Modern Wi-Fi network often requires accurate identification of the device, and for owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO Knowing a unique identifier becomes a necessity. MAC-The address is a 48-bit code that is assigned to the network interface in the factory and serves as a digital passport of your gadget on the local network. IP-Addresses that may change with each connection, this identifier remains constant and is used by routers to filter devices or restrict access.
Users often have to find this code when setting up parental controls, restricting access to the home Internet, or diagnosing connection problems. In the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, the paths to this information may vary slightly depending on the version of the Android operating system. Let's take a look at all the methods available, from simple settings to advanced developer tools.
Search through the standard settings menu
The easiest and safest way to get information about a network adapter is to use the built-in system tools. You don't have to install third-party applications or enter complex commands. Xiaomi's interface is logically structured, although item names can vary.
To start, open the main menu and find the gear icon, and you'll need to go to the About Phone section, which contains basic technical information about the device, and it often shows not only the processor model and memory, but also network interfaces.
- π± Click on All Specifications or scroll down to the block with details.
- πΆ Look for the line. MAC-Wi-Fi address, which is usually located next to Bluetooth information.
- π Tap the value to copy it to the clipboard for later use.
In some versions of MIUI, this path may be hidden deeper. If you don't see the data you want in the About Phone section, try Settings β Wi-Fi. Click on the arrow next to your network name or select "Additional Settings."
β οΈ Note: In modern versions of Android (10 and above), the system by default uses randomized MAC-address to enhance privacy, to filter by MAC-The address in the router you may need a real (factory) address, not a temporary one.
If you're on a Wi-Fi menu, look at the status of the connection, which often shows the current ID you're using, but remember that you need the physical address of the device that's on the chip to set up your router.
βοΈ Verification of data in settings
It's important to distinguish between addresses for different communication modules. Your smartphone has separate identifiers for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Make sure you copy exactly the one you want for your task. They usually differ in the last digit or letter.
Using the Engineering Menu for Diagnostics
For more advanced users who don't have the standard methods or need access to hidden parameters, there's an engineering menu, a special diagnostic interface built into Xiaomi's firmware, that allows you to see detailed information about the hardware.
To get there, open the Phone app and enter a special code. The most versatile for Redmi and Xiaomi devices is the combination ##6484##. Once you enter the last digit, the menu should open automatically.
- π οΈ In the list of tests, find Version or Hardware info.
- π‘ Select the Wifi subsection or BT (Bluetooth) to view relevant data.
- π A line will be displayed on the screen. MAC Address that can be rewritten manually.
Sometimes, standard code may fail if the manufacturer has blocked access to the engineering menu in a particular firmware version, so try the alternative combination ##4636##. It opens the testing menu, where you can also find the data you need in the Wi-Fi information section.
What do I do if the codes don't work?
Be careful when changing any settings inside the engineering menu, your goal is to view the information, and random changes in the antenna calibration settings or regional settings can cause the communication module to work in an unstable way.
Viewing information through ADB and computer
If the smartphone screen is broken or the system is unstable, it may not be possible to access settings through the sensor, in which case debugging via USB and the ADB utility (Android Debug Bridge) come to the rescue, this method requires a computer and enabled debugging on the device itself.
First, make sure your Xiaomi has developer mode activated, and you need to quickly click on the build number in About Phone several times, then in advanced settings, turn on USB Debugging.
Connect your phone to your computer via a high-quality cable. Open the command line on your PC (or terminal in macOS/Linux) in a folder with ADB installed. Enter a command to get a list of connected devices:
adb devicesIf your device is identified, use the following command to get information about network interfaces, which will display a detailed list of all connections and their physical addresses:
adb shell ip link showIn output commands, you'll see a list of interfaces. Look for a line that starts with a line. wlan0 (This is Wi-Fi or Btusb (Bluetooth) and next to it you'll see the setting. link/ether, followed MAC-address XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX.
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If the ADB command does not return the result, check if the ADB Interface driver is installed in Windows Device Manager. Sometimes you need to manually select the driver for the Android Composite ADB Interface.
This method is particularly useful for IT-It provides "honest" information directly from the kernel drivers, avoiding possible interface errors. MIUI.
Table of correspondence of interfaces and addresses
Understanding what address you want is critical. A smartphone is a complex device with multiple communication modules, and here's a table that helps you distinguish between them.
| Interface. | Marking in the system | Appointment | Example of format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | wlan0 | Connection to wireless networks | A4:56:3F:12:9B:0C |
| Bluetooth | btdu / hc0 | Pairing with headsets and clocks | A4:56:3F:12:9B:0D |
| Ethernet (USB) | eth0 | Connecting through an adapter | Depends on the adapter. |
| Loopback | lo | Virtual interface for tests | 00:00:00:00:00:00 |
| Data is relevant for devices based on Android 10-14 |
Note that the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth addresses on Xiaomi devices often go sequentially. If you know one, the second is easy to calculate by changing the last digit of the hexadecimal code per unit in a larger or smaller direction.
The problem of randomization MAC-address
Starting with Android 10, Google has implemented a privacy enhancement feature that by default hides the real thing. MAC-The device address when you connect to new networks, the system generates a random address for each particular router, which protects the user from tracking movements, but creates problems when setting up the filtering.
If your router is set up to work only with certain devices (White List), a randomized address will not work. You need to switch your smartphone settings to using a real address.
- π Unlock the screen and go to Settings β Wi-Fi.
- π‘ Click on the name of your network or the arrow to the right of it.
- π‘οΈ Find the Privacy Settings or Type MAC-address.
- β Select the Use option MAC-address of the device instead of "RandomΒ».
β οΈ Attention: After type change MAC-The phone will reconnect to the network, and make sure that the router is giving out the phone. IP-address (DHCP switched on or the connection may not be possible.
This feature is especially important for Xiaomi owners, as the MIUI shell strictly follows Googleβs policies.If you donβt see such an option, maybe your version of Android is too old (below 10) or vice versa, the manufacturer has hidden this setting in a specific build.
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Always use the mode for the operation of router filters Β«MAC-Device address" by disabling randomization in the settings of a particular Wi-Fi network.
Where to find the address on the box and documents
If the phone is completely turned off, discharged or defective, software methods will not help. In such cases, there is a physical examination. MAC-address duplicated on label.
Look at the back of the original box. There should be a white barcode sticker. Look for lines labeled MAC or WIFI MAC. It's usually listed in six pairs of characters, either through the colon or without separators.
You can also find information on a warranty card or on a check if a vendor has broken through a serial number and entered data into the database, but the most reliable source is a sticker on the case of the smartphone itself (under the back cover, if it is removable) or on the box.
Some users try to find an address in system logs or through QR scanner applications, but in the case of a broken screen, these methods are useless. Physical labeling remains the only one hundred percent way to find out the address of a dead device.