WWDC 2020 – How to Enable Private MAC Address on iOS 14?.
The MAC address, short for Media Access Control, is a unique identifier assigned to a machine’s network interface. Every smartphone, every computer, or nearly every device that connects to the Internet has a unique MAC address, often hard-coded into the device’s network card, and therefore remains constant. However, there are apps and software that help hide your MAC address.
One little-known feature in iOS 14 is the ability to hide your iPhone’s real MAC address. This is useful when you are connected to an insecure public Wi-Fi network, such as a shopping mall or airport, and do not want the advertiser to track your movements and purchases.
Why change MAC address
Just like an online store can track a user’s online activity with trackers, cookies and tracking pixels. Physical malls offering free Wi-Fi can also track your store location by tracking your phone’s signal strength. This helps the store build a better profile of you by analyzing customer interactions, length of visit, frequency of visits, and how much of the store users spend most of their time.
Fortunately, if you have an iPhone running iOS 14, you can easily mask your MAC address. Here’s how.
Activate your MAC address
You must have the latest version of iOS 14 for this feature to work on your iPhone, and you can follow this guide to get it done. Once you have the software running, open the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi.
Click the info button next to the connected Wi-Fi and scroll down to find “Use a private address”. Flip the switch and that’s it. Now your iPhone will create a fake MAC address and provide it to your router.
This was a quick way to enable private MAC address on your iPhone. What do you think of this method, let me know in the comments below or write me on Twitter?