How to Find Your Wireless MAC Address

Summary

Instructions for locating MAC addresses used for device registration and connecting personal devices that do not support enterprise security protocols to SJF wireless network.

Body

These instructions are for SJF students, faculty, and staff who need to register a device on the SJF-RegisteredDevices wireless network.

SJF-RegisteredDevices is designed for devices that cannot connect to SJF-WiFi or SJF-Legacy, including some gaming consoles, media streaming devices, smart TVs, and other devices that do not support standard SJF authentication.

If you are connecting a laptop, desktop computer, tablet, or phone, first try connecting to SJF-WiFi, which is the preferred wireless network, and your device will likely connect.

 

What is a MAC address?

A Media Access Control (MAC) address is a unique identifier associated with a device’s network connection. 

At SJF, the wireless MAC address is used to register gaming consoles, streaming devices, smart TVs, and other IoT or headless devices for connection to the SJF-RegisteredDevices wireless network. This network should only be used for devices that cannot connect to SJF-WiFi or SJF-Legacy.

Important: Many devices have more than one MAC address. When registering a device for SJF-RegisteredDevices, use the address labeled Wireless, Wi-Fi, or WLAN. Do not enter an Ethernet, wired, or Bluetooth address.

A MAC address normally consists of 12 letters and numbers separated by colons or hyphens, such as:

A1:B2:C3:D4:E5:F6

Before connecting your device

Before joining SJF-RegisteredDevices:

  1. Locate the device’s wireless MAC address using the appropriate instructions below.
  2. Register the device using the SJF device registration system: selfservice.sjf.edu

Find your wireless MAC address

Nintendo Switch

  1. From the HOME Menu, select System Settings.
  2. Scroll down and select Internet.
  3. The wireless MAC address appears under System MAC Address.

Nintendo 3DS

  1. From the HOME Menu, select System Settings.
  2. Select Internet Settings.
  3. Select Other Information.
  4. Select Confirm MAC Address.
  5. Record the displayed MAC address.

Nintendo Wii U

  1. From the Wii U menu, select System Settings.
  2. Select Internet.
  3. Select View MAC Address.
  4. Record the displayed Wi-Fi MAC address.

PlayStation 5

  1. From the PlayStation home screen, select Settings.
  2. Select System.
  3. Select System Software.
  4. Select Console Information.
  5. Locate MAC Address (Wi-Fi).

Be sure to use the Wi-Fi address, not the LAN cable address.

PlayStation 4

  1. From the PlayStation home screen, select Settings.
  2. Select System.
  3. Select System Information.
  4. Locate MAC Address (Wi-Fi).

Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S

  1. Press the Xbox button on the controller.
  2. Select Profile & system.
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Select General.
  5. Select Network settings.
  6. Select Advanced settings.
  7. Locate Wireless MAC.

Do not select Alternate MAC address. The address needed for registration is the wireless MAC address displayed on the Advanced settings screen.

Xbox One

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Network.
  3. Select Network settings.
  4. Select Advanced settings.
  5. Locate Wireless MAC.

Apple TV

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Select About.
  4. Locate Wi-Fi Address.

Depending on the Apple TV model and software version, the address may be listed as Wi-Fi Address or Wireless ID.

Amazon Fire TV or Fire TV Stick

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select My Fire TV or Device & Software.
  3. Select About.
  4. Select Network if necessary.
  5. Locate MAC Address (Wi-Fi).

Roku streaming player or Roku TV

  1. Press the Home button on the Roku remote.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Select Network.
  4. Select About.
  5. Locate the Wireless MAC address.

The wireless MAC address may also be printed on the Roku device or its original packaging. Make sure the printed address matches the device’s wireless address.

Smart TVs and other streaming devices

The menu names vary by manufacturer, but the wireless MAC address is usually available under one of the following locations:

  • Settings > Network > Network Status
  • Settings > Network > About
  • Settings > Support > Device Information
  • Settings > System > About

Look for an address labeled:

  • Wireless MAC
  • Wi-Fi MAC
  • Wi-Fi Address
  • WLAN MAC
  • Wireless ID

Do not use an address labeled Ethernet, LAN, Wired, or Bluetooth.

Other wireless and IoT devices

If your device is not listed above, check the following:

  • The device’s network or system information screen
  • A label on the device
  • The original packaging
  • The manufacturer’s mobile app
  • The manufacturer’s support website or user manual

Search for the device model followed by “find Wi-Fi MAC address.”

MAC address privacy and randomization

Some devices use a private or randomized MAC address to improve privacy. If your device provides this feature, the MAC address presented to SJF-RegisteredDevices may be different from the device’s permanent hardware address. If possible, turn off MAC address randomization feature to improve connection stability.

Otherwise:

  1. Open the device’s Wi-Fi settings.
  2. Look for a setting named Private Address, Private Wi-Fi Address, Randomized MAC, or MAC Address Type.
  3. Use the MAC address that the device will present when connecting to SJF-RegisteredDevices.
  4. Register that same address.

If the device cannot connect after registration, confirm that the address registered with SJF matches the address currently being used by the device.

Need assistance?

If you cannot locate your device’s wireless MAC address or cannot connect after registration, contact the OIT Service Desk.

Details

Details

Article ID: 172739
Created
Fri 8/28/26 12:52 PM
Modified
Fri 8/28/26 2:26 PM