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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.

Android
    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 settingsnetwork 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
        Apple
        iOS
        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.

        • GoPull 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
        Windows

        This setting only applies to the individual Wi-Fi settingsnetwork 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 ChangeClick PrivateProperties Wi-Fi Address toDisable OffUse random hardware addresses for this network
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