Introduction

All networking devices have a MAC (media-access control) address that uniquely identifies the device on a network. Also know as the physical or hardware address, it takes the form of six pairs of hexadecimal numerals (A-F, 0-9) separated usually by a dash or a colon. For example, 40-3F-0C-EA-96-B2 and 40:3F:0C:EA:96:B2.

Instructions

How to find the MAC Address of your Device

Windows 10 Ethernet
  1. In Windows Search, enter CMD and in the search results click on CMD-Run Command.
  2. In the command window enter "ipconfig /all" and press Enter
  3. Under the heading "Ethernet adapter" find the line "Physical Address." This is your Ethernet MAC address.
Mac OSX Ethernet
  1. From the Apple menu select System Preferences, then click on the Network icon.
  2. In the left column, click Ethernet, then click the Advanced button.
  3. Select the Hardware tab, where you'll see the MAC Address.
AMAZON DEVICES A.K.A. ALEXA (ECHO, ECHO DOT, ECHO PLUS, ECHO SHOW, ECHO SPOT) THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ACTIVATED
  1. First, add the Alexa app to your smart phone, tablet, or computer 
    OR
    go to alexa.amazon.com in a web browser.
  2. Click Begin Setup or go to the Settings menu as available.
  3. Select your type of Amaozn device.
  4. Tap or select Update Wi-Fi or Setup a new device as available.
  5. On the Amazon device, press and hold the Action button until the light ring changes to orange.
  6. Once your Amazon device is connected, you will find a list of available wi-fi networks in the app.
  7. Select AmherstGuest as the wi-fi network to use and scroll down in that window to find the device MAC address and make a note of it.
AMAZON DEVICES A.K.A. ALEXA (ECHO, ECHO DOT, ECHO PLUS, ECHO SHOW, ECHO SPOT) THAT HAVE BEEN ACTIVATED
  1. Go to your Alexa app or go to alexa.amazon.com in a web browser and log in with your Amazon credentials.
  2. Go to Settings > Devices > your device > About. 
  3. The device MAC address will be listed, make a note of it.
Google Home Devices such as Google Home Mini
  1. Make sure your mobile device or tablet you will control the device with is connected to the same Wi-Fi as your Google Home device.
  2. On the controlling device, open the Google Home app Google Home app.
  3. Tap Home  at the bottom left of the screen.
  4. Find and then tap the device for which you want to obtain the MAC address.
  5. On the device overview page, Tap Settings  
  6. Scroll to the Information section at the bottom of the Device settings page where you will see the MAC address. 
  7. Alternately, tap the plus sign + .
  8. Tap set up device.
  9. Tap set up new devices.
  10. Go through the process of setting up the wifi.
  11. When it says it can't connect, tap the three dots in the upper right hand corner.
  12. Tap show Mac address.
APPLE IOS DEVICES (IPAD, IPOD TOUCH, IPHONE) THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ACTIVATED
  1. Go to Settings > General > About.
  2. Find the Wi-Fi Address in the list and make a note of it. This is your device's MAC address.
E-READERS (NOOK, KINDLE) ACTIVATING ON-CAMPUS
  1. For a Kindle, tap the gear icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
  2. Tap More > Device > Wi-Fi Mac Address.
  1. For a Nook, press the Nook button (upside-down U) in the center bottom of the screen.
  2. Tap settings > Device Info > About Your NOOK. Your MAC address is shown in the list.
APPLE TV
  1. Go to Settings then About. 
  2. Find the Wireless ID and make a note of it.
  3. Proceed to the Create Device page and enter the Mac address there.
  4. Turn off the device for thirty minutes then restart the device.
  5. Go to Settings > General > Network.
  6. Select AmherstGuest as the Wi-Fi network from the list of available networks.
  7. After Apple TV has joined the network, a Connection Succeeded screen should appear. Click Done. If not contact the IT Help Desk.
GOOGLE CHROMECAST
  1. Tap Connect to Wi-Fi
  2. Select AmherstGuest as the Wi-Fi network.
  3. The Mac address should display in the top right corner. Make a note of it.
  4. Proceed to the Create Device page and enter the Mac address there.
  5. Turn off the device for 30 minutes. Restart the device and it should work. If not contact the IT Help Desk.
VIDEO GAME CONSOLES
Microsoft Xbox 360
  1. Access the Xbox Guide by pressing the Xbox Guide button on the Xbox 360 controller. The Guide button is the silver button in the center of the controller that has the green "X" on it.
  2. Press the Y button the controller to enter the Xbox 360 Dashboard.
  3. Go to the System area of the Dashboard.
  4. Select Network Settings and then select Edit Settings.
  5. Select Additional Settings and then select Advanced Settings.
  6. At the bottom of this screen you'll see the heading "Wired MAC Address". This is your MAC address.
Sony Playstation 3 or 4
  1. From the PS3 main menu navigate to the Settings icon and select it.
  2. Navigate to System Settings or System.
  3. Select System Information.
  4. You should see your MAC address on this screen on this screen, containing letters and numbers in the format xx.xx.xx.xx.xx.xx. Write down the address.
Nintendo Wii
  1. From the Wii menu choose Wii Options (the round button that says Wii).
  2. Select Wii Settings, then click right to Wii System Settings 2.
  3. Select Internet, then Console Information.
  4. You should see your MAC address on this screen.
Nintendo Switch
  1. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu. 
  2. Scroll down through the menu and select Internet.
  3. The Nintendo Switch console's MAC address will be listed under System Mac Address.
PORTABLE GAME CONSOLES

Note: You do not need to register your MAC address to play a local (or "ad-hoc") game between systems.

Nintendo DS (and Lite Version)
  1. Start the DS with a game that has Wi-Fi capabilities (e.g., Mario Kart DS).
  2. Head to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Setup.
  3. Navigate to Options > System Information.
  4. The MAC address should be on the top line.
Sony PSP
  1. Turn on the PSP without a game in the system.
  2. Press the Home button.
  3. Navigate to Settings > System Settings > System Information.
  4. Your MAC address should be inside System Information.
DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDERS (DVRS)
Tivo
  1. Connect the external network adaptor to your Tivo.
  2. Go to TiVo Central by pressing the TiVo button.
  3. Select Messages & Settings.
  4. Select Settings.
  5. Select Phone & Network. The MAC address should be on the right-hand side of the Phone & Network screen, towards the top.
VOICE OVER-IP (VOIP) PHONE DEVICES
Vonage Phone Adapter
  1. Turn the adapter over.
  2. On the bottom is the WAN/MAC address.
OTHER NETWORK DEVICES

If you have a device not listed here that requires network access, you will have to find the MAC address (sometimes called the Physical Address) on your own. We recommend that you use Google to figure this out.

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