Every time Raspberry Pi reboots it is detected as a new device by Fing

PeterD

Even though the IP address is unchanged each time, every time I reboot my rPi 400 (running Raspberry Pi OS with Cinnamon) Fing reports a new device on the network.  I've been using Fing/Fingbox for years and never encountered this before.  Any ideas?

Pixel

Hi @PeterD

The wifi connection from your Pi is using private addressing which means each time you log in to a wifi network it is generating a new MAC address to stop you be tracked across networks. All operating systems are starting to use this feature but it can, usually, be disabled for known networks so check the wi-fi settings on your pi (for your network) and you should be able to disable private addressing (It might have a different name). I am not overly familiar with Linux/Pi so can’t explain how to disable it.

Robin_Ex_Fing

Hi @PeterD
You can check from the alerts if it has exactly same MAC or different even by single digit. If MAC is different then Fing is working properly and your Pie is creating virtual MAC address everytime it reboots which is picked up as new device by Fing app.

PeterD

Thanks for replying.  Each message from Fing gives a different MAC so Fing is working as expected.  I don't know why the rPi is doing this as I've not had it happen before.  Maybe there's a setting on the rPi side that's been changed?

Robin_Ex_Fing

PeterD said:

Thanks for replying.  Each message from Fing gives a different MAC so Fing is working as expected.  I don't know why the rPi is doing this as I've not had it happen before.  Maybe there's a setting on the rPi side that's been changed?

I don't have a Pie to test but I believe our moderators can advice something on this. Any advice @Marc @Pixel @rooted
Thanks

rooted

It's becoming a common feature on Android phones as well, it's called randomize MAC and is enabled by default on both my Pixel phones.

PeterD

Thanks for all your very helpful responses.  Mystery solved.