Apple Watch MAC address doesn't match IP Scanner report

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Level 2

151 points

Apple Watch MAC address doesn't match IP Scanner report

This isn't an urgent issue in any respect; I'm just curious. I have an Apple Watch Series 6 that is connected to my WiFi network. Whenever I use IP Scanner to assess my network, it reports about 18 devices, e.g. HomePods, iPhones, routers, A/V receiver, iPads, BlueRay player, etc., etc. There is one item that always shows up as "unidentified device" with an unknown manufacturer. My Apple Watch does not appear in IP Scanner's list but is, indeed, connected to and functioning on my network. The curious thing is that the MAC addess in IP Scanner does not match the address reported by the watch. I have attached a screenshot from the watch and two from IP Scanner to confirm that fact.

Can anyone explain the discrepancy?

Apple Watch Series 6

Posted on Jan 14, 2023 2:56 PM

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Answer 1

Brian Shaw3 Author

Level 2

151 points

Jan 16, 2023 4:23 AM in response to LD150

Thanks for the response. Something like that seems the most likely explanation. However, IP addresses are assigned by the router using DHCP, not by the device. My confusion is related to the MAC address. Can Private Address spoof a MAC address?

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Answer 2

Brian Shaw3 Author

Level 2

151 points

Jan 16, 2023 5:19 AM in response to Brian Shaw3

After I posted my response, above, I turned off Private Address in my watch and it then showed up in IP Scanner with its real MAC address and the 'Unknown' item disappeared, proving that, indeed, the MAC address (not the IP address) had been spoofed. Thanks again LD150!

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