Article

2 March 2026

Viktoria Camp

CEO, CPO, & Co‑Founder of Affinect

If guests are repeatedly asked to sign in to your WiFi, it’s rarely a network fault. The real reason is something called MAC address randomisation, a privacy feature in modern smartphones.

This setting changes how a phone identifies itself when connecting to WiFi networks. Each time the phone connects, it may appear as a completely new device.

That means your WiFi system can’t automatically recognise returning guests, prompting them to log in again as if it’s their first visit.

In this article
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What Is MAC Randomisation?

How Guests Can Fix It (Once Per Device)

iPhone: How to Stop Repeated WiFi Logins

Android: How to Stop Repeated WiFi Logins

What Happens After Guests Change This Setting

Why It Matters for Restaurants and Venues

FAQs

The Bottom Line

MAC randomisation (sometimes called a Private Wi-Fi Address) is a privacy feature built into both iPhones and Android devices. Instead of broadcasting a fixed device ID, the phone sends a random one to protect user anonymity.

While that’s great for privacy, it causes problems for guest experience when connecting to hospitality WiFi systems, like hotels, cafés, and resorts that use sign-in portals.

To ensure seamless automatic reconnection, guests only need to turn off randomisation for your venue’s WiFi. It’s a one-time action and does not impact other networks.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the ⓘ icon next to your venue’s WiFi network.
4. Turn Private Wi-Fi Address → OFF (or Fixed).
5. Reconnect to your WiFi.

Once done, the device will automatically reconnect on future visits; no logins required.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Wi-Fi.
3. Select your venue’s WiFi network.
4. Tap Privacy or Advanced.
5. Choose Use device MAC.
6. Reconnect to the network.

This change applies only to your venue’s network.

Once the device uses a fixed identifier:

• WiFi reconnects automatically on future visits.
• Guests skip repeating forms or social logins.
• Connections are faster and frictionless.
• The experience feels premium, consistent, and effortless.

A seamless WiFi login process directly affects guest satisfaction and brand perception. Frequent logins feel frustrating, especially for high-value guests who expect convenience.

On the operational side, using a fixed device identity improves your WiFi analytics by:

• Accurately tracking return visits and loyalty.
• Preventing duplicate visitor profiles.
• Maintaining staff vs. guest separation for clean data.
• Enabling precise marketing campaigns and return-visit offers.

Clean data means better marketing automation and reliable performance insights.

Repeated WiFi logins aren’t a sign of poor connectivity; they’re a natural result of privacy features on modern phones.

By guiding guests to make a simple, one-time setting change, you can:

• Deliver a smooth, premium reconnection experience.
• Improve loyalty and satisfaction.
• Keep your data clean and campaign insights accurate.

Affinect takes care of the rest, ensuring your network recognises guests automatically and your analytics stay reliable.

Upgrade your guest WiFi experience with Affinect.
Contact us today to improve reconnection rates, analytics accuracy, and guest satisfaction.