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How to Change MAC Address in 2025

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There may come a time when you need to change the MAC address of your device’s network adapter. A MAC address (short for Media Access Control address) is a special code that helps identify your computer on a network, kind of like a digital name tag.

So, why would you want to change it?

Changing your MAC address can sometimes help you fix network problems, access websites that are blocked at school or work, or even protect your online privacy. It can also be a fun way to customize your device's appearance on a network.

Where online tracking is common, learning how to change your MAC address is a smart step to stay more private. With the help of a MAC address changer, it’s easier than ever—even for beginners.

What Is a MAC Address?

Every device that connects to the internet has a unique code called a MAC address. Think of it like a digital street address. Just like your home has a number to help people find it, a MAC address helps networks find and talk to your device.

A MAC address is made up of 12 characters, usually shown in pairs separated by colons or hyphens. It might look like this: 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E. This special code is built into your device’s network card by the manufacturer and helps direct information to the right place.

When your device connects to a local network like your home Wi-Fi, your MAC address is how the router knows where to send data. It’s one of the behind-the-scenes parts that makes online communication work.

Should I Change My MAC Address?

For most people, the MAC address never needs to change. It works quietly in the background and keeps your connection running smoothly.

But in some cases, knowing how to change your MAC address can be useful. For example:

  • You’re trying to avoid public network restrictions
  • You want to stay more private online
  • You're troubleshooting network issues
  • You just want to use a MAC address changer for testing or fun

Changing your MAC address can help you stay more anonymous on public Wi-Fi, get around filters at school or work, or test how different networks react to new devices.

Still, it’s not something you’ll need to do every day. But if you ever need it, it’s good to know how.

How Can a MAC Address Affect Your Privacy and Security?

Most people don’t realize it, but your MAC address can say a lot about you—and not always in a good way. When your device's Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is turned on, it sends out signals that include this unique ID. While it's meant to help you connect to networks, it can also be used to track your activity.

1. Public Visibility

Whenever your Wi-Fi is on, your MAC address can be seen by nearby devices and scanners. Unlike your password or name, a MAC address can be picked up quickly using simple tools. That means strangers, businesses, or even hackers could detect your device—without you knowing it.

2. Tracking and Profiling

Some stores, public places, and even government agencies use sensors to collect MAC address data. They can:

  • Track how long you stay in a location
  • See which areas you visit
  • Count how often you return

While businesses use this for marketing and improving services, it also raises serious privacy concerns.

3. Privacy Issues

If someone collects your MAC address, they might be able to follow your movements over time. That’s a lot of personal data—like where you shop, study, or hang out—shared without your permission.

4. Potential Misuse

Even if MAC address tracking is used for helpful reasons, it can still be misused. Information about your daily habits, routines, and location could be shared, sold, or stolen. That’s why more people are learning how to change their MAC address or use a MAC address changer to protect themselves.

Why This Matters?

If you care about online privacy and want more control over your digital life, understanding how your MAC address works is a big step. Knowing how to change MAC address gives you the power to stay safer on public networks and avoid unwanted tracking.

How to Change MAC Address on Different Devices

Whether you're using Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS, there are different ways to change your MAC address. In some cases, you can do it manually. In others, you may need a tool or app known as a MAC address changer. Here's how to get it done on the most common devices:

1. How to Change MAC Address on Windows 10

Changing your MAC address in Windows 10 is pretty straightforward. Here’s how:

Manual Method (via Network Settings)

  1. Open Control Panel: Press the Windows key, type "Control Panel", and open it.
  2. Go to Network Connections: Use the search bar to type “Network Connections” and click “View network connections.”
  3. Find Your Network Adapter: Right-click your active adapter (ignore the one with a red X) and choose Properties → click Configure → go to the Advanced tab.
  4. Edit the MAC Address:
  • Select Network Address or Locally Administered Address.
  • Type your new 12-character MAC address (no colons or hyphens), e.g., A1B2C3D4E5F

Click OK.

5. Restart Your Computer: Reboot to apply the changes.

6. Verify the Change: Open Command Prompt, type ipconfig /all, and check the "Physical Address."

Optional:  Using the Registry Editor (Advanced)

If you’re comfortable digging a little deeper into your computer’s system settings, you can also change your MAC address manually through the Windows Registry Editor. This method is more advanced, but it gives you full control.

⚠️ Important: Be careful when editing the registry. Making the wrong changes can affect your system.

Open the Registry Editor

  • Press the Windows key, type Regedit, and press Enter.
  • If prompted, allow it to run with administrator permissions.

