Finding Your MAC Address

Owned by Latonya Smiley
Last updated: Dec 01, 2023 by Michael Tierney
5 min read

When connecting to campus wifi, we may require that you provide your MAC address. Find instructions, as well as some first-time-setup guides, for your device below.

Laptops

  • Windows 10 / Windows 11

    • Open the Command Prompt by right-clicking on the Start button (located in the lower-left corner of the screen) and select Command Prompt from the menu. Alternatively, press the Windows Key on your keyboard, type cmd into the Search bar, then press Enter on your keyboard.

    • Enter ipconfig /all into the Command Prompt window and press Enter on your keyboard.

    • The wireless MAC address will be listed under Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi next to Physical Address. The wired MAC address will be listed under Ethernet adapter Ethernet next to Physical Address.

  • Mac

    • Open the Apple menu.

    • Click System Preferences > Network.

    • Select your network connection and click Advanced.

    • You will find the MAC address on the hardware tab.

  • Chrome OS

    • Click the wifi network icon.

    • At the top of the box, click information.

    • You will find the MAC address displayed as the wifi address.

Smartphones & Tablets

  • iPhone & iPad

    • Open the Settings app.

    • Select Wi-Fi > select the network.

    • The wireless MAC address is listed under IPV4 address.

    • Apple MacOS

    • Click the Apple button in the top-left corner of the screen and select System Preferences.

    • Select Network in the System Preferences menu.

    • Select the interface you want to find the MAC address for from the list on the left side of the Network window, then click Advanced.

    • Click the Hardware tab. The MAC address will then be listed.

  • Android

    • The specific instructions for finding the MAC address of an Android device may vary slightly based on the manufacturer. Below are the instructions for default Android 7.1 Nougat (used on Pixel smartphones):

    • Open the Settings app.

    • Select About Phone/Tablet > Status

    • The MAC address will appear under Wi-Fi MAC address.

  • Google Pixel

    • Visit Settings > System > About phone.

    • From About phone, view the Wi-Fi MAC address.

  • Windows Phone

    • On the main Windows phone screen, swipe left and select Settings.

    • In the Settings screen, select About > more info.

    • The MAC address will be listed under phone information.

Streaming Devices

  • AppleTV

    • For Wireless MAC address:
      Plug in your Apple TV and follow the set up until you reach the step to connect to a network.
      Select a wireless network and attempt to connect. This will fail, which is normal.
      The wireless MAC address should now be displayed on the Apple TV’s screen.

    • For Wired MAC address:
      Connect your Apple TV to an Ethernet port.
      On the Apple TV, navigate to Settings > General > Network. Record the MAC address listed.

  • Amazon Fire TV

    • Plug in your Amazon Fire TV stick into your TV

    • If this is the first time using this Fire TV device, the wireless MAC address will appear in the list of wireless networks during setup at the far-right of the list.

    • If this Fire TV stick has been used in the past, navigate to Settings > System > About > Network and the wireless MAC address will be listed at this screen.

  • Roku

    • From the Roku home screen, select Settings > Player Info.

    • The wired MAC address is listed next to Ethernet MAC address.

    • The wireless MAC address is listed next to Wireless MAC address.

  • Chromecast

    • Visit Settings on your Chromecast app.

    • The MAC address will be listed at the bottom of the window.

  • Smart TV

    • Each smart tv is unique; however most MAC addresses are visible in the Settings Menu in the Network or About sections.

    • Alternatively, check with the manufacturer of your smart tv for instructions on how to obtain the MAC address for your specific model.

  • NVIDIA Shield

    • Select Settings

    • Select Device

    • Select Network

    • Select Status info

Gaming Devices

  • Nintendo Switch

    • From the Switch’s Home menu, go to System Settings

    • Scroll down and select Internet.

    • The MAC address will appear under System MAC Address.

  • Nintendo Wii U

    • From the Wii U main menu, select System Settings.

    • Select Internet > View MAC Address. The wired/wireless MAC address will be listed.

  • Nintendo Wii

    • Select Wii Settings.

    • Select Internet > Console Information.

    • The wireless MAC address is listed under MAC Address. The wired MAC address is listed under LAN Adapter MAC Address.

  • Nintendo 3DS

    • From the 3DS’s main menu, go to System Settings > Internet Settings > Other Information.

    • Select Confirm MAC Address. The wireless MAC address will appear.

  • NVIDIA Shield

    • Select Settings > Device > Network > Status Info

    • The MAC address will be listed on the Status Info screen.

  • Xbox One

    • If you are setting up your Xbox One for the first time:

    • Complete the initial setup until you reach the network connection step.

    • Attempt to connect to Device-Northwestern. This will fail, which is normal.

    • Select Fix it.

    • Wait for the troubleshooter to fail.

    • The MAC addresses will now be listed. Use Wired MAC for Ethernet connections and Wireless MAC for Wi-Fi connections.

    • If you have previously set up your Xbox One:

    • From the Xbox One home screen, select Settings.

    • Under the Console tab, select Network.

    • Select Advanced Settings. The wired and wireless MAC addresses will be displayed

  • Xbox 360

    • From the Xbox 360 main menu, go to My Xbox > System Settings > Network Settings > Configure Network

    • Select the Additional Settings tab and then select Alternate Mac Address.

    • The wired and wireless MAC addresses will be listed at the bottom of this screen.

  • Xbox

    • Power on the Xbox with no disc in the tray.

    • Visit the Xbox Dashboard.

    • Choose Xbox Live.

    • Visit the Connect Status screen.

    • Select Settings.

    • From the Network Settings screen, you will see the MAC address in the bottom right corner.

  • PlayStation Vita

    • Open the Settings and tap Start

    • Tap System

    • Tap System Information

    • The MAC is on this screen

    • Status List.

    • You can find the MAC address listed under MAC Address.

  • PlayStation 4

    • On the PlayStation 4 main menu, go to Settings > System > System Information.

    • The wired address will appear next to MAC Address (LAN Cable). The wireless MAC address will appear next to MAC Address (Wi-Fi).

  • PlayStation 3

    • From the PlayStation 3 main menu, select Settings > System Settings > System Information.

    • The wireless and wired MAC address will be listed on the screen.

Other Devices

  • Amazon Echo

    • Download the Amazon Alexa app to your phone or computer and sign in with your Amazon account.

    • Connect to the wireless network transmitted by your Echo device.

    • The wireless MAC address for your Echo can be found at the bottom of the Echo Setup screen in the Alexa app.

  • Google Home

    • Plug in your Google Home.

    • Download and open the Google Home app on your phone.

    • You should see your Google Home listed. Select it then press Set Up.

    • Accept the prompt allowing your phone to connect to your Google Home.

    • Answer the set up questions listed.

    • Enter the location of your Google Home and select Continue.

    • The wireless MAC address will be listed at the bottom right corner of the screen.