从 iOS 14 开始，Apple通过许多令人兴奋的附加功能增强了 iPhone 的隐私性。其中大多数——例如App Tracking Transparency (ATT)——(App Tracking Transparency (ATT))经常成为头条新闻(constant headlines)，并显着影响了应用程序的运行方式。
但是，最不为人知的一个功能是MAC随机化。它的内置功能更进一步，帮助您保护您的匿名免受肆无忌惮的 Wi-Fi 网络的侵害。
如果您想弄清楚MAC随机化的作用以及如何使用它来设置或更改 iPhone 上的私有MAC地址，请继续阅读。
什么是iPhone 上的私有 MAC 地址？(Private MAC Address)
您的 iPhone 带有一组硬编码的 12 个十六进制字符，称为MAC（或媒体访问控制(Media Access Control)）地址。这有助于 Wi-Fi 网络将设备与您周围的其他智能手机、笔记本电脑和台式机区分开来。如果你很好奇，下面是MAC 地址(how MAC addresses work)的详细工作原理。
但是，每个MAC地址都是唯一的，这会带来与隐私相关的影响。例如，当您的 iPhone 加入（或探测）公共Wi-Fi热点时，网络运营商可以跨位置跟踪您。
提示：(Tip:)如果您想在 iPhone 上查找 MAC 地址，请先(find the MAC address on your iPhone)前往“设置”(Settings ) > “通用(General )” > “关于(About)” 。向下滚动(Scroll)，您应该会在Wi-Fi Address下看到它。
这就是MAC随机化出现的地方。如果您安装了iOS 14 或更高版本(iOS 14 or later installed)，您的 iPhone 现在可以使用随机的十六进制字符串更改（或屏蔽）您在 iPhone 上 的真实MAC地址。(MAC)
更好(Better)的是，您的 iOS 设备会为其加入的每个网络生成单独的（或私有的） MAC地址。(MAC)这使得 Wi-Fi 提供商几乎不可能仅根据您的MAC地址来分析您。默认情况下， MAC(MAC)随机化也处于活动状态，因此您无需做任何事情来保护您的隐私。
但是，您可能会遇到必须仔细检查特定Wi-Fi网络的私有(Wi-Fi)MAC地址、将其更改为其他内容或将其完全删除的情况。
如何在 iPhone 上查找私有 MAC 地址(Private MAC Address)
任何运行 iOS 14 的 iPhone都会为其加入（或尝试加入）的每个Wi-Fi网络使用私有(Wi-Fi)MAC地址。(MAC)如果您想仔细检查或参考它以进行网络故障排除，那么方法如下：
1. 打开 iPhone 上的设置(Settings )应用程序。
2. 点击无线网络(Wi-Fi)。
3. 点击Wi-Fi 网络旁边的信息图标。(Info )您应该会看到Wi-Fi 地址(Wi-Fi Address)旁边列出的私有MAC地址。
注意：如果(Note:)私人地址(Private Address )旁边的开关显示为禁用，您将看到 iPhone 的实际物理地址。转动它并点击重新加入(Rejoin )（如果设备主动连接到网络）以使用私人地址隐藏它。
如何在 iPhone 上更改私人 MAC 地址(Private MAC Address)
您的 iPhone为每个Wi-Fi网络使用单独的私有(Wi-Fi)MAC地址，以减少被跟踪的机会。但是，即使您断开连接并重新加入，iOS 仍会继续使用它最初分配给网络的相同地址。忘记热点并重新加入也不会重新生成不同的MAC地址。
更改 Wi-Fi 热点的私有MAC地址的唯一方法是重置 iPhone 上的网络设置。这还将更改您过去加入的每个其他热点的私有地址。
如果您想继续重置网络设置，那么您需要遵循以下步骤：
1. 打开 iPhone 上的设置(Settings )应用程序。
2. 点击常规(General)。
3. 向下滚动并点击重置(Reset)。
4. 点击重置网络设置(Reset Network Settings)。
5. 输入您的设备密码并再次点击重置网络设置(Reset Network Settings)。
注意：(Note:)网络设置重置会擦除 iPhone 上所有与网络相关的首选项和设置。之后您必须手动重新连接到每个Wi-Fi网络。(Wi-Fi)
如何在 iPhone 上禁用私人 MAC 地址(Private MAC Address)
您可能会遇到阻止您加入的Wi-Fi网络，除非您使用 iPhone 的真实MAC地址。此外，一些运营商可能会允许您加入但阻止您访问互联网。发生这种情况时，您必须手动停用网络的私有MAC地址。就是这样：
1. 打开 iPhone 上的设置(Settings )应用程序，然后点击Wi-Fi。
2. 点击网络旁边的信息图标。(Info )
3. 关闭私人地址(Private Address)旁边的开关。
如果您已加入网络，请点击重新(Rejoin)加入以重新连接。如果没有，请点击加入此网络(Join This Network)。
使用MAC 随机化(MAC Randomization)保护您的隐私
如果您定期在Wi-Fi网络之间切换，私有MAC地址是保护您隐私的绝佳方式。(MAC)MAC随机化最好的一点是你的 iPhone 可以自己处理一切。您可能想要查找私有地址或禁用它的唯一原因是您遇到特定网络的连接问题(connectivity issues with a specific network)。
不过，请记住留意未来的iOS 更新(iOS updates)，因为Apple可能会修改该功能的工作方式。例如，它可以使MAC随机化成为可选设置，或将私有地址配置为自行更改（可能每 24 小时一次）以获得更多隐私。
What is a Private MAC (WiFi) Address on iOS and How to Use It
Starting with iOS 14, Apple bolstered iPhone privacy with lots of exciting additions. Most of thеm—such as App Tracking Transparency (ATT)—made constant headlines and significantly impacted the way apps function.
