How to use Express Registration to connect to Wi-Fi and UCI's network


Table of Contents

Get online before you need it - connect to the network during Fall move in, before the first day of class, midterms, or finals

Before your first day of classes, midterms, finals, or any other critical time, we strongly recommend you try to connect to UCInet or ResNet Mobile access from your on-campus housing or while on campus, but before you get to class. Besides getting on the network, your instructor may even recommend you download certain apps (like Poll Everywhere) before the first day of class. 

Follow the instructions below in order and you shouldn't have any issue with getting online.

Step 1: Disable Private Wi-Fi Address/MAC Randomization First - do not skip this step

Before attempting to connect to UCInet Mobile Access or ResNet Mobile Access or any network on campus, you should disable Private Wi-Fi Address/MAC Randomization. Do not skip this critical step, or you will have issues trying to get online.

iOS Users (iPhone or iPad)

Turn OFF the Private Address toggle in your Wi-Fi settings. On the iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi. Click on the "i" next to UCInet Mobile Access and turn off the option for "Private Address". 

toggle off private wifi

Google Pixel / Motorola / Other Androids

  1. Open the Settings app
  2. Select Network and Internet
  3. Select Wi-Fi
  4. Connect to the Wireless network
  5. Tap the gear icon next to the current connection
  6. Select Advanced
  7. Select Privacy
  8. Select "Use device MAC"

Samsung Galaxy

  1. Navigate to "Settings"
  2. Select "Connections"
  3. Select "Wi-Fi"
  4. Select "the Wireless Network you wish to connect to"
  5. Tap the gear shaped icon next to the network you connected to
  6. Select "Advanced"
  7. On the next screen there is a menu labeled "MAC Address Type".
  8. Tap on "MAC Address Type"
  9. Select “Use Phone/Device MAC”

Windows

  1. Select the Start button, then enter settings. Select Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi
  2. Turn off Random hardware addresses.

Step 2: Now, attempt to connect to UCInet Mobile Access or ResNet Mobile Access

  1. From your phone or computer, select the network named UCInet Mobile Access (or Resnet Mobile Access if you are living in undergrad housing). NOTE: Network connectivity is not ubiquitous on campus. Some buildings, some floors, and some common areas like spaces outside buildings or Aldrich Park will not have coverage. If you don't see the network name, please change your location until you do find the network.
  2. Open your Web browser and try to connect to any Web page.
  3. You will be directed to our Express Registration web page.
    • UCI Affiliates, click on the Login and register with your UCInetID link.
      1. Log in with your UCInetID and Password.
    • Visitors, click the Log in as a Guest link, which will take you to the Guest Registration System.
      1. Read the Visitor agreement and fill in the Web form with your name, email address, and reason for visiting the campus.
      2. Click the Submit button.
  4. Your computer's hardware (MAC) address will be automatically detected and registered for access to our mobile network.
  5. After a couple of minutes, you should be redirected to the Web page you were trying to access. Sometimes it may take longer, especially at busy times of the day or year.

If you cannot connect, try again in a few minutes. Your computer may take a few minutes to update its network settings. If you still cannot connect, try rebooting your device.

ExpressReg not working? Manually register your device's MAC address

If ExpressReg doesn’t work, you can manually register your device's MAC address. You must have a UCInetID to use Manual Registration. 

How to use Manual Registration to register your MAC address to connect to Wi-Fi and UCI’s network

Additional reasons why people with laptops struggle to connect

Please ensure that your network settings are set to DHCP and remove these settings. By doing this, your device will automatically grab an IP address and DNS address from the network. Failure to remove these static settings will prevent you from connecting.

UCI-Guest Wi-Fi is an option for some, but not for all

The UCI-Guest Wi-Fi is restricted to internet browsing and is only intended for visitors. Gaming consoles are not allowed on this network. Please connect to UCInet Mobile Access if you are a student, faculty, or staff member.

https://uci.service-now.com/sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0012997

Campus Wi-Fi Map

Wi-Fi is not ubiquitous on campus. Please visit the campus map where you can look your building to see where there's reliable Wi-Fi.

Need help with connecting to ResNet?

The instructions on this page will work for ResNet Mobile Access too, but there is a separate page for ResNet Mobile Access here. Grad students should visit our Router Setup page. 

Cable TV is not supported by OIT, but you can get support here.

Still having trouble? Contact the OIT Help Desk

If you are still having trouble, please feel free to contact the OIT Help Desk at oit@uci.edu or (949) 824-2222. You can also learn more about our campus wi-fi on our main OIT website.