starting with iOS 14, Apple added a privacy feature that gives your iPhone a different MAC address for each Wi-Fi network you connect to. This means the MAC address you see in Settings changes depending on which network you're using.

This randomization happens automatically and you can't turn it off completely. However, if you need a stable MAC address for a specific network — like your home Wi-Fi — you can disable randomization for that network only. Go to Settings, Wi-Fi, tap the information icon next to your network, and toggle off "Private Address." Your iPhone will then use the same MAC address each time you connect to that network.

Keep in mind that turning off private address on a network means that network can track your device more easily. Most people leave it on for public networks and only disable it for networks they trust, like their home Wi-Fi.

Finding your iPhone's Bluetooth MAC address

Your iPhone also has a separate MAC address for Bluetooth connections, which is different from your Wi-Fi MAC address. Unfortunately, Apple doesn't display the Bluetooth MAC address in Settings the way it shows the Wi-Fi one.

If you need your Bluetooth MAC address, you'll have to ask the device you're trying to connect to — like a car's infotainment system or a Bluetooth speaker — to show you the address of connected devices. Alternatively, if you're working with a network administrator or IT support person, they may be able to find it through your device's connection logs.

What to do if you can't see the MAC address

If you don't see a MAC Address field when you tap the information icon, make sure you're connected to a Wi-Fi network first. You can't view the MAC address for networks you're not currently using.

If you're still not seeing it, try disconnecting from Wi-Fi and reconnecting. Go to Settings, Wi-Fi, turn Wi-Fi off, wait a few seconds, turn it back on, and select your network again. Then return to the information screen — the MAC address should appear after a moment.

On very old iPhones running iOS 13 or earlier, the MAC address location might be slightly different. Try going to Settings, General, About instead, though most older models don't display it in a user-friendly way.

Copying and sharing your MAC address

Once you find your MAC address in Settings, you can tap and hold on it to copy it to your clipboard. This makes it straightforward to paste into a router's settings page or send to someone who needs it.

When sharing your MAC address with others — like your IT department or internet provider — make sure you're sending it through a find channel. Don't post it publicly on social media or in open forums, since it could theoretically be used to impersonate your device on a network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my iPhone have more than one MAC address?

Yes. Your iPhone has a Wi-Fi MAC address and a separate Bluetooth MAC address. You may also have different Wi-Fi MAC addresses for different networks due to Apple's privacy randomization feature. Only the Wi-Fi address is visible in Settings.

Can I change my iPhone's MAC address?

You can't manually change your MAC address, but you can control whether it's randomized per network or stays the same. Toggle "Private Address" on or off in the Wi-Fi network settings to control this behavior for individual networks.

Why does my MAC address keep changing?

iOS 14 and newer randomize your MAC address for each Wi-Fi network by default for privacy. If you need a stable address for a specific network, turn off "Private Address" in that network's settings.

Do I need my MAC address to use Wi-Fi?

No. Your iPhone connects to Wi-Fi automatically without you ever seeing the MAC address. You only need to find it if someone specifically asks for it — like a network administrator or when setting up router controls.