Unable to get a Wi-Fi connection on a MacBook Pro running Ubuntu 18.04

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I have a 2017 MacBook Pro (15") and have put Ubuntu 18.04 on it. I've managed to get the drivers for keyboard and the trackpad working, but so far, I am unable to connect to Wi-Fi.

But I am able to see Wi-Fi networks, and I can attempt to connect to the (type in password etc. - yes, the password is correct), but the network utility just spins for a minute, and then asks for the password again.

I am happy to provide whatever details you need!

Silvertail

Posted 2018-07-14T01:00:34.040

Reputation: 61

Update: I am able to connect to my phone's tethering, when I turn off authentication completely (no wpa2...). – Silvertail – 2018-07-14T02:10:17.637

Answers

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Turns out the Wi-Fi module was trying to randomize its MAC address via NetworkManager.

The standard fix for this did not work, but I was able to get it to work by going into /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections and editing my specific connection.

I added mac-address-randomization=0, tried connecting to the network again, and everything worked!

Silvertail

Posted 2018-07-14T01:00:34.040

Reputation: 61

Great self-answered question. But why was your Wi-Fi MAC address being randomized? Was that intentional? – JakeGould – 2018-07-14T16:16:27.253

No, this is apparently automatic with NetworkManager. Originally it was meant as a security feature by the devs. – Silvertail – 2018-07-15T01:08:57.980

Ahhh! That honestly sounds excessively ridiculous for a default feature. Reading up on it here it seems more a headache presented as a “solution” more than anything else.

– JakeGould – 2018-07-15T01:18:16.740

Asked: 2018-07-14T01:00:34.040

Viewed: 1 073 times

Active: 2018-10-14T15:01:25.120