Where to find your MacBook's Wi-Fi MAC address

Your MacBook's MAC address is a unique identifier for your Wi-Fi card. You find it in System Settings under Network, then Wi-Fi, then Advanced. Click the Wi-Fi tab, and you'll see "Wi-Fi Address" listed — that's your MAC address. It looks like a string of letters and numbers separated by colons, such as a4:5e:60:c2:8f:1b.

This is the fastest way on any recent MacBook. The steps are the same whether you're running Sonoma, Ventura, or Monterey. You don't need to restart or connect to anything — the address is always there, whether your Wi-Fi is on or off.

If you're using an older Mac running an earlier version of macOS, the path is slightly different: go to System Preferences instead of System Settings, then Network, then Wi-Fi, then Advanced. The information is in the same place.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Wi-Fi MAC address is in System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced, listed as "Wi-Fi Address".
  • The address is a string of six pairs of characters separated by colons, like a4:5e:60:c2:8f:1b.
  • You need your MAC address when connecting to networks that restrict access by device, such as some workplace or school networks.
  • Your Ethernet MAC address (if your MacBook has an Ethernet adapter) is different from your Wi-Fi MAC address and is found in the same settings under the Ethernet tab.

Why you might need your MAC address

Networks sometimes use MAC address filtering to control which devices can connect. Your workplace, school, or apartment building Wi-Fi might require you to register your device before it works. When they ask for your "MAC address" or "physical address," they mean this Wi-Fi identifier.

Some routers also let you set up a guest network that only works for specific MAC addresses, or block certain devices from connecting. If you're troubleshooting a connection problem with tech support, they may ask for your MAC address to see if your device is actually connecting to the network.

The difference between Wi-Fi and Ethernet MAC addresses

If your MacBook has an Ethernet adapter (either built-in on older models or connected via USB-C), it has a separate MAC address for wired connections. This Ethernet MAC address is different from your Wi-Fi MAC address, even though they follow the same format.

You find the Ethernet MAC address in the same System Settings > Network location, but you click the Ethernet tab instead of Wi-Fi. If you only use Wi-Fi, you don't need to worry about the Ethernet address — just use the Wi-Fi one.

What to do if you can't find the Wi-Fi settings

On very recent MacBooks, Apple moved some settings around. If you don't see "Advanced" when you click Wi-Fi in Network settings, try clicking the "Details" button instead. The Wi-Fi Address should appear in the window that opens.

If you're still stuck, you can also find your MAC address using Terminal. Open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight), type ifconfig en0, and press Enter. Look for the line that says "ether" — that's your Wi-Fi MAC address. This method works on any Mac and doesn't require navigating menus.

Copying and sharing your MAC address safely

Once you find your MAC address, you can highlight it and copy it to paste into a registration form or email. There's no security risk in sharing your MAC address — it's not a password, and it only identifies your specific device on a network, not your personal information.

However, if you're registering a device on a public or untrusted network, be cautious about what network you're joining. Your MAC address itself is safe to share, but the network you're connecting to might not be.

Changing your MAC address (spoofing)

Some people want to change their MAC address for privacy or testing reasons. macOS doesn't have a built-in setting to do this, but it's possible using Terminal commands. This is rarely necessary for normal use and can cause connection problems if done incorrectly.

If a network is blocking your device by MAC address and you need to connect, contact the network administrator instead of trying to change your address. They can add your device to the allowed list or troubleshoot why you're being blocked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my MAC address the same as my IP address?

No. Your MAC address identifies your device on a local network (like your home Wi-Fi). Your IP address is assigned by your internet provider and identifies your connection on the internet. They serve different purposes and look different — MAC addresses have colons, IP addresses have periods.

Will my MAC address change if I reset my Mac?

No. Your MAC address is built into your Wi-Fi card and stays the same even if you erase your drive and reinstall macOS. It's tied to the hardware, not the software.

Can someone track me using my MAC address?

Only on the specific network you're connected to. Your MAC address doesn't travel across the internet, so it can't be used to track you online. Within a building or network, someone with access to the router could see your MAC address, but that's true of any device on any network.

What if I see multiple Wi-Fi addresses in my settings?

If you have multiple network adapters (for example, a built-in Wi-Fi card and a USB Wi-Fi adapter), each one has its own MAC address. The one listed under the Wi-Fi tab in System Settings is your primary Wi-Fi MAC address — that's the one to use unless you're specifically using a different adapter.