Find a Device's MAC Address

The steps for finding a MAC address on different systems are as follows:

  • Windows (Command Prompt):

    • Press Windows key + R, type cmd, press Enter
    • Type getmac
    • Look for the Physical Address with connected media

  • Mac:

    • Click Apple menu → System Settings → Network
    • Choose Wi-Fi
    • Click Advanced
    • MAC address is listed as MAC Address

  • iPhone/iPad:

    • Go to Settings → General → About
    • Look for Wi-Fi Address (that’s your MAC address)

  • Android:

    • Go to Settings → About Phone → Status
    • Look for Wi-Fi MAC Address
    • (Location varies by Android version/manufacturer)

Alternative method for Windows/Mac:

  • Mac:
    • Open Terminal, type ifconfig en0 | grep ether
  • Windows:
    • Press Windows key + R, type cmd, press Enter
    • Type ipconfig /all and press Enter
    • Look for Physical Address under your network adapter

IoT Devices

For IoT devices, the MAC address is typically found on a physical label or in the device settings:

  • Smart Home Hubs (Amazon Echo, Google Home):

    • Check the bottom or back of the device for a label with MAC address
    • Or go to the companion app → Device Settings → About → MAC Address

  • Smart TVs:

    • Go to Settings → Network → Network Status or About
    • Look for MAC Address or Physical Address
    • Also commonly printed on a label on the back of the TV

  • Smart Thermostats (Nest, Ecobee):

    • Go to device Settings → Technical Info or About
    • MAC address often labeled as Wi-Fi MAC or Network Address
    • Also printed on the back plate or installation manual

  • Security Cameras:

    • Check the bottom or back of the camera for a physical label
    • Or access via companion app → Device Settings → Device Info
    • May also be in the camera’s web interface under network settings

  • Smart Plugs/Switches:

    • Usually printed on a label on the device itself
    • Check companion app → Device Settings → Device Information

  • Router-connected Devices:

    • Log into your router’s admin interface (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
    • Go to Connected Devices or DHCP Client List
    • All connected devices and their MAC addresses will be listed
Tip
The MAC address is a 12-character code with letters and numbers, usually shown with colons or dashes (like 00:1B:44:11:3A:B7). Note: Modern devices often use “randomized MAC addresses” for privacy, so you might see different addresses for different networks. Look for the “hardware” or “physical” address for the actual device MAC.