@Mikejd 

 

Blame Apple. With IOS 14, they added a feature to help prevent tracking of your iphome/iPad. 

 

See https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211227

@ArcherC8 

I had noticed this. But it also seems to be happening with Android. I have another phone which seems to be doing the same.

 

This must be somewhat dubious, presumably it will allow, say, criminals to hide their movements too.

 

Since this will make MAC filtering impossible to use I need to find another solution. I am considering using a guest network but can't work out yet how I can set up a time schedule to only allow access at certain times.

@Mikejd 

 

Might try a different way.

 

ACCESS CONTROL. Only allow MAC addresses to access the router. Should work I'd think? Change the MAC Address, can't connect?

 

Under Security tab:

 

@Mikejd 

Thanks, I'll have a look at that, set up a white list.

My only question would be - if I use the current MAC address for each device for the white list, access will be denied if the MAc address changes. So that device will have no WiFi access. But I want to allow WiFi access for certain periods of the day. Not sure if this would work.

@Mikejd 

 

The way I read that Apple reply was that it uses a different MAC for each network. If so, then the MAC may not change between networks.

 

Quote: To improve privacy, iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7 use a different MAC address for each Wi-Fi network. This unique, static MAC address is your device's private Wi-Fi address, used for that network only.

 

Also it appears the 'Private Address' setting may make the phone keep the MAC the same.

 

Some routers do allow time settings for the guest network.

@ArcherC8 

This doesn't appear to be the case here. I changed the MAC address in the filter to the one that was logged in on the WiFi for the device. Next time I checked, next day, it had changed. I am also seeing this with an Android device, a OnePlus Nord N105G.

 

Regarding the guest network, my router doesn't seem to offer any time settings. It's probably too old. I am reluctant to pay out for a new modem/router without being sure that what I need to do will be possible with it. I'm going to have to give it some more thought.

What I am thinking is that the iPhone is using both of your networks and when it switches or uses a different network in between it may be changing the MAC. Did changing the iPhone setting work? If so, a combo of that and white list may work.

 

Mikejd wrote

@ArcherC8 

This doesn't appear to be the case here. I changed the MAC address in the filter to the one that was logged in on the WiFi for the device. Next time I checked, next day, it had changed.

@Mikejd 

 

I've seen reports of that happening too. Matter of fact, I think Apple actually changes it every 24 hours on every network?

 

Look at this link, https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-manage-or-disable-mac-randomization-in-ios-and-ipados-14/ for instance.

 

I've seen other pages where the 'instructions' fo disable the feature forces you to REJOIN the network, but that never happened when I did it? Possibly why it changed? Might need to both FORGET the network (SSID's used on the same router are on the same network 'name' so that should not be an issue), and also RESTART the device.

 

I had a problem with my iPhone 12 making calls with it on, had to bet the mobile carrier to do some 'tricks' and I had to reboot the phone with the feature off to make calls.

 

BTW, even with the feature on it seems it will also change the MAC address every 24 hours, especially if you disconnect from the network. A lot of how that works has not be revealed by Apple.

@IrvSp  @ArcherC8 

 

This is all very interesting and useful. I think I need to take some time to work on this. That articlw linked above looks to provide some useful information also.

 

I am pretty sure that the iPhone at least is changing every 24 hours. The individual devices will be logging off the modem at times during the day as the kids go out, so have to log back in. I did turn the feature off in the phone but it seems to be back on, whether by the kid or somehow else. I don't think this is a good way to go because there is nothing to stop them changing it as they have easy access to the settings.

 

I'm coming round to having the guest network as long as I can find a way to control the time schedule. It would have separate login and password to the  main network and only the kids would use it. I will have to try to find a suitable modem for this.

 

It seems to me that Apple might regard this as a desirable feature but I don't think it has been fully thought through. Some of the implications only appear after its implementation.

 

Thanks for all your assistance, I will need to take some time now to try to work out my best plan.

@Mikejd 

 

If they are changing the option to change the MAC, with white list, they would need to use the same MAC to connect. 

 

OR

 

If you have an old modem to could set it up in AP mode. If it has WIFI power controls, use them. If not, have a timer to power it on/off at the desired times. Just do not tell them how it works as that can be bypassed.

 

OR

 

Get an inexpensive extender such as the RE220 and put them on it and off of the main router and you can control the time schedule in the extender controls and/or the main router's controls. 

 

OR

 

Just give up as there are other ways to bypass the controls if they are on the main router.