In today's digital world, each connected gadget has a unique digital fingerprint, which allows network devices to identify it among hundreds of others. For owners of smartphones running the Android operating system, understanding where to find this identifier becomes not just theoretical knowledge, but a practical necessity. MAC address (Media Access Control Address) is a hexadecimal code assigned to the network interface during production, and it does not change throughout the life of the device, unless special randomization functions are used.
The need to find out this code may arise in a variety of situations: from setting up a home network with whitelist filtering to solving problems connecting to a corporate Wi-Fi or Bluetooth headset. Unlike an IP address, which can be dynamic and change with each reconnection, a physical address remains a permanent hardware identifier. That is why knowing how to find out MAC on Androidis a basic skill for any advanced user.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for finding this information, starting from standard settings menus in different versions of the operating system and ending with more complex methods through the engineering menu or ADB. You will learn to distinguish between addresses for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, and also understand why in new versions of Android this parameter may be hidden behind the privacy function.
What is a MAC address and why does the user need it
A physical address is a unique identifier that is assigned to the network controller (NIC) for each network interface in IEEE 802 networks, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This code is 48 bits long and is typically displayed as 12 hexadecimal digits separated by colons or dashes, for example: 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E. The first three bytes (first 6 characters) represent the organization identifier (OUI), which indicates the chip manufacturer, and the remaining three bytes are assigned by the device manufacturer.
For the average user, knowing your MAC address is most often required when setting up a router. Many home network administrators use a filtering feature that allows only pre-approved devices to connect. In this case, you will have to enter the MAC address of your smartphone into the router settings, otherwise the gadget simply will not be able to access the Internet, even knowing the Wi-Fi password.
In addition, this identifier is used in access control systems, for example, in offices or universities, where access to the local network is strictly regulated. It may also be needed when diagnosing network problems when the router “does not see” the device, or when trying to unblock the tariff restrictions of the provider if the binding is based on a hardware identifier.
⚠️ Attention: Starting with Android 10, Google has introduced a MAC address randomization function to increase privacy. This means that when connecting to new networks, your phone may use a random address instead of the real physical one. To configure the router, you will need to find the “Hardware” or “Real” address, and not the one that is currently in use.
It is important to understand the difference between the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth MAC address. Although modern smartphones often combine these modules into a single chip, each communication protocol has its own unique identifier. If the router asks you to specify the MAC for Wi-Fi, and you enter the address of the Bluetooth module, the connection will not take place. Always check which interface is required for setup.
The MAC address is the “passport” of your network module, which is necessary to identify the device on the local network and configure access through the router.
How to find the MAC address on Android 10, 11, 12 and later
In modern versions of the operating system The Android settings interface has been significantly redesigned, and the location of the settings you need may differ from older versions. Google strives to unify the user experience, but smartphone manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel) often add their own skins, changing the names of menu items. However, the search logic remains the same: you need to get to the section "About phone" or detailed Wi-Fi settings.
The fastest way to find information in current versions of Android is to use the settings search. Simply swipe down from the top to open the notification panel, tap the settings cog, and type "MAC" in the search bar at the top. The system itself will prompt you to go to the desired section, where the required code will be displayed. This is especially convenient if your smartphone's menu is translated into a language other than Russian, or if the menu items have been renamed by the manufacturer.
If you prefer a manual search, follow the standard path. Go to Settings, find the section Network and Internet (or simply “Connections” on Samsung devices). Next, select item Wi-Fi. Here it is important not just to turn on Wi-Fi, but to click on the gear next to the active network or select “Advanced” / “Advanced settings”. This is where technical information is often hidden.
In the “Advanced” section or at the very bottom of the list of Wi-Fi settings you will find the line “Wi-Fi MAC address”. In some shells, for example MIUI from Xiaomi, this information may be located in the Settings → About phone → All settings → Statussection. On Samsung devices, the path may look like Settings → About device → Details → Wi-Fi MAC address.
It is worth noting that in Android 11 and higher it became possible to change MAC address for each specific network. When connecting to a new access point, the system may ask you what type of address to use: randomized or the device's MAC address. For a home network where filtering is configured, always select the “MAC address of the device.”
Searching for a MAC address on older versions of Android (up to version 9)
If you are using a device that has not received an update to Android 10, the search procedure may be even simpler, since older versions of the system have fewer levels of menu nesting and lack enhanced privacy features that hide the real address. Owners of smartphones with Android 6, 7, 8 or 9 should pay attention to the "About phone" section in the main settings.
The classic algorithm for older devices is as follows: open Settings, scroll to the bottom of the list and select item About phone (or "About the device"). Next, find the subsection Status or General information. In the list of technical characteristics that opens, there will be a line "MAC address Wi-Fi".
An alternative path that worked on most devices before Android 9, led through Wi-Fi settings. You had to go to Settings → Wi-Fi, press the menu button (three dots in the corner or a physical menu button) and select item Advanced or Advanced settings. It displayed not only the current IP, but also the physical address of the device.
On older devices, the MAC address is often printed on a sticker under the battery. If the phone allows you to remove the back cover, check this information there - this is the most reliable way if the screen does not work.
0) the interface could differ significantly depending on the manufacturer. For example, on Sony Xperia smartphones of that period you had to go to Settings → About phone → Status, and on some HTC models - to Settings → Personal data → Device status.
Some users Older devices encounter a situation where the status field displays "Unavailable" or a dash. This may indicate a software failure in the Wi-Fi module driver. In this case, simply rebooting the device or resetting the network settings often helps restore the display of the correct MAC address.
