Disable Wi-Fi Private MAC Address on macOS 15 Sequoia

Are you running a home network based on MAC authentication? Or perhaps, you’re experiencing issues with new DHCP requests cluttering your network? Disabling the Wi-Fi Private MAC Address on macOS 15 could be the solution. This guide will take you through the process step-by-step to disable Wi-Fi Private MAC Address

What is a Private MAC Address?

A Media Access Control (MAC) address is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communications on the physical network segment. To enhance privacy, macOS 15 can randomize your device’s MAC address when connecting to Wi-Fi networks. While this feature offers privacy benefits, it can cause issues for networks relying on MAC address-based authentication.

Benefits of Disabling the Wi-Fi Private MAC Address

• If you run a home network based on MAC authentication, the Private MAC Address feature can cause connectivity issues.
• It can raise requests for new DHCP releases, creating unnecessary network traffic.
• Disabling it ensures a more stable connection and network performance.

Common Issues and Concerns

• Connection Stability: Some users may experience sporadic connections or drops.
• Privacy Implications: While disabling the private address feature improves network compatibility, it may reduce your anonymity on public networks.
• Network Security: It is crucial to ensure that your network security measures are robust enough to handle the use of real MAC addresses.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Disable Wi-Fi Private MAC Address

Option 1 – Using System Preferences

Follow these steps to disable the Wi-Fi Private MAC Address on macOS 15

1. Open “System Preferences”:
   • Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences”.

2. Click on “Network”:
   • In the System Preferences window, find and click on “Network” to open the network settings.

3. Select “Wi-Fi”:
   • From the list of available network connections on the left, select “Wi-Fi”.

4. Click on “Advanced”:
   • In the bottom right corner of the Wi-Fi settings window, click on “Advanced” to open additional Wi-Fi settings.

5. Select the “Wi-Fi” tab:
   • In the new window that appears, make sure you are in the “Wi-Fi” tab.

6. Find and Click on “Wi-Fi Address” or “MAC Address”:
   • Locate the option labeled “Wi-Fi Address” or “MAC Address”.

7. Choose “Use Your Real MAC Address”:
   • A drop-down menu will appear. Select the option “Choose Wi-Fi address” and select from the drop – Down list “Off”

8. Reconnect to Your Wi-Fi Network:
   • Close the settings windows and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network to apply the changes.

Option 2 – Use Shell Command

To permanently disable the Private Wi-Fi address feature on macOS using shell commands, you can follow these steps:

Disabling Private Wi-Fi Address

1. Open Terminal on your Mac.
2. Run the following command with administrative privileges:

sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist PrivateMACAddressModeSystemSetting -int 1

This command writes a system-wide setting to disable the Private MAC Address feature.

Command Explanation

1. sudo: This ensures the command runs with administrative privileges.
2. defaults write: This is used to modify system preferences.
3. /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist: This is the file path for the Wi-Fi preferences.
4. PrivateMACAddressModeSystemSetting: This is the specific setting we’re modifying.
5. -int 1: This sets the value to 1, which disables the Private MAC address feature.

Important Notes

This change will not take effect immediately. You’ll need to either forget the Wi-Fi network and reconnect, or restart your computer for the changes to apply.
The setting will apply globally to all existing and new SSIDs on the system, not just for a specific network.
Be aware that disabling this feature may reduce your privacy when connecting to Wi-Fi networks, as it allows network operators to potentially track your device across different networks.

To verify if the change has been applied successfully:

1. After restarting or reconnecting to Wi-Fi, go to your Wi-Fi settings.
2. Click on the information icon next to your connected network.
3. Check if the “Private Wi-Fi Address” option is turned off.

Remember that this change affects system-wide behavior and may have implications for privacy and security. Only disable this feature if you have a specific need to, such as compatibility with certain network configurations or organizational policies.

Option 3 – Configuration Profile Approach

An alternative method to disable Private Wi-Fi addresses involves using a configuration profile, which offers more granular control over specific networks. This approach requires creating a custom Wi-Fi payload within the profile, specifying the SSID, encryption type, and password, and setting the “Disable MAC Address Randomization”

option to true. The profile can then be deployed through an MDM solution like Jamf Pro, allowing administrators to manage the settings for individual networks across multiple devices. This method is particularly useful for organizations that need to maintain MAC address-based network access control while still leveraging the privacy benefits of randomization for other networks

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter issues after disabling the Wi-Fi Private MAC Address, here are some troubleshooting tips:

1. Restart Your Device:
   • Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve connectivity issues.

2. Manually Update Network Settings:
   • Open the terminal and use command-line instructions to reset your network settings.

3. Check Network Security:
   • Ensure your network security settings are correctly configured to support the use of real MAC addresses.

4. Update macOS:
   • Make sure your macOS is up to date with the latest patches and updates.

5. Consult Community Forums:
   • If issues persist, consider seeking help from Apple support forums or other online tech communities.

Conclusion

Disabling the Wi-Fi Private MAC Address on your macOS 15 can enhance your network’s stability and security, especially if you rely on MAC address-based authentication. However, keep in mind the privacy implications and ensure you have robust network security measures in place.

For more such guides and tips, keep following our blog. Got questions or need help? Feel free to reach out in the comments below!

By following this comprehensive guide, you can confidently disable the Private Wi-Fi address on macOS 15, ensuring better network performance and stability.