Navigate to Network Adapter Settings

  • In the Registry Editor, follow this folder path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\
  • Look for the folder named:
{4d36e972-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
  • This folder contains all network adapters.

Find the Right Network Adapter

  • Inside the folder, you’ll see subfolders like 0000, 0001, 0002, etc.
  • Click each one and look at the DriverDesc on the right. When you find the one that matches your network adapter, that's the correct folder.

Create or Modify the MAC Address

  • Right-click in the right pane of the correct folder.
  • Choose New > String Value.
  • Name the new value exactly: NetworkAddress
  • Double-click it, and in the “Value data” field, enter your new MAC address using 12 characters (no colons or hyphens). For example:
A1B2C3D4E5F6

Reboot and verify the Change

  • Restart your computer to apply the new MAC address.
  • After rebooting, open Command Prompt (type CMD in Start) and run:
ipconfig /all
  • Check your Physical Address to make sure it matches your new MAC.

When to Use This Method?

  • This method is helpful if:
  • The standard method through network adapter settings doesn’t work
  • You're using a mac address changer that edits the registry in the background, and you want to understand how it works
  • You want a permanent MAC address change across reboots

2. How to Change MAC Address on Windows 11

Windows 11 doesn’t let you set a custom MAC directly, but it lets you randomize it for extra privacy on public networks.

Steps:

  • Go to Settings → Network & Internet
  • Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on your connection type.
  • Click on your network.
  • Enable Random Hardware Addresses
  • Choose either “On” or “Change daily.”

This won't let you choose a custom MAC, but it will hide your real address from trackers.

3. How to Change MAC Address on macOS

On Mac, you can use Terminal or third-party tools.

1. Find Your Current MAC Address

  • Hold Option and click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar.
  • Look for the line labeled “Address” — that’s your MAC.

2. Use Terminal to Change It

Open Terminal and type:

sudo ifconfig en0 ether aa:bb:cc:dd:ee:ff
  • Replace aa:bb:cc:dd:ee:ff with your new MAC.
  • Use en0 or en1, depending on your device.

3. To Generate a Random MAC:

openssl rand -hex 6 | sed 's/\(..\)/\1:/g; s/:$//' | xargs sudo ifconfig en0 ether
This helps protect your privacy, especially on public Wi-Fi

4. How to Change MAC Address on Android

Changing your MAC address on Android often requires root access and a MAC address changer app.

⚠️ Important: Rooting your device can void your warranty and increase security risks.

Steps:

  1. Root Your Android Device (use a trusted method for your device model).
  2. Install a MAC Address Changer AppPopular apps: BusyBox, ChameleMAC, Mac Address Ghost.
  3. Open the App & Enter New MACManually enter or generate a new address (e.g., 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E).
  4. Apply Change
  5. Restart Your Device to activate the new MAC address.

5. How to Change MAC Address on iOS (iPhone/iPad)

You can’t manually set a MAC address on iOS—but Apple helps protect your privacy by randomizing it for you.

Use Private Wi-Fi Address:

  1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi
  2. Tap the “i” next to your connected network.
  3. Toggle Private Wi-Fi Address to ON.

When enabled, your iPhone uses a random MAC address for that network. You can manage this per network, for example, keep it off at home but on for public hotspots.

💡 Bonus Tip: Use a MAC Address Changer Tool

If you prefer a simpler solution, try a MAC address changer tool. These apps let you change your address with one click, no digging through settings.

Popular options:

  • Technitium MAC Address Changer (Windows)
  • SMAC MAC Address Changer
  • MacDaddyX (macOS)
  • ChameleMAC (Android, rooted)

6, How to Change MAC Address on Ubuntu and Debian

On Ubuntu or Debian-based systems, the easiest way to change your MAC address is with a tool called macchanger.

Steps:

  1. Install Macchanger:
sudo apt-get install macchanger
  1. During setup, you’ll be asked if you want to automatically change your MAC address whenever your network interface is turned on or off. Choose Yes for easy automatic spoofing.

That’s it! Your system will now use a new MAC address each time you reconnect to a network.

7. How to Change MAC Address on Fedora

Fedora users can also use macchanger for fast MAC address spoofing.

Steps:

  1. Install Macchanger:
sudo dnf install macchanger
  1. Find your active network interface:
ip link | grep "state UP"
  1. Turn off the interface (replace XYZ with your device name):
sudo ip link set dev XYZ down
  1. Set a random MAC address:
sudo macchanger -r XYZ
  1. Turn the interface back on:
sudo ip link set dev XYZ up

With this method, you can manually control when and how your MAC address changes, using a trusted mac address changer tool.