The difference between the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth MAC address
Many users mistakenly believe that the smartphone has a unique address for all wireless connections. This is wrong. Your phone has separate modules (or logically separated parts of the chip) for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and each has its own, unique MAC address. They cannot be confused, since the router will not be able to identify the device by its Bluetooth address.
Wi-Fi MAC address is used exclusively for connecting to wireless local networks. This is what you enter into the router settings to filter clients or distribute the Internet. A Bluetooth MAC address is needed to pair with headsets, watches, car systems and other peripheral devices. In some rare cases, for example, when setting up complex equipment or specific IoT devices, a Bluetooth address may be required.
Where can I find a Bluetooth MAC address on Android? The path is usually as follows: Settings → Connected devices → Connection settings (or simply "Bluetooth"). In some versions of Android, you need to click on the three dots in the corner of the Bluetooth menu screen and select "Bluetooth MAC Address". On Samsung devices, this information is often hidden in Settings → About the device → Information, where both addresses are listed.
The table below will help you quickly figure out what the difference is between these identifiers and where they are used:
| Characteristics | Wi-Fi MAC address | Bluetooth MAC address | Ethernet MAC (USB adapter) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Connecting to the Internet and local network | Pairing with gadgets (headphones, watches) | Wired network connection |
| Where used | Routers, access points | Cars, audio systems, trackers | Docking stations, adapters |
| Format | XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX | XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX | XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX |
| Can it be changed | Yes (randomization) | No (usually) | Depends on the adapter |
If you are setting up a corporate network or smart home, make sure that the Wi-Fi address is included in the whitelist. Entering the Bluetooth address into the router settings will not have any effect, since these are different data transfer protocols.
Using the engineering menu and verification codes
For more advanced users or in cases where the standard settings menu is not available (for example, due to an interface failure), you can use the Android engineering menu. This is a hidden section of the system intended for testing equipment. It is accessed through a set of special USSD codes in the “Phone” (dialer) application.
One of the most common codes is ##4636##. After typing the last character, the menu should open automatically. If the code didn't work, try #0011# (often works on Samsung) or ##197328640##*. Inside the menu you need to select the item Testing → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi API or simply Wi-Fi status. It will display MAC Address.
⚠️ Attention: Be careful in the engineering menu. Do not change settings whose meaning you do not know, especially items related to the radio module (Radio Info). Incorrect changes may result in signal loss or network instability. Your goal is only to view information.
It is worth considering that on many modern smartphones, access to the engineering menu through codes is closed by manufacturers or telecom operators. In this case, typing the code will do nothing, or the system will write “Code is not valid.” This is normal behavior for devices with highly customized shell.
What to do if the codes do not work?
If standard codes do not open the menu, you can try downloading the "Test Mode" or "Engineer Mode" application from Google Play. However, on Android 10+, access to deep system settings through third-party applications is often limited by access rights.
An alternative to codes is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) from a computer. This method requires you to enable USB debugging in the Developer options menu. By connecting your phone to a PC, you can enter the command adb shell ip link show or adb shell cat /sys/class/net/wlan0/address, which will return the exact MAC address of the wlan0 interface.
Problems with address determination and randomization
With the release of Android 10, Google introduced mandatory randomization MAC addresses for scanning networks and optionally for connections. This is done to protect against tracking of user movements via Wi-Fi points. When this feature is active, your phone reports a random address to the router rather than the real one. This creates problems when setting up filtering on the router.
To find out the real “hard” MAC address under randomization conditions, you need to go to the settings of a specific Wi-Fi network. Path: Settings → Wi-Fi → (network gear) → Privacy (or "MAC address type"). If "Randomized MAC" is selected there, change the value to "Device MAC Address". After this, your real address will be displayed in the network status or general Wi-Fi settings.
A frequent problem is also the situation when the phone shows the address 02:00:00:00:00:00 or similar. This indicates that the system cannot read the real address from the module, often due to missing drivers or corrupted system files after unsuccessful ROOT access or firmware. In such cases, you may need to reset the network settings or completely re-flash the device.
☑️ Checking the MAC address settings
It is also worth mentioning that on dual-band routers (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), the MAC address of the smartphone is always the same, regardless of the frequency at which it is connected. But if you use a USB Wi-Fi adapter (via OTG), it will have its own unique address, different from the built-in module.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to completely change the MAC address on Android without root access?
Officially change the permanent (burned-in) MAC address It’s not possible, since it’s hardwired into the hardware. However, using the randomization features in Android 10+, you can temporarily override it for networks. Permanent changes at the system level usually require root access and editing the system Wi-Fi driver configuration files, which is not recommended for ordinary users.
Is it safe to enter your MAC address on third-party sites?
The MAC address itself does not give access to your personal data, photos or passwords. However, knowing your real MAC, an attacker on the same Wi-Fi network can try to clone it (MAC spoofing) in order to gain access to the network if there is filtering, or attack the device. Do not show this code unless necessary.
Why is the MAC address on the phone sticker and in the settings different?
This happens rarely, but it is possible. This usually happens if the phone's motherboard or Wi-Fi module was replaced at a service center, but the sticker was not updated. Also, on dual-band devices (rarely) or if there are several antennas, there may be different addresses, but most often they should be the same.
Does changing the MAC address affect Internet speed?
No, the MAC address itself is just an identifier, like a passport number. It does not affect data transfer speed, signal strength or connection quality. The speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard (ac, ax), distance to the router and channel congestion.