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To help protect your privacy
- To help protect your privacy, your iPad uses a unique private network address, called a media access control (MAC) address, on each Wi-Fi network it joins.
support.apple.com/guide/ipad/use-a-private-network-address-ipad5f03c96d/ipados
People also ask
Why does my iPad have a MAC address?
What is a MAC address on an iPad?
Why do I need a MAC address?
How do I Find my Mac Address on my iPad?
Why does my iPhone & iPad have different Wi-Fi addresses?
How to change MAC address on iPad?
Jun 14, 2024 · Why do I need to know my iPad’s MAC address? You might need your MAC address for network setup, security configurations, or troubleshooting connectivity issues. Is the MAC address the same as the IP address?
- Overview
- About private Wi-Fi addresses
- Join Wi-Fi networks with a private Wi-Fi address
- Turn this feature off or on for a network
- For network administrators
- Learn more
To improve privacy, your device uses a different MAC address with each Wi-Fi network.
About private Wi-Fi addresses
Join Wi-Fi networks with a private Wi-Fi address
Turn this feature off or on for a network
To communicate with a Wi-Fi network, a device must identify itself to the network using a unique network address called a Media Access Control (MAC) address. If the device always uses the same Wi-Fi MAC address across all networks, network operators and other network observers can more easily relate that address to the device's network activity and location over time. This allows a kind of user tracking or profiling, and it applies to all devices on all Wi-Fi networks.
Starting with iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7, your device improves privacy by using a different MAC address for each Wi-Fi network. This unique MAC address is your device's private Wi-Fi address, which it uses for that network only.
In some cases, your device will change its private Wi-Fi address:
•If you erase all content and settings or reset network settings on the device, your device uses a different private address the next time it connects to that network.
Connect to Wi-Fi networks like you normally do. A private Wi-Fi address doesn't affect how you join or use most Wi-Fi networks.
If a network doesn’t allow your device to join, or doesn’t allow it further network or internet access after joining, you can follow the steps bellow to stop using a private Wi-Fi address with that network.
iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
1.Open the Settings app, then tap Wi-Fi. 2.Tap the More Info button next to a network. 3.Tap to turn Private Wi-Fi Address off or on. If your device joined the network without using a private address, a privacy warning explains why.
Apple Watch
1.Open the Settings app, then tap Wi-Fi. 2.Tap the name of the network you joined. If you haven't joined the network yet, swipe left on its name and tap the More button. 3.Tap to turn Private Address off or on.
If you manage a Wi-Fi router that's configured to notify you when a new device joins the network, you are notified when a device first joins with a private address.
Businesses and other organizations might need to update their Wi-Fi network security to work with private addresses. Or they can use an MDM-defined network profile to turn off Private Address for enrolled devices that join their Wi-Fi network. Learn more about private Wi-Fi addresses and enterprise networks.
•Connect to Wi-Fi from iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
•Connect to Wi-Fi from Apple Watch
•Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points
•Learn more about Apple and privacy
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Helpful?
To help protect your privacy, your iPad uses a unique private network address, called a media access control (MAC) address, on each Wi-Fi network it joins. If a network can’t use a private address (for example, to provide parental controls or to identify your iPad as authorized to join), you can stop using a private address for that network.
May 24, 2022 · This article explains where to find the MAC (Media Access Control) address on your iPad and applies to all iPad models. As a bonus, we’ll show you how to copy the address if you need it for a specific purpose.
Mar 31, 2023 · If you intend to use your iPad with a WiFi network secured with MAC-based access control list, you’ll need to first complete initial device setup, joining an accessible WiFi network (that doesn’t use a MAC-based ACL) - and then review your iPad settings. You can find the true MAC addresses for WiFi, Cellular and Bluetooth interfaces here ...
Jan 16, 2024 · To find the MAC address on your iPad, follow these simple steps: Open the Settings app on your iPad. Tap on Wi-Fi from the list of options. Under the Wi-Fi settings, you will find the MAC Address listed. It is usually labeled as Wi-Fi Address or Physical Address.
Jan 19, 2022 · Do you own an iPhone or an iPad and wondering what’s your MAC address and how to change it? Would you like to spoof your MAC address or, the opposite, disable MAC address randomization on your Apple mobile device?
