diff --git a/netbox/dcim/api/serializers_/device_components.py b/netbox/dcim/api/serializers_/device_components.py
index 48957bdae..f1b592e98 100644
--- a/netbox/dcim/api/serializers_/device_components.py
+++ b/netbox/dcim/api/serializers_/device_components.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 from django.contrib.contenttypes.models import ContentType
 from django.utils.translation import gettext as _
+from netaddr import EUI, AddrFormatError
 from rest_framework import serializers
 
 from dcim.choices import *
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ from .base import ConnectedEndpointsSerializer, PortSerializer
 from .cables import CabledObjectSerializer
 from .devices import DeviceSerializer, MACAddressSerializer, ModuleSerializer, VirtualDeviceContextSerializer
 from .manufacturers import ManufacturerSerializer
+from .mixins import _UNSET, MACAddressShortcutMixin
 from .nested import NestedInterfaceSerializer
 from .roles import InventoryItemRoleSerializer
 
@@ -197,6 +199,7 @@ class PowerOutletSerializer(
 
 
 class InterfaceSerializer(
+    MACAddressShortcutMixin,
     OwnerMixin,
     NetBoxModelSerializer,
     CabledObjectSerializer,
@@ -249,8 +252,9 @@ class InterfaceSerializer(
     )
     count_ipaddresses = serializers.IntegerField(read_only=True)
     count_fhrp_groups = serializers.IntegerField(read_only=True)
-    # Maintains backward compatibility with NetBox <v4.2
-    mac_address = serializers.CharField(allow_null=True, read_only=True)
+    # Maintains backward compatibility with NetBox <v4.2; also accepts a MAC string on write to
+    # create/update the primary MAC address in a single request.
+    mac_address = serializers.CharField(allow_null=True, required=False)
     primary_mac_address = MACAddressSerializer(nested=True, required=False, allow_null=True)
     mac_addresses = MACAddressSerializer(many=True, nested=True, read_only=True, allow_null=True)
     wwn = serializers.CharField(required=False, default=None, allow_blank=True, allow_null=True)
@@ -270,8 +274,21 @@ class InterfaceSerializer(
         brief_fields = ('id', 'url', 'display', 'device', 'name', 'description', 'cable', '_occupied')
 
     def validate(self, data):
+        # Pop mac_address before model validation — it's a cached_property, not a model field,
+        # and passing it to Interface(**attrs) in ValidatedModelSerializer.validate() would raise TypeError.
+        # data may be an Interface instance (not a dict) in some custom field code paths (#18887).
+        mac_address = _UNSET
+        if isinstance(data, dict):
+            mac_address = data.pop('mac_address', _UNSET)
 
-        if not self.nested:
+        if not self.nested and isinstance(data, dict):
+            if mac_address not in (_UNSET, None):
+                try:
+                    EUI(mac_address, version=48)
+                except (AddrFormatError, ValueError, TypeError):
+                    raise serializers.ValidationError({
+                        'mac_address': _('Enter a valid MAC address (e.g. 00:11:22:33:44:55).')
+                    })
 
             # Validate 802.1q mode and vlan(s)
             mode = None
@@ -329,7 +346,12 @@ class InterfaceSerializer(
                                         f"or it must be global."
                     })
 
-        return super().validate(data)
+        data = super().validate(data)
+
+        if mac_address is not _UNSET:
+            data['mac_address'] = mac_address
+
+        return data
 
