In iOS 14, Apple introduced a new feature that makes it harder for iPhones to be traced by Wi-Fi networks. The feature uses MAC randomization to change your hardware (MAC) address every 24 hours so that it can’t be tracked.
Although this can be helpful to keep your device secure, it can also cause some issues when joining wireless networks that use MAC address filtering and approval. In these cases, you can turn off the private wifi address on your iphone to work around it.
1. Go to Settings
The Settings app is your go-to resource for everything from adjusting your passcode to changing the volume of your iPhone’s music player. It also controls how your device shares data with apps and other devices.
When you connect to a wireless network, such as those provided by your local WiFi provider, your phone generates a MAC (Media Access Control) address. This is a hard-coded set of twelve hexadecimal characters that lets network operators distinguish your device from others on the same network.
While MAC addresses are a great way for networks to identify your device, they can pose a privacy risk when used regularly. That’s why Apple introduced a privacy feature in iOS 14 that masks your MAC address using a randomized string of hexadecimals.
If you are concerned about your privacy while connected to public WiFi hotspots, this new privacy feature is a must-have. Not only does it protect you from being tracked by network operators, but it also prevents them from profiling you for targeted advertising or personalized search results.
One of the best things about this privacy feature is that it’s enabled by default on all devices running iOS 14 or later. It’s also incredibly easy to enable and disable.
To make it even easier to manage this setting, Apple gives you the option to enable or disable private Wi-Fi addresses on a per-network basis. That means you can use it on your work or school wifi while keeping it disabled for the ones you frequent at home, for example.
2. Go to Wi-Fi
If you’re having trouble connecting to a WiFi network on your iPhone, disabling the private address option might help. This is a new feature in iOS 14 and iPadOS 14.
Apple introduced private Wi-Fi addresses in software updates as a way to limit online tracking by allowing different MAC (Macintosh address) addresses for each network with which your device connects. While this might be a good thing for many people, it’s not ideal in certain situations like when someone is using MAC address filtering on a public Wi-Fi network or your home WiFi network at work or school.
This can also lead to tracking of your movements and activity over time as you connect to different public networks, like coffee shops or airports, which may be an issue for people who travel.
Thankfully, turning off the private address is an easy process and can be done on both the iPhone and iPad.
To do this, just go to Settings, then tap Wi-Fi. Once there, tap the i button next to the network you want to turn off the private address for.
In the Private Address field, tap the Disable button and then tap OK to confirm. Depending on the network, you might be prompted to join again before your iPhone or iPad reconnects to it.
If you have a lot of issues with Wi-Fi on your iPhone, it’s worth taking a look at your antennas. Malfunctioning antennas can prevent your iPhone from receiving a signal, making it difficult or even impossible to connect to a Wi-Fi network. If you’re unsure about the condition of your antennas, it’s best to consult a specialist for a diagnosis.
3. Go to the network you want to turn off the private address for
Using a private wifi address on an iPhone can be useful for privacy but it can also cause some problems. This feature can make it harder to connect to certain Wi-Fi networks that use MAC address filtering and approval. It can also confuse DHCP servers, which may cause duplicate IP addresses to be assigned in the DHCP database.
Every device that connects to a wireless network, such as a router or Wi-Fi access point, sends a unique media access control (MAC) address. This identifies the device and is used by the network to authenticate it.
With iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, Apple introduced a privacy feature called Private WiFi Address that uses MAC address randomization to improve your privacy while connecting to Wi-Fi networks. It aims to limit tracking and profiling for targeted advertising, personalized search results, or attacks by third parties on your devices.
The feature is turned on by default, but you can turn it off for any network that doesn’t support it or that uses a different MAC address than the one your device already has. To do this, open the Settings app, tap Wi-Fi, and then tap the information button next to a network.
If you disable the private MAC address, your device will be warned that it will temporarily disconnect from the network and then reconnect with its normal MAC address. This can be helpful if you’re traveling and don’t want to worry about losing your connection to the Wi-Fi network.
However, it’s important to note that each time you disable the private address and then re-enable it, a new MAC address will be used with that network. This is why it’s a good idea to leave it on for any networks that you frequently use, or to turn it off when you don’t need it.
4. Tap on the i button
If you’re one of those people who use lots of public Wi-Fi networks on a regular basis, you might want to know about a new privacy feature that Apple introduced in iOS 14 and iPadOS 14. This feature allows your device to have a different MAC address for each network it connects to.
This is a great way to protect your privacy and prevent 3rd parties from tracking you. However, you can disable this feature in some cases if you find it isn’t necessary for you.
To get started, simply go to Settings on your iPhone and tap on Wi-Fi. If you’re connected to a network, you should see the “Wi-Fi Address” option in the top-right corner. Then, toggle off the “Private Wi-Fi Address” switch and hit continue when asked for confirmation.
Once you’re done, tap “Rejoin.” Your device will reconnect with its normal MAC address. You’ll have to wait 24 hours for the MAC address to regenerate, but this is a nice option that you can always turn on or off in the future.
There’s also another feature in iOS that lets you turn the Apple logo on the back of your device into a secret button called “Back Tap.” This is an Accessibility feature that can be set to double tap or triple tap.
It’s a simple, but effective feature that can make it easier to use your iPhone in a variety of ways. It can help you to easily access Apple Frames, App Switcher, Home, Notification Center, Siri, Screenshot, Ring my wallet, Record, and Camera with just a few taps.
It’s also an excellent way to trigger Shortcuts, which let you run commands in sequence with a single tap of the Back Tap. There’s no limit to the things you can accomplish by using this handy feature.
5. Tap on Disable Private Address
A private WiFi address is a privacy feature that Apple introduced in iOS 14 and iPadOS 14. It allows you to connect to different networks without using the same MAC address for each network. This reduces the possibility of tracking your device over networks and location information.
It also limits the ability of third parties to track your activity over a series of Wi-Fi sessions. It is a great feature for anyone who regularly connects to public hotspots, as it provides a level of anonymity while doing so.
However, this feature should only be used when connecting to a secure network, such as a business or office setting where the network’s admin is aware of it. Otherwise, it can cause connection problems on the network if they do not recognize you as authorized to join their system.
You can disable the private WiFi address on an iPhone or iPad by going to Settings > Wi-Fi and tapping on the i button at the top right of the screen next to the network you’re connected to.
Note that turning this feature off will only temporarily stop it from working, and you will need to reconnect to each network afterward. Disabling this option will wipe all your network-related preferences and settings, so be sure to do it before you plan on using a private Wi-Fi network again.
You should note that turning off the private address will reset all previous personalized device and person level features such as Online protection, Content access controls, Internet freeze, and People at Home. This will also change the original MAC address for any private Wi-Fi networks that you’ve previously joined.