iPhone connecting to Wi-Fi home network as two devices

Question

iPhone connecting to Wi-Fi home network as two devices

When I connect my iPhone to my home Wi-Fi network, I see my device listed in my router app twice: as "Apple iPhone 13" and again as a string of 12 characters, example "4CE6JN (etc.)". It's as if my iPhone is making two separate connections.

Both "devices" have the same IP address and the same Hostname address, but different MAC addresses. They are both connected to my 5gHz network.

I have the ability to pause the "4CE6JN" device in the router app, and when I do so, my phone is still able to connect to Wi-Fi and work normally. (When I pause the "Apple iPhone 13" device, I lose internet connection). I have tried to "Forget Device" for the mystery entry, but every time I reconnect to the network, it reappears.

The same thing happened with my husband's phone, but once he 'reset network settings' on his iPhone, the issue resolved itself (i.e., his iPhone only shows one entry when connected). I've tried this a couple of times, but to no avail.

Any insight on what's going on?

iPhone 13, iOS 16

Posted on Oct 19, 2022 8:25 AM

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Answer 1

Raicya

Level 10

210,087 points

Oct 19, 2022 11:39 AM in response to 3boysandstella

The MAC address shown in my phone

That is the correct one.

If you use Private Wi-Fi addresses then you can assign the iPhone a MAC address & a Private IP address.

Log in to the router, add your iPhone NAME + iPhone MAC address + private IP address.

Your iPhone MAC address is: go to Settings -> General -> About -> the Wi-Fi address (note this address).

Assign a private IP address to the iPhone, for example 192.168.x.xxx or 169.254.x.xxx.

This depends on the router & other iDevices that have already been added.

What is important, check the list and the last xxx must be different from the iDevices that have already been added.

See the following Apple articles:

Use private Wi-Fi addresses on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch

Use private Wi-Fi addresses on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch - Apple Support

Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points

Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Raicya

Level 10

210,087 points

Oct 19, 2022 11:27 AM in response to 3boysandstella

Both "devices" have the same IP address and the same Hostname address, but different MAC addresses. They are both connected to my 5gHz network.

Check your iPhone MAC address -> go to Settings -> General -> About -> the Wi-Fi address.

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Answer 3

Oct 19, 2022 11:34 AM in response to Raicya

The MAC address shown in my phone Settings is different than both. This is likely because iPhone randomizes MAC addresses as a security measure.

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Answer 4

Oct 19, 2022 6:08 PM in response to Raicya

OK, correction, the MAC address associated with "Apple iPhone 13" matches the private Wi-Fi address in my iPhone.

That still does not explain why there are two devices listed. Why am I seeing my iPhone listed twice, with two different MAC addresses?

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iPhone connecting to Wi-Fi home network as two devices

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