Mac Address Filter On Tplink Deco M4 «2025»

What is a MAC Address Filter? A MAC (Media Access Control) address filter is a security feature that allows you to control which devices can connect to your network. By filtering devices based on their MAC addresses, you can prevent unauthorized devices from accessing your network.

How to Set Up MAC Address Filter on TP-Link Deco M4:

Open the Deco App: First, make sure you have the Deco app installed on your smartphone or tablet. Open the app and log in to your TP-Link account.
Select Your Deco M4 Network: Tap on the Deco M4 network you want to configure.
Go to More Settings: Tap on the "More" icon (three dots) on the top right corner of the screen, then select "More Settings".
Select Advanced Settings: Scroll down and select "Advanced Settings".
Select MAC Filtering: Tap on "MAC Filtering" under the "Security" section.
Enable MAC Filtering: Toggle the switch to enable MAC filtering.
Add Devices to Allow List: Tap on "Add Device" to add devices you want to allow on your network. You can add devices by their MAC address or by scanning the QR code on the device.
Add Devices to Deny List: Tap on "Add Device" under the "Denied Devices" section to add devices you want to block on your network.
Save Changes: Tap on "Save" to save your changes.

How to Find a Device's MAC Address:

On a Windows computer: Press the Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Enter. Type ipconfig /all and press Enter. The MAC address is listed as the "Physical Address".
On a Mac computer: Go to System Preferences > Network > Advanced > Hardware.
On a mobile device: Go to Settings > About Phone > Status > Wi-Fi MAC address.

Tips and Precautions:

Make sure to add your own device's MAC address to the allow list to avoid blocking yourself from the network.
You can add up to 64 devices to the allow and deny lists.
If you forget to add a device to the allow list, it will not be able to connect to your network.

By following these steps, you can set up a MAC address filter on your TP-Link Deco M4 network to control which devices can connect to your network. mac address filter on tplink deco m4

What is a MAC Address, Really?

Before we talk about filters, we need to talk about identity. Every device with a network card—your iPhone, your PlayStation, your neighbor’s laptop—has a unique, hard-coded fingerprint called a MAC (Media Access Control) address.

Think of it like a car’s VIN number. You can change the license plate (the IP address), but the VIN stays the same for life. What is a MAC Address Filter

The Deco M4 uses these "VINs" to decide who gets in. Unlike a password, which can be shared or hacked, a MAC address is a physical constant. Filtering by MAC address is like telling the bouncer: "No matter what name they give you, don’t let in anyone whose DNA isn't on this list."

Advanced Tip: Combining MAC Filtering with the "Main Network" Only

The Deco M4 supports a Guest Network. Here is a professional tip: Do not apply the Whitelist to the Guest Network. Open the Deco App : First, make sure

Leave the Guest network open (with a simple password) for visitors.
Apply the strict MAC address filter (Whitelist) to your Main Network only.
This way, your smart home and personal devices stay secure, but friends can still use the internet without you having to manually add their phone's MAC address.

Part 4: Step-by-Step Guide – How to Set Up MAC Address Filter on TP-Link Deco M4

Since the Deco M4 relies on the mobile app, follow these steps precisely.

3. Preventing Bandwidth Theft

If you live in an apartment building with shared walls, a strong password prevents most theft, but a determined hacker with a cracked password can still get in. A MAC address filter on the TP-Link Deco M4 stops them cold—even if they have the Wi-Fi password, their unrecognized MAC address will be rejected.