Turn off Private Wi-Fi Address when a network won't let your Mac in

Why it happens

Private Wi-Fi Address gives your Mac a made-up hardware address on each network, so you're harder to track. Some school, work and home networks only let in devices whose address they already know, so they turn the new one away. Switching it off for that one network makes your Mac use its real address there.

How to fix it

1. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings and click Wi-Fi.

2. Click Details… next to the network that's blocking you.

   Wi-Fi›Details…

3. Set Private Wi-Fi Address to Off and click OK.

   Wi-Fi›Details…

4. Turn Wi-Fi off and on again from the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, or join the network again, so it sees the new address.

5. If the network needs your Mac registered first, give the IT team or router the address shown under Hardware in the same Details… window.

   Wi-Fi›Details…›Hardware

Still not fixed?

1. If you only need the network to recognise you each time, such as a hotel sign-in or parental controls, choose Fixed instead of Off. Your Mac then keeps one private address for that network.

   Wi-Fi›Details…

2. Still blocked? Click Forget This Network… in the same window, then join the network again and type the password.

   Wi-Fi›Details…

3. Work and school networks may also need a certificate or profile from the IT team. Ask them what your Mac needs to connect.

4. If only one network refuses you, its owner or IT team is the right person to ask. If no network accepts your Mac even with Private Wi-Fi Address off, contact Apple Support.