Disable Wi-Fi private MAC address on macOS 15 Sequoia

Are you running a home network based on MAC authentication? Or maybe you’re having issues with new DHCP requests cluttering your network? Disabling Wi-Fi private MAC addresses on macOS 15 may be the solution. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of disabling your Wi-Fi private MAC address

What is a private MAC address?

A media access control (MAC) address is a unique identifier assigned to a network interface for communication on a physical network segment. To enhance privacy, macOS 15 can randomize a device’s MAC address when connected to a Wi-Fi network. While this feature provides privacy benefits, it can cause problems for networks that rely on MAC address-based authentication.

Benefits of disabling Wi-Fi private MAC addresses

• If you run a home network based on MAC authentication, the private MAC address feature may cause connectivity issues.
• It may cause unnecessary network traffic by making requests for a new DHCP version.
• Disabling it ensures a more stable connection and network performance.

Frequently Asked Questions and Concerns

• Connection stability: Some users may experience occasional connectivity or dropouts.
• privacy impact: 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 strong enough to handle the use of real MAC addresses.

Step-by-step instructions for disabling Wi-Fi private MAC addresses

Option 1 – Use System Preferences

Follow these steps to disable Wi-Fi private MAC addresses on macOS 15:

1) Open "System Preferences":

    Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and select "System Preferences".

1. Open System Preferences:
   • Click the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen and select System Preferences.

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

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

4. Click “Advanced”:
   • In the lower right corner of the Wi-Fi settings window, click 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 “Wi-Fi Address” or “MAC Address”:
   • Find the option labeled “Wi-Fi Address” or “MAC Address.”

7. Select “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 “leave”

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

Option 2 – Use Shell Command

Permanently disable private Wi-Fi address functionality macOS using shell commandsyou can follow these steps:

Disable private Wi-Fi addresses

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 that the command is run with administrative rights.
2. Default write: Used to modify system preferences.
3. /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist: This is the file path to the Wi-Fi preferences.
4. PrivateMACAddressMode system setting: This is the specific setting we are modifying.
5. -int 1: This sets the value to 1, disabling the private MAC address feature.

Important tips

This change will not take effect immediately. You need to forget the Wi-Fi network and reconnect, or restart your computer to apply the changes.
This setting will apply globally to all existing and new SSIDs on the system, not just to specific networks.
Please note that disabling this feature may reduce your privacy when connected to a Wi-Fi network because it allows network operators to track your device across different networks.

To verify that the changes were successfully applied:

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

Keep in mind that this change affects system-wide behavior and may have privacy and security implications. Only disable this feature if you have specific needs, such as compatibility with certain network configurations or organizational policies.

Option 3 – Configuration file method

Another way to disable private Wi-Fi addresses is to use profiles, which provide more granular control over specific networks. This method requires creating a custom Wi-Fi payload in the configuration file, specifying the SSID, encryption type and password, and setting the “Disable MAC address randomization”

option is true. The profile can then be deployed through an MDM solution such as Jamf Pro, allowing administrators to manage 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 taking advantage of the privacy benefits of other network randomizations.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you are having issues after disabling the Wi-Fi private MAC address, here are some troubleshooting tips:

1. Restart your device:
   • Sometimes, a simple reboot can resolve connection issues.

2. Manually update network settings:
   • Open a terminal and use command line commands to reset network settings.

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

4. Update macOS:
   • Make sure your macOS has the latest patches and updates installed.

5. Consult the community forum:
   • If the problem persists, consider seeking help from the Apple Support Forums or other online technical communities.

in conclusion

Disabling Wi-Fi private MAC addresses on macOS 15 can increase the stability and security of your network, especially if you rely on MAC address-based authentication. However, keep in mind the privacy implications and ensure you have strong cybersecurity measures in place.

For more such guides and tips, stay tuned to our blog. Have questions or need help? Feel free to contact us in the comments below!

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