{"id":21867,"date":"2026-11-10T14:25:35","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T11:25:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/what-is-a-mac-address\/"},"modified":"2026-11-10T14:25:35","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T11:25:35","slug":"what-is-a-mac-address","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/what-is-a-mac-address\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a MAC Address? How to Find It on a PC, Phone and Router"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/what-is-a-mac-address\/#What_Is_It_Used_For\" >What Is It Used For?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/what-is-a-mac-address\/#MAC_Address_vs_IP_Address\" >MAC Address vs IP Address<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/what-is-a-mac-address\/#Structure\" >Structure<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/what-is-a-mac-address\/#How_to_Find_Your_MAC_Address\" >How to Find Your MAC Address<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/what-is-a-mac-address\/#Private_Random_MAC_Addresses_on_Phones\" >Private (Random) MAC Addresses on Phones<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/what-is-a-mac-address\/#Can_a_MAC_Address_Be_Changed\" >Can a MAC Address Be Changed?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/what-is-a-mac-address\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/what-is-a-mac-address\/#Can_a_MAC_address_reveal_location\" >Can a MAC address reveal location?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/what-is-a-mac-address\/#Can_two_devices_have_the_same_MAC_address\" >Can two devices have the same MAC address?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/what-is-a-mac-address\/#Is_the_Bluetooth_address_the_same_as_the_Wi-Fi_MAC\" >Is the Bluetooth address the same as the Wi-Fi MAC?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong>MAC address (Media Access Control address)<\/strong> is the <strong>hardware address of a network interface<\/strong> (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) that identifies a device on the local network. It is 48 bits long and usually written as six pairs of hexadecimal digits separated by colons or hyphens, e.g. <code>3C:22:FB:7A:10:4E<\/code>. A device with several interfaces (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth) has a separate address for each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_It_Used_For\"><\/span>What Is It Used For?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Devices on the same local network use MAC addresses to deliver frames to each other; switches and routers forward data to the right device by its MAC address. It is also used for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Router settings:<\/strong> MAC filtering and DHCP reservations (fixed local IP for a device).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Company and campus networks:<\/strong> device registration and access control.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Troubleshooting:<\/strong> identifying devices in the router&#8217;s connected-devices list.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"MAC_Address_vs_IP_Address\"><\/span>MAC Address vs IP Address<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"snc-table-wrap\"><table>\n<thead><tr><th><\/th><th>MAC address<\/th><th>IP address<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td><strong>Identifies<\/strong><\/td><td>The network interface (hardware)<\/td><td>The device&#8217;s location on a network<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Scope<\/strong><\/td><td>Local network only (layer 2, data link)<\/td><td>Local network and internet (layer 3, network)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Format<\/strong><\/td><td>48 bits, e.g. 3C:22:FB:7A:10:4E<\/td><td>IPv4 32 bits (e.g. 192.168.1.20) or IPv6 128 bits<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Assigned by<\/strong><\/td><td>Manufacturer (first half from its IEEE registration)<\/td><td>Router (DHCP), ISP or administrator<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Changes?<\/strong><\/td><td>Hardware address is fixed; the OS can use a random one<\/td><td>Can change with the network or over time<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On a local network, <strong>ARP<\/strong> (IPv4) or <strong>NDP<\/strong> (IPv6) maps IP addresses to MAC addresses. Websites cannot see your MAC address; they see your router&#8217;s public IP. See <a href=\"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/what-is-an-ip-address\/\">what is an IP address<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Structure\"><\/span>Structure<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first 24 bits are the <strong>OUI (Organizationally Unique Identifier)<\/strong>, assigned by the IEEE to the manufacturer; the last 24 bits are assigned by the manufacturer. MAC lookup tools use the OUI list to show the vendor; they cannot tell you who owns a device or where it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Find_Your_MAC_Address\"><\/span>How to Find Your MAC Address<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"snc-table-wrap\"><table>\n<thead><tr><th>Device<\/th><th>Steps<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td><strong>Windows (command)<\/strong><\/td><td>Run <code>ipconfig \/all<\/code>; the <strong>Physical Address<\/strong> under the adapter is the MAC. For a short list, run <code>getmac<\/code>.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Windows (Settings)<\/strong><\/td><td>Settings &gt; Network &amp; internet &gt; Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) &gt; Hardware properties &gt; <strong>Physical address (MAC)<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Mac<\/strong><\/td><td>System Settings &gt; Network &gt; Wi-Fi &gt; <strong>Details<\/strong> next to the network &gt; Hardware.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>iPhone \/ iPad<\/strong><\/td><td>Settings &gt; General &gt; About &gt; <strong>Wi-Fi Address<\/strong>. For the address used on a network: Settings &gt; Wi-Fi &gt; (i) next to it.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Android<\/strong><\/td><td>Settings &gt; About phone (or Wi-Fi &gt; network details) &gt; <strong>Wi-Fi MAC address<\/strong>; menu names vary by brand.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Linux<\/strong><\/td><td>Run <code>ip link<\/code>; see the <code>link\/ether<\/code> value.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Router<\/strong><\/td><td>On the device label or the status page of the admin panel; connected devices are listed under DHCP clients.<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Private_Random_MAC_Addresses_on_Phones\"><\/span>Private (Random) MAC Addresses on Phones<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>iPhone:<\/strong> according to Apple, <strong>Private Wi-Fi Address<\/strong> arrived with iOS 14. On iOS 18 and later you can choose <strong>Off, Fixed or Rotating<\/strong> per network; Fixed is the default on WPA2 or stronger networks, and Rotating changes the address every 2 weeks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Android:<\/strong> according to the Android Open Source Project, MAC randomization is on by default from Android 10; you can switch to the device MAC per network under Privacy in the network details.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your router uses MAC filtering or DHCP reservations, turn off the private address for that network or register the address the phone actually uses there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_a_MAC_Address_Be_Changed\"><\/span>Can a MAC Address Be Changed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The burned-in address doesn&#8217;t change, but the operating system can present a different one. On some Windows adapters you can set it under Device Manager &gt; adapter &gt; Advanced &gt; <strong>Network Address<\/strong>. That is why MAC filtering alone is weak security; protect Wi-Fi with WPA2\/WPA3 and a strong password.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">See also <a href=\"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/what-is-a-router\/\">what is a router<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/what-is-a-network\/\">what is a network<\/a>. For servers with fixed IPs or additional IPv4 addresses, see our <a href=\"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/en\/vds-server\">VDS server<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/en\/ipv4-lease\">IPv4 leasing<\/a> services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_a_MAC_address_reveal_location\"><\/span>Can a MAC address reveal location?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. It is visible only on the local network and isn&#8217;t carried in internet traffic. Lookups show only the vendor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_two_devices_have_the_same_MAC_address\"><\/span>Can two devices have the same MAC address?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Manufacturer addresses are allocated to be unique. Manually changed or random addresses can rarely collide; a clash on the same network causes connection problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_the_Bluetooth_address_the_same_as_the_Wi-Fi_MAC\"><\/span>Is the Bluetooth address the same as the Wi-Fi MAC?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. Each interface has its own address; phones list Wi-Fi and Bluetooth addresses separately.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A MAC address (Media Access Control address) is the hardware address of a network interface (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) that identifies a device on the local network. It is 48 bits long and usually written as six pairs of hexadecimal digits separated by colons or hyphens, e.g. 3C:22:FB:7A:10:4E. A device with several interfaces (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth)&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21871,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1523],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-network"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21867"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21867\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sunucun.com.tr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}