Every network device in the world has a unique identifier, which is flashed by the manufacturer at the factory. In smartphones based on Android this code is called MAC address (Media Access Control). It is necessary to accurately identify your gadget on a local Wi-Fi network or when connected via Bluetooth. Knowledge of this code is often required by system administrators to set up access filters, and by ordinary users to solve problems connecting to the router.
In the latest versions of the mobile operating system, Google has introduced privacy features that can hide the real address of the device. Therefore, the search process may differ depending on the version Android and shell of the manufacturer, be it OneUI, MIUI or a pure interface. We will look at all the current methods for obtaining this information, from the standard menu to advanced developer tools.
Understanding the difference between a permanent and randomized address is critical to properly setting up your home network. If you are faced with the fact that the router does not see the phone or blocks the connection, the problem often lies precisely in the discrepancy between the data recorded in the router’s memory and the current settings of the smartphone. Let's study in detail where to look for these parameters and how to manage them.
Standard method through system settings
The simplest and safest method of obtaining information about equipment lies on the surface of the interface. You don't need to install third-party apps or get root access. Just go to the main settings menu of your device. The path may vary slightly depending on the model, but the logic remains the same for all modern smartphones.
Usually the necessary information is hidden in the section responsible for wireless connections. Find the item About the phone or About the device at the very bottom of the list or in the section System. Inside this menu there is often a subsection General information or SIM card status, which lists all the technical characteristics of the hardware, including IMEI and network identifiers.
⚠️ Attention: In some shells, for example on older versions MIUI, the MAC address may be hidden behind the "Advanced" button inside the network status. Don’t be lazy to expand all nested lists.
If you are using a relatively recent version Android (10 and higher), the system may show two different addresses. One of them will be labeled "Wi-Fi Address" and the other might be called "Randomized MAC". To link the device to the router, you need a permanent, physical address that does not change every time you reconnect.
If you cannot find the address in the "About phone" section, try going directly to the Wi-Fi settings, click on the gear next to your network and look at the connection information there.
Searching for an address in the Wi-Fi connections menu
A faster method that is often overlooked is to go directly to the wireless menu. This method allows you to see the address that the phone uses right now for a specific access point. This is especially useful if you have the privacy protection feature enabled, which spoofs your real address.
Go to section Settings, then select Wi-Fi or Connections. Make sure the wireless module is active. Find the network you are currently connected to in the list and click on the gear icon or arrow to the right of the network name. A detailed window will open with information about the connection.
- 📡 The "MAC Address" field displays the current interface ID.
- 🔒 If protection is enabled, you will see the "Random MAC" mark instead factory.
- ⚙️ Here you can switch the address type to the "MAC address of the device" for permanent operation.
It is important to understand that changing the MAC address type in this menu may lead to a temporary connection break. The router will treat you as a new device, and if filtering is configured on it based on the list of allowed clients, access will be blocked until changes are made to the router rules.
Using the engineering menu for diagnostics
For deeper diagnostics and viewing technical information, there is a hidden section known as the engineering menu. This interface is intended for service engineers and provides access to equipment tests that are not normally available. This menu is entered by typing a special combination of characters in the phone.
Open the application Phone (dialer) and enter the code ##4636##. If your firmware supports this command, the Testingmenu will automatically open. Select item Wi-Fi information or Wi-Fi information. Here you will find comprehensive statistics on the operation of the module, including current status, signal level and, of course, physical MAC address.
⚠️ Attention: On smartphones of brands Xiaomi, Huawei and some others, the code may be changed by the manufacturer or completely blocked. In this case, this method will not work without obtaining superuser rights.
The advantage of the engineering menu is that it shows “honest” hardware data, ignoring system software disguises. If in normal settings you see a randomized set of characters, then the factory markings of the chip will most likely be displayed here. This is an ideal way to verify the authenticity of the network module.
What to do if the code does not work?
If the combination ##4636## does not bring up the menu, try installing the "QuickShortcutMaker" application from the Play Market store. It allows you to create shortcuts to hidden system activities, including Wi-Fi test menus.
Receiving data through a computer and ADB
For advanced users with access to a personal computer, there is the most reliable software method. It involves the use of tools Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method is universal and works even in cases where the phone interface is damaged or frozen.
You need to enable USB debugging mode in the menu For developers. Connect your smartphone to your PC with a cable and open a command prompt or terminal on your computer. After successfully identifying the device, enter the following command to display information about network interfaces:
adb shell ip link showIn the resulting list, find the interface wlan0. The line link/ether will contain the desired hexadecimal code. This method guarantees that the physical address is received, since the request goes directly to the system kernel, bypassing user privacy settings.
| Receiving method | Complexity | Shows the real address | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| System settings | Low | Depends on the OS version | No |
| Wi-Fi menu | Low | Often shows random | Connecting to networks |
| Engineering menu | Medium | Yes | Working manufacturer code |
| ADB command | High | Yes (guaranteed) | PC and drivers |
Using ADB is the only way to get a guaranteed accurate physical address on devices with heavily modified firmware, where the standard menus are hidden.
The difference between a permanent and random address
Starting Android 10Google has implemented MAC address randomization by default. This means that when connecting to a new Wi-Fi network, the phone generates a temporary ID. This is done so that the owners of public hotspots and advertising networks cannot track the user’s movements using the unique “fingerprint” of the device.
However, for a home network, such protection often creates unnecessary problems. If your router is configured to filter by MAC addresses (white list), then each time you leave the coverage area and return back, the phone can generate a new address. As a result, the router will stop allowing the device to access the Internet, considering it an unknown guest.
To avoid this, you need to forcefully switch the settings for your home network. Go to the properties of a specific access point in the Wi-Fi menu and find the item MAC address type. Change the value from "Random MAC" to "Device MAC address". After this, the smartphone will use the unchanged factory identifier.
⚠️ Attention: Changing this parameter applies only to the selected network. For each new public hotspot, the phone will again prompt you to use a random address for security purposes.
☑️ Setting up permanent binding
Frequently asked questions and problem solving
Even with detailed instructions, users often encounter nuances that are not obvious at first glance. For example, why the address consists of 12 characters, or what to do if the settings have dashes instead of numbers. These situations are usually associated with either driver features or access rights.
Sometimes a value 02:00:00:00:00:00 or similar may be displayed in the MAC address field. This is a sign of a software error in the Wi-Fi module driver. In this case, a soft reset of the network settings usually does not help, and deeper intervention is required, including reflashing the device or contacting a service center to replace the module.
Is it possible to change the MAC address on Android without root access?
It is impossible to officially change the physical (factory) address without superuser rights. However, you can change it at the system level for a specific Wi-Fi network by enabling randomization mode in the connection settings. A complete change of the “hard” address requires modification of system files, which is only available on rooted devices.
Why does the router need the MAC address of my phone?
The router uses this address as a unique passport for the device on the local network. It is through this that the DHCP server issues a permanent IP address (if static binding is configured) and parental control or speed limit rules are applied. Without knowing the MAC address, the administrator will not be able to identify your device among dozens of others.
Does changing the MAC address affect Internet speed?
No, the address number itself does not affect the data transfer speed in any way. However, if you are using a randomized address on a network with a poor signal or older equipment, the connection negotiation process may take a little longer. This does not affect the stability of the channel, unless the router blocks “unknown” addresses.
Where can I find the Bluetooth MAC address?
The Bluetooth module address usually matches the Wi-Fi address or differs in the last digit. You can view it in the same section About the phone -> General information. In some models, it is placed in a separate subsection Bluetooth status inside the engineering menu.