Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

iPhone has Multiple IPv6 Addresses

I’m curious, if anyone may please tell me, as to why my iPhone 11 Pro has 3 different IPv6 addresses listed in SettingsWiFi… nameofmyhomenetwork (i)… IP Addresses?


Oh and what steps should I take if it’s not a good thing?

iPhone 11 Pro, iOS 16

Posted on Oct 18, 2023 8:16 AM

Reply
1 reply

Oct 19, 2023 8:01 AM in response to BADAppleJ

Hello BADAppleJ,


We understand your concern and the following details will be able to assist you:


"About private Wi-Fi addresses

To communicate with a Wi-Fi network, a device must identify itself to the network using a unique network address called a Media Access Control (MAC) address. If the device always uses the same Wi-Fi MAC address across all networks, network operators and other network observers can more easily relate that address to the device's network activity and location over time. This allows a kind of user tracking or profiling, and it applies to all devices on all Wi-Fi networks.

Starting with iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7, your device improves privacy by using a different MAC address for each Wi-Fi network. This unique MAC address is your device's private Wi-Fi address, which it uses for that network only.

In some cases, your device will change its private Wi-Fi address:

  • If you erase all content and settings or reset network settings on the device, your device uses a different private address the next time it connects to that network.
  • Starting with iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and watchOS 8, if your device hasn’t joined the network in 6 weeks, it uses a different private address the next time it connects to that network. And if you make your device forget the network, it will also forget the private address it used with that network, unless it has been less than 2 weeks since the last time it was made to forget that network. 


Join Wi-Fi networks with a private Wi-Fi address

Connect to Wi-Fi networks like you normally do. A private Wi-Fi address doesn't affect how you join or use most Wi-Fi networks.

If a network doesn’t allow your device to join, or doesn’t allow it further network or internet access after joining, you can follow the steps bellow to stop using a private Wi-Fi address with that network.


Turn this feature off or on for a network

Your device uses a private Wi-Fi address by default. For improved privacy, leave this feature turned on for all networks that support it.


iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

  1. Open the Settings app, then tap Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap the More Info button next to a network.
  3. Tap to turn Private Wi-Fi Address off or on. If your device joined the network without using a private address, a privacy warning explains why.


On iPhone, turn Private Wi-Fi Address on or off in the Settings app


Apple Watch

  1. Open the Settings app, then tap Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap the name of the network you joined. If you haven't joined the network yet, swipe left on its name and tap the More buttonNo alt supplied for Image.

On Apple Watch, open the Wi-Fi settings


3. Tap to turn Private Address off or on. 


On Apple Watch, turn Private Address on or off


For network administrators

If you manage a Wi-Fi router that's configured to notify you when a new device joins the network, you are notified when a device first joins with a private address.

Businesses and other organizations might need to update their Wi-Fi network security to work with private addresses. Or they can use an MDM-defined network profile to turn off Private Address for enrolled devices that join their Wi-Fi network. Learn more about private Wi-Fi addresses and enterprise networks."


More details here: Use private Wi-Fi addresses on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch


All the best.

iPhone has Multiple IPv6 Addresses

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.