How to Find Your MAC Address (Every Device)

What a MAC Address Looks Like

MAC addresses are six pairs of hex digits separated by colons or dashes:

A4:5E:60:DE:47:88
a4-5e-60-de-47-88
A45E.60DE.4788   (Cisco/router format)

The first three pairs (A4:5E:60) identify the manufacturer — called the OUI (Organizationally Unique Identifier). The last three are unique to the specific device.

Every Device Has Multiple MACs

A modern smartphone or laptop has a separate MAC for each radio:

• Wi-Fi radio (one for each band sometimes)
• Ethernet port
• Bluetooth
• Cellular modem

When asked for "the MAC," clarify which interface — usually Wi-Fi, since that's what's most often on a network. Modern OSes also randomize MACs per Wi-Fi network for privacy, so you may see a different MAC on your router's device list than in your device's settings.

Windows 10 and 11

Command line (fastest):

ipconfig /all

Look under each adapter for "Physical Address" — that's the MAC.

GUI:

1. Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi (or Ethernet)
2. Click the network name
3. Scroll to Properties → "Physical address (MAC)"

macOS

GUI:

1. Hold Option and click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar
2. Your Wi-Fi MAC appears as "Address"

Or: System Settings → Wi-Fi → Details → Hardware.

Terminal:

ifconfig en0 | grep ether

Linux

ip link show

Look for "link/ether" under your active interface (wlan0 for Wi-Fi, eth0 for Ethernet).

iPhone and iPad

Settings → General → About. Scroll to "Wi-Fi Address" for Wi-Fi MAC, "Bluetooth" for BT MAC.

Important: iOS 14+ uses Private Wi-Fi Address by default — a different MAC per network. To see the real hardware MAC, go to Settings → Wi-Fi, tap (i) next to a network, and disable "Private Wi-Fi Address." Otherwise the MAC shown in About is the hardware one, but each network sees a different randomized MAC.

Android

Settings → About phone → Status → "Wi-Fi MAC address."

Like iOS, Android 10+ uses randomized MACs per saved network by default. To use the real MAC:

1. Settings → Network & internet → Internet
2. Tap the gear next to your Wi-Fi network
3. Tap Privacy (or MAC address type) → Use device MAC

Game Consoles

Smart TVs and Streaming Sticks

• Samsung TV: Settings → Support → About This TV
• LG webOS: Settings → All Settings → Network → your connected network → Advanced Wi-Fi Settings
• Sony / Google TV: Settings → System → About → Status
• Roku: Settings → Network → About (MAC address for wired and wireless)
• Fire TV: Settings → My Fire TV → About → Network
• Apple TV: Settings → General → About
• Chromecast: Google Home app → your Chromecast → Settings (gear) → Device information

Your Router (WAN and LAN MAC)

The MAC your ISP sees is your router's WAN MAC. Your internal devices see the router's LAN MAC. Both are in the router admin page under Status or System Information. The router also typically has a sticker showing the WAN MAC.

Smart Plugs, Bulbs, and Cameras

These usually don't display their MAC in-app. Find it by checking your router's connected-devices list — the device shows up with its MAC, and the OUI tells you the manufacturer. See detect devices on your Wi-Fi for the lookup method.

Privacy Note: MAC Randomization

Modern OSes (iOS 14+, Android 10+, Windows 11, macOS Sonoma+) use random MACs per Wi-Fi network by default. This is good for privacy — public Wi-Fi operators can't track your device across visits. Downsides:

• DHCP reservations by MAC may not work if the device shows a different MAC next time
• MAC-based parental controls / time limits may fail
• Hotel captive portals that "remember" your MAC may ask you to log in repeatedly

For devices on your home network where you want predictable behavior (game console, work laptop, smart TV), disable random MAC for that network specifically.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a MAC address used for?

MAC addresses identify individual network interfaces at the hardware level. They're used for DHCP reservations, MAC filtering on routers, ISP device activation, network access control, and detecting specific devices on a network.

Can I change my MAC address?

Yes on most devices — called MAC spoofing. Windows allows it through the adapter's Advanced properties. Linux via ip/ifconfig. macOS via sudo ifconfig en0 ether. It's useful for resetting ISP assignments, bypassing device limits on public Wi-Fi, or getting a new public IP after your ISP binds it to your router's MAC.

Is a MAC address the same as an IP address?

No. MAC is a hardware ID that stays with the device. IP is a network address assigned dynamically by DHCP. Every device has one MAC per interface and can have many IPs over time (on different networks).