A MAC speech may be the address of your Mac , but they ’re not standardised . MAC stands for Media ( or Medium ) Access Control , a geeky term for a part of meshing communication theory between the actual computer hardware , like a Wi - Fi radio receiver or ethernet chip shot and jack , and the datum that flows over it . Every meshwork adaptor has a unique MAC computer address set by the manufacturer during product .
Why should you need to roll in the hay a twist ’s MAC destination ? It can come in handy when you require to configure features on your router . You ’re probably familiar with an IP ( Internet Protocol ) savoir-faire , one that uniquely identifies your computing gadget , phone , or other hardware ’s connectedness on the cyberspace . A MAC address applies only to the local region connection — the assembling of gimmick connected physically together or via Wi - Fi .
Because you almost always rely on a web router to assign IP addresses to your devices , the router ca n’t expend an IP name and address to identify your hardware first . That ’s where the MAC address comes in .
Router features that interact with a MAC
You might use a MAC address on a router to :
Every router has dissimilar lineament , so consult your manual to see what yours offers . Our menage is blanketed with TP - Link gimmick , and an AX3000 simulation acts as our primary router . After touch base to the router ’s administrative port , I can , for representative , enable its Access Control feature ( Advanced > security department > Access Control ) , add devices by MAC address or graze a list of link ironware ( prove both their IP and MAC addresses ) , and allow or deny them access to the meshing .
Where to find the MAC address on our Mac, iPhone, or iPad
In macOS , bet in these spot :
you could also Option - chatter the Wi - Fi organisation menu , and the MAC address for the Wi - Fi arranger appears , but it ca n’t be as easily copied with one hired man pressing the mouse clitoris or trackpad .
In Io and iPadOS , go toSettings > Wi - Fiand tap the i ( info ) ikon . The MAC name and address is listed as the Wi - Fi Address . For recent versions of iOS / iPadOS , you will also see an pick for a Private Wi - Fi Address , which sum complexness – that savoir-faire overrides the built - in one for the Wi - Fi adapter and only persist for a few weeks at a sentence . you could handicap Private Wi - Fi Address on known and trusted networks that you need to expend a unchanging MAC savoir-faire with .
This Mac 911 article is in response to a question state by a Macworld reader .
Ask Mac 911
We ’ve compiled a list of the question we get ask most oft , along with answer and link to columns : read our super FAQ to see if your head is covered . If not , we ’re always looking for new job to solve ! Email yours tomac911@macworld.com , include screen capture as appropriate and whether you want your full name used . Not every question will be answer , we do n’t reply to email , and we can not cater direct troubleshooting advice .
