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Asked: 2024-09-26T11:10:57+05:30 In:

How can I permanently modify the MAC address of my network interface on Ubuntu?

I’ve been digging into some networking stuff lately and ran into a bit of an issue that I could really use some help with. So, here’s the situation: I’m using Ubuntu on my laptop for some projects, and I need to modify the MAC address of my network interface. I’ve heard that changing the MAC address can help improve privacy or maybe even get around certain network restrictions, but I want to know how to do it permanently—like every time I boot up, I want it to stick.

Now, I’ve found a few guides here and there, some talking about using the `ifconfig` command, while others mention tools like `macchanger`. But the thing is, everything I’ve tried so far seems to only change the MAC address temporarily. Once I reboot, my network settings go right back to the original MAC address, and I’m back at square one. It’s kind of frustrating, you know?

I’ve read a few forums where people mentioned editing the network interface configuration files or using systemd scripts, but I’m not super comfortable with diving into configuration files unless I have a clear picture of what I’m doing. I mean, I don’t want to accidentally break my network connection altogether. Also, does anyone know if modifying the MAC address can mess with my connection to Wi-Fi networks that I’ve saved? I’d rather avoid having to re-enter passwords or anything like that.

If anyone has a step-by-step approach or some tips on how to make this change stick, I’d really appreciate it. Maybe a breakdown of which files to edit or commands to run would help? I’m all for learning, but I’m looking for something straightforward that a not-so-expert user like myself can follow. Thanks in advance for your help!

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    2 Answers

    1. To permanently change the MAC address on your Ubuntu system, you need to modify the network interface configuration files to ensure your new MAC address is applied at boot. First, identify the name of your network interface using the command `ip link show`. Once you have that, open the configuration file for the specific interface by editing the `/etc/network/interfaces` file if you’re using the traditional networking method, or create a systemd service if you’re using `netplan`. To change the MAC address using the `interfaces` file, add the following lines substituting `` and `` with your specific details:

      auto 
iface  inet dhcp
    hwaddress ether

      If you’re using `netplan`, the configuration file typically located in `/etc/netplan/01-netcfg.yaml` may look like this:

      network:
    version: 2
    renderer: networkd
    ethernets:
        :
            dhcp4: true
            macaddress:

      After saving your changes, run `sudo netplan apply` to apply the new settings. Regarding your concern about Wi-Fi networks, changing your MAC address will not usually affect your saved Wi-Fi passwords, but you might need to reconnect to the network since the router may see the new MAC address as a different device. To prevent any connectivity issues, consider making a backup of your network settings before proceeding to make these changes.







    2. Change MAC Address on Ubuntu

      How to Change Your MAC Address Permanently on Ubuntu

      Hey there! I totally get the struggle with trying to change your MAC address on Ubuntu. It’s super handy for privacy and sometimes for dodging those annoying network restrictions. Here’s a simple way to make your MAC address changes stick, even after a reboot.

      Step-by-Step Guide

      1. Find Your Network Interface Name

      First, you need to know the name of your network interface. Open a terminal (you can find it in your applications) and run:

      ip link show

      This will list all your network interfaces. Look for something like eth0, wlan0, or enp3s0.

      2. Install macchanger

      To make things easier, let’s install macchanger. In the terminal, type:

      sudo apt-get install macchanger

      3. Edit the Network Configuration

      Now, you’ll want to make a change in the network configuration. Open the interfaces file by running:

      sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces

      Find the section that corresponds to your network interface. It’ll look something like this:

      iface wlan0 inet dhcp

      Under that line, you can add the following to set a random MAC address every time:

      pre-up macchanger -r wlan0

      Or, if you want to set a specific MAC address, replace -r with:

      pre-up macchanger --mac=XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX wlan0

      Make sure to replace wlan0 with your actual interface name, and change XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX to your desired MAC address.

      4. Restart Your Network

      After you save and exit (press CTRL + X, then Y, and Enter), you’ll need to restart your network or your computer for the changes to take effect. You can restart the network with:

      sudo service networking restart

      5. Check Your MAC Address

      Finally, you can confirm the change by using the ip link show command again. Your MAC address should now reflect your new settings!

      Important Note

      Changing your MAC address shouldn’t mess with your saved Wi-Fi networks. It may prompt you for a password if your router is set to allow only specific devices, though. So, probably keep your password handy just in case, right?

      Wrapping Up

      And that’s it! Just follow these steps, and your MAC address should stick through reboots. Good luck, and happy networking!


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