Here you will learn different methods to find MAC address on iPhone or iPad. Besides it, I will also explain either you should share your iPhone’s MAC address with others or not.
So, let’s get started…
A MAC address is a code that network cards use to identify themselves on a LAN uniquely; it is a 12-digit hexadecimal string arranged into pairs by a column that looks like this: 00:A0:23:C9:12:FF.
Some devices use a hyphen or a dash (-) to separate the paired characters, while others leave a space between them.
Mobile operators use a distinct 10-digit Mobile Identification Number (MIN) to recognize you and your devices on their networks. A Media Access Control (MAC) address is the specific statistic used to identify and differentiate your device from other users on wireless networks.
The MAC address of your iPhone or iPad is required for various purposes. It might be for monitoring data use on your home network. You’ll always need the MAC address on the iPhone you wish to prioritize when putting up a Quality of Service (QoS) filter on your network. If you want to allow only one device to connect to your network, the device’s MAC address may be required by your router.
Following are the methods for determining an iPhone or iPad’s MAC address.
Read Also: Can you Connect Two AirPods to One Mac or iPhone?
Methods to Find MAC Address on iPhone or iPad
This article pertains to all iPhone and iPad models and describes where to discover the MAC (Media Access Control) address.
#Method 1 – Check the Info Menu on your iPhone or iPad
Navigate to Settings > General > About in the Settings app and scroll down to the network area of the screen. The MAC address of your iPhone may be found in the Wi-Fi Address box.
#Method 2 – Click at the Network Menu Bar
This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to find out MAC address on your iPhone or iPad. Open the Wi-Fi settings in iOS or iPadOS by going to Settings > Wi-Fi and tapping the active Wi-Fi network.
#Method 3 – Check the App on Your Router
If your Wi-Fi router has an iOS app, you should be able to use it to check your iPhone’s MAC address. The procedures for identifying your iPhone’s MAC address using a router app may differ based on your router’s brand, model, design, interface, or version.
Nonetheless, we’re confident that the device administration menu of your router’s app will provide you with the information you want. Select your iPhone from the list of devices connected to your Wi-Fi router. Look for a MAC address field—or an alphanumeric combination of twelve characters—on the device information page.
If your iPhone is missing from the list of linked devices, disable the Wi-Fi on your iPhone, reconnect to the network, and check again. Closing and restarting the app may also resolve the issue.
Finally, and most importantly, make sure the app is up to date—open the App Store and see if there’s an update available in the App Store.
#Method 4 – Check Your Smart Home App’s MAC Address
You must be able to verify the MAC addresses of devices that are connected if you’ve linked the router to your smart home app. To control the gadgets on my smart home network, I use Huawei’s AI Life app. The “Device Information” area of the app shows the IP and MAC addresses of all devices connected to my Wi-Fi router.
Connect your device to your local network and navigate to your smart home app’s settings or device control menu. Check out some of the top applications for smart home automation if you haven’t yet jumped on the smart home bandwagon.
#Method 5 – Using a Web Browser
The administrator panel on your network gives you control over how devices interface with your network. You may adjust your network settings, deactivate internet access, and look up the MAC addresses of connected devices, among other things.
To discover how to access the admin panel, consult the router’s instruction manual or contact the manufacturer. You’ll need to use your web browser to access a particular IP address and input the router’s administrator credentials (i.e., username and password).
To see what devices are connected to the network, go to “WLAN Settings,” “Wi-Fi Settings,” “Wi-Fi Status,” or “Device Management” after logging in. Check the MAC address of your iPhone on the list.
#Method 6 – Third-Party Network Apps
Many iPhone and iPad owners previously used network monitoring tools and Wi-Fi analyzer applications to examine their device’s MAC address. Things changed when Apple released iOS 11 and made it impossible for third-party apps to access MAC addresses.
Explaining the iOS Private MAC Address
Your iPhone’s MAC address should match the MAC address on your router in the app settings. That has always been the case until the release of iOS 14. Apple feels that having the same Mac address across many networks makes it extremely easy for internet service providers (ISPs) and other third parties to detect your location and track your activities over time.
Apple implemented “Private Wi-Fi Addresses” in iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7 to prevent this from happening. On all devices using the aforementioned operating system, this capability is enabled by default.
Every Wi-Fi network gets its own MAC address thanks to this iOS function. As a result, network A, network B, network C, and so on will all have separate MAC addresses on your iPhone or iPad.
Without question, it’s a wonderful, privacy-focused concept. However, not all networks allow devices to use a private address. If you’re experiencing trouble connecting to a Wi-Fi network, Apple suggests turning off the Private Address for that network.
Toggle off the Private Address option by going to Settings, selecting Wi-Fi, tapping the impacted network, and then toggling off the Private Address option.
Wrapping it up…
This article discussed the various ways to find the MAC address on an iPhone or iPad.
However, you should not share your MAC address with anybody other than authorized IT employees. Attackers may fake MAC addresses since they are unique and persistent. In the worst-case situation, a hostile individual may get and fake your MAC address, and you could be held responsible for the malicious individual’s illicit action. As a result, carefully safeguard your MAC addresses!
