MAC Address Randomization
Most modern smartphones, laptops, and tablets use MAC address randomization by default. This means your device generates a temporary, random MAC address each time it connects to a new Wi-Fi network — which is great for privacy on public networks, but causes issues when your device needs to be identified by a consistent address, like in our registration system.
Why it matters
When you register your device, we authorize the specific MAC address you provide. If your device keeps changing its MAC address, the network won’t recognize it as registered — and you’ll either get blocked from connecting or be asked to register again and again.
How to fix it
To avoid this, you’ll need to disable MAC address randomization for our campus Wi-Fi network on your device. This ensures it always uses the same, consistent MAC address when connecting here.
We have step-by-step instructions for turning this off below.
Apple iOS
This setting only applies to the individual Wi-Fi network where you change it. If you intend on using CU Online Secure after registering your device using CU Online, you must complete these steps again when switching networks.
- Go to Wi-Fi settings
- Tap the blue information icon next to CU Online or CU Online Secure
- Change Private Wi-Fi Address to Off
Apple macOS (Sequoia and newer)
This setting only applies to the individual Wi-Fi network where you change it. If you intend on using CU Online Secure after registering your device using CU Online, you must complete these steps again when switching networks.
- Click the Apple menu
- Select System Settings
- Select Wi-Fi from the sidebar
- Click the three dots next to CU Online or CU Online Secure
- Select Network Settings
- Change Private Wi-Fi Address to Off
Apple Watch
This setting only applies to the individual Wi-Fi network where you change it. If you intend on using CU Online Secure after registering your device using CU Online, you must complete these steps again when switching networks.
- Go to Wi-Fi settings
- Tap CU Online or CU Online Secure
- Change Private Address to Off
Google Android
This setting only applies to the individual Wi-Fi network where you change it. If you intend on using CU Online Secure after registering your device using CU Online, you must complete these steps again when switching networks.
- Pull down the notification area
- Long press Internet
- If there is a gear next to CU Online or CU Online Secure:
- Tap the gear
- If not:
- Long-press CU Online or CU Online Secure
- Select Modify
- Tap Advanced options
- Under Privacy, select Use device MAC
Samsung Android
This setting only applies to the individual Wi-Fi network where you change it. If you intend on using CU Online Secure after registering your device using CU Online, you must complete these steps again when switching networks.
- Pull down the notification area
- Long press Wi-Fi
- Tap Details
- Tap the gear next to CU Online or CU Online Secure
- Tap View More
- Select MAC Address Type, then choose Phone MAC, Tablet MAC, or Device MAC
Samsung Watch
This setting only applies to the individual Wi-Fi network where you change it. If you intend on using CU Online Secure after registering your device using CU Online, you must complete these steps again when switching networks.
- Open the Settings app
- Navigate to Connections > Wi-Fi
- Select CU Online or CU Online Secure
- Select Advanced
- Disable Randomized MAC
Windows
This setting only applies to the individual Wi-Fi network where you change it. If you intend on using CU Online Secure after registering your device using CU Online, you must complete these steps again when switching networks.
- Click the Start button
- Navigate to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi
- Click Manage Known Networks
- Select CU Online or CU Online Secure
- Click Properties
- Disable Use random hardware addresses for this network