Per-connection randomized MAC takes down WiFi networks

DeletedUser182

This setting is now default and it takes down some small public networks like those at hotels, because routers can't handle the huge amount of new MAC addresses. It's particularly bad when it's combined with the WiFi disconnect issue that happens to the 9 models (https://github.com/GrapheneOS/os-issue-tracker/issues/3944)

Routers are probably shitty for not being able to handle this, but it's still incredibly annoying that the default setting can't be changed.

missing-root

DeletedUser182

This also happened to me with an older FritzBox. They have a filterlist feature but that wasnt even turned on.

I think it would be a good thing to interactively prompt users on every new wifi, which mode they want to use. Otherwise 90% will use the default and yes, flood a ton of routers.

Only public routers are really made for huge amounts of MACs and clear them after a while I guess.

words

Click on the settings gear next to a AP name. select Privacy, and toggle the "Use per-network randomized MAC" for this AP. Don't forget to tell the sysadmin to go figure out the DHCP leases settings.

DeletedUser182

words You're right, but it's too complicated to do every single time and people will forget to do it every time if they are on the go.

DeletedUser182

missing-root Yes, and show which type of security is used before a connection is made, because some people might want to avoid WEP/WPA2/whatever and only use networks with WPA3.

missing-root

DeletedUser182 true but totally unrelated

DeletedUser182

missing-root Yes, and it's actually possible to disallow WEP networks now, under "Network preferences", so the developers already implemented something like this, but I wasn't aware until now.

It's also possible to choose per-network randomized MAC under "Advanced options" before connecting to a password-protected network. However, it's not possible before connecting to unprotected networks.

alfred

DeletedUser182 It's also possible to choose per-network randomized MAC under "Advanced options" before connecting to a password-protected network. However, it's not possible before connecting to unprotected networks.

You can sort of do that for an open network by manually adding the network, enter the SSID and change the advanced settings. But it is probably just as fast to connect, then edit the settings after.