How to Change Your Mac Address on Windows, Mac, and Linux

What a MAC address is and why you might change it

Your MAC address (Media Access Control address) is a unique identifier assigned to your network card — the hardware that connects your computer to the internet. It looks like six pairs of numbers and letters: 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E. Your router uses this address to recognize your device on the local network, separate from your IP address, which is how the internet finds you.

You might want to change your MAC address to test network equipment, troubleshoot connection problems, or move a device to a different network segment without reconfiguring the router. Some people also change it for privacy reasons on public networks, though this does not hide your activity from your internet provider or websites you visit — it only changes how your device appears to devices on the same local network.

Changing your MAC address is temporary by default: it reverts when you restart your computer or reconnect to the network. Making the change permanent requires editing system files or using third-party software, depending on your operating system.

Key Takeaways

MAC addresses are hardware identifiers your router uses to recognize your device on the local network, separate from your IP address.
On Windows, you change your MAC address through Device Manager by editing the Network Address registry value in your network adapter's properties.
On Mac, you use the Terminal to change your MAC address with the ifconfig command, and the change lasts until you restart.
On Linux, you use the Terminal with ip or ifconfig commands to change your MAC address, depending on your distribution.
Most MAC address changes are temporary and revert when you restart your computer or reconnect to the network.

Changing your MAC address on Windows

On Windows, the easiest method is through Device Manager. Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting it from the menu, or by typing "Device Manager" into the search box. Expand the "Network adapters" section to see your network cards — usually labeled as Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

Right-click the adapter you want to change and select "Properties." Click the "Advanced" tab. In the "Property" list, look for an entry called "Network Address" or "Locally Administered Address." Click it, then select the "Value" field on the right and enter your new MAC address without colons or hyphens — for example, 001A2B3C4D5E. Click OK and restart your computer for the change to take effect permanently.

If you do not see a "Network Address" property, your network adapter driver may not support MAC address changes through Device Manager. In that case, you can use third-party software like TMAC or Technitium MAC Address Changer, which work by modifying the driver settings directly. read the software, run it with administrator privileges, select your network adapter, enter the new MAC address, and explore the change.

Changing your MAC address on Mac

On Mac, you change your MAC address using the Terminal, which requires administrator access. Open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities) and type the following command, replacing en0 with your network interface name if different:

sudo ifconfig en0 lladdr 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E

Press Enter and type your administrator password when prompted. The change takes effect when ready. To verify it worked, type ifconfig en0 and look for the "lladdr" line — it should show your new MAC address.

This change is temporary and reverts when you restart your computer or disconnect from the network. To find your network interface name if you are unsure, type ifconfig in Terminal and look for entries labeled en0, en1, or en2 — these are your Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapters. If you need the change to persist across restarts, you can create a script that runs the command at startup, though this requires editing your system's launch daemon files.

Changing your MAC address on Linux

On Linux, the method depends on your distribution and whether you use systemd or older init systems. The most common approach uses the Terminal with the ip command. First, identify your network interface by typing:

ip link show

This lists all network interfaces — usually named eth0, wlan0, or similar. To change the MAC address temporarily, bring the interface down, change the address, and bring it back up:

sudo ip link set dev eth0 down sudo ip link set dev eth0 address 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E sudo ip link set dev eth0 up

Replace eth0 with your interface name and 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E with your new MAC address. This change lasts until you restart. To make it permanent, edit your network configuration file — usually located at /etc/network/interfaces or in /etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/ depending on your distribution — and add the MAC address setting there, then restart the networking service.

When to call a network professional

If you are changing your MAC address to troubleshoot a network problem and the change does not fix it, a network technician can help you identify whether the issue is with your device, your router, or your internet connection. If you are changing your MAC address to work around a network restriction (such as a MAC filter on a public Wi-Fi network), that is a sign you should ask the network administrator for proper access instead.

If you accidentally changed your MAC address and cannot connect to the network, restart your computer — the change will revert. If you made a permanent change and need to undo it, you can repeat the process with your original MAC address, which is usually printed on a sticker on your network card or listed in your device documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my MAC address hide my identity online?

No. Your MAC address only identifies you to devices on your local network — your router, other computers on the same Wi-Fi, and local printers. Websites and your internet provider see your IP address instead. Changing your MAC address does not affect your IP address or hide your browsing activity.

Can I change my MAC address back to the original?

Yes. If you made a temporary change, restart your computer and it reverts automatically. If you made a permanent change, repeat the process using your original MAC address. Your original MAC address is usually printed on a sticker attached to your network card or listed in your computer's system information.

What happens if I use a MAC address that is already in use on my network?

Your router may become confused about which device is which, and both devices may lose connectivity or experience intermittent connection drops. Avoid using a MAC address that belongs to another device on the same network. If you are testing, use a completely different address or check your router's DHCP client list to see which addresses are already assigned.

Do I need to restart my computer for the MAC address change to work?

For temporary changes on Windows, Mac, and Linux, the change takes effect when ready without a restart. However, restarting your computer will revert the change. If you want the change to survive a restart, you need to make it permanent by editing configuration files or using driver-level tools, which varies by operating system.

Can I change my MAC address on a virtual machine?

Yes. Most virtualization software like VirtualBox, VMware, and Hyper-V allow you to change the MAC address of a virtual network adapter in the machine's settings before you start it. This is one of the most common reasons people change MAC addresses — to test network configurations without affecting their physical hardware.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.