 
 class RearPortMappingSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
diff --git a/netbox/dcim/api/serializers_/mixins.py b/netbox/dcim/api/serializers_/mixins.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4a856c813
--- /dev/null
+++ b/netbox/dcim/api/serializers_/mixins.py
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+from django.db import transaction
+from django.utils.translation import gettext as _
+from rest_framework.exceptions import PermissionDenied
+
+from dcim.models import MACAddress
+
+_UNSET = object()
+
+__all__ = (
+    '_UNSET',
+    'MACAddressShortcutMixin',
+)
+
+
+class MACAddressShortcutMixin:
+    """
+    Mixin for Interface and VMInterface serializers that adds a write-only `mac_address` shortcut
+    field for creating/updating the primary MACAddress in a single request.
+    """
+
+    def create(self, validated_data):
+        mac_address = validated_data.pop('mac_address', None)
+        if mac_address is not None:
+            request = self.context.get('request')
+            if request and not request.user.has_perm('dcim.add_macaddress'):
+                raise PermissionDenied(_('You do not have permission to create MAC addresses.'))
+        with transaction.atomic():
+            instance = super().create(validated_data)
+            if mac_address is not None:
+                mac = MACAddress.objects.create(mac_address=mac_address, assigned_object=instance)
+                instance.primary_mac_address = mac
+                instance.save()
+                instance.__dict__.pop('mac_address', None)
+        return instance
+
+    def update(self, instance, validated_data):
+        mac_address = validated_data.pop('mac_address', _UNSET)
+
+        # Check permission and locate any existing MAC before any writes.
+        if mac_address not in (_UNSET, None):
+            existing_mac = instance.mac_addresses.filter(mac_address=mac_address).first()
+            if existing_mac is None:
+                request = self.context.get('request')
+                if request and not request.user.has_perm('dcim.add_macaddress'):
+                    raise PermissionDenied(_('You do not have permission to create MAC addresses.'))
+        else:
+            existing_mac = None
+
+        with transaction.atomic():
+            instance = super().update(instance, validated_data)
+            if mac_address is _UNSET:
+                pass
+            elif mac_address is None:
+                if instance.primary_mac_address_id is not None:
+                    instance.snapshot()
+                    instance.primary_mac_address = None
+                    instance.save()
+            else:
+                # Find-or-create: prefer existing MAC on this interface; create only if absent.
+                mac = existing_mac
+                if mac is None:
+                    mac = MACAddress.objects.create(mac_address=mac_address, assigned_object=instance)
+                if instance.primary_mac_address_id != mac.pk:
+                    instance.snapshot()
+                    instance.primary_mac_address = mac
+                    instance.save()
+
+        instance.__dict__.pop('mac_address', None)
+        return instance
diff --git a/netbox/dcim/forms/common.py b/netbox/dcim/forms/common.py
index f3df113b4..c936164d1 100644
--- a/netbox/dcim/forms/common.py
+++ b/netbox/dcim/forms/common.py
@@ -1,9 +1,13 @@
 from django import forms
+from django.db import transaction
 from django.utils.translation import gettext_lazy as _
+from netaddr import EUI, AddrFormatError
 
 from dcim.choices import *
 from dcim.constants import *
+from dcim.models import MACAddress
 from dcim.utils import get_module_bay_positions, resolve_module_placeholder
+from netbox.context import current_request
 from utilities.forms import get_field_value
 
 __all__ = (
@@ -19,6 +23,12 @@ class InterfaceCommonForm(forms.Form):
         max_value=INTERFACE_MTU_MAX,
         label=_('MTU')
     )
+    mac_address = forms.CharField(
+        required=False,
+        empty_value=None,
+        label=_('MAC address'),
+        help_text=_('Enter a MAC address to create and assign it as the primary MAC in one step.')
+    )
 
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
@@ -36,12 +46,27 @@ class InterfaceCommonForm(forms.Form):
         if interface_mode != InterfaceModeChoices.MODE_Q_IN_Q:
             del self.fields['qinq_svlan']
 
