How to Find the MAC address for your Device

OVERVIEW

Every device comes with a network interface card that helps devices connect to networks. These interfaces have unique MAC (Media Access Control) addresses, also known as a hardware or physical address, that use a 12-digit identifier to broker your connection to the Internet/WiFi. An example of what a MAC address may look like is: 11:A0:B2:33:C4:44.

In this article, we'll walk through how you can find these addresses to help with WiFi troubleshooting.

This will cover:

 

Desktop Computers

Desktop computers include traditional computer workstations that you would find in a home or office (such as a Windows PC), or portable laptops (such as a MacBook). 

 

macOS

  1. Select the Apple menu at the top left of your desktop > System Preferences.
  2. Click Network.
  3. Select the WiFi network you'd like to view the MAC address for.
  4. Click Advanced.
  5. Click Hardware.
  6. The MAC address will be listed.

 

Windows

  1. Click Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
  2. Click the WiFi network you would like to view the MAC address for.
  3. Click Details.
  4. The MAC address is listed under the Physical Address section.

 

Linux

  1. Open a terminal or console window.
  2. Type ifconfig.
  3. The MAC address is listed as HWaddr.

 

Chrome OS

  1. Sign in to your Chromebook.
  2. Click the time (bottom right).
  3. Click Network.
  4. Click the network you would like to view the MAC address for.
  5. The MAC address is listed below.

 

Mobile Devices

Mobile devices include smart phones, such as an iPhone or Android phone.

 

iOS

  1. Open Settings > Wi-Fi > then tap the (i) icon next to your wireless network.
  2. The MAC address is listed as the Wi-Fi address.

 

Android

  1. From Home, tap Menu > Settings > Connections.
  2. Tap the Wi-Fi connection name.
  3. Tap the gear for the current network.
  4. Tap View More.
  5. Scroll down to the MAC address.
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