The networking equipment in each computing device has a unique string of letters and numbers known as its “Media Access Control (MAC) address.” Similar to how you have a unique phone number where other humans (and some robots) can contact you, a MAC address enables a device to uniquely identify itself on a computer network.

iOS 14 added a setting that masks the MAC address of a device with a randomized sequence, making it more difficult to identify the device. However, this setting, which is enabled by default on each network you join, can cause a variety of problems on private or managed networks.

Stay Private on Publics

On public wireless networks, like those in many cafés, hotel lobbies, and airports, this feature is a valuable way to privatize your presence. Unlike a VPN, it doesn’t make your intentional Internet traffic any more secure or private. However, there is a concern that in public settings, as you pass by various wireless networks, it might be possible to track your movement through the space.

Therefore, when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, especially those unsecured as pictured above, I recommend leaving this setting enabled.

Be Public on Privates

No, no one’s suggesting you expose yourself that way. Anyway … on your private home or office Wi-Fi network, or on any network designed to manage device connections with great intention, the Private Address setting can cause problems.

For example, a device connecting to a wireless mesh network might identify itself differently to each node, be treated as a different device, and be assigned a different address. On a crowded network, this could even cause congestion and connection denial if all available network addresses are used up.

Therefore, when connecting to a trusted private Wi-Fi network, I recommend disabling this setting. You’ll see this result in a “Privacy Warning” describing the value of this feature from Apple’s perspective.

Set Your Preference

On each network to which you connect each iPhone or iPad running iOS 14 or later, or Apple Watch running watchOS 7 or later, you can enable or disable Private Address.

Go to Settings > Wi-Fi:

  • On iPhone or iPad, tap the network to which you’re already connected or tap the ⓘ next to any network.
  • On Apple Watch, tap the network to which you’re already connected or swipe left on any network and tap the ⋯.

In each case, set Private Address or Private MACas desired.

For more on this topic, read this article at Advanced Systems Solutions and review this how-to guide from The Mac Observer.