-        if self.instance and self.instance.pk:
-            filter_name = f'{self._meta.model._meta.model_name}_id'
-            self.fields['primary_mac_address'].widget.add_query_param(filter_name, self.instance.pk)
+        if self.instance and self.instance.pk and self.instance.primary_mac_address:
+            # Pre-populate mac_address with the current primary MAC string so it round-trips cleanly
+            self.fields['mac_address'].initial = str(self.instance.primary_mac_address.mac_address)
 
     def clean(self):
         super().clean()
+
+        mac_address = self.cleaned_data.get('mac_address')
+        if mac_address:
+            try:
+                EUI(mac_address, version=48)
+            except (AddrFormatError, ValueError, TypeError):
+                raise forms.ValidationError({
+                    'mac_address': _('Enter a valid MAC address (e.g. 00:11:22:33:44:55).')
+                })
+            # Require add_macaddress permission when a MAC value is provided (it may need to be created).
+            request = current_request.get()
+            if request is not None and not request.user.has_perm('dcim.add_macaddress'):
+                raise forms.ValidationError({
+                    'mac_address': _('You do not have permission to create MAC addresses.')
+                })
         parent_field = 'device' if 'device' in self.cleaned_data else 'virtual_machine'
         if 'tagged_vlans' in self.fields.keys():
             tagged_vlans = self.cleaned_data.get('tagged_vlans') if self.is_bound else \
@@ -68,6 +93,35 @@ class InterfaceCommonForm(forms.Form):
             if 'tagged_vlans' not in self.cleaned_data and self.instance.tagged_vlans is not None:
                 self.instance.tagged_vlans.clear()
 
+    def save(self, commit=True):
+        instance = super().save(commit=commit)
+
+        if not commit or 'mac_address' not in self.changed_data:
+            return instance
+
+        mac_address = self.cleaned_data.get('mac_address')
+
+        with transaction.atomic():
+            if mac_address:
+                # Find an existing MACAddress on this interface with the target value, or create one.
+                # Using find-or-create avoids duplicating a MAC that already exists on this interface.
+                mac = instance.mac_addresses.filter(mac_address=mac_address).first()
+                if mac is None:
+                    mac = MACAddress(mac_address=mac_address, assigned_object=instance)
+                    mac.save()
+                if instance.primary_mac_address_id != mac.pk:
+                    instance.snapshot()
+                    instance.primary_mac_address = mac
+                    instance.save()
+            else:
+                if instance.primary_mac_address_id is not None:
+                    instance.snapshot()
+                    instance.primary_mac_address = None
+                    instance.save()
+
+        instance.__dict__.pop('mac_address', None)
+        return instance
+
 
 class ModuleCommonForm(forms.Form):
 
diff --git a/netbox/dcim/forms/model_forms.py b/netbox/dcim/forms/model_forms.py
index 9d7ceae05..02d198c0e 100644
--- a/netbox/dcim/forms/model_forms.py
+++ b/netbox/dcim/forms/model_forms.py
@@ -1886,13 +1886,6 @@ class InterfaceForm(InterfaceCommonForm, ModularDeviceComponentForm):
         required=False,
         label=_('VRF')
     )
-    primary_mac_address = DynamicModelChoiceField(
-        queryset=MACAddress.objects.all(),
-        label=_('Primary MAC address'),
-        required=False,
-        quick_add=True,
-        quick_add_params={'interface': '$pk'}
-    )
     wwn = forms.CharField(
         empty_value=None,
         required=False,
@@ -1908,7 +1901,7 @@ class InterfaceForm(InterfaceCommonForm, ModularDeviceComponentForm):
         FieldSet(
             'device', 'module', 'name', 'label', 'type', 'speed', 'duplex', 'description', 'tags', name=_('Interface')
         ),
-        FieldSet('vrf', 'primary_mac_address', 'wwn', name=_('Addressing')),
+        FieldSet('vrf', 'mac_address', 'wwn', name=_('Addressing')),
         FieldSet('vdcs', 'mtu', 'tx_power', 'enabled', 'mgmt_only', 'mark_connected', name=_('Operation')),
         FieldSet('parent', 'bridge', 'lag', name=_('Related Interfaces')),
         FieldSet('poe_mode', 'poe_type', name=_('PoE')),
@@ -1929,7 +1922,7 @@ class InterfaceForm(InterfaceCommonForm, ModularDeviceComponentForm):
             'device', 'module', 'vdcs', 'name', 'label', 'type', 'speed', 'duplex', 'enabled', 'parent', 'bridge',
             'lag', 'wwn', 'mtu', 'mgmt_only', 'mark_connected', 'description', 'poe_mode', 'poe_type', 'mode',
             'rf_role', 'rf_channel', 'rf_channel_frequency', 'rf_channel_width', 'tx_power', 'wireless_lans',
-            'untagged_vlan', 'tagged_vlans', 'qinq_svlan', 'vlan_translation_policy', 'vrf', 'primary_mac_address',
+            'untagged_vlan', 'tagged_vlans', 'qinq_svlan', 'vlan_translation_policy', 'vrf',
             'owner', 'tags',
         ]
         widgets = {
diff --git a/netbox/dcim/tables/devices.py b/netbox/dcim/tables/devices.py
index fc177981f..8c1e9c704 100644
--- a/netbox/dcim/tables/devices.py
+++ b/netbox/dcim/tables/devices.py
@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
 import django_tables2 as tables
+from django.middleware.csrf import get_token
+from django.urls import reverse
+from django.utils.html import format_html
+from django.utils.safestring import mark_safe
 from django.utils.translation import gettext_lazy as _
 from django_tables2.utils import Accessor
 
