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Android 10 & Fing App - Will Fing App work on Android 10?





Android 10 has started to roll-out, and Fing is ready for it. Find out more about when Android 10 will be coming to your phone model.
Among the changes, devices running on Android 10 by default send randomised MAC addresses on each WiFi they connect and block access to the table of MAC addresses, and this limits Fing App’s ability to display complete device details in some instances.
Android 10 impact on Fing Network Scanner
Our inability to access the ARP table on Android 10, has the following impact on the free Fing network scanning app when running on Android 10 devices:
MAC addresses of devices can no longer be discovered through the ARP Table.
Device manufacturers can no longer be recognized as these come from the MAC addresses, although we will still attempt identification on a best effort basis using other network information that it is still available.
The identification will be based on IP Addresses. Custom names and icons can still be assigned to devices, but you need to make sure your DHCP assigns the same IP address to the same device.
The Wake on LAN feature from the device details will be disabled, but you can create a Wake on LAN local or remote profile and enter the MAC address yourself
The quality of the Device Recognition may be decreased, though we can still identify devices from other means, including all available discovery protocols.
We would encourage you to manually insert as many details as you can about your devices from the device details page. This will help you identify your own devices when you come back to the app.
Get Fingbox to see MAC addresses on Android 10
If you get a Fingbox for your network you will still be able to see MAC addresses of the devices on the network via your app on Android 10.
PC/MAC Fing App versions are coming
As per our latest company roadmap, we plan to release PC/MAC versions of the Fing App which will still allow you to see MAC addresses when scanning a network.
Let us know your thoughts and questions in the comments below.
Community Manager at Fing
Comments
As for a PC version of the App. While that would be great, even better would be a Web Config interface which would work Cross Platform, and could possibly include an API section to configure the output as would work best per our application, though this may cross into the Business Platform. IDK....
Community Manager at Fing
Community Manager at Fing
Community Manager at Fing
Community Manager at Fing
Community Manager at Fing
If you do have a FingBox you will see the MAC Addresses from the FingApp (Android 10 or earlier ) because the device getting the MAC Addresses is the box, not the Android device.
If you don't have a FingBox and use an android 9 or earlier, you will see the MAC Addresses, because FingApp can accesses the ARP table of the Android operative system.
If you don't have a FingBox and use an Android 10 device, you will NOT see the MAC Addresses, because of the restrictions already listed in the post. But, I am pretty sure than if you already know the MAC Address of a device, it is stored in your account, so (I don't have an android 10 device to test it. @VioletChepil could clarify if needed) if you "upgrade" or "change your device" from an Android 9 or earlier to an Android 10, you will still see the MAC Addresses of the already known devices. All new devices will NOT show their MAC Addresses.
If you don’t touch anything, you will see the MAC addresses (from the account storage). But once you start re-scanning on Android 10, the scan will switch to IP-based, and the app cannot tell for sure if the IP is still assigned to the old MAC address, so they get discarded.
I hope this clarifies things for all.
Community Manager at Fing
That is not happening on my device. I have a Google Pixel so I have Android 10. I rescan my network frequently and have yet to have this issue occur. This is why I'm not really sure how to quantify this issue. This does not happen on my device.
If you have any supporting screenshots that would be very helpful too.
Community Manager at Fing
Ahh, I take that back! I was just able to reproduce it.. I see the issue now. Not sure why this was not happening previously but I am seeing it now. Interesting!
However, I found that if I go into my WiFi settings, choose my WiFi Connection. Tap advanced, then Privacy Settings and change use Random Mac Address to Use Devices Mac Address, and I rescan my network all the Mac addresses are now found and matched with its respective IP. Now k can't be sure why thus worked but I would be curious to see if anyone else tries that if it corrects the issue for them as well.
Community Manager at Fing
Sure.
PROBLEM: No longer getting the devices MAC addresses under "Devices" list when scanning a network, after upgrade to Android 10.
DESCRIPTION: Connect to a network (Anyone), Open FING app; Under the “Devices” tab; click on the “refresh” arrow (Top right), Wait for the Network to be “Scanned”, then you get a list of all the “DEVICES” active on said Network; The Devices are listed by IP; On the left of the screen there is an Icon representing the device type (sometimes, and mostly inaccurate), then it shows the Device Name and the IP address below it; But, On the right side, it NO LONGER shows the Manufacturer and MAC Address.
As a solution suggested by others in here, on my mobile, I have selected "Use Device MAC" in WiFi settings; Network details; Advanced; Privacy.; But still not working....
