- A
The phone is using a static IP configuration; change it to DHCP.
Why wrong: A static IP issue would not cause a fake MAC address; the MAC shown is a randomized one, not a static IP problem.
- B
The Wi-Fi hardware is faulty; the phone needs repair.
Why wrong: A hardware fault would typically show no MAC or an error, not a specific randomized address like 02:00:00:00:00:00.
- C
The phone has a randomized MAC address enabled; disable it for the network.
Android 10+ uses randomized MACs by default to enhance privacy; the address shown is a randomized one, and disabling it for that network can fix connection issues.
- D
The phone is in Airplane Mode; turn it off.
Why wrong: Airplane Mode disables all radios, but the MAC address would not appear as a randomized value; it would simply show 'Not available'.
Resolving Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues Caused by Randomized MAC Address
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of mobile os features and tools. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is troubleshooting an Android phone that cannot connect to Wi-Fi networks, even though other devices connect fine. The technician notices that the phone's MAC address is displayed as '02:00:00:00:00:00' in the Wi-Fi settings. Which feature is likely causing this, and how should it be resolved?
Quick Answer
The answer is the randomized MAC address feature. This is correct because Android’s privacy-focused setting generates a temporary, non-unique MAC address—like the displayed '02:00:00:00:00:00'—for each Wi-Fi network, which can cause connectivity issues when the network’s access control or DHCP relies on a consistent hardware address. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Android’s privacy enhancements and their real-world troubleshooting implications; a common trap is confusing this with a hardware failure or IP conflict. Remember that the all-zeroes pattern in the second half of the MAC is a dead giveaway for randomization. To resolve it, disable the randomized MAC for that specific network in the Wi-Fi settings. Memory tip: think “02:00:00:00:00:00” as “Zero Trust MAC”—the phone is hiding its real identity, so you must tell it to trust that network.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The phone has a randomized MAC address enabled; disable it for the network.
The MAC address '02:00:00:00:00:00' is a well-known randomized MAC address (the second hex digit '2' indicates a locally administered, unicast address per IEEE 802 standards). Android devices use MAC randomization by default to enhance privacy, but this can cause connectivity issues on networks that filter or authenticate by MAC address. Disabling randomization for the specific network allows the phone to use its permanent MAC address, resolving the connection problem.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The phone is using a static IP configuration; change it to DHCP.
Why it's wrong here
A static IP issue would not cause a fake MAC address; the MAC shown is a randomized one, not a static IP problem.
- ✗
The Wi-Fi hardware is faulty; the phone needs repair.
Why it's wrong here
A hardware fault would typically show no MAC or an error, not a specific randomized address like 02:00:00:00:00:00.
- ✓
The phone has a randomized MAC address enabled; disable it for the network.
Why this is correct
Android 10+ uses randomized MACs by default to enhance privacy; the address shown is a randomized one, and disabling it for that network can fix connection issues.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The phone is in Airplane Mode; turn it off.
Why it's wrong here
Airplane Mode disables all radios, but the MAC address would not appear as a randomized value; it would simply show 'Not available'.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
On the CompTIA A+ exam, the randomized MAC address (especially '02:00:00:00:00:00') is a privacy feature, not a hardware fault. Candidates often mistakenly choose hardware failure or static IP issues.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
A static IP issue would not cause a fake MAC address; the MAC shown is a randomized one, not a static IP problem.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
MAC randomization uses a locally administered address (LAA) with the second least significant bit of the first octet set to 1 (e.g., 02:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx). Android implements this per-network or per-scan, and the address '02:00:00:00:00:00' is a common fallback or placeholder when randomization fails or is misconfigured. In enterprise environments with MAC-based authentication (e.g., 802.1X), randomization can cause repeated authentication failures, requiring the user to disable it for the trusted network.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Mobile OS Features and Tools — This question tests Mobile OS Features and Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The phone has a randomized MAC address enabled; disable it for the network. — The MAC address '02:00:00:00:00:00' is a well-known randomized MAC address (the second hex digit '2' indicates a locally administered, unicast address per IEEE 802 standards). Android devices use MAC randomization by default to enhance privacy, but this can cause connectivity issues on networks that filter or authenticate by MAC address. Disabling randomization for the specific network allows the phone to use its permanent MAC address, resolving the connection problem.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.
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