Any device such as an iPhone that connects to a WiFi network must identify itself to the network using a unique network address. This unique identifier, known as the Media Access Control (MAC) address, helps network administrators track or profile each user's network activity and location.
While you usually don't have to worry about your device's MAC address, there are times when you need to know your iPhone's MAC address. This can be useful, for example, if you need to identify the iPhone on networks where MAC address checking is used before a network connection can be made. You must then identify the iPhone against the router to be able to set up an internet connection.
The MAC address is a unique 17-digit character that serves as a hardware identifier on your device's network interface controller (NIC) card.
The unique identifier is assigned by the device manufacturer and is permanently associated with your device. This allows communication between devices within a local network to establish a connection.
Your device's MAC address is sometimes confused with its IP address, although both are used to identify your device on the internet, but there are some important differences.
MAC addresses are permanently assigned by the device manufacturer to distinguish your device from others and are designed not to be changed. IP addresses handle the logical routable connection of your devices and networks, and can change based on location.
Your device's MAC address is used within your local network, while its IP address can be used around the world to identify network devices.
Now that you know a little about what a MAC address is, it's time to explain how to look up a MAC address on an iPhone.
Look up Mac address on an iPhone
On an iPhone within the iOS operating system, a MAC address is not mentioned anywhere. Apple describes a MAC address as a Wi-Fi address. Both mean the same.
Open the iPhone. Tap Settings. Then tap Info. Navigate a bit down until you see the WiFi address. The WiFi address is the MAC address of the iPhone.
In the past, it was possible to give third-party apps access to your iPhone's Wi-Fi address (MAC address). However, this is over Apple blocked. It is therefore no longer possible to change the MAC address of the iPhone using apps.
I hope this helped you. Thank you for reading!