How to Find MAC Address on Windows 10, Mac, iPhone and Android

Every device that is connected to a network has a MAC address. This address is used to identify the device so it has to be unique and different from one another. The unique code plays a major role to connect to networks, however not many people know how to find MAC address on iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows 10.

Finding MAC address on your device is important when your connection is troubled. Getting to know this information may also help when you need to set up a connection with a specific network. Take a closer look at how you can find MAC address on Windows 10, Mac, iPhone, and Android below.

What is MAC Address?

MAC address stands for Media Access Control Address, a set of unique identifier assigned to a network device. This unique code is used to identify the device on a network and set up security protocols on an internet connection. It also contributes in communications within the segment of a network.

The MAC address is used in the majority of networking technologies such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Bluetooth. It is commonly represented in six groups of two digits separated by colons or hyphens. In addition, it usually comes in alphanumeric combinations.

MAC addresses are often referred to as a physical address. It is primarily assigned by manufacturers of the device and is stored in hardware. However, device users can easily check their unique codes from the phone’s settings so they don’t necessarily need to get into the hardware.

Just as with any other devices with the ability to connect to a network, iPhones and Android also have its own MAC address. Luckily, finding this set of identifier is easy on the device. You can go to Settings and see detailed information about the phone’s identity. 

Differences between MAC Address and IP Address

There is a confusion between MAC address and IP address. They may have a similarity in terms of function because both addresses are commonly used to identify a device on the internet or a network. However, these identifiers have a number of differences. 

Before learning how to find MAC address on iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows, it is a wide decision to get to know the differences between MAC address and IP address. If you don’t know the differences between both addresses, take a closer look at the following aspects:

1. Purpose

In spite of their similarity as an identifier, both MAC address and IP address have different purposes. MAC is used to identify the physical address of a device on the internet. Meanwhile, IP is commonly utilized to identify a connection or a logical address of a device when connected to the internet.

2. Provider

Another difference comes from their provider. MAC address is provided by NIC card manufacturer while IP address is provided by Internet Service Provider or network administrator.

3. Size

MAC address is known as a 6 bytes (48-bit) hexadecimal address. This is quite different with IP address that come either in a 4 bytes (32-bits) or a 6 byte (128-bit), which is the latest version of Internet Protocol.

4. Behavior

The MAC address in your device cannot be changed, either by time or environment. Since it is a physical address of the device, the network won’t change the address. On the other hand, IP address changes depending on your network.

How to Find MAC Address on an iPhone

After knowing what MAC address is and its differences with IP address, it’s time to find out how to find MAC address on iPhone. Good news for you, unveiling a MAC address on your iPhone is a simple task.

Here are step-by-step instructions to see a MAC address on an iPhone:

• Go to the iPhone’s settings.
• Scroll down and tap on General.

• Hit About to display the identity of your iPhone. This will open list of details about your device, including serial number, IMEI, Bluetooth info, and more.

• Find your MAC address. It is the one labeled with Wi-Fi address. It should be a 12 digits of alphanumeric combination that is separated using colons.

Take a screenshot or jot down the MAC address so you can use it when needed. 

How to Find MAC Address on Windows 10

Windows 10 allows you to find MAC address more quickly than previous Windows versions. Simply go to Settings and open Advanced options to reveal all the information about computer’s Wi-Fi.

Here is how to do it:

• If you are on a wired connection, go to Settings.
• Click Network & Internet.

• Select Ethernet, the Click Network, You will see Properties that contain detailed information.

• Scroll down. Your MAC address is labeled with Physical address.

How to Find MAC Address on Android

If you are using Android, find information about MAC address in Settings. Just as with the iPhone, you can also find other information about Wi-Fi. Follow instructions below:

• Go to Settings.
• Tap About Phone.

• Choose Status.

• This will open advanced information about Wi-Fi.
• Scroll down and find device’s MAC address.

How to Find MAC Address Mac OS

Whether you are connected to wireless or wired connection, find this information from the Apple Menu. Here is how to do it:

• Go to Apple Menu, choose System Preferences.

• Click Network. 

• Choose your network connection and click Advanced.

• You will find information about MAC address.

To sum up, how to find MAC address on iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows 10 is not a difficult task. Depending on your device, you can also find other information like IP address and phone’s identity.