A Media Access Control (MAC) address is a unique identifier assigned to a network interface controller (NIC) for use as a network address in communications within a network segment. On a mobile device using the Android operating system, accessing this identifier allows identification of the specific hardware connected to a network. For example, it may be used to grant network access based on registered device hardware.
Knowledge of a device’s hardware identification number offers several benefits. Network administrators use this number for security purposes, controlling network access and tracking devices. Understanding this address is also important for troubleshooting network connectivity issues. Historically, this address was readily available within the device’s settings; however, newer Android versions have restricted direct access to enhance user privacy.