How to Easily Change My MAC Address Using DICloak?

If you're concerned about online privacy, you might think the best way to protect yourself is to change your MAC address. While that can be helpful on local networks, like public Wi-Fi, it doesn’t prevent websites from tracking you online. That’s because your MAC address is not usually visible to websites. Routers and network infrastructure hide it by default, meaning most sites never receive it.

Instead, websites and online services use more advanced tracking techniques. They rely on something called browser fingerprinting, which includes details like your WebRTC settings, installed fonts, screen resolution, operating system, and other device-specific information. These small pieces of data create a unique “fingerprint” that helps websites identify and follow you, even if you change your IP address or clear cookies.

This is where DICloak comes in. Instead of focusing only on MAC address spoofing, DICloak helps solve the deeper problem: it hides your entire digital identity. It’s a smarter, more modern way to protect yourself online.

What Is DICloak Antidetect Browser?

DICloak Antidetect Browser is designed to give you complete anonymity online. Unlike regular browsers, it doesn’t just block trackers or cookies—it lets you browse using separate, customized browser profiles that each look like a completely different device. Each profile includes a clean browser fingerprint, a new IP address (through built-in proxy support), and even a spoofed MAC address if needed.

This setup is ideal for anyone who wants true privacy online. Whether you’re protecting personal data, managing multiple accounts, or just trying to avoid aggressive tracking, DICloak makes it possible. Even on websites that use advanced tracking, like social media platforms or crypto exchanges, DICloak helps you stay completely untraceable.

FeatureMAC Address ChangerDICloak
Spoofs MAC address✅ Yes✅ Yes
Hides browser fingerprint❌ No✅ Yes
Blocks WebRTC leaks❌ No✅ Yes
Uses multiple IPs❌ No✅ Yes
Offers complete anonymity⚠️ Limited✅ Full
Works across all websites⚠️ Limited✅ Yes

Unlike VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), which work by encrypting your real data and can sometimes raise red flags on certain websites, DICloak takes a more advanced and subtle approach. Instead of just hiding your information, it gives you a completely new device fingerprint, a fresh MAC address, and a clean IP address. This makes it look like you’re using a totally different device altogether, without triggering suspicion.

How DICloak Is Used for Marketing Businesses

For teams and marketers who need to manage multiple online accounts safely, tools like DICloak make it possible to work securely and without restrictions, especially on platforms that are known to block or track accounts using advanced device fingerprinting.

If your business relies on anonymous browsing to avoid website blocks, ad platform restrictions, or automated tracking systems, DICloak offers a reliable solution. It gives you access to clean browser profiles with unique fingerprints, IP addresses, and spoofed MAC addresses, so your team can browse and work without being flagged.

DICloak is especially helpful for marketing teams that use tools like ChatGPT Plus, Canva Pro, CapCut Pro, and other AI platforms that often limit account usage. With DICloak, your team can securely share accounts, avoid login bans, and stay protected from identity-based cyber threats or MAC address leaks.

DICloak offers a forever-free plan with essential privacy features. For businesses needing more power or team access, upgrading to a paid plan unlocks advanced tools for stronger protection and flexibility!

MAC address FAQs

Can you change your MAC address?

To make changes to your MAC address, you'll need to use the Terminal application: Open Finder, then go to Applications, Utilities and Terminal. In the Terminal window, you'll type the necessary commands to change your MAC address.

How to change MAC address in Windows 10?

Right-click on the “Ethernet adapter” and select “Properties”. In the same window, click the “Configure” button. In a new window, go to the “Additional tab”. Select “Network address” from the list, check the box next to the field, and enter the desired MAC address.

Is changing your MAC address safe?

By spoofing a MAC address, an attacker can gain unauthorized access to a restricted network, bypassing these controls.

Is there a way to reset a MAC address?

To restore your original MAC address, simply reboot your Mac. It also means there's no way to permanently change the MAC address on a Mac.

Can a MAC address be modified?

Although physical MAC addresses are permanent by design, several mechanisms allow modification, or “spoofing”, of the MAC address that is reported by the operating system. This can be useful for privacy reasons, for instance when connecting to a Wi-Fi hotspot, or to ensure interoperability.

What happens if MAC address is changed?

Changing the assigned MAC address may allow the user to bypass access control lists on servers or routers, either hiding a computer on a network or allowing it to impersonate another network device.

Can a MAC address be permanently changed?

Generally, a MAC address is permanent and doesn't change.

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