Every equipment that touch base to the cyberspace ; whether it ’s a Computer , Smartphone , Chromecast , or even a Smart TV ; they all have unequalled identifier hardwired in their internet card . This unparalleled ID is a 12 digit alphanumeric key call — MAC ( Media Access Control ) speech .
A typical MAC address front something like this — EB-52 - 02 - F0 - 2E-06and since it ’s unique for each machine , it ’s often used to name different devices on the connection .
Now , even though the MAC address are hardwired in your web card , you may still change it with the assistance of special tools or commands .
Related:10 Steps to fix Your Wi - Fi web From Hackers
But Why Change MAC Address?
Well , there are several reasons to change the MAC address . Some popular ones are .
Privacy — When you connect to the internet , the web host can not see your MAC address . But other devices on your Local Area internet can . So , if you desire to be anon. on a public WiFi then vary your MAC address make sense .
MAC filtering — Most Airlines or Hotels , mechanically disconnect the Internet on the devices after some fourth dimension . They do this by identifying the MAC address . So , if you exchange your MAC address , you could continue using the cyberspace .
Run Software – Some software detect your MAC savoir-faire , and air it to their vane server . So , if you may not unfold certain websites ( mostly gaming ) , you may regard shift your MAC address .
So , let ’s see how to change Mac address on Windows , Mac OS , Linux , and Android . Or watchthis videoat the end of this clause .
Table of content
#1 Windows
Since most of us have more than one electronic web notice ( like WiFi and Ethernet etc ) , there will be multiple MAC reference on your computer . So first , you need to find out which MAC speech we need to change .
Find MAC Address in Windows
To do this , spread out up cmd , and type in the follow bidding and hit enter .
Scroll down the inclination , and you ’ll see a couple ofPhysical Addresses(in Windows MAC address are called Physical address ) . Now , the one that has anIP addresslink to it is the one you are using properly now . If you are using the net from WiFi , it ’ll be the MAC address of the WiFi adapter .
Now , write down that MAC address , we ’ll need them later on .
Change MAC Address on Windows
you could deepen the MAC computer address in Windows directly from GUI . So , spread out up
So , open updevice managerby typingdevmgmt.mscin the Run box . A new window will open , there go to thenetwork adapterand dilate it . Find yourWireless internet cardand right - press it then clickproperties . Another new windowpane will open up , get through on theAdvancedtab and selectNetwork Address . Then click thevaluebutton and inscribe thenew MAC speech , without any particular character or colon in between .
I advise you copy glue your former MAC address ( the one you have written down in the previous step ) and exchange the last two finger’s breadth . This is a good practice session as it ’s easy to commend your new MAC address and do n’t make any conflict on the web .
Also , if the economic value tab is unclickable , it means your internet bill of fare does n’t permit changing MAC speech .
To chequer , if you have successfully exchange your MAC address , again open up up cmd and doipconfig /all . You should see new the raw MAC address this time .
observe : change MAC address is temporary . If you reset your computing gadget , it will mechanically switch back to the old MAC address . But , if you want to keep the MAC address permanent , use software system likeTechnitium , and checkmark the choice that say — Make the Modern MAC address persistent .
#2 Mac
switch the MAC address on Mac OS is done using a instruction line , so see how it work .
Find MAC Address on Mac OS X
unfold up the concluding and type in the commandifconfig(the ipconfig mastery on Windows becomes ifconfig on Mac and Linux OS )
You will see the dissimilar MAC addresses of each connection adapter . To find out , which one you are using , depend for the MAC computer address that has IP address colligate to it . This will be your current MAC address . Also , make a note of your user interface name like — en0 or en1 . We will need this later .
Alternatively , you’re able to happen your MAC speech by going to theSystem Preference > connection > Current association > advance > computer hardware .
Change MAC Address on Mac OS X
To change MAC Address on MAC OS , afford up the terminus and case in the following command .
sudo ifconfig en1 ether a1 : b1 : c1 : d1 : e1 : f1
plainly , replace thea1 : b1part with the MAC address you desire to have . And once you are done type the control , hit enter . Since this is a sudo dictation , you ’ll also have to enter your login word . And that ’s it .
Now , to verify if you have successfully refresh your MAC address , type in ifconfig or go to the electronic internet stage setting in system predilection . You should see your Modern MAC savoir-faire there .
Note : Like Windows ( or for every O ) , changing MAC Address in Mac OS is also impermanent . Once you reset your computer , you ’ll get back the previous MAC Address .
To make it permanent , you could use someMAC Address Changer Scriptand put it in your startup brochure of your MAC . Something likethis , though I have n’t tested it .
#3 Linux
Now since there several version of Linux distros , it ’s not possible for to cover every one of them . So , we are going with the democratic Linux Mint . Though the footstep should be similar , for all Debian based OS .
Find MAC Address on Linux Mint
Since Mac OS is built on Linux kernel , the steps for finding and changing MAC address is similar for both . So , to find MAC address on Linux OS , opened upterminaland character in the following statement .
ifconfig
This will give the MAC Address of all the internet cards on your computer . Find the one , you need to change . If you are tie in to the cyberspace via WiFi and desire to change MAC name and address of your WiFi card , then look for the MAC destination that has an IP address connectedness to it . And write it down , along with the adapter name i.e. — eth0 or eth1 etc .
Change MAC Address on Linux Mint
Now , to change MAC Address on Linux , undefended terminal and eccentric in the following command .
Replace theeth0with the name of the Adapter whose MAC address you want to change . Anda1 : b1 .. with the MAC address you want to assign .
So , this first command will deactivate the meshwork transcriber , next we ’ll change the MAC address and then resume the arranger once again . To confirm changes , eccentric in ifconfig in the terminal , and you should see the new MAC address .
Note : Like Windows and Mac OS , changing MAC address on Linux is also impermanent . So , to make it permanent , go to / etc / web / interfacesand total the follow line in the ending .
#3 Android
Changing MAC Address on peregrine gimmick are slightly more complicated than Desktop O . And since Android is also base on Linux kernel , you ’ll have to use a sudo command in the terminal . Which means to change MAC address on Android , you ’ll needROOTaccess . There is no other way .
Find MAC Address on Android
To find the MAC address on Android , go toSettings > About sound > Status . And look for WiFi MAC address . you may also imitate it to the clipboard , by long beseech on it .
Change MAC Address on Android
Now , to change MAC Address on Android , you have two options — either use a terminal app and type in few commands like we did for Linux OS , or use a dedicated app to do that .
For this instance , we ’ll go with the simpler method i.e. using a dedicated app . So , go to Play Store and installChange My MAC . Out of many software I ’ve tested , this one works quite well .
So , deploy the app and open it . Now in the app , you may either generate a random MAC address . Or do what I do — copy glue the quondam MAC Address and supplant the last two character reference . Next , save changes and that ’s it . You have successfully modify the MAC address of your Android .
notice : Like the other two , this is also irregular , when you re-start your gimmick , your phone will return to one-time MAC computer address . Though unlike the desktop , we do n’t restart the Smartphone that often .
iOS
In the recent version of iOS , Apple has made a lotmore difficultto change MAC address on iPhone and iPad . You ’ll need breakout and even then there is no guarantee of success . Overall , not worth it .
Router
There is no big reasonableness why you need to shift the MAC savoir-faire of your routers . But if you want to do it anyway — see if your router patronise it or not . If it does , you ’ll findclone my MAC addressoption in the in advance user interface setting . Or , you may install acustom firmware(like OpenWRT ) .
How to Change or Spoof MAC Address
Wrapping up
Usually , changing MAC address is quite unproblematic . All you have to do is typewrite in a few command from the terminal or use the software system . Though do observe , that changing MAC address is not illegal , but what you do with can be . And even if you change your MAC address , you are still not anonymous .
