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 Wi-Fi or ethernet. 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 can change, your MAC address stays the same for that specific device.

You need your MAC address when you set up network security features. The most common reason is MAC filtering, where your router only allows devices with approved MAC addresses to connect. This prevents unauthorized devices from joining your network even if someone knows your Wi-Fi password. You may also need it to reserve a specific IP address for a device, to troubleshoot connection problems, or to identify which device is using bandwidth on your network.

Key Takeaways

  • Your MAC address is a unique identifier for each device's network connection, shown as six pairs of numbers and letters like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E.
  • Windows devices show their MAC address in Settings under Network, while Mac devices find it in System Settings under Wi-Fi or Network.
  • On phones and tablets, the MAC address appears in Wi-Fi settings on iPhone and iPad, and in About Phone on Android devices.
  • You can also find your MAC address by running a command in your terminal or command prompt, which works the same way on all operating systems.
  • Write down or screenshot your MAC address before setting up MAC filtering on your router, since you will need it to add each device to the approved list.

Finding your MAC address on Windows

On Windows 10 and Windows 11, go to Settings and select Network & Internet. Click Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how your device connects. Select Advanced Network Settings, then scroll down and click the network you are connected to. Your MAC address appears next to Physical Address.

If you use an older version of Windows or prefer the command line, open Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in the Start menu). Type ipconfig /all and press Enter. Look for the line labeled Physical Address under your active network connection — that is your MAC address.

Finding your MAC address on Mac

On macOS, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click Wi-Fi in the sidebar, then click Details next to your connected network. Your MAC address appears as Wi-Fi Address.

If you are connected by ethernet instead of Wi-Fi, go to System Settings and click Network. Select Ethernet from the list on the left, then click Advanced. Your MAC address shows as Ethernet Address. You can also open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight) and type ifconfig, then look for the line starting with ether — that is your MAC address.

Finding your MAC address on iPhone and iPad

On any iPhone or iPad, go to Settings and tap General. Tap About, then scroll down to find Wi-Fi Address. That is your device's MAC address. This address applies only to Wi-Fi connections; your cellular connection has a different MAC address that you cannot change.

If you need the MAC address for a Bluetooth connection instead, it is listed as Bluetooth Address in the same About screen. Write down whichever address matches the type of connection you are setting up on your router.

Finding your MAC address on Android

On most Android phones and tablets, go to Settings and scroll to About Phone or About Tablet. Look for Wi-Fi MAC Address or sometimes just MAC Address. Some manufacturers hide this in a different location — if you cannot find it, search the Settings app for "MAC address" and it will take you directly there.

On Samsung devices specifically, go to Settings, tap About Phone, then tap Status. Your Wi-Fi MAC address appears on that screen. If you need the Bluetooth MAC address instead, go back to Settings and search for "Bluetooth address" — it is usually listed separately.

Finding your MAC address using the command line

If you prefer using the terminal or command prompt on any device, the process is straightforward. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /all. On Mac or Linux, open Terminal and type ifconfig or ip link show. On Chromebook, press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the terminal and type ip link show.

In all cases, look for the line labeled Physical Address, HWaddr, or ether — different systems use different names, but the MAC address format is always the same. Copy the entire address including the colons. This method works even if your graphical settings menu is not responding, making it useful for troubleshooting.

What to do with your MAC address once you have it

Once you have collected the MAC addresses from all your devices, write them down or take screenshots and store them somewhere you can find them later. You will need them when you log into your router to set up MAC filtering or IP address reservations.

To add a device to your router's approved list, log into your router's admin panel (usually by typing your router's IP address into a web browser — check your router's manual or the sticker on the back for the address). Look for a section called MAC Filtering, Device List, Connected Devices, or DHCP Reservations. Paste or type each MAC address into the appropriate field. Save your changes and restart the router if prompted. After that, only devices with approved MAC addresses can connect to your network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my MAC address?

Yes, you can change your MAC address through your device's network settings or using command-line tools, a process called MAC spoofing. However, most people should not do this — it can break network features your router relies on and may violate your network's policies. Change it only if you have a specific reason and understand the consequences.

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

No. Each connection type on your device has its own MAC address. Your Wi-Fi MAC address and your ethernet MAC address are different. If you are setting up MAC filtering, you need the address for whichever connection type the device will use on your network.

Do I need to do this for every device on my network?

Only if you are using MAC filtering. If you are just troubleshooting or identifying devices, you only need the MAC address of the device giving you problems. For MAC filtering, you need the address of every device you want to allow on your network.

What if I cannot find the MAC address in my device settings?

Try the command-line method for your operating system — it works when the graphical settings are not showing the information. If that does not work, restart your device and try again. Some devices hide the MAC address until they are connected to a network, so make sure your device is connected before looking for it.

Will my MAC address change if I reset my device?

No. Your MAC address is tied to your device's network hardware and does not change when you reset the software. It will stay the same unless you physically replace the network card or intentionally change it through advanced settings.