Get a Private Wi-Fi Address
When you connect to a Wi-Fi network with your iPhone, your mobile device must share its unique Media Access Control (MAC) address with the network. This number identifies your phone on the network and is logged by every network to which you connect. Every network stores this information, potentially allowing network operators and those scanning network traffic to track you as you move from Wi-Fi network to Wi-Fi network.
To protect your privacy, Apple introduced a feature called Private Wi-Fi address. This option helps conceal your identity by assigning your iPhone or iPad a different MAC address for each network that you connect to. So the MAC address your phone gives to the Starbucks network is different from the one you use at the local library.
- You can turn on this Private address feature by going to the Settings app and selecting Wi-Fi.
- Then select the “i” button next to your Wi-Fi network and ensure the toggle for Private Address is turned on (green).
- Repeat this process for every public Wi-Fi network that you use.