Change MAC Address On AirPort Extreme

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Change MAC Address On AirPort Extreme

I'm using the latest Apple AirPort Extreme 802.11n (Apple Part Number MB763AM/A and Model A1301 as noted on the box). I am currently using Firmware 7.5.1. I haven't yet updated to the latest AirPort Base Station Firmware 7.5.2.

Is there a way to change the MAC Address on this device? The reason I ask is because I use cable Internet and releasing and renewing the IP Address on cable never works. You're basically stuck with the same IP address for months on end unless you leave your connection off for at least 72 hours or more (DSL out here works differently - you get a new IP Address immediately after releasing and renewing).

I don't like using the term "spoofing" as it sounds as if you're trying to do something devious (which I'm not) but I just don't like having the same IP Address for months on end since I don't think it's wise for security reasons.

I'd be interested in knowing if there is a way to change the MAC Address of my AirPort Extreme, perhaps using a third-party utility of some sort, perhaps through the Terminal or maybe the new firmware update allows you to finally do this?

27-Inch iMac 2.66GHz Intel Core i5 - 4 GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Jan 30, 2011 10:04 AM

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Answer 1

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Bob Timmons

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159,716 points

Jan 30, 2011 10:33 AM in response to Gerard James

Is there a way to change the MAC Address on this device?

If you are referring to the MAC address of the AirtPort Extreme, it is not possible to change this.

You're basically stuck with the same IP address for months on end unless you leave your connection off for at least 72 hours or more (DSL out here works differently - you get a new IP Address immediately after releasing and renewing).

The IP address you are referring to here is assigned by your service provider. The AirPort Extreme has no control over this.

I'd be interested in knowing if there is a way to change the MAC Address of my AirPort Extreme, perhaps using a third-party utility of some sort, perhaps through the Terminal or maybe the new firmware update allows you to finally do this?

Sorry, not possible.

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Answer 2

Gerard James Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 30, 2011 11:15 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Yes, of course I'm referring to the MAC Address of the AirtPort Extreme since it's not the MAC Address of the iMac behind my network which the ISP sees. It's too bad Apple can't change this somehow. Truly, one of the drawbacks of the AirPort Extreme. You can change the MAC Address of almost every other router on the market that I know of: D-Link, Netgear, Belkin, Linksys and all the rest.

I do understand that the IP Address I'm referring to here is assigned by my service provider. Through a DSL connection, a simple release and renew gets you a new IP Address from the service provider. But not with the cable Internet service provider out here.

Thanks for your help.

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Answer 3

Jan 31, 2011 9:59 PM in response to Gerard James

Why is it no longer possible to change the mac address of the airport card?

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Answer 4

spel3o

Level 1

0 points

Mar 20, 2011 5:01 PM in response to jbitsamurai

Sure it's possible. Fire up Terminal, and set up the airport utility by entering:

sudo ln -s /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resourc es/airport /usr/sbin/airport

After that, enter the command "airport -z" to disassociate yourself from any wifi networks, but still keep your wifi card active. Sort of like hitting the clutch to change gears. Then do this command:

sudo ifconfig en1 ether 00:00:00:00:00

And set it to the MAC address you want. Then if you do a "ifconfig en1 | grep ether" you it should return your altered MAC address. It changes back to default on restart, so don't expect it to retain over halts. But it works like a charm otherwise. 🙂

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Answer 5

Feb 7, 2012 3:52 PM in response to spel3o

Hey! I tried this but got a "command not found" when I tried the "airport -z" part. Do you know what might be going on?

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Answer 6

dyziu

Level 1

0 points

Jul 11, 2012 7:17 AM in response to mlauryssens

First of all, there is no spacebar between "Resourc" and "es". This is why your airport -z doesn't work.

Second of all, this is the way to change your own wifi card ether addr not the ether addr of Airport Extreme device itself.

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Answer 7

Aug 3, 2012 8:30 PM in response to Gerard James

Spoofing the ethernet adapter or wifi card mac address will result in a change of your ip address. This can usually be done through most routers. The feature is called mac address clone and can be access through settings. If your router does not support this feature then you can achieve the same results by changing the mac address at terminal, however, like the previous poster said, it will default back to the real address on restart, unless you write a script that does it automatically at start up.

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Answer 8

Oct 31, 2012 6:43 PM in response to Gerard James

Gerrad to change your Mac address try this "sudo ifconfig en1 ether xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx"

en1 -the name of the interface (Ethernet, wifi)

xx: the Mac address you want to spoof

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Answer 9

v0vets

Level 1

18 points

Aug 21, 2015 10:03 AM in response to Gerard James

If I'm not mistaken, this utility solves the problem until next firmware update.

http://macpod.net/software/AirPortExtremeMACAddressChanger.php

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