But a feature that mostly flew under the radar was MAC randomization. It’s built-in functionality that goes a step beyond by helping you preserve your anonymity from unscrupulous Wi-Fi networks.
If you want to figure out what MAC randomization does and how you can use it to set up or change your private MAC address on the iPhone, then keep reading.
What Is a Private MAC Address on an iPhone?
Your iPhone comes with a hard-coded set of twelve hexadecimal characters called the MAC (or Media Access Control) address. It’s what helps Wi-Fi networks distinguish the device from other smartphones, laptops, and desktops around you. If you’re curious, here’s how MAC addresses work in detail.
However, each MAC address is unique, and that presents privacy-related implications. For example, a network operator can track you across locations when your iPhone joins (or probes) for public Wi-Fi hotspots.
Tip: If you want to find the MAC address on your iPhone, start by heading over to Settings > General > About. Scroll down and you should see it listed under Wi-Fi Address.
That’s where MAC randomization comes into the picture. If you have iOS 14 or later installed, your iPhone now sports the ability to change (or mask) your real MAC address on iPhone with a randomized string of hexadecimals.
Better yet, your iOS device generates separate (or private) MAC addresses for each network it joins. That makes it next to impossible for Wi-Fi providers to profile you based on your MAC address alone. MAC randomization is also active by default, so you don’t have to do anything to protect your privacy.
However, you may run into instances where you’ll have to double-check the private MAC address for a specific Wi-Fi network, change it to something else, or delete it altogether.
How to Find a Private MAC Address on iPhone
Any iPhone running iOS 14 uses private MAC addresses for each Wi-Fi network it joins (or attempts to join). If you want to double-check or reference it for network troubleshooting purposes, then here’s how:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the Info icon next to a Wi-Fi network. You should see the private MAC address listed next to Wi-Fi Address.
Note: If the switch next to Private Address appears disabled, you’ll see the iPhone’s actual physical address instead. Turn it and tap Rejoin (if the device is actively connected to the network) to conceal it with a private address.
How to Change a Private MAC Address on iPhone
Your iPhone uses separate private MAC addresses for each Wi-Fi network to reduce the chances of being tracked. However, iOS continues to use the same address that it initially assigns to a network even if you disconnect and rejoin. Forgetting a hotspot and rejoining also won’t regenerate a different MAC address.
The only way to change the private MAC address for a Wi-Fi hotspot is to reset the network settings on your iPhone. That’ll also change the private addresses for every other hotspot that you’ve joined in the past.
If you want to go ahead with a network settings reset, then here are the steps you need to follow:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap General.
3. Scroll down and tap Reset.
4. Tap Reset Network Settings.
5. Enter your device passcode and tap Reset Network Settings again.
Note: A network settings reset wipes all network-related preferences and settings on your iPhone. You must reconnect to each Wi-Fi network manually afterward.
How to Disable a Private MAC Address on iPhone
You may come across Wi-Fi networks that prevent you from joining unless you use your iPhone’s real MAC address. In addition, some operators may let you join but prevent you from accessing the internet. When that happens, you must manually deactivate the private MAC address for the network. Here’s how:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the Info icon next to the network.
3. Turn off the switch next to Private Address.
If you’ve already joined the network, tap Rejoin to reconnect to it. If not, tap Join This Network.
Protect Your Privacy with MAC Randomization
Private MAC addresses are a terrific way to protect your privacy if you switch between Wi-Fi networks regularly. The best thing about MAC randomization is that your iPhone handles everything for you on its own. The only reason you may want to look up a private address or disable it is if you have connectivity issues with a specific network.
Nevertheless, remember to keep an eye out for future iOS updates since Apple may modify how the feature works. For example, it may make MAC randomization an optional setting or configure the private addresses to change on their own (perhaps once every 24 hours) for even more privacy.
