

Make sure your Android 10 device is using this feature for every wireless network you connect to, so you can enjoy an added layer of security. Thankfully, the developers opted to make the randomized MAC address feature the default for wireless connections.

A must-useįor anyone who is serious about mobile security, this feature is a must-use. If this isn’t the case, setting the option is but a tap away. The randomized MAC address assignment should be set as the default for all wireless connections.
#Android mac address samsung galaxy how to
Once you connect to a wireless network, here’s how to make sure the device is using a random MAC address (instead of the device MAC address). The randomized MAC address option is configured for each wireless connection, so there is no way to configure this globally. That is not just a privacy issue, but could lead to a security problem. Each time your MAC address is associated with a network, it could be tracked, thereby giving away your movement throughout a city. Say, you move around from wireless network to wireless network. If someone were to discover the MAC address associated with your mobile device, they could easily keep tabs on you. This address can be used to track a device on Wi-Fi networks. On the off-chance you want to ensure your Android 10 device is making use of randomized MAC addresses, let me show you how.įor those that might not know, a MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique identifier, assigned to a device’s network interface controller. In fact, the feature should be set as the default option for all wireless connections. Go to network settings, tap the gear cog next to the wifi network in question, tap advanced, and see if the randomization setting is there. SEE: VPN usage policy (TechRepublic Premium)īut how do you randomize your MAC address? Thanks to Android 10, it’s actually quite simple. Thank is exactly the problem - the device’s MAC address changes after every restart but no setting can be found the disable this or a setting to ensure that the MAC stays the same. By doing this, your device’s security and privacy increases. That’s it Exit Settings, and you’re done. If your device is different than both of these, look for a similar option that says MAC and enable it. If you use a Samsung device, tap MAC address type and choose Phone MAC. What can a Randomized MAC address do? To put it simply, MAC address randomization can prevent a listener from using a device’s MAC address to build a history of activity. On OnePlus and Pixel phones, select Use device MAC. Said new feature is Randomized MAC addresses. Mobile malware is on the rise: Know how to protect yourself from a virus or stolen dataĦ easy tips for cleaning up your inbox (TechRepublic Premium) With this release, there’s an interesting feature that might please a number of users (especially those serious about the security of their mobile devices). Such is the case with Android 10 (previously known as Android Q). With each iteration of Android, security improves.

Security has become a top priority for mobile users, especially for those who use their devices for business purposes. How to enable a randomized MAC address in Android 10ĭon't let your Android's MAC address give away your location-use a Randomized MAC address instead.