@@ -1218,6 +1222,42 @@ class VirtualDeviceContextTable(TenancyColumnsMixin, PrimaryModelTable):
         )
 
 
+class MACAddressActionsColumn(columns.ActionsColumn):
+    actions = {
+        **columns.ActionsColumn.actions,
+        'set_primary': columns.ActionsItem('Set as primary', 'star-outline', None, 'warning'),
+    }
+
+    def render(self, record, table, **kwargs):
+        # Always exclude set_primary from the parent's action loop (which renders GET links).
+        # We inject a CSRF-protected POST form for set_primary in the dropdown below.
+        show_set_primary = not record.is_primary and record.assigned_object_id
+        original_actions = self.actions
+        self.actions = {k: v for k, v in original_actions.items() if k != 'set_primary'}
+        try:
+            html = super().render(record, table, **kwargs)
+        finally:
+            self.actions = original_actions
+
+        if show_set_primary and html:
+            request = getattr(table, 'context', {}).get('request')
+            if request:
+                url = reverse('dcim:macaddress_set_primary', kwargs={'pk': record.pk})
+                form_li = format_html(
+                    '<li><form method="post" action="{}">'
+                    '<input type="hidden" name="csrfmiddlewaretoken" value="{}">'
+                    '<button type="submit" class="dropdown-item">'
+                    '<i class="mdi mdi-star-outline"></i> {}'
+                    '</button></form></li>',
+                    url, get_token(request), _('Set as primary'),
+                )
+                html_str = str(html)
+                if '</ul>' in html_str:
+                    html = mark_safe(html_str.replace('</ul>', str(form_li) + '</ul>', 1))
+
+        return html
+
+
 class MACAddressTable(PrimaryModelTable):
     mac_address = tables.TemplateColumn(
         template_code=MACADDRESS_LINK,
@@ -1241,7 +1281,8 @@ class MACAddressTable(PrimaryModelTable):
     tags = columns.TagColumn(
         url_name='dcim:macaddress_list'
     )
-    actions = columns.ActionsColumn(
+    actions = MACAddressActionsColumn(
+        actions=('edit', 'delete', 'changelog', 'set_primary'),
         extra_buttons=MACADDRESS_COPY_BUTTON
     )
 
diff --git a/netbox/dcim/tests/test_api.py b/netbox/dcim/tests/test_api.py
index 0fc6fae3e..ec0ef1a50 100644
--- a/netbox/dcim/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/netbox/dcim/tests/test_api.py
@@ -2881,6 +2881,93 @@ class InterfaceTestCase(Mixins.ComponentTraceMixin, APIViewTestCases.APIViewTest
         # Tagged-all mode, qinq service vlan
         self._perform_interface_test_with_invalid_data(InterfaceModeChoices.MODE_TAGGED_ALL, invalid_data)
 
