What is my MAC address?

A Media Access Control (MAC) address is a unique identifier assigned to each device connected to a network that allows it to be identified when connected. A MAC address, sometimes called a hardware or physical address, is a unique 12-character alphanumeric attribute. Example MAC address: 00-DB-F0-09-C8-11.

What is it for?

When the provider connects a new user, it fixes its MAC address in the system and delivers traffic according to the installed package to it.

Binding to the MAC address is necessary for building a network and will come in handy if some greedy person wants to use the neighbor's Internet. He can disconnect his cable from the switch on the roof (or cut it off in front of the apartment), and try to redirect the traffic to his device, but nothing will come of it, because the provider identifies the user precisely by the MAC address.

How to find out

So, knowing the MAC address of your new router can come in handy to name it to the provider. So that they changed his settings and tied it instead of the old one from the computer, and you had the Internet again.

Routers

Any router has a sticker with information about connecting to it. The WiFi network name, login address, log in and password for authorization are usually indicated there. And there is desired MAC address.

Computers

Chrome OS

• Sign in to your Chromebook.
• Click the time (bottom right).
• Click Network (left).
• Click the network you would like to view the MAC address for.
• The MAC address is listed below.

Mac

• Select Apple menu (top-left) and click one of the following:
  • macOS Ventura - System Settings;
  • macOS Monterey - System Preferences.
• Click Network.
• Do one of the following:
  • macOS Ventura - click Details for the desired network;
  • macOS Monterey - click the desired network and then Advanced.
• Click Hardware.
• The MAC address is listed below.

Windows

• Click Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
• Click the network you would like to view the MAC address for.
• Click Details.
• The MAC address is listed under the Physical Address heading.

Linux

• Open a terminal or console window.
• Type ifconfig.
• The MAC address is listed as HWaddr in the format of 12:34:56:78:AB:CD.

Smart Phones

iOS

Device MAC

• Tap Settings > General > About.
• Scroll down to Wi-Fi Address.

Wireless Connection MAC

• Tap Settings > Wi-Fi > then tap the i next to your wireless network.
• Scroll down to Wi-Fi Address.

Android

Device MAC

• From Home, tap Menu > Settings > About Phone/Device.
• Tap either Status or Hardware Information.
• Scroll down to WiFi MAC address.

Wireless Connection MAC

• From Home, tap Menu > Settings > Connections.
• Tap the Wi-Fi connection name.
• Tap the gear for the current network.
• Tap View More.
• Scroll down to MAC Address.