Unique MAC address is the network identifier of your smartphone that is assigned to each network interface (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet). It is needed to connect to secure networks, configure routers, diagnose Internet problems, or even identify a device in corporate systems. Unlike IP, which can change, MAC remains constant (unless you change it manually).

On Android you can find this address in several ways - from standard settings to using the engineering menu. In this article we will analyze all the current methods, including nuances for different versions of the system (from Android 10 to Android 14) and popular brands: Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi Redmi/POCO, Honor/Huawei, Google Pixel and others. You will also learn why sometimes the MAC address may be displayed incorrectly and how to fix it.

What is a MAC address and why do you need it?

MAC (Media Access Control) is a 12-digit hexadecimal code (for example, 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E), which is hardcoded into the device’s network card. It performs three key functions:

  • 🔹 Network identification: the router uses MAC to distinguish between devices and assign them IP addresses (DHCP).
  • 🔹 Access filtering: in Wi-Fi settings you can block or allow connections only to certain MAC addresses.
  • 🔹 Traffic tracking: providers or network administrators can keep activity logs by MAC.

On Android each communication module (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet when connected via USB) has its own MAC address. Most often, users need an address Wi-Fi module —we will look for it first.

⚠️ Attention: Google has introduced a function Android 10 Google has introduced a feature MAC randomization to protect privacy. On some networks, the device may show a random address instead of the real one. To see the real MAC, disable randomization (the method is described below).

Method 1: through standard Android settings

The easiest method is to look at the MAC in the “About phone” or “Wi-Fi Settings” menu. The instructions are suitable for most devices, including Samsung Galaxy S23, Xiaomi 13T, Google Pixel 7 and others.

  1. Open the application Settings (gear icon).

  2. Go to section About phone (or About device).

  3. Select item General information → Information about Software (the path may differ on some devices).

  4. Scroll down to block Wi-Fi address or MAC address.

On Xiaomi i Redmi the path may be different:

Settings → About phone → All characteristics → Wi-Fi address

If there is no MAC in “About phone”, try the second option:

Settings → Wi-Fi → Click on the connected network → Advanced (or “Network management”) → MAC address

Turn on Wi-Fi|Check the “About phone” section|Update the firmware|Use an alternative method-->

Method 2: through Wi-Fi connection information

If the previous method did not work, try looking at the MAC directly in the wireless network settings. This method is relevant for Android 12+where manufacturers often hide technical data in other sections.

  1. Activate Wi-Fi and connect to any network (even without the Internet).

  2. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi.

  3. Tap on the name of the current network (not the switch!).

  4. Scroll down to the block Advanced or Network information.

  5. Find the lines MAC address or Device address.

On Samsung One UI (for example, Galaxy S22) path like this:

Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → ⚙️ (gear icon next to the network) → Advanced → MAC address
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (especially ColorOS from Oppo/Realme) MAC can only be displayed when there is an active Wi-Fi connection. If the network is disabled, the field will be empty.

Samsung|Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO|Honor/Huawei|Google Pixel|Other-->

Method 3: through the engineering menu (for advanced)

If standard methods did not work, you can use Engineering menu (##4636##). This method is suitable for most devices, but requires caution - do not change other parameters!

  1. Open the application Phone.

  2. Enter the combination: ##4636## (may be required on some devices *#06#, but this usually shows the IMEI).

  3. Select tab Wi-Fi information (or Wi-Fi information).

  4. Find line MAC address.

On Medatek processors (many Xiaomi, Realme, Tecno) the code may work:

##36446337##
Manufacturer Engineering menu code MAC section
Samsung *#0011# Wi-Fi → MAC
Xiaomi/Redmi ##4636## Wi-Fi information
Huawei/Honor ##2846579## ProjectMenu → Background Settings → Wi-Fi
Google Pixel ##4636## Wi-Fi information
⚠️ Attention: Not all codes work on modern devices due to manufacturer restrictions. If nothing happens after entering the code, your firmware blocks access to the engineering menu.

Method 4: via ADB (for developers)

If you need to get a MAC programmatically (for example, for automation), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires connecting the phone to a PC.

Steps:

  1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About phone → Number build (tap 7 times) → For developers → USB debugging).

  2. Connect your phone to the computer and confirm access.

  3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and enter:

adb shell cat /sys/class/net/wlan0/address

If the command will return 00:00:00:00:00:00, try:

adb shell ip link show wlan0

For Bluetooth-MAC use:

adb shell settings get global bluetooth_address
💡

If ADB does not recognize the device, install drivers for your model from the manufacturer's official website (for example, Samsung USB Driver for Galaxy).

Method 5: using third-party applications

If you don’t want to delve into the settings, you can install a specialized application. The best options:

  • 📱 WiFi Analyzer (from farproc) - shows MAC in the "Info" section.
  • 📱 Network Info II - displays all network data, including MAC for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
  • 📱 DevCheck - universal hardware analyzer, where MAC is listed in the "Network" section.

Example for Network Info II:

  1. Install the application from Google Play.

  2. Open it and go to the tab Wi-Fi.

  3. In the block Interface Info find the line MAC Address.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (especially from unverified sources) may collect your data. Install only apps with a high rating and a large number of downloads.
Why may applications show the wrong MAC?

On Android 10+, the system can replace the real MAC with a random one to protect privacy. To see the real address, disable randomization in the Wi-Fi settings (section "Advanced" → "Device MAC address" → select "Use device MAC").

What to do if the MAC address is not displayed or has been reset

Sometimes users encounter that MAC:

  • 🔄 Changes after reboot (randomization in Android 10+).
  • ❌ Displayed as 02:00:00:00:00:00 (virtual address).
  • 🔍 Disappeared after firmware update.

Solutions:

  1. Disable MAC randomization:

    Settings → Wi-Fi → ⚙️ (click on network) → Advanced → Device MAC address → Select "Use device MAC"

  2. Reset network settings:

    Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings

  3. Check the firmware: on some custom ROMs (for example LineageOS), the MAC may be reset. Install the official firmware.

If the MAC reset after hard reset, this is normal - some devices (Huawei, Samsung Exynos) generate a new address after reset. You can restore the old one only through root or the engineering menu (if supported).

💡

Starting with Android 10, the system uses random MAC addresses by default to protect privacy. This is not a bug, but a security feature. To disable it, you need to manually select the "Use MAC devices" mode in the Wi-Fi settings.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about MAC addresses on Android

Is it possible to change the MAC address on Android without root?

On most devices without superuser rights (root) it is not possible to change the MAC. The exception is temporary substitution through randomization (Android 10+), but this is not a permanent change. For complete control you need root and applications like Mac Changer.

Why do I have two MAC addresses: one in the settings, the other in the engineering menu?

This is normal: the settings may display randomized MAC (for the current network), and in the engineering menu - real (hardware). To see the real one, disable randomization as described above.

Can the provider block the device via MAC?

Theoretically yes, but in practice this is unlikely. Providers usually block by IP or IMEI. MAC is used rather for filtering in local networks (for example, in offices or universities).

How to find the Bluetooth MAC address?

For Bluetooth use:

  1. Application DevCheck (section "Hardware" → “Bluetooth”)

  2. ADB command: adb shell settings get global bluetooth_address.

  3. On some devices: Settings → About phone → General information → Bluetooth address.

Is it safe to share your MAC address?

MAC itself does not give access to your data, but it can be used to track your device on public networks. Don't share it publicly and turn off Wi-Fi when not needed.