How do I obtain the MAC address of my Cisco phone?

Quick guide to locate your Cisco phone’s MAC address either on the device screen or on the rear label.

Step 0) What is the MAC and why is it important?

The MAC address uniquely identifies the phone’s network interface (12 hexadecimal characters). It’s required for provisioning, troubleshooting, and support.

Most common equivalent formats:

• 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E
• 001A.2B3C.4D5E (Cisco format)
• 001A2B3C4D5E (no separators)

Tip: avoid mixing up the letter O with the number 0, and B with 8. It must be exactly 12 hexadecimal characters.

Step 1) View the MAC from the phone menu (device powered on)

If you can access the powered device, this is the fastest path. On many 78xx/88xx models, the typical route is:

1. Press the Settings button.
2. Select Admin Settings.
3. Open Network Configuration, Device Information, or Ethernet (varies by model/firmware).
4. Look for MAC Address or Ethernet MAC Address and note it exactly as shown.

79xx models (e.g., 7970G/7975G): Common route: Settings → Status → Network Configuration → Ethernet MAC Address. If you see a lock in the network section, press **# to unlock.

Step 2) Read the MAC from the physical label (without powering the device)

If you can’t access the menu (device off, menu locked, or no credentials), you can get the MAC from the rear label:

1. Carefully turn the phone over or remove the stand if it’s in the way.
2. Look for a sticker labeled MAC, Ethernet MAC, MAC ID, PID, or SN.
3. Copy the 12-digit string exactly (it may appear with colons, Cisco dots, or without separators).
4. Take a clear photo of the label as a backup.

Important: Once you have it, please send us a picture or the written MAC in an email to support@linkedip.com.