How to Change MAC Address on Ubuntu

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Easily view and set a new MAC address on your computer

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Last Updated: April 11, 2025

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This article will help you to change MAC address on Ubuntu using Terminal. It is very easy and simple!

Changing an Ubuntu MAC Address: Quick Steps

1. Open Terminal.
2. Enter sudo -i followed by your password.
3. Type ip link set dev [device] down and hit Enter.
4. Type in ip link set dev [device] address [new MAC address].
5. Enter ip link set dev [device] up to turn the device back on.

Steps

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1. 
   1
   Open Terminal.
2. 
   2
   Log in as root so type: sudo -i and then write your password.
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3. 
   3
   View your current address by typing: ip link show
4. 
   4
   Set the device down to avoid problems. Type: "ip link set dev xxxx down" where xxxx is the name of device you want to set down, so for example: ip link set dev wlan0 down
5. 
   5
   Change your MAC address. Write into terminal this: ip link set dev xxxx address xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx where xxxx is the device and xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx is your new MAC address. MAC addresses need hexadecimal digits (0-9 and a-f) which you can pick randomly. The command will look like: ip link set dev wlan0 address 74:d0:3b:9f:d8:48
6. 
   6
   Set up your device so type: ip link set dev xxxx up, where xxxx is the name of your device
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• Question

  Is this a permanent change or just spoofing?

  

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  Community Answer

  This will remain unchanged until you change it again.

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• Question

  If I dual boot, will the MAC address remain unchanged after I switch to Windows through restart?

  

  Community Answer

  Not necessarily. Every hardware network device (e.g., WiFi card) has its own MAC address. However, sometimes the OS (Windows or Linux) changes the MAC address. It differs from system to system and from configuration to configuration.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 5 Helpful 6

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Tips

• Changing MAC address will help you for example when admin of your network block your MAC so you can bypass it.
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