How To Get MAC Addresses In Different Operating Systems

Locating the MAC (Media Access Control) address in different operating systems is a fundamental skill for network setup and troubleshooting. A MAC address is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces, allowing devices to connect and communicate over a network. This guide will walk you through finding MAC addresses in various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS.

Steps To Get Your Mac Address In Different OSes

Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Chromebook each have their own commands or settings paths to find the MAC address. It’s rare that you would need a MAC Address to connect a laptop or PC to a network, but instructions are provided here just in case.

Windows 11

Method 1: Using Command Prompt

1. Open Start.
2. Search for “cmd” and open the Command Prompt app.
3. Type the following command and press Enter:

ipconfig /all

4. Look for the Physical Address entry for your network adapter. This is the MAC address of your device.

Method 2: Using Settings

1. Open Settings.
2. Click Network & Internet.
3. Click Ethernet or Wi-Fi, depending on your connection type.
4. Under Status, click Advanced network settings.
5. Under Hardware and Connection Properties, look for the Physical address entry. This is the MAC address of your device.

Windows 10

Method 1: Using Command Prompt

1. Open the Command Prompt. You can do this by searching for “cmd” in the Start menu or by pressing the Windows key + R, typing “cmd”, and then pressing Enter.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

ipconfig /all

3. A list of all your network adapters will be displayed. Scroll down and find the adapter that is currently connected to the internet.
4. The MAC address of the adapter will be displayed next to the “Physical Address” label.
5. Note down the MAC address or take a screenshot of it.

Method 2: Using Settings

1. Open the Settings app. You can do this by clicking on the Start menu and then clicking on the gear icon.
2. In the Settings app, click on Network & Internet.
3. In the Network & Internet section, click on Status.
4. In the Status section, scroll down and click on Advanced network settings.
5. In the Advanced network settings section, scroll down and find the Hardware and Connection Properties section.
6. The MAC address of the adapter that is currently connected to the internet will be displayed next to the “Physical address” label.
7. Note down the MAC address or take a screenshot of it.

Windows 7, 8

Here are two methods on how to find the MAC address of your Windows 7 or 8 computer:

Method 1:

1. Click on the Start Menu or press the Windows key.
2. Type cmd in the search box and press Enter.
3. A command window will display. Type ipconfig /all and press Enter.
4. A physical address will display for each adapter. The physical address is your device’s MAC address.

Method 2:

1. Locate the UPC label on your computer box or unit. It is usually found on the bottom or back of the box or unit.
2. Look for the string of numbers and letters that starts with “00:”.
3. That will be the MAC address of your Windows 7 or 8 computer.

Mac OS X

To find the MAC address on a Mac OS X device, you can follow these two methods:

Method 1:

1. Click the Apple menu.
2. Select System Preferences.
3. Click Network.
4. Select the network connection that you are using (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
5. Click the Advanced button.
6. Click the Hardware tab.
7. Look for the Physical Address field. This is your Mac OS X device’s MAC address.

Method 2:

1. Open the Terminal application.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

ifconfig geten0 | grep ether | awk '{print $2}'

3. Your Mac OS X device’s MAC address will be displayed in the Terminal window.

Linux

There are two ways to find the MAC address on a Linux computer:

Method 1: Using the ifconfig command

1. Open a terminal window.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

ifconfig

3. A list of all your network interfaces will be displayed. Find the interface that is currently connected to the internet and note down its name.
4. Type the following command and press Enter, replacing interface_name with the name of the interface you noted down in step 3:

ifconfig interface_name | grep HWaddr

5. The MAC address of the interface will be displayed next to the “HWaddr” label.

Method 2: Using the ip addr command

1. Open a terminal window.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

ip addr

3. A list of all your network interfaces will be displayed. Find the interface that is currently connected to the internet and note down its name.
4. Type the following command and press Enter, replacing interface_name with the name of the interface you noted down in step 3:

ip addr show interface_name | grep link/ether

5. The MAC address of the interface will be displayed next to the “link/ether” label.

Chromebook

To find the MAC address of your Chromebook, you can follow these two main methods:

Method 1:

1. Sign in to your Chromebook.
2. At the bottom right, click the time.
3. Select the Wi-Fi network you are connected to.
4. At the top of the box, select Information.
5. You will see your Chromebook’s IP address and IPv6 address. Your MAC address is labeled “Wi-Fi.”

Method 2:

1. Open the Chrome browser on your Chromebook.
2. Type chrome://system in the address bar and press Enter.
3. Scroll down and select Expand next to iconfig.
4. Look in the wlan0 section. The wireless MAC address will be listed next to ether.

Alternative Methods

In Windows

In Windows, you can also find the MAC address through the Network and Sharing Center:

• Open ‘Control Panel’, go to ‘Network and Internet’, then ‘Network and Sharing Center’.
• Click on your connection, and in the ‘Wi-Fi Status’ window, click ‘Details’. The MAC address is listed as ‘Physical Address’.

In macOS

Alternatively, in macOS, you can use the Terminal:

• Open Terminal.
• Type networksetup -listallhardwareports.
• The MAC address will be listed under ‘Ethernet Address’ or ‘Wi-Fi Address’.

Why Knowing Your MAC Address Matters

Knowing your MAC address is important for setting up network filters, diagnosing connectivity issues, and enhancing network security. It’s a crucial piece of information for network administrators and IT professionals.

Security Implications of MAC Addresses

While MAC addresses are essential for network connectivity, they should be kept secure. Avoid sharing them unnecessarily, as they can be used for unauthorized network access or tracking.

Conclusion

By mastering the process of retrieving MAC addresses in various operating systems, you can effectively manage network connections, troubleshoot issues, and enhance your network’s security. This knowledge is indispensable in today’s connected world.

FAQs

Q1: Can a MAC address be changed? A1: MAC addresses are hard-coded by the manufacturer but can be spoofed or changed for privacy or testing purposes.

Q2: Does each network interface have a unique MAC address? A2: Yes, each network interface on a device has its unique MAC address.

Q3: Are MAC addresses the same across all operating systems? A3: The MAC address is tied to the hardware, not the operating system, so it remains the same across different OSes on the same device.

Q4: Can I find the MAC address of a device that’s not connected to a network? A4: Yes, the MAC address can be found regardless of network connectivity, as it’s a hardware attribute.

Q5: Is it possible for two devices to have the same MAC address? A5: In theory, every MAC address should be unique, but there are instances of manufacturer errors leading to duplicates. Additionally, MAC address spoofing can cause two devices to appear with the same MAC address.

Eric Chan

Hi! I’m Eric and I work on the knowledge base at GadgetMates.com.  You can see some of my writings about technology, cellphone repair, and computer repair here.

When I’m not writing about tech I’m playing with my dog or hanging out with my girlfriend.

Shoot me a message at ericchan@gadgetmates.com if you want to see a topic discussed or have a correction on something I’ve written.