Simpler, more predictable device search in the Mender UI

In response to user feedback, the Search devices bar located at the top of the Mender UI now operates using a more focused behavior.

Historically,  Search devices queried broad device data, which often returned unexpected matches. In practice, most people use it for one task: quickly finding a specific device. So we have refined it to do exactly that task.

What changed: Device identity attribute

Finding a device now only matches against the Device identity attribute, the attribute selected to represent devices throughout the UI (for example, mac or Name).

Finding a device:

• Uses "Starts with" logic: The search term matches the beginning of the identity attribute value. Searching for 00:1a returns 00:1a:2b:3c:4d:5e, but searching for3c:4d does not.
• Is case-sensitive: Kitchen-01andkitchen-01are treated as different values – keeping search fast, even across large fleets.
• Is the same everywhere: The behavior is identical across all Mender plans, and open source.

Available in hosted Mender as of September 14, 2026.

Changing the attribute for search

To find devices by a different attribute, change the Device identity attribute on the device list or in the settings. Either:

• Click the gear icon next to the first column on the device table

• Or navigate to Settings → Global settings → Device identity attribute.

Note: that this is an organization-wide setting. Changing the Device identity attribute changes how devices are displayed and searched for all users.

Need more flexibility?

For advanced searches across inventory attributes and tags or to return multiple devices with shared attributes, use the filters on the Devices page. Filters allow more complex operators and the ability to combine multiple rules, for when you need to do more than just quickly find a device.

Share your feedback

Share your feedback about this release in the Mender Hub General Discussions forum. Your continued feedback ensures Mender keeps meeting your needs as we plan further improvements.

If you believe you have encountered a bug, please submit a report in the Mender JIRA issue tracker with detailed reproduction steps and configuration information.