How to Change Your Bluetooth MAC Address on Windows?

Do you know that little address that uniquely identifies your Bluetooth adapter? This string of hexadecimal characters that looks like BE:EF:F0:0D:CA:FE and allows your computer to be recognized by surrounding devices?

Well, it turns out that you can modify it for various reasons, whether for privacy, testing purposes, or simply for the fun of customizing your hardware.

There are several valid reasons for wanting to change this address. It’s important to know that your Bluetooth MAC address acts as a unique identifier that can be used to track you. By changing it regularly, you make it more difficult to trace your movements and connection habits. This is especially relevant in public places where numerous Bluetooth sensors are present.

For developers and Bluetooth application testers, being able to quickly change the MAC address is very convenient. It allows simulating different devices without needing additional hardware. This is particularly useful for software debugging and testing phases.

You can create a memorable MAC address like BE:EF:F0:0D:CA:FE (beef, food, café), which can be handy for quickly identifying your devices in an environment with many Bluetooth peripherals.

A common scenario involves purchasing multiple inexpensive Bluetooth dongles that share the same MAC address (yes, it happens!). Modifying one of them immediately resolves potential conflicts and allows you to use all your adapters simultaneously.

To change your Bluetooth adapter’s MAC address, you can use a specialized tool available on Windows. (Edit: I had to remove the link due to issues with the developer’s site. I’ve informed them, and once this issue is resolved, I’ll restore the link. Sorry about that.) This operation, which writes the new address directly to your dongle or integrated Bluetooth card’s internal memory, should be approached with caution. Therefore, be sure to follow the steps below carefully and understand the risks involved, including the possibility of “bricking” your device (rendering it unusable).

Required Hardware and Conditions

Before you begin, ensure that you meet the following conditions:

• A PC running Windows Vista (with the KB942567 pack – Windows Vista Feature Pack for Wireless) or a later version of Windows (Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11).
• A Bluetooth adapter using the Microsoft stack (third-party Bluetooth stacks like BlueSoleil, Toshiba, or Broadcom/Widcomm are not supported).
• A Bluetooth adapter based on a CSR or Broadcom chip is generally required.
• Administrative rights on your machine.

Before You Start

Before modifying anything, carefully note your original Bluetooth MAC address. This way, if you want to revert back, you will always have the initial address. A Bluetooth address is typically written in the format XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX.

Steps to Change the Bluetooth MAC Address

1. Download the Appropriate Tool
   Go to the official macaddresschanger.com website (Edit: I had to remove the link due to developer site issues. I’ve notified them, and I will restore the link once resolved. Sorry for this) to obtain the dedicated utility for changing your Bluetooth MAC address on Windows. Download either the installation version or the portable version according to your preference.
2. Install or Launch the Program
   If you chose the installer, run it and follow the on-screen instructions. You will need administrative rights. If you selected the portable version, simply extract the archive and run the BluetoothMacChanger.exe file, always with administrative rights.
3. Check Your Adapter’s Compatibility
   The utility will indicate whether your adapter is supported. If it’s not recognized, it’s likely using a non-Microsoft stack (such as Broadcom/Widcomm, Toshiba, or BlueSoleil) or its chip is incompatible.
4. Choose Your New MAC Address
   In the software interface, enter the desired new MAC address in the format XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX or XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX. For convenience, you can:
   • Generate a random address using the “Random” button.
   • Choose a “memorable” address (e.g., BE:EF:F0:0D:CA:FE).
   • Use the integrated OUI Lookup tool to select a specific manufacturer prefix.
     Note that the address 00:00:00:00:00:00 (all zeros) is prohibited as it can render your adapter unusable.
5. Apply the Change
   Click the “Change” button to apply the new address. If your adapter is based on a CSR chip, you might be able to use the “Auto reset” option, which avoids needing to physically reconnect your dongle. Otherwise, you’ll need to manually unplug and then replug your Bluetooth key for the changes to take effect.

After the Change

Once the new address is applied, you can check if it works correctly:

• Start a search for nearby Bluetooth devices and verify that your machine is now detected under the new address.
• Test pairing with a usual device to ensure there are no compatibility issues.

Additional Tips

Keep the original address safe if you want to revert back. To restore the initial configuration, simply repeat the operation by entering the original address.

Also, keep in mind that this change may affect your development environment, testing, and device tracking. If you encounter difficulties, try disabling the “Auto reset” option and manually reconnecting your dongle.

Finally, if you want to automate this process, watch for updates on the official website: a command-line version (CLI) might emerge, allowing you to change your Bluetooth MAC address through batch scripts.

If this technique interests you, you might also explore:

• Changing the MAC address of Wi-Fi
• Using virtual containers
• Network anonymization techniques
• Utilizing command-line tools for automating changes

A huge thank you to Lorenper for sharing this practical solution that allows us to regain some control over our network identifiers. This tip proves particularly useful for protecting our digital privacy while offering many possibilities for developers and advanced users.