+    def test_mac_address_create(self):
+        """
+        Creating an interface with mac_address creates the primary MACAddress in one request.
+        """
+        self.add_permissions('dcim.add_interface', 'dcim.add_macaddress')
+        device = Device.objects.first()
+        data = {
+            'device': device.pk,
+            'name': 'Interface MAC Create',
+            'type': '1000base-t',
+            'mac_address': 'AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF',
+        }
+        response = self.client.post(self._get_list_url(), data, format='json', **self.header)
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, status.HTTP_201_CREATED)
+        iface = Interface.objects.get(pk=response.data['id'])
+        self.assertIsNotNone(iface.primary_mac_address)
+        self.assertEqual(str(iface.primary_mac_address.mac_address).upper(), 'AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF')
+        self.assertEqual(iface.primary_mac_address.assigned_object, iface)
+
+    def test_mac_address_update(self):
+        """
+        Patching mac_address creates/updates the primary MACAddress in one request.
+        """
+        self.add_permissions('dcim.change_interface', 'dcim.add_macaddress', 'dcim.change_macaddress')
+        iface = Interface.objects.first()
+        url = self._get_detail_url(iface)
+
+        # Set a new primary MAC via mac_address shortcut
+        response = self.client.patch(url, {'mac_address': '11:22:33:44:55:66'}, format='json', **self.header)
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, status.HTTP_200_OK)
+        iface.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertIsNotNone(iface.primary_mac_address)
+        self.assertEqual(str(iface.primary_mac_address.mac_address).upper(), '11:22:33:44:55:66')
+
+        # Update the MAC to a new value
+        response = self.client.patch(url, {'mac_address': 'AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF'}, format='json', **self.header)
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, status.HTTP_200_OK)
+        iface.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertEqual(str(iface.primary_mac_address.mac_address).upper(), 'AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF')
+
+        # Clear the primary MAC by sending null
+        response = self.client.patch(url, {'mac_address': None}, format='json', **self.header)
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, status.HTTP_200_OK)
+        iface.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertIsNone(iface.primary_mac_address)
+
+    def test_mac_address_invalid(self):
+        """
+        Sending an invalid MAC address string returns a 400 error.
+        """
+        self.add_permissions('dcim.add_interface', 'dcim.add_macaddress')
+        device = Device.objects.first()
+        data = {
+            'device': device.pk,
+            'name': 'Interface MAC Bad',
+            'type': '1000base-t',
+            'mac_address': 'not-a-mac',
+        }
+        response = self.client.post(self._get_list_url(), data, format='json', **self.header)
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, status.HTTP_400_BAD_REQUEST)
+        self.assertIn('mac_address', response.data)
+
+    def test_mac_address_find_or_create(self):
+        """
+        Patching mac_address with a MAC that already exists on the interface promotes it to primary
+        without creating a duplicate MACAddress record.
+        """
+        self.add_permissions('dcim.change_interface', 'dcim.add_macaddress', 'dcim.change_macaddress')
+        iface = Interface.objects.first()
+
+        # Pre-create two MACs assigned to this interface
+        mac1 = MACAddress.objects.create(mac_address='CC:DD:EE:FF:00:01', assigned_object=iface)
+        mac2 = MACAddress.objects.create(mac_address='CC:DD:EE:FF:00:02', assigned_object=iface)
+        iface.primary_mac_address = mac1
+        iface.save()
+
+        mac_count_before = iface.mac_addresses.count()
+        url = self._get_detail_url(iface)
+
+        # PATCH with mac2's address — should promote mac2, not create a new record
+        response = self.client.patch(url, {'mac_address': 'CC:DD:EE:FF:00:02'}, format='json', **self.header)
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, status.HTTP_200_OK)
+
+        iface.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertEqual(iface.primary_mac_address.pk, mac2.pk)
+        self.assertEqual(iface.mac_addresses.count(), mac_count_before)
+
 