In trying to troubleshoot this issue further, I have tried other "Network Scanning App", and contrary to what is suggested here, MAC addresses are still discovered and shown in other apps like: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.magdalm.wifinetworkscanner
Once again; If other “Network Scanning app” are still (after Android 10 update) showing this Critical information (MAC Addresses) of all devices on the "Scanned" Network; This is then is clearly not an Android limitation... How come they still can do it, and FING can't?
MAC addresses are a must when troubleshooting a network. And I'm not talking about doing it on "your own little network" where you could have a FingBox installed to circumvent this issue, I'm talking about using the FING app at many different locations and for many different client Networks having hundreds of Devices on said Networks.
If you pride yourself as being on top, shouldn't you be the one that has the solutions...
Hopefully, someone with knowledgeable input will be able to shed some light on this weird issue.
Violet here and I manage the Fing Community also with the Fing support team. Unfortunately on Android 10+ access to the ARP table is blocked. We have been preparing/testing for months. We had a similar case with iOS 11 last year and it will be rolling out over next months to Android 10+ devices. https://help.fing.io/knowledge-base/cant-fing-see-mac-addresses-ios-11/
Actually, we'll be launching Fing Desktop for PC/MAC very soon and this will help with better identification.
Other apps - MAC addresses:
- Could it be that you entered custom device details and those are stored by IP address rather than MAC address? It could be that until the device changes IP address that is how the details are being stored.
- Are you sure to be using Android 10? If so, then access to the ARP table would be blocked by the other apps too. I'm still puzzled how they could display.
- Do you have any supporting screenshots? I'd like to understand this better.
- Could you try with Android 10 with those other apps on different networks with devices that are not fully unknown?
Really, I'm just trying to get to the bottom of this!
Community Manager at Fing
I find it almost offensive that you would doubt the fact I'm running Android 10, and that other apps are able to get the MAC info.
What I would suggest, would be for you to download the app that I have referenced in my previous post and do all the testing your hart's content.
On my side, I have tried and tested the specified app, and on the initial first run it did display all MACs on that Network and every time thereafter on all other Networks I have tried it on...
Actually, I just tried it once again on a different Network and got all MAC displayed right away.
Word to the wise, it might be a good idea to try testing referenced products on your end before suggesting others don't know what they're talking about...
Sorry, but there is nothing else more I can add at this point than; others have found a way to get the MACs and obviously you (Fing) did not...
Oh well, I guess it's time for you (Fing) to go back to the good old dev drawing board...
Hope you will find a way to make it work also, like others did, because it would be sad to have to move away from your app.
Your feedback here is more than precious!
We just tried it and it seems this app made it.
Please note that it happened so many times that people got wrong in reporting this kind of good news, that @VioletChepil could not believe it.
Thanks again for this hint.
Carlo from Fing
I am sorry if I came across as not believing you. That was not my intention. I need to just confirm what is happening with supporting evidence and double check information. Usually to start an investigation with our developers (we are a small team) I need as many details as possible and to ensure all the settings on the phone etc. I need to double check to make sure that I collect all the information they would need to investigate.
Anything I can illustrate with screenshots, the better.
They are investigating this case this morning as a matter of priority, so thank you for bringing that to our attention.
I will revert here when I have any more details.
Thank you for sharing the screens and confirming.
Violet
Community Manager at Fing
The phone screen is almost not visible, but that's Fing on Android 10... with MAC addresses.
You don't have to just take our word for it, because a beta version is coming soon!
Carlo from Fing
-Warden Anastasia Luccio, Captain
@ VioletChepil, No worries, I assume you must feel like you are dealing with "Morrons" most of the times and that is why you did not take the time to properly read and investigate my initial post (No need to acknowledge this one). The important thing is that we will all benefit from this. PS; on a personal note, Congrats, and best wishes!
@ kltaylor, Eeeee, how can I put this, politely... There is always that "person" on Forums that has to try to show off their "Chivalry" by posting irrelevant personal opinions and stealing valuable bits, space and time for everyone reading, and here, this is You. Maybe ask yourself if your Post/Comment was helpful in any way solving this "MAC Address" issue. If the answer is no, then... This is You! (...And now, it's Me...)
We want the Fing Community to be a fun, happy and welcoming place where any member can come to learn or get help. We encourage people to participate and we want to encourage a positive and welcoming environment. Of course, we may have differences of opinion and will not always necessarily agree with each other but we can still be respectful too. Thank you all for your understanding and your continued participation.
Here are our community guidelines in case anyone wants to refer to what we are all about: https://community.fing.com/discussion/19/community-guidelines-read-before-posting
Community Manager at Fing
-Warden Anastasia Luccio, Captain