Disable Private Wi-Fi Address for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch

Summary

Steps to disable private Wi-Fi MAC address for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Required to connect to UND Wi-Fi networks.

Body

To communicate with a Wi-Fi network, a device must identify itself to the network using a unique network address called a Media Access Control (MAC) address. If the device always uses the same Wi-Fi MAC address across all networks, network operators and other network observers can more easily relate that address to the device's network activity and location over time. This allows a kind of user tracking or profiling, and it applies to all devices on all Wi-Fi networks.

To connect to Wi-Fi at UND, users must disable this option. This is only required for UND networks.

iPhone & iPad

  1. Open the Settings app, then tap Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap the More Info button next to a network.
  3. Tap to turn Private Wi-Fi Address off or on. If your device joined the network without using a private address, a privacy warning explains why.

Apple Watch

  1. Open the Settings app, then tap Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap the name of the network you joined. If you haven't joined the network yet, swipe left on its name and tap the More button .
  3. Tap to turn Private Address off or on.

 

Details

Details

Article ID: 152162
Created
Fri 7/19/24 12:36 PM
Modified
Fri 7/19/24 12:36 PM