Time Capsule MAC filtering

I would like to enable filtering to only allow my Macs and phones to use this wireless network.

That is not too difficult to do for most users, once they know what to do.....and it makes no difference at all whether the Time Capsule is in normal Router Mode or Bridge Mode.

You will use the Timed Access settings in AirPort Utility for this.

But first, you will need the wireless MAC Address of each wireless device that you have, so that you will be able to set up "rules" to allow each device to connect to your wireless network. Any device that does not have a specific "rule" to allow it to connect will not be able to connect to the network. This is where things can get a bit tricky, but more on that later.

On each Mac computer, Open System Preferences (gear icon on the dock), then open Network. Click on WiFi on the left side of the panel and then click Advanced at the lower right of the window.

Locate the Wi-Fi Address.....it is at the bottom of the window.....and write down that number very carefully, or enter it into a spreadsheet if you prefer. The Wi-Fi Address is the MAC Address of your Mac.

When you have gathered all of the Wi-Fi Addresses for all of the Macs, you can start on gathering info about the iPhones and iPads, etc.

On each iPhone or iPad, Go to the Home Screen. Tap Settings, then tap General, then tap About and scroll down to locate the WiFi Address. Write or enter that number very carefully. The WiFi Address is the MAC Address of the iPhone, iPad, etc.

If the TP Link devices connect to the network using wireless......you will need the wireless MAC Address of each TP Link extender as well.

Post back when you have built up your list of MAC Addresses. A spreadsheet is handy for this, since you can copy/paste the MAC info when you start to build your list of "rules".

Unfortunately, Apple is not known for providing details or documentation.

Other than the Setup Guide that came with the Time Capsule or the document linked below, which provides a few basics, there is not much available. The Help menu in AirPort Utility is often over looked by users though. There is some useful stuff there.

Setting up Time Capsule for the first time - Apple Support

Probably it's entered like it shows on the Mac, seeing as how it's an Apple product.

Correct......and taking a quick look at things in AirPort Utility......it looks like copy/paste no longer works since the most recent Yosemite update. So, I would plan to enter the addresses in manually. That's painful.

When you start to enter the address in AirPort Utility and type in the first two characters, a colon will automatically be inserted. I would enter things in the way that the MAC Address for the device appears when you check the device.......lower case for Macs......upper case for iPhones, etc.

So, you are ready to set up some "rules"? This is where things can get tricky. If things get messed up, you need to have a way back into AirPort Utility.

In other words, if Timed Access won't let your Mac connect to the network......you can't get back in to check or correct things.

So, it is very important that you use a Mac that has an Ethernet port.....so you can connect to the Time Capsule using a wired connection.....to get back into AirPort Utility if you need to.

Yeah, what a shock to see that my brand new MacBook Pro has no ethernet connection.

An Apple USB to Ethernet adapter or Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter is a really handy item to have around.

Please follow my instructions very carefully. We will go slow, until you get the hang of it.

You have the Timed Access window open now.....and it looks like the window below.....correct?

First, you have to change the default setting from "Unlimited".....which means that any wireless device that has the password for your network can connect......to No Access......which means that only the devices that you list with connection rules will be allowed to connect to the network

In the Description Box type in something like New Default, or Default Settings, whatever you want to call it

Then, change Wireless Access Times to No Access

Then, click Save

Post back when that is done.

You will have to click on Timed Access again to open the window back up.

OK, you should be back to the window that appears just above.

Click on the small + (plus) button under the top setting of Wireless Clients....and the next window will look like this:

For Description.......Type in a device name.....like MacBook Pro for example

For MAC Address.......Enter in the WiFi Address that you have for that device

I assume that you want the MacBook Pro to have access Everyday.......All Day. If you want to limit the times that the Mac can connect.......change All Day......to Between.......and edit the hours that you want the device to be able to connect.

For now, it will be much easier if you simply set up each device to have Access Times of Everyday......All Day......but you can come back later if you want to make any changes to any device.

Click Save and post back when that is done.