To communicate with a Wi-Fi network, a device must identify itself to the network using a unique network address called a media access control (MAC) address. If the device always uses the same Wi-Fi MAC address across all networks, network operators and other network observers can more easily relate that address to the device's network activity and location over time. This allows a kind of user tracking or profiling, and it applies to all devices on all Wi-Fi networks.
To reduce this privacy risk, iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7 use a different MAC address for each Wi-Fi network. This unique, static MAC address is your device's private Wi-Fi address for that network only.
Join Wi-Fi networks with a private address
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Using a private Wi-Fi address doesn't affect how you join or use most Wi-Fi networks. Connect to Wi-Fi as you normally do.
- If your Wi-Fi router is configured to notify you whenever a new device joins the network, you will be notified when your device first joins with a private address.
- If a network can't use a private address to provide parental controls or identify your device as authorized to join, you can stop using a private address with that network.
- Rarely, a network might allow you to join with a private address, but won't allow internet access. If that happens, you can stop using a private address with that network.
Turn private address off or on for a network
You can stop or resume using a private address with any network. For better privacy, leave the setting on for all networks that support it.
iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- Open the Settings app, then tap Wi-Fi.
- Tap the information button next to a network.
- Tap Private Address. If your device joined the network without using a private address, a privacy warning explains why.
Apple Watch
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- Open the Settings app, then tap Wi-Fi.
- Tap the name of the network you joined. If you haven't joined the network yet, swipe left on its name and tap more .
- Tap Private Address.
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- If you erase all content and settings from your device, or you use the Reset Network Settings feature, your device will use a different private Wi-Fi address the next time it connects to the Wi-Fi network.