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Mobile Phone, Tablet & Device Activation at Boston College

Every Wi-Fi device (smartphone, tablet, wireless gaming console, etc.) on the BC wireless network must be activated in order to access the Internet and email. Most devices can be activated on the device itself by going to the activation site at: activate.bc.edu

If you cannot activate on the device itself:

  1. Find your device's MAC address (also called Hardware Address). A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a 12-digit alphanumeric code that is unique to each piece of networking hardware. To find the MAC address, consult your smartphone, gaming console, or other device's user manual or Google it. See instructions for commonly used smartphones.
  2. Once you have the MAC address, use a computer that is already activated on the BC network and go to activate.bc.edu to activate your device on the BC network.

Need help? Call the Help Center at 617-552-HELP (4357) or bring your device to the Walk-In Help Desk.

Note: To ensure the quality of the BC-provided wireless service in the common areas, ITS will disable and remove any unauthorized wireless routers or other Access Points found to be interfering with the BC wireless network.


Finding your MAC address on commonly used smartphones

Android:

  1. Make sure your Wi-Fi is turned on.
  2. Click the Application slider.
  3. Open the Settings application.
  4. Select About Phone.
  5. Scroll down and tap Status.
  6. Scroll down and find the Wi-Fi MAC Address.

iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch:

  1. Make sure your Wi-Fi is turned on.
  2. Find and select the Settings application.
  3. Tap General.
  4. At the top of the General menu, tap About.
  5. Scroll down and find the Wi-Fi Address.

Blackberry:

  1. Make sure your Wi-Fi is turned on.
  2. Click Options.
  3. Click Status.
  4. Find the WLAN MAC address.

Windows Mobile (varies by manufacturer):

  1. Make sure your Wi-Fi is turned on.
  2. Open your manufacturer's Wi-Fi manager.
  3. Inside the Wi-Fi manager, find the "Status" or "Options" menu.
  4. Find the MAC address.