networksetup -getmacaddress Wi-FiPrint the Wi-Fi hardware (burned-in) MAC address.
When to use it
You need the MAC address to reserve an IP for your Mac on the router, to allow it through MAC filtering, or when IT asks for it. On Wi-Fi, give them the address the network actually sees, which since macOS 15 is often a private one.
Steps
In System Settings
System Settings › Network › Wi-Fi › Details next to your network. The Wi-Fi address shown there is the one this network sees. For Ethernet, choose the adapter › Details › Hardware › MAC Address.Hardware address in Terminal
This is the address built into the Wi-Fi chip. It doesn't change.networksetup -getmacaddress Wi-FiAddress in use right now
ifconfig shows what en0 uses at this moment. If it differs from the hardware address, Private Wi-Fi Address is on.ifconfig en0 | grep etherControl the private address
In the network's Details, set Private Wi-Fi address to Fixed (one address per network), Rotating (changes over time) or Off (uses the hardware address).
Output explained
On the same Mac:
$ networksetup -getmacaddress Wi-Fi
Ethernet Address: bc:d0:74:69:53:ec (Hardware Port: Wi-Fi)
$ ifconfig en0 | grep ether
ether a6:c7:2b:7c:db:e4
The first is the hardware address; its first half (bc:d0:74) is a vendor prefix registered to Apple. The second is the private address for the current network: its second hex digit (6) marks it as locally administered, so it maps to no vendor.
Options and variations
| Flag | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| networksetup -getmacaddress SERVICE | Hardware MAC of a network service | networksetup -getmacaddress Wi-Fi |
| networksetup -listallhardwareports | Every port, device name and hardware address | networksetup -listallhardwareports |
| ifconfig IF | grep ether | Address currently in use | ifconfig en0 | grep ether |
Common errors
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Router shows a different MAC than System Settings' hardware tab | Private Wi-Fi Address is on | Use the Wi-Fi address in the network's Details, or set Private Wi-Fi address to Off. |
| MAC filtering locks the Mac out | Rotating private address changed | Use Fixed for that network, and add that address to the router. |
Do it in the app
LightAtom's connections view lists devices on your local network your Mac talks to.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the MAC address on my MacBook?
System Settings › Network › Wi-Fi › Details shows the Wi-Fi address this network sees. In Terminal, networksetup -getmacaddress Wi-Fi prints the hardware address.
What is a private Wi-Fi address on a Mac?
A random MAC address your Mac uses for a specific network instead of its hardware address, to stop tracking across networks. macOS 15 added it to the Mac; it was already on iPhone and iPad.
Can I change my Mac's MAC address?
Private Wi-Fi Address does it safely per network. Manually changing it with ifconfig needs the Wi-Fi disassociated and resets at restart, so the built-in setting is the better choice.