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MAC Address randomization and rotation

What is MAC Address randomization? MAC Address randomization is the practice of operating systems using an anonymous ran

What is MAC Address randomization?

MAC Address randomization is the practice of operating systems using an anonymous randomly generated device identifier instead of the device's actual MAC address when probing and/or connecting to a Wi-Fi network. The intent is to increase user privacy by preventing the device from using the MAC as a unique device identifier. Most MAC address randomization occurs on a per SSID (Network name) basis so your phone MAC address only changes on a per network basis.

What is MAC Address rotation?

MAC Address rotation is similar to MAC Address randomization but in this case, your device WILL change it's MAC address automatically every so often (about 2 weeks for iPhone iOS18). iOS18 introduced MAC rotation and will automatically be applied to ALL non-password protected (open) Wi-Fi networks.

User experience effect and Smart WiFi functionality limits with MAC address Randomization and MAC address rotation:

  1. Return Guest experience: Devices with MAC randomization or rotation enabled on their device will be treated as a new guest each time their MAC address changes.
  2. Guest Insights: A device will be counted as multiple guests based on the number of randomized MACs the device used to connect to the hotspot. This impacts the New Guest number as well as Total Guests.
  3. Guest Plans: Devices with MAC randomization or rotation enabled on their phone who purchase a guest plan will be unable to access the remainder of their guest plan when their device changes to a new randomized MAC.
  4. Presence/Proximity campaigns: Devices who have previously connected to the hotspot with MAC randomization enabled will not receive presence/proximity campaigns after the device changes it's randomized MAC. [ht_message mstyle="alert" title="" show_icon="" id="" class="" style="" ]Some hardware does not send randomized MAC addresses to the platform so these devices would never receive presence campaigns.[/ht_message]
  5. Marketing Campaigns using the "After X connections" trigger: Devices who have MAC randomization on will only accumulate connections until the device changes to a new randomized MAC.

Operating Systems MAC Address Randomization Documentation

[ht_toggle title="What options are available?" id="" class="" style="" ]The SmartWiFiPlatform has can be configured to notify users with a randomized MAC of their devices configuration. The notification can contain a link to the Splash Page Guest Device Support page which offers help on disabling the MAC randomization feature. If you do not want to allow any device with a randomized MAC to be able to connect that can be enabled as well. Please contact support if you're interested in enabling either of these features.[/ht_toggle] [ht_toggle title="How could randomized MACs affect my campaigns?" id="" class="" style="" ]
  • Duplicate campaigns may be sent to a guest every time they connect to the hotspot with a new randomized MAC.
  • "After X Connections" will not be sent to guests unless they complete the X number of connections before their device changes to a new randomized MAC.
  • Presence/Proximity campaigns will not be sent to guests whose randomized MAC has changed since their last connection to the hotspot.[/ht_toggle]
[ht_toggle title="What might guests with a randomized MAC experience?" id="" class="" style="" ]A guests device will be treated as a new guest each time their device changes to a new randomized MAC. This would mean the following:
  • The new guest splash page is presented resulting in guest having to complete social sign on again.
  • Guests would be able to receive campaigns multiple times.
  • Guests with existing guest plans under their previous randomized MAC would be unable to access the remainder of their plan.
[/ht_toggle] Guest Instructions: How to turn off MAC address rotation on an iPhone/iPAD with iOS18:
  • Connect to the guest network
  • Click the "i" button right next to the network name
  • Click the "Private Wi-Fi Address" setting
  • Click "Off".. accept the "tracking" warning
  • You (the venue) may need to re-issue the guest a new Voucher or they may need to re-signup for a Guest Plan with the new MAC address that the device is reporting but the users shouldn't have any future issues at your location(s). [videopack id="6260"]https://support.smartwifiplatform.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/MAC-Rotation-Off.mp4[/videopack]
Venues that want to limit issues with MAC address randomization can enable WPA/Pre-shared key (PSK) security onto the network while still being able to utilize the powerful features of the Smart WiFi Platform. Securing your guest network will create a better guest experience and will allow better reporting and campaign processing. Of course, giving passwords out can be a disruption for your staff so we recommend generating a network QR Code and printing the QR code on signage, menus, stickers and anywhere your guests can see it to help them connect to your secured guest Wi-Fi network. See THIS ARTICLE for more information. [ht_toggle title="How could reports be impacted by randomized MACs?" id="" class="" style="" ]A single guest device may be counted multiple times dependent on the number of times it connects to the hotspot with a new randomized MAC. This would impact the New Guest number as well as Total Guests. [/ht_toggle] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtjinQlMv7U&feature=youtu.be