 class FrontPortTestCase(APIViewTestCases.APIViewTestCase):
     model = FrontPort
diff --git a/netbox/dcim/tests/test_views.py b/netbox/dcim/tests/test_views.py
index dc32c7bd9..c4f0e3afb 100644
--- a/netbox/dcim/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/netbox/dcim/tests/test_views.py
@@ -3447,6 +3447,59 @@ class InterfaceTestCase(ViewTestCases.DeviceComponentViewTestCase):
         self.assertHttpStatus(response, 302)
         self.assertEqual(Interface.objects.filter(device=device, name__startswith='xe').count(), 37)
 
+    def test_mac_address_shortcut_create(self):
+        """
+        Submitting the Interface form with a mac_address string creates a MACAddress
+        and sets it as primary in one request.
+        """
+        self.add_permissions('dcim.add_interface', 'dcim.add_macaddress')
+
+        data = {**self.form_data, 'mac_address': 'AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF', 'changelog_message': 'test'}
+        response = self.client.post(self._get_url('add'), data=post_data(data))
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, 302)
+
+        interface = Interface.objects.get(device=data['device'], name=data['name'])
+        self.assertIsNotNone(interface.primary_mac_address)
+        self.assertEqual(str(interface.primary_mac_address.mac_address), 'AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF')
+
+    @override_settings(EXEMPT_VIEW_PERMISSIONS=['*'], EXEMPT_EXCLUDE_MODELS=[])
+    def test_mac_address_shortcut_edit(self):
+        """
+        Submitting the Interface edit form with a mac_address string creates a MACAddress
+        and assigns it as primary when none existed before.
+        """
+        self.add_permissions('dcim.change_interface', 'dcim.add_macaddress')
+
+        instance = Interface.objects.filter(device_id=self.form_data['device']).first()
+        self.assertIsNone(instance.primary_mac_address)
+
+        data = {**self.form_data, 'mac_address': '11:22:33:44:55:66', 'changelog_message': 'test'}
+        response = self.client.post(self._get_url('edit', instance), data=post_data(data))
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, 302)
+
+        instance.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertIsNotNone(instance.primary_mac_address)
+        self.assertEqual(str(instance.primary_mac_address.mac_address), '11:22:33:44:55:66')
+
+    @override_settings(EXEMPT_VIEW_PERMISSIONS=['*'], EXEMPT_EXCLUDE_MODELS=[])
+    def test_mac_address_shortcut_clear(self):
+        """
+        Submitting the Interface edit form with an empty mac_address clears the primary MAC.
+        """
+        self.add_permissions('dcim.change_interface')
+
+        instance = Interface.objects.filter(device_id=self.form_data['device']).first()
+        mac = MACAddress.objects.create(mac_address='AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF', assigned_object=instance)
+        instance.primary_mac_address = mac
+        instance.save()
+
+        data = {**self.form_data, 'mac_address': '', 'changelog_message': 'test'}
+        response = self.client.post(self._get_url('edit', instance), data=post_data(data))
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, 302)
+
+        instance.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertIsNone(instance.primary_mac_address)
+
 
 class FrontPortTestCase(ViewTestCases.DeviceComponentViewTestCase):
     model = FrontPort
@@ -4403,10 +4456,67 @@ class MACAddressTestCase(ViewTestCases.PrimaryObjectViewTestCase):
             'description': 'New description',
         }
 
+    def test_set_primary(self):
+        """
+        Test that MACAddressSetPrimaryView promotes a non-primary MAC to primary and
+        redirects to the assigned interface's detail page.
+        """
+        self.add_permissions('dcim.view_macaddress', 'dcim.change_interface')
+
+        # Use the first MAC fixture which is assigned to an interface but not yet primary
+        mac = MACAddress.objects.first()
+        interface = mac.assigned_object
+        self.assertIsNotNone(interface)
+        self.assertIsNone(interface.primary_mac_address)
+
+        url = reverse('dcim:macaddress_set_primary', kwargs={'pk': mac.pk})
+        response = self.client.post(url)
+
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, 302)
+        self.assertEqual(response['Location'], interface.get_absolute_url())
+        interface.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertEqual(interface.primary_mac_address_id, mac.pk)
+
+    def test_set_primary_already_primary(self):
+        """
+        Clicking Set as primary on the current primary MAC is a no-op and still
+        redirects to the interface.
+        """
+        self.add_permissions('dcim.view_macaddress', 'dcim.change_interface')
+
+        mac = MACAddress.objects.first()
+        interface = mac.assigned_object
+        interface.primary_mac_address = mac
+        interface.save()
+
+        url = reverse('dcim:macaddress_set_primary', kwargs={'pk': mac.pk})
+        response = self.client.post(url)
+
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, 302)
+        self.assertEqual(response['Location'], interface.get_absolute_url())
+        interface.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertEqual(interface.primary_mac_address_id, mac.pk)
+
+    def test_set_primary_requires_interface_change_permission(self):
+        """
+        Attempting to set a primary MAC without change_interface permission
+        redirects to the MAC's detail page with an error.
+        """
+        self.add_permissions('dcim.view_macaddress')
+
+        mac = MACAddress.objects.first()
+        url = reverse('dcim:macaddress_set_primary', kwargs={'pk': mac.pk})
+        response = self.client.post(url)
+
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, 302)
+        self.assertEqual(response['Location'], mac.get_absolute_url())
+        mac.assigned_object.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertIsNone(mac.assigned_object.primary_mac_address)
+
     @tag('regression')  # Issue #20542
     def test_create_macaddress_via_quickadd(self):
         """
-        Test creating a MAC address via quick-add modal (e.g., from Interface form).
+        Test creating a MAC address via the quick-add modal mechanism.
         Regression test for issue #20542 where form prefix was missing in POST handler.
         """
         self.add_permissions('dcim.view_macaddress', 'dcim.view_interface', 'extras.view_tag')
diff --git a/netbox/dcim/views.py b/netbox/dcim/views.py
index 114e3e306..d9d48fd58 100644
--- a/netbox/dcim/views.py
+++ b/netbox/dcim/views.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 from django.conf import settings
 from django.contrib import messages
+from django.contrib.auth.views import redirect_to_login
 from django.contrib.contenttypes.models import ContentType
 from django.core.paginator import EmptyPage, PageNotAnInteger
 from django.db import router, transaction
@@ -3482,6 +3483,11 @@ class InterfaceView(generic.ObjectView):
                 filters={'interface_id': lambda ctx: ctx['object'].pk},
                 title=_('MAC Addresses'),
                 exclude_columns=['assigned_object', 'assigned_object_parent'],
+                actions=[
+                    actions.AddObject(
+                        'dcim.MACAddress', url_params={'interface': lambda ctx: ctx['object'].pk}
+                    ),
+                ],
             ),
             ObjectsTablePanel(
                 model='ipam.VLAN',
@@ -5123,6 +5129,43 @@ class MACAddressDeleteView(generic.ObjectDeleteView):
     queryset = MACAddress.objects.all()
 
 
+@register_model_view(MACAddress, 'set_primary')
+class MACAddressSetPrimaryView(View):
+    queryset = MACAddress.objects.all()
+
+    def post(self, request, pk):
+        if not request.user.is_authenticated:
+            return redirect_to_login(request.get_full_path())
+
+        mac = get_object_or_404(self.queryset.restrict(request.user, 'view'), pk=pk)
+        assigned_object = mac.assigned_object
+
+        if assigned_object is None:
+            messages.error(request, _('This MAC address is not assigned to an interface.'))
+            return redirect(mac.get_absolute_url())
+
+        perm = get_permission_for_model(assigned_object, 'change')
+        if not request.user.has_perm(perm):
+            messages.error(
+                request,
+                _('You do not have permission to modify {object}.').format(object=assigned_object)
+            )
+            return redirect(mac.get_absolute_url())
+
+        if assigned_object.primary_mac_address_id != mac.pk:
+            assigned_object.snapshot()
+            assigned_object.primary_mac_address = mac
+            assigned_object.save()
+            messages.success(
+                request,
+                _('Set {mac} as primary MAC address for {interface}.').format(
+                    mac=mac, interface=assigned_object
+                )
+            )
+
+        return redirect(assigned_object.get_absolute_url())
+
+
 @register_model_view(MACAddress, 'bulk_import', path='import', detail=False)
 class MACAddressBulkImportView(generic.BulkImportView):
     queryset = MACAddress.objects.all()
diff --git a/netbox/virtualization/api/serializers_/virtualmachines.py b/netbox/virtualization/api/serializers_/virtualmachines.py
index 629d1639f..94bce2a81 100644
--- a/netbox/virtualization/api/serializers_/virtualmachines.py
+++ b/netbox/virtualization/api/serializers_/virtualmachines.py
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
+from django.utils.translation import gettext as _
 from drf_spectacular.utils import extend_schema_field
+from netaddr import EUI, AddrFormatError
 from rest_framework import serializers
 
 from dcim.api.serializers_.devices import DeviceSerializer, MACAddressSerializer
+from dcim.api.serializers_.mixins import _UNSET, MACAddressShortcutMixin
 from dcim.api.serializers_.platforms import PlatformSerializer
 from dcim.api.serializers_.roles import DeviceRoleSerializer
 from dcim.api.serializers_.sites import SiteSerializer
@@ -101,7 +104,7 @@ class VirtualMachineSerializer(PrimaryModelSerializer):
 # VM interfaces
 #
 
-class VMInterfaceSerializer(OwnerMixin, NetBoxModelSerializer):
+class VMInterfaceSerializer(MACAddressShortcutMixin, OwnerMixin, NetBoxModelSerializer):
     virtual_machine = VirtualMachineSerializer(nested=True)
     parent = NestedVMInterfaceSerializer(required=False, allow_null=True)
     bridge = NestedVMInterfaceSerializer(required=False, allow_null=True)
@@ -120,8 +123,9 @@ class VMInterfaceSerializer(OwnerMixin, NetBoxModelSerializer):
     l2vpn_termination = L2VPNTerminationSerializer(nested=True, read_only=True, allow_null=True)
     count_ipaddresses = serializers.IntegerField(read_only=True)
     count_fhrp_groups = serializers.IntegerField(read_only=True)
-    # Maintains backward compatibility with NetBox <v4.2
-    mac_address = serializers.CharField(allow_null=True, read_only=True)
+    # Maintains backward compatibility with NetBox <v4.2; also accepts a MAC string on write to
+    # create/update the primary MAC address in a single request.
+    mac_address = serializers.CharField(allow_null=True, required=False)
     primary_mac_address = MACAddressSerializer(nested=True, required=False, allow_null=True)
     mac_addresses = MACAddressSerializer(many=True, nested=True, read_only=True, allow_null=True)
 
@@ -136,6 +140,20 @@ class VMInterfaceSerializer(OwnerMixin, NetBoxModelSerializer):
         brief_fields = ('id', 'url', 'display', 'virtual_machine', 'name', 'description')
 
     def validate(self, data):
+        # Pop mac_address before model validation — it's a cached_property, not a model field.
+        # data may be a VMInterface instance (not a dict) in some custom field code paths (#18887).
+        mac_address = _UNSET
+        if isinstance(data, dict):
+            mac_address = data.pop('mac_address', _UNSET)
+
+        if not self.nested and isinstance(data, dict) and mac_address not in (_UNSET, None):
+            try:
+                EUI(mac_address, version=48)
+            except (AddrFormatError, ValueError, TypeError):
+                raise serializers.ValidationError({
+                    'mac_address': _('Enter a valid MAC address (