Owners of Xiaomi network devices often face the need to identify equipment in the providerโs local network. MAC-Media Access Control Address is a unique digital ID that is not required for authorization in many access networks, and if you switch to fiber optic or switch providers, this becomes a key setting for setting up the Internet.
There are several proven ways to get this information, and the choice of method depends on your current situation. You can find the data on the physical shell sticker, use the Windows command line or go to the router control panel. Xiaomi Mi Router and its modifications, such as the AX3600 or 4A, have similar logic, which makes it easier to find the desired parameters.
In this article, we will take a look at each of the options available so you can quickly solve the connection problem. We will look not only at standard methods, but also at the nuances of working with Chinese versions of firmware. Understanding how network identity works will help you avoid errors when setting up hardware.
Search for an identifier on the device body
The easiest and fastest way to find out the data is to physically inspect your router. There is always a sticker on the bottom or back of a Xiaomi device, and that's where the manufacturer places the factory settings, including the serial number, the Wi-Fi password, and the access control address you want.
It's usually denoted by the acronym MAC, and it looks like a sequence of six pairs of characters separated by a colon or a hyphen. For example, the format might look like AA:BB:CC:11:22:33. It's important to rewrite this data accurately, keeping the letter register and the order of the characters, as any error will make it impossible to connect.
But this only works if you have physical access to the device and the sticker is still legible, and over time, labels can fade or wear off, making it difficult to find information, and in such cases, you have to use software-based verification methods.
โ ๏ธ Note: If the sticker is erased or has been removed, do not try to pick off the glue residues with sharp objects, so as not to damage the plastic latches of the case during disassembly.
It is also worth noting that some models, especially the compact versions of the Mi Router 4C, can have a sticker on the side of the face or be very small.
Using the Command Line in Windows
If the router is already connected to the computer via cable or Wi-Fi, Windows allows you to quickly find out the gateway address and its physical identifier. To do this, you need to open the command prompt by pressing the Win + R key combination and entering the cmd command.
After opening the black window of the console, enter the ipconfig command. /all And you press Enter. The system will give you a detailed list of all the network adapters. You need to find the partition corresponding to your connection (Ethernet or Wireless Network) and find the Primary Gateway or Physical Address string. MAC-router address.
This method is convenient because it doesn't require a password from the admin panel, you get information directly from the computer's network adapter, which is already connected to the router, and it's especially useful if you've forgotten the password to log in to the web interface.
For Mac users OS It's the same process, but it uses a terminal. -nr help IP-gateway address, and then through ARP-You can find the physical address in the table, but in Windows, the ipconfig method is the most universal and understandable for beginners.
Checking through the router web interface
The most informative way is to log into the control panel through the browser. To do this, enter in the address bar of any browser. IP-The router address, which by default for Xiaomi is most often 192.168.31.1 or miwifi.com. After entering the administrator password, you will be taken to the main settings menu.
Depending on the firmware version (Chinese or global), the interface may differ. In the Chinese version of MIWIFI, the information you need is often in Settings โ System Status. In global versions, the path may look like Advanced Settings โ Network Settings. Look for a field labeled WAN MAC Address.
The advantage of this is that you can see not only the factory address, but the current address that's being used to communicate with the provider, which is critical if you've cloned the address from another device before, and you can compare the factory data to the current settings.
โ๏ธ Checking access to the admin panel
If the standard address 192.168.31.1 does not open, it may have been changed earlier, in which case use the command line method described above to find out what is up to date. IP-Gateway address and try to enter through it.
Mobile application Mi Wi-Fi
Smartphone owners can use the official Mi Wi-Fi app (or Xiaomi Home for new models) to manage the router. Once the device is authorized and linked, the main menu displays network status. By clicking on the router icon or going to settings, you can find the Network settings section.
Information about the Internet connection is often displayed here, including the type of connection and MAC-The interface is more friendly and adaptive than the web version, which makes navigation easier. However, in some versions of the application, detailed technical information may be hidden from the average user.
Accessing advanced settings in the app may require you to log in to your Xiaomi account, which provides security but adds a step further, but it is a convenient way to check your connection status from anywhere in the home where your Wi-Fi signal is picked up.
โ ๏ธ Note: When using a mobile application, make sure that your phone is connected to the network of this router, otherwise the application will not be able to receive device data.
It is worth noting that the functionality of the application is constantly updated. In the latest versions of Xiaomi Home, some technical parameters were moved to the About section or made available only by clicking on the firmware version several times.
Cloning MAC-provider
Often, the question of finding an address arises when you need to clone it. Many providers tie the subscriber to a specific hardware. If you replace the old router with a new Xiaomi, the Internet may not work because the provider's server does not recognize the new device.
There's a cloning feature in the router's web interface. You need to find a field to type in. MAC-sectional WAN This is where you need to write in the address of the old router or network card of the computer that was previously used to access the network.
This is a common practice to avoid a call to the provider's technical support, where you simply copy the ID from a device that was previously stable and transfer it to new hardware, which takes no more than a minute.