Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To make a managed Mac use its physical Wi-Fi MAC address on a particular network, configure the Intune macOS Wi-Fi device profile and set Disable MAC address randomization to Yes. Use this only when a requirement such as network access control (NAC) depends on a stable address: the setting reduces privacy by making the Mac easier to recognize across network activity.
What the Intune setting changes
Microsoft places this control in a macOS Wi-Fi device configuration profile. In the profile, Yes requires the actual Wi-Fi MAC address, No enables randomization, and Not configured leaves the setting unchanged by that profile. See Microsoft’s Wi-Fi settings for Apple devices.
A stable address can be necessary for NAC or another system that identifies clients by MAC address. It also gives network operators and observers a persistent identifier. Microsoft advises disabling randomization only when necessary, for example to support NAC.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchConfigure the macOS Wi-Fi profile in Intune
- Create or edit the profile. In the Intune admin center, create a macOS Wi-Fi device configuration profile, or open the existing profile for the network. Enter the network and authentication settings required by your organization.
- Set the address policy. In the Wi-Fi settings, find Disable MAC address randomization and select Yes only for a network that requires the physical address. Microsoft’s Wi-Fi profile documentation describes the available values.
- Assign the profile narrowly. Assign it to the intended managed Mac group, rather than broadly applying an exception to devices or networks that do not need it.
- Check deployment and behavior. Review the profile and device deployment status in Intune. Then verify the setting on a representative Mac against the intended network before expanding the assignment; an assignment alone does not prove that the profile applied or had the expected effect.
How Apple’s Private Wi-Fi Address modes relate
Apple calls address randomization Private Wi-Fi Address. On macOS Sequoia 15 and later, Apple documents three per-network modes: Off, Fixed, and Rotating. Fixed is not the same as Off: Apple lists them as distinct choices. Apple also says an MDM-defined network profile can turn Private Wi-Fi Address off for enrolled devices. See Apple’s guide to private Wi-Fi addresses.
#1 Best Overall
- AN AMAZING MAC AT A SURPRISING PRICE — With an incredibly portable and durable aluminum design, up to 16 hours of battery life,* and the A18 Pro chip, MacBook Neo is ready to go wherever school takes you.
- FOUR STUNNING COLORS. ONE DURABLE DESIGN — Choose from four beautiful colors — Silver, Blush, Citrus, or Indigo — each with a color-coordinated keyboard. And MacBook Neo is made with a durable recycled aluminum enclosure that helps it reach 60 percent recycled content by weight — the most ever in any Apple product.*
- FLY THROUGH EVERYDAY ASSIGNMENTS — Whether you’re cramming for finals, using Apple Intelligence* to summarize class notes, creating presentations, or even playing the latest Apple Arcade game,* MacBook Neo delivers the performance and AI capabilities you need to get things done.
- UP TO 16 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Neo delivers all day battery life, so you can power through from early morning classes to late night study sessions without worrying about plugging in.
- A VIBRANT 13-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Neo supports 1 billion colors, so photos and videos pop and text is crisp for easy reading.
The Intune profile control and Apple’s user-facing modes describe related behavior, but do not assume every Intune surface exposes identical controls or that a particular profile has taken effect. Check the profile’s deployment status and the Mac’s behavior on the target network.
Check macOS version and Intune support before rollout
Microsoft’s published information does not establish one universally consistent minimum macOS version for this setting across all Intune surfaces. The Wi-Fi settings page and the Intune feature announcement do not give the same kind of version boundary: the announcement describes support for macOS Wi-Fi profiles, while Microsoft’s beta Graph macOS Wi-Fi configuration schema says its physical-MAC property applies to macOS 15 and later. Confirm the option is available in your tenant and validate it on your target macOS version before relying on a blanket compatibility assumption. The Graph reference is a beta API and may change.
Rank #2
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Choose the least intrusive policy that meets the requirement
| Policy choice | When it fits | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Keep private/randomized addressing | The network and its access controls work without a stable MAC address. | Preserves the privacy benefit of using a private address rather than exposing a stable identifier. |
| Require the physical MAC address | A documented network requirement, such as NAC, depends on the device’s stable Wi-Fi MAC address. | Supports systems that rely on a static address, but makes the device easier to identify and track by that address. |
Apple explains that reusing the same Wi-Fi MAC address across networks can make it easier for network providers and other observers to relate a device’s network activity and location over time. Its Private Wi-Fi Address guidance describes the privacy rationale and the newer per-network controls. For platform context, see Apple Platform Security’s Wi-Fi privacy documentation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- FAST RUNS IN THE FAMILY — The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro or M5 Max chip brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. With all-day battery life, double the starting storage,* and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display, it’s pro in every way.*
- BUCKLE UP — Along with a next-generation CPU, faster unified memory, and up to 2x faster SSD storage,* M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance and on-device training capabilities. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR AI — Apple silicon, and every major component that powers it, is designed to run demanding on-device AI workloads like LLM inference and training. And Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.*
- MACOS RUNS APPS FAST — All your go-to apps run lightning fast in macOS, including built-in apps like FaceTime and Messages. Plus, built-in virus protection and free software updates help keep your Mac running smoothly and securely.
Rank #4
- AN AMAZING MAC AT A SURPRISING PRICE — With an incredibly portable and durable aluminum design, up to 16 hours of battery life,* and the A18 Pro chip, MacBook Neo is ready to go wherever school takes you.
- FOUR STUNNING COLORS. ONE DURABLE DESIGN — Choose from four beautiful colors — Silver, Blush, Citrus, or Indigo — each with a color-coordinated keyboard. And MacBook Neo is made with a durable recycled aluminum enclosure that helps it reach 60 percent recycled content by weight — the most ever in any Apple product.*
- FLY THROUGH EVERYDAY ASSIGNMENTS — Whether you’re cramming for finals, using Apple Intelligence* to summarize class notes, creating presentations, or even playing the latest Apple Arcade game,* MacBook Neo delivers the performance and AI capabilities you need to get things done.
- UP TO 16 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Neo delivers all day battery life, so you can power through from early morning classes to late night study sessions without worrying about plugging in.
- A VIBRANT 13-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Neo supports 1 billion colors, so photos and videos pop and text is crisp for easy reading.
Rank #3
- AN AMAZING MAC AT A SURPRISING PRICE — With an incredibly portable and durable aluminum design, up to 16 hours of battery life,* and the A18 Pro chip, MacBook Neo is ready to go wherever school takes you.
- FOUR STUNNING COLORS. ONE DURABLE DESIGN — Choose from four beautiful colors — Silver, Blush, Citrus, or Indigo — each with a color-coordinated keyboard. And MacBook Neo is made with a durable recycled aluminum enclosure that helps it reach 60 percent recycled content by weight — the most ever in any Apple product.*
- FLY THROUGH EVERYDAY ASSIGNMENTS — Whether you’re cramming for finals, using Apple Intelligence* to summarize class notes, creating presentations, or even playing the latest Apple Arcade game,* MacBook Neo delivers the performance and AI capabilities you need to get things done.
- UP TO 16 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Neo delivers all day battery life, so you can power through from early morning classes to late night study sessions without worrying about plugging in.
- A VIBRANT 13-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Neo supports 1 billion colors, so photos and videos pop and text is crisp for easy reading.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
