How to Change Your PC’s or Mac’s MAC Address
The MAC address is a unique identifier for your computer’s networking hardware. Sometimes you may need to change it, although Apple and Microsoft don’t make it easy. However, it is possible.
Why Would You Want to Change it?
This setting provides no speed or performance benefit. It functions as your hardware’s phone number. Changing it to an existing number will confuse your network.
The primary reason for changing your MAC address is because another device is locked to an outdated address. Your router or other hardware may only allow or provide connections to a specific MAC address. I encountered this issue when connecting to my office computer. The IT help desk was closed, but I needed to connect to the network using a different laptop. By changing my new laptop’s MAC address to match my old laptop’s address, I was able to access the network.
Another reason to change your MAC address is for wifi networks that limit time or connections. You shouldn’t use this to bypass time restrictions, but you can transfer your connection time to another MAC address. For example, you might sign up for a few hours of Wi-Fi on your tablet. Then want to use your laptop on the network. Instead of paying for another connection, changing your laptop’s MAC to the MAC address of your tablet might get you out of paying for an extra connection.
Be ethical.
Finally, someone can track you through your MAC address. You might want to change it each time you connect to a network or just use a random address.
How to Find a MAC Address On a PC
If you’re on a PC, the easiest way is through the command prompt. Type and you’ll see all your network interfaces and the physical address. That’s the MAC address.
To find it, go to Control Panel, then Network and Internet, and finally Network Connections. Right-click on the network adapter and select Status, then Details. The MAC address is the physical address.
PC Command Prompt Tips: Here’s a list of command prompt tips. You can install apps
How to Find a MAC Address On a Mac
If you’re on a wireless network, hold down the option key and click on the wifi icon in the menu bar. It will tell you the Interface Name and the Address, which is your MAC address. If you’re on Ethernet or another connection, go to the Network System Preferences. Select the interface you’re checking, then go to Advanced->Hardware. The MAC address is located at the top.
To find the MAC address of your interfaces, type “in terminal.”
Cool wireless Mac tools: The Option key is just one of many hidden features available on Mac computers.
The Easy Way to Change This on a Mac
One of the best programs for this on Mac is WifiSpoof. It costs $9.99, but there’s a free 2-week trial. It not only enables easy address changes, but also runs as a menu bar icon. It can randomize the MAC address with each run. If you’re worried about tracking, this is the app for you.
If you’re looking for a simple way to change your address, Mac MACSpoof can do this for a $4.99 purchase. The interface isn’t as slick and the app requires an additional “helper” app to install.
The Easy Way to Change This on a PC
On a PC, you can use third-party software to achieve the same result as on a Mac. One such program is Technitium MAC Address Changer, which is free.
This app allows you to select a random MAC address for testing. It also provides information about active addresses.
NoVirusThanks’s MAC Address Changer is a free program that is easier to use than Technitium’s version, although it has fewer options.
Note: Windows 10 users may have the option of automatic MAC randomization.
If you feel comfortable in the OS X terminal, type the command: sudo ifconfig en0 xx:xx:xx:xx:xx. Replace the XX with the number of the new MAC address.
The Direct Way to Change This on a PC
Similar to the direct way on a Mac, this method works without third-party software. Go to Device Manager and expand the adapter you want to change. Each type of adapter has a unique MAC address.
Once you locate the adapter, go to Properties and then Advanced. Look for the Network Address property and modify the value as desired.
Remember to Change It Back
When choosing an option, remember to change the MAC address back afterwards. If not, it could cause issues on other networks. If you want to use a random address, you might run into problems if someone else is already using it.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
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