Disable Private Wi-Fi in macOS Sequoia

Overview

Unless you are having difficulty connecting to or staying connected to a Wi-Fi network, Private Wi-Fi Address should not be disabled permanently and should only be used for troubleshooting purposes.

Beginning with macOS Sequoia, Apple included MAC address randomization, called Private Wi-Fi Address, to provide users with additional privacy and anti-tracking measures. Occasionally, this can cause issues when connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The steps below outline how to disable Private Wi-Fi Address on a Wi-Fi network.

Instructions

  1. Click the Apple Menu in the upper-left corner
  2. Select System Settings

    Image of the Apple menu with System Settings highlighted

  3. Click Wi-Fi

    Image of System Settings window with the Wi-Fi option zoomed in

  4. Click Details... beside the network in which you'd like to disable Private Wi-Fi

    • Note: You can also click the three dots beside the network and select Network Settings... to get to a similar menu, if you aren't currently connected to the network in which you'd like to disable Private Wi-Fi

    Image of Wi-Fi Settings window with the Details button zoomed in

  5. Click the dropdown menu beside Private Wi-Fi Address

    Image of urwin network details window

  6. Select Off

    Image of urwin details window with Private Wi-Fi addess menu open

  7. When prompted, click Turn Off

    Image of confirmation prompt for disabling Private Wi-Fi

  8. Verify Private Wi-Fi Address is set to Off and click OK

    • Note: Disabling Private Wi-Fi Address for a Wi-Fi network does not disable Private Wi-Fi Address globally. Each Wi-Fi network has its own Private Wi-Fi Address.

    Image of urwin details window with Private Wi-Fi set to off

Privacy Warning

Disabling Private Wi-Fi Address will cause macOS to display a warning in System Settings and in the Wi-Fi menu. This is intended behavior and will remain as long as Private Wi-Fi Address is disabled.

Image of Wi-Fi settings windw with a privacy warning outlined
System Settings Warning

Image of the Wi-Fi menu with a privacy warning highlighted
Wi-Fi Menu Warning

 

See Also

Use private Wi-Fi addresses on Apple devices

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