Get MAC Address on Android: 5 Easy Ways

This guide shows you how to find the MAC address on any Android phone or tablet. You’ll learn five different methods, from the standard Settings menu to hidden diagnostic screens, so you can locate this unique network identifier for Wi-Fi setup, network troubleshooting, or device tracking.

What You’ll Need

• An Android device (phone or tablet) with access to the Settings app.
• For some methods, a connection to a Wi-Fi network (or at least Wi-Fi enabled) is required.
• No root access or special apps are needed for most methods.

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Settings app. Locate the gear icon in your app drawer or notification shade and tap it.
2. Scroll down to “About Phone� or “About Device.� This is usually near the bottom of the Settings menu, but on some devices (like Samsung), it may be under “General Management� or “System.�
3. Tap “Status� or “Hardware Information.� The exact name varies by manufacturer. On stock Android, look for “Status.� On Samsung, tap “Status information.�
4. Find the “Wi-Fi MAC address� entry. This is a 12-character hexadecimal number (e.g., 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E). That’s your device’s MAC address for Wi-Fi.
5. For the Bluetooth MAC address (if needed), look for “Bluetooth address� on the same screen.

Alternative Method via Wi-Fi Settings:

1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi (or “Connections > Wi-Fi� on Samsung).
2. Tap the gear icon next to the connected network, or tap the three-dot menu and select “Advanced.�
3. Look for “MAC address� or “Wi-Fi MAC address� in the network details.

Alternative Method via the Dialer (Hidden Menu):

1. Open the Phone app (dialer).
2. Dial *#*#2328#*#* (for some devices) or *#*#4636#*#* (for testing menu).
3. If the testing menu opens, tap “Wi-Fi information� or “WLAN information.� The MAC address will be displayed.
4. Note: This method may not work on all devices, especially newer Android versions or manufacturer skins.

Alternative Method via ADB (Advanced Users):

1. Enable Developer Options: Go to Settings > About Phone, then tap “Build number� seven times.
2. Go to Settings > Developer Options and enable “USB debugging.�
3. Connect your phone to a computer with ADB installed.
4. Open a command prompt/terminal and type: adb shell, then press Enter.
5. Type: ip link show wlan0 (or ifconfig wlan0 on older devices). The MAC address appears next to “link/ether.�

Alternative Method via Third-Party Apps:

1. Open the Google Play Store and search for “MAC address finder� or “Wi-Fi analyzer.�
2. Install a reputable app (read reviews first).
3. Open the app; it will display your Wi-Fi MAC address, often along with other network details.

Common Mistakes

• Confusing the IP address with the MAC address. The IP address is a number like 192.168.1.5 that can change; the MAC is a fixed hardware identifier in hex format.
• Looking at the wrong device. If you’re checking a device that isn’t connected to Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi MAC address may not be displayed (or may be shown as “unavailable�).
• Using the dialer code incorrectly. Many hidden codes are device-specific; if the code doesn’t work, it doesn’t mean your device lacks a MAC address.
• Assuming the MAC address is the same for all network types. Your device has separate MACs for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet (if supported).

Tips

• Write down the MAC address or take a screenshot for future reference.
• On Android 10 and later, the system uses a randomized MAC address by default when connecting to new Wi-Fi networks. The address shown in Settings may be the randomized one, not the physical one. To see the real MAC, you may need to forget the network and connect again, or check the “About� section (which often shows the actual hardware MAC).
• If you need the MAC address for MAC filtering on your router, make sure you enter it exactly, including colons.
• The MAC address is not a security risk to share, but it can be used to track your device on local networks, so treat it with some caution.

Troubleshooting

If you can’t find the “Status� option: Try searching in Settings for “MAC address� using the search bar at the top. If that fails, look under “System� or “About� for “Hardware info.�

If the MAC address shows as “Unavailable� or “02:00:00:00:00:00�: This usually means Wi-Fi is off. Turn on Wi-Fi and try again. If it still shows unavailable, restart your device.

If the dialer code does nothing: Not all manufacturers support these codes. Use the Settings method instead.

If you’re using a third-party app and it shows a different MAC than Settings: The app may be reading the randomized MAC. Check the app’s permissions and try the Settings method for the definitive answer.

If ADB says “device not found�: Ensure USB debugging is enabled, the device is authorized (check the popup on your phone), and you have the correct drivers installed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Android show a different MAC address than my router?

Android 10+ uses MAC randomization by default for privacy. The address your router sees may be a temporary random MAC, while the one in Settings under “About� is the physical MAC. You can disable randomization for a specific network by going to Wi-Fi settings, tapping the network, and selecting “Privacy� > “Use device MAC.�

Can I change my Android MAC address?

On most stock Android devices, you cannot change the MAC address without root access or custom firmware. Some manufacturers allow changing it in developer options, but this is rare. Rooting your device is required for most methods, which voids warranty and has security risks.

Is the MAC address the same as the IP address?

No. The MAC address is a hardware identifier burned into the network interface, while the IP address is a logical address assigned by the network. The MAC stays the same, while the IP can change.

Do I need the MAC address for parental controls?

Yes, many parental control apps and routers use MAC filtering to identify devices. You’ll need the MAC address of your child’s device to set up restrictions.

My phone has two Wi-Fi MAC addresses. Which one is correct?

Some devices have both a physical MAC and a randomized one. The physical MAC is usually labeled “Wi-Fi MAC address� in the About section. The other may be labeled “Randomized MAC� or appear in Wi-Fi network details.

Can I find the MAC address if my phone is off?

No. You need to power on the device to access its settings. However, if the phone has been connected to your router before, you can check the router’s DHCP client list to find its MAC address.

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