In order to further expand the privacy of users, Apple is making it possible with the upcoming mobile operating system to use regularly changing MAC addresses in WiFi networks. Under iOS 14, iPadOS 14 and Watch 7 On the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Apple Watch, the risk of individual users creating a movement or usage profile in public networks can be contained. Whether WiFi in the city, open network of individual facilities such as cafés and banks or the Internet in the hotel - with the random MAC addresses you can ensure that you are a bit more anonymous in the respective network.
Chapter in this post:
Instructions: Activate private Wi-Fi addresses on iPad, iPod touch and iPhone
Using the random and regularly changing device address on the iPhone, iPod touch or iPad from Apple is not difficult at all. So if you go to a public or somehow foreign WLAN network, you can prevent the possible creation of a movement or usage profile in this way:
- Open the on your device Settings
- Then you type the point WiFi an
- Then tap on the circled “i” next to a network
- Activates the slider at Use private address (may be called differently)
- In case the network without a random MAC address is used, a privacy notice explains why
By the way, the settings will only be applied the next time you access the selected network. If you want them to grab right away, just use that control centerto turn Wi-Fi off and on again. By the way, you should make sure that you do not use the function at home, especially when using certain smart home elements and similar networks. Because fixed MAC addresses can help with the assignment of devices in the network / smart home. A constant change will probably throw the iPhone or iPad out.
Instructions: Activate the private Wi-Fi address on the Apple Watch
On the smartwatch Cupertino It also only takes a few steps to activate the new function. Starting in fall 2020, you will be able to use randomly assigned MAC identifiers on watchOS 7 by taking these precautions:
- Opens the Settings your Apple Watch
- Tap on the network in use or swipe left on an unused network to tap on the three dots
- Then you can use the controller at Private MAC (may be called differently)
What actually is a MAC address?
In this case, the abbreviation MAC has nothing to do with the Apple computer (Mac). Rather, it stands for "Media Access Control" and represents the hardware address of a device in a network. It therefore identifies your device (smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, computer, etc.) in a network, in WLAN or the like. Other names are “physical address” and “device address”. Under Windows you can still find the term “physical address”, while Apple also uses the terms “Ethernet ID” and “Airport ID” in addition to the “Wi-Fi address” already used above. In contrast to this, the IP address is a logical assignment that is device-independent and is used for data exchange on the Internet.
Note: The function shown will only come to your devices with beta versions of the operating systems mentioned or with the official versions that will appear in autumn via update. Now (July 2020) you won't find it on iOS 13, iPadOS 13 and watchOS 6 yet. Further details can be found in the support document HT211227.
Related Articles
After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.
Hello Sir Apfelot,
the private addresses have an unpleasant side effect. I'll copy my post from a Slack for you so I don't have to rewrite:
“In the new iOS version 14, Apple introduces a new security feature: protection of the unchanging MAC addresses of various devices. Basically a great thing, since the creation of a movement profile is restricted based on the MAC address of the iDevice. (In the current beta phase, this setting is permanently enabled.)
However, if this setting is not really constantly checked/changed, this will result, among other things, in the fact that every time you log in to the private, known home WLAN with an activated status, registrations will be constantly generated from a “new” device and countless internal IP addresses will be assigned to lead. (see SC from FRITZ!Box 7490, FW 7.12)
Info:
https://www.macwelt.de/tipps/Apple-gibt-Tipps-zu-WLAN-Nutzung-mit-zufaelligen-MAC-Adressen-ab-iOS-14-10845369.html
https://support.apple.com/de-de/HT211227"
Here are the screenshots:
https://www.magentacloud.de/lnk/5lAqjoTd
https://www.magentacloud.de/lnk/L3AKjOPL
Please check your private router to see how this works for you.
Regards
Ulli
Hello Ulli! Thank you for your hint. I also have a Fritz! Box, but not yet a device with the iOS 14 beta. For this reason I have no practical experience with it. I hope, however, that the feature can also be deactivated. I am curious to see if AVM will come up with something ... maybe they can set up a little software in the router to prevent this constant reassignment.