How to Find Your iPhone's MAC Address in Settings

Where to find your MAC address on iPhone

Your iPhone's MAC address (also called a physical address or hardware address) is a unique identifier for your device's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. You can find it in Settings under Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, or in the About section. The exact location depends on which connection type you need — Wi-Fi MAC addresses and Bluetooth MAC addresses are different numbers.

The quickest route is Settings > Wi-Fi, then tapping the information icon next to your connected network. Your Wi-Fi MAC address appears as a string of letters and numbers like AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF. If you need your Bluetooth MAC address instead, go to Settings > Bluetooth and look for a similar identifier in the device details.

You can also find both addresses in Settings > General > About, where they appear as "Wi-Fi Address" and "Bluetooth Address" respectively. This method works even if you are not currently connected to a network, so it is useful if you need the address for a device you have not set up yet.

Key Takeaways

Your Wi-Fi MAC address appears in Settings > Wi-Fi by tapping the information icon next to your network name.
Your Bluetooth MAC address is separate from your Wi-Fi address and appears in Settings > Bluetooth or Settings > General > About.
Both addresses are unique to your iPhone and look like a series of six pairs of letters and numbers separated by colons.
You need the MAC address when connecting to networks that require device registration, like some workplace or school Wi-Fi systems.

Finding your Wi-Fi MAC address step by step

Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi. Wait for the list of available networks to load. Find the network you are currently connected to — it will have a checkmark next to it — and tap the blue information icon (a circle with an "i" inside) on the right side of that network name.

A details screen opens showing information about that connection. Scroll down to find "Wi-Fi Address." The address shown there is your device's MAC address for Wi-Fi connections. You can tap and hold to copy it, or write it down if you need it for a form or registration.

If you are not currently connected to any network, you can still find your Wi-Fi MAC address by going to Settings > General > About and looking for "Wi-Fi Address" in the list. This method works whether or not you have an active connection.

Finding your Bluetooth MAC address

Your Bluetooth MAC address is separate from your Wi-Fi address and is used when connecting to Bluetooth devices like headphones, speakers, or smartwatches. To find it, open Settings and tap Bluetooth.

Unlike Wi-Fi, Bluetooth does not show the MAC address in the main Bluetooth settings screen. Instead, go to Settings > General > About and scroll down to find "Bluetooth Address." This is your device's Bluetooth MAC address. Copy or note it the same way you would for your Wi-Fi address.

Some networks or services ask for your Bluetooth MAC address during setup, particularly if you are connecting to a device that requires manual pairing or registration. Having this number ready saves time during the setup process.

Why you might need your MAC address

Schools, workplaces, and public networks sometimes require you to register your device's MAC address before connecting. This is a security measure that lets the network administrator control which devices can access the system. When you register your MAC address, the network recognizes your iPhone specifically and grants it access.

Some home networks also use MAC address filtering, where the router only allows devices with registered MAC addresses to connect. If you are setting up a new network or adding your iPhone to an existing one with this feature, you will need to provide your MAC address to the person managing the router.

Guest networks and public Wi-Fi do not typically require MAC address registration. If you are connecting to a standard network and just need internet access, you usually do not need to know your MAC address at all.

What to do if you cannot find the information icon

If you tap Wi-Fi in Settings but do not see an information icon next to your network name, make sure you are looking at a network you are currently connected to. Only active connections show the information icon. If your iPhone is not connected to Wi-Fi, connect to a network first, then look for the icon.

On older iPhone models running earlier versions of iOS, the steps may be slightly different. If the information icon does not appear, try Settings > General > About instead, which works on all iPhone models and iOS versions. This method always shows both your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth addresses in one place.

If you still cannot locate the address, restart your iPhone and try again. Sometimes the Settings app needs a fresh start to display all information correctly.

Difference between MAC address and IP address

Your MAC address and your IP address are two different things, and networks use them for different purposes. Your MAC address is a permanent identifier built into your device's hardware — it does not change unless you manually modify it (which most people never do). Your IP address is assigned by the network you are connected to and changes each time you connect to a different network or reconnect to the same one.

When a network asks for your MAC address, it is asking for the hardware identifier so it can recognize your specific iPhone. When it asks for your IP address, it is asking for the temporary address your device was given on that particular network. You can find your IP address in the same Settings > Wi-Fi > Information screen where your MAC address appears — it is listed as "IP Address."

For most purposes, you only need to know your MAC address if someone specifically asks for it. Your IP address is handled automatically by the network and you rarely need to look it up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my iPhone's MAC address?

iOS does not allow you to permanently change your MAC address through Settings. Some networks use a feature called "MAC address randomization" where your iPhone automatically uses a different MAC address on each network for privacy, but you cannot manually set a specific address. If a network requires a particular MAC address, you must use the address your iPhone was manufactured with.

Is my MAC address the same on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth?

No. Your Wi-Fi MAC address and Bluetooth MAC address are different numbers. If a network or device asks which address you need, ask them whether they want your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth address — they are looking for a specific one. Both appear in Settings > General > About if you need to compare them.

Do I need my MAC address to connect to regular public Wi-Fi?

No. Coffee shops, airports, and most public networks do not require MAC address registration. You just open Wi-Fi Settings, select the network, and connect. You only need your MAC address if the network administrator or setup instructions specifically ask for it.

What if the information icon does not appear next to my Wi-Fi network?

The information icon only appears next to networks you are currently connected to. If you do not see it, make sure you are connected to that network first. If you still cannot find it, use Settings > General > About instead, which shows your Wi-Fi address without needing to be connected to any specific network.

Can someone use my MAC address to track me?

Your MAC address only works on local networks — it is not transmitted across the internet. Someone on the same Wi-Fi network could theoretically see your MAC address, but it does not reveal your location or identity by itself. Modern iPhones use MAC address randomization on public networks to add privacy, so your actual address is often hidden anyway.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.