Android 10 and newer devices can use a randomised MAC address for each Wi-Fi network. This protects privacy, but it can confuse a college portal when a student submits the hardware address while the network sees the randomised one.
Why your phone shows two MAC addresses
The hardware Wi-Fi address identifies the physical interface. A randomised address is created for a particular network. Google documents both addresses and notes that Android 10 and newer devices expose a network-specific randomised MAC.
Find the address used for the campus network
- Open Settings → Network & internet → Internet.
- Tap the settings icon next to the campus network.
- Scroll to the randomised MAC address.
- Compare it with the address registered in the campus portal.
Phone manufacturers rename menus, so search Settings for “MAC address” if the path differs.
Should you disable randomisation?
Only do so for that specific network if campus IT explicitly requires the factory address. A better option may be registering the persistent randomised address. Ask the network administrator which address their system expects.
Why registration can fail after a reset
A factory reset, network-profile change or some enhanced-randomisation behaviour may cause a different address to appear. Recheck the current address and update the authorised device record.
Official references
Read Google’s guides to finding Android MAC addresses and MAC randomisation behaviour.