What a Mac address is and why you need it

A Mac address (media access control address) is a unique identifier assigned to every device that connects to a network — your laptop, phone, printer, smart TV, anything with wifi or ethernet. It looks like six pairs of numbers and letters separated by colons: 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E. Unlike an IP address, which can change when you reconnect to your network, a Mac address stays the same for that specific device.

You need your Mac address when you want to reserve a specific IP address for a device on your home network, set up parental controls that target one device, or troubleshoot connection problems with your router. Some routers also use Mac addresses to block devices from connecting — useful if you want to prevent a guest's phone from accessing your network without entering a password.

Finding your Mac address takes less than a minute once you know where to look. The location depends on what kind of device you have and what operating system it runs.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Mac address is a unique identifier for each device on your network, shown as six pairs of numbers and letters like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E.
  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /all to find the "Physical Address" listed for your network connection.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > Network, select your connection, and click Details to see the Wi-Fi Address.
  • On iPhone or iPad, open Settings > General > About and look for the Wi-Fi Address field.
  • On Android, go to Settings > About Phone > Status or Settings > System > About Phone > Status depending on your version.

Finding your Mac address on Windows

Open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. Type ipconfig /all and press Enter. A list of network information will appear. Look for the section labeled with your connection type — either "Ethernet adapter" if you are plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you are on wifi.

In that section, find the line that says "Physical Address". The string of characters next to it is your Mac address. Write it down exactly as shown, including the hyphens. If you have multiple network adapters listed, check the one that shows "Media State: Connected" to make sure you are looking at the right device.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can also find it through Settings. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status, scroll down to "Advanced network settings", then select "View your network properties". Find your active connection and look for the "Physical address (MAC)" field.

Finding your Mac address on macOS

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. Click Network in the left sidebar. Select the connection you want to check — either "Wi-Fi" if you are on wireless, or "Ethernet" if you are plugged in with a cable.

Click the Details button. A new window opens showing your network information. Look for the field labeled "Wi-Fi Address" (for wireless) or "Ethernet Address" (for wired). That is your Mac address. Copy it exactly as shown.

If you are using an older version of macOS, the path may be slightly different. Go to System Preferences instead of System Settings, then Network, then Advanced, then the Wi-Fi or Ethernet tab depending on your connection type.

Finding your Mac address on iPhone and iPad

Open the Settings app. Tap General, then tap About. Scroll down until you see the "Wi-Fi Address" field. The string of characters shown there is your Mac address for that device's wifi connection. Note that iPhones and iPads do not show a separate Mac address for cellular connections — only for wifi.

If you are looking at an older iOS version, the path is the same but the menu layout may vary slightly. The Wi-Fi Address field is always in the About section under General.

Finding your Mac address on Android

Open Settings and tap About Phone. Look for a Status option — on some Android versions it appears as a separate menu item, on others it is listed under "Device information". Tap Status. Scroll down to find "Wi-Fi MAC address" or just "MAC address". That is the identifier you need.

If you cannot find it in Status, try going to Settings > System > About Phone > Status instead. Android versions vary widely between manufacturers, so the exact path depends on whether you have a Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, or another brand. If you still cannot locate it, search "Mac address" in your Settings app — most Android phones have a search function at the top of Settings.

Finding your Mac address on other devices

For printers, smart TVs, and other connected devices, check the device's own settings menu first. Most have a Network or Wi-Fi settings page that displays the Mac address. Look for labels like "MAC address", "Physical address", "Hardware address", or "Wi-Fi address".

If the device does not show its Mac address in settings, you can find it through your router instead. Log into your router's admin page (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser) and look for a Connected Devices, DHCP Clients, or Device List page. Your router displays the Mac address for every device currently connected to your network, along with the device name if you have assigned one.

What to do once you have your Mac address

Write down or screenshot your Mac address and keep it somewhere you can find it later. If you are setting up a static IP address for a device, your router will ask for the Mac address so it knows which device to always assign that IP to. If you are setting up device-specific parental controls or network restrictions, you will need the Mac address to target that specific device.

When you are entering a Mac address into your router or another device, type it exactly as you found it — some systems expect colons between the pairs (00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E) and others expect hyphens (00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E). If one format does not work, try the other. Most modern routers accept both.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone see my Mac address from outside my home network?

No. Your Mac address only works on your local network — it does not travel across the internet the way an IP address does. Someone outside your home cannot see it. Within your home network, anyone with access to your router can see all connected devices and their Mac addresses.

Will my Mac address change if I restart my device?

No. A Mac address is permanent to that specific device and does not change when you restart, reconnect to wifi, or move to a different location. It only changes if the device's network hardware is replaced.

What is the difference between a Mac address and an IP address?

A Mac address identifies a device on your local network only. An IP address identifies a device on the internet and can change each time you connect. Your router uses Mac addresses to manage devices on your home network and IP addresses to communicate with the wider internet.

Do I need to memorize my Mac address?

No. Write it down or take a screenshot when you find it, then store it somewhere you can access later — a notes app, a document, or even a photo in your phone. You only need it when you are setting up something specific on your router.

Why does my device show multiple Mac addresses?

Some devices have separate Mac addresses for wifi and ethernet connections, or for different network adapters. Make sure you are looking at the address for the connection type you actually use — wifi or wired.