How to Find Your Mac Address on Any Device

What a Mac Address Is and Why You Need It

Your MAC address (Media Access Control address) is a unique identifier for your device's network card — the hardware that connects your computer, phone, or tablet to your router. It looks like six pairs of numbers and letters separated by colons, such as 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E. Unlike your IP address, which your router assigns and can change, your MAC address is burned into your device's hardware and stays the same.

You need your MAC address when you set up a new device on your home network, when your router asks you to register devices before they can connect, or when you want to give a specific device a permanent IP address. Some routers also let you block or prioritize devices by MAC address, which is useful if you want to limit internet access for certain devices or may provide bandwidth for others.

Key Takeaways

Your MAC address is a unique hardware identifier that looks like six pairs of numbers and letters, such as 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E.
On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, select your connection, and look for "Physical address" in the details.
On Mac, open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and click Details to find the MAC address listed as "Wi-Fi Address".
On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap General, select About, and scroll to find Wi-Fi Address for wireless or look in Cellular for cellular MAC address.
On Android, the location varies by manufacturer, but usually appears in Settings under About Phone or Device Information, sometimes labeled as "Wi-Fi MAC address".

Finding Your Mac Address on Windows

On Windows 10 or 11, the fastest route is through Settings. Click the Start button, type "Settings," and open it. Then go to Network & Internet on the left side.

Select the connection type you use — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet. If you use Wi-Fi, click on your network name. If you use Ethernet, click Ethernet. Then click View your network properties or Advanced options (the exact wording depends on your Windows version). Scroll down until you see Physical address — that is your MAC address.

If you prefer the command line, you can also open Command Prompt (search for "cmd"), type ipconfig /all, and press Enter. Look for the line labeled Physical Address under your network adapter. This method shows all your network adapters at once, which is useful if your device has both Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

Finding Your Mac Address on Mac

On macOS, open System Settings (not System Preferences — Apple renamed it in recent versions). Click Network on the left sidebar.

Select the connection you use — Wi-Fi or Ethernet — from the list on the left. Then click the Details button. A new window opens. Look for the line labeled Wi-Fi Address (for Wi-Fi) or Ethernet Address (for wired). That is your MAC address.

You can also use Terminal if you prefer. Open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight), type ifconfig, and press Enter. Look for your connection type — either en0 or en1 for Wi-Fi, or en0 for Ethernet. The line labeled ether shows your MAC address.

Finding Your Mac Address on iPhone and iPad

On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings and tap General. Then select About. Scroll down through the list until you find Wi-Fi Address — that is your MAC address for wireless connections.

If your device uses cellular data and you need that MAC address instead, it appears on the same About page, usually labeled Cellular or IMEI (though IMEI is technically different from a MAC address, some routers recognize it). For most home networks, you only need the Wi-Fi Address.

Finding Your Mac Address on Android

Android devices vary by manufacturer, but the general path is Settings > About Phone (or About Device). Look for a section called Device Information or Hardware Information. The MAC address is usually labeled Wi-Fi MAC address or sometimes just MAC address.

On Samsung devices, go to Settings, tap About Phone, then Device Information, and scroll to find Wi-Fi MAC address. On Google Pixel phones, go to Settings, tap About phone, then scroll to find Wi-Fi MAC address. If you cannot find it in About, try Settings > System > About phone > Device information.

Some Android devices also show the MAC address in Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi. Tap the three dots or settings icon, select Advanced, and look for MAC address in the list.

What to Do Once You Have Your Mac Address

Once you have your MAC address, write it down or take a screenshot — you will need it when you set up your device on your router. Most routers have a section called Device Management, Connected Devices, or MAC Filtering where you can register new devices by entering their MAC address.

If your router requires you to register devices before they can connect, you enter the MAC address there and the router will recognize that device when it tries to join. If you want to assign a permanent IP address to a device (so it always gets the same address), you use the MAC address to tell your router which device gets which IP. This is useful for printers, security cameras, or computers where you want the address to never change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my MAC address?

Yes, but only temporarily. Most operating systems let you spoof or change your MAC address in software, and it will last until you restart. Changing it permanently requires replacing your network card hardware, which is rarely worth doing. For home networks, you do not need to change it.

Is my MAC address the same on Wi-Fi and Ethernet?

No. Each network adapter — Wi-Fi and Ethernet — has its own MAC address. If your device has both, you will see two different addresses. When you register a device on your router, use the MAC address for the connection type you actually use.

Why does my router ask for a MAC address?

Routers use MAC addresses to identify devices on the local network and control which devices can connect. Some routers require you to register devices first for security, or to assign permanent IP addresses, or to explore bandwidth limits to specific devices.

What if I see multiple MAC addresses on my device?

Devices with both Wi-Fi and Ethernet adapters have separate MAC addresses for each. Virtual machines and some software also create virtual network adapters with their own MAC addresses. Use the MAC address that matches the connection type your device actually uses on your network.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.