Network and connectivity
Private Wi-Fi Address
Most people call this using a made up hardware address on each network.
Your iPhone presents a different, randomly generated hardware address to each Wi-Fi network, so networks cannot recognise you across locations.
This setting is present on your iPhone.
- We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.
Where to find it - iOS 15 and later
- Settings
- Wi-Fi
- Network name
- Private Wi-Fi Address
What it does
Every Wi-Fi device has a MAC address, which is normally fixed and unique. Shops, airports and chains have used it to follow a device between venues. With this on, each network sees a different address, and newer releases can rotate it periodically even on the same network.
What changes
When it is on
Each network sees a unique, made up address for your iPhone.
When it is off
Every network sees the same permanent address, and they can match you across visits.
Should you turn it on?
Good reasons to turn it on
- Networks cannot recognise your device between visits or venues.
- It is on by default and almost never causes a problem.
Good reasons to turn it off
- A network that filters by hardware address, such as some offices or schools, will reject you.
- Parental controls keyed to a device address stop working.
Battery
No real change
Privacy
Helps
Performance
No real change
Cellular data
No real change
Storage
No real change
Out of the box: On for each new network you join.
What your iPhone needs
- Needs iOS 14 or later
Questions people actually ask
- Should Private Wi-Fi Address be on?
- Yes in almost every case. Turn it off only for a specific network that filters by hardware address.
If it is not working
- If a specific network keeps rejecting you, turn it off for that network only rather than globally.
- Tap the information button next to the network name in Wi-Fi settings to reach the switch.