Application/Service/Description
This article applies to the disabling of a feature called Private WiFi Addressing which can conflict with advanced security on a wireless network.
Version
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Instructions
Private WiFi addressing is a solution that has been put in place by various hardware manufacturers such as Apple or Google as well as operating system developers such as Microsoft or Samsung to hide the actual MAC address for a mobile / laptop device with a randomized version. This can be a challenge for security platforms which look for consistent MAC addresses for identification and profiling.
The following information is presented for the most commonly seen devices on a wireless network: (Note that wireless network names and complete MAC addresses have been omitted from the example images for reasons of security.)
Apple iPhone, iPad, OR iPod Touch:
- Open the Settings app, then tap Wi-Fi.
- Tap the information button next to a wireless network name, "DSC_Wireless", "Resident-WiFi", "Resident-Guest", or "Guest".
- Tap to turn Private Address on or off. If your device joined the network without using a private address, a privacy warning explains why.
Apple iPhone
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1. Open the Settings app, then tap Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the name of the network, "DSC_Wireless", "Resident-WiFi", "Resident-Guest", or "Guest". If you haven't joined the network yet, swipe left on its name and tap more.
Apple Watch
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3. Tap to turn Private Adressing off.
Disabling Private Addressing on Apple Watch
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1. Navigate to "Settings".
2. Select "Connections".
3. Select "Wi-Fi".
4. Select "DSC_Wireless", "Resident-WiFi", "Resident-Guest", or "Guest" to connect (Whatever is available in your area).
5. Tap the gear shaped icon next to the network you connected to.
6. Select "Advanced".
7. On the next screen there is a menu labeled "MAC Address Type". Tap on "MAC Address Type".
8. Select “Use Phone/Device MAC”.
9. Repeat these steps for the other wireless networks.
Microsoft Windows
1. Click on the Network Settings icon and select "Network Settings"
2. Select the Wi-Fi tab and turn off "Random Hardware Address".
Disabling Random Hardware Address in Windows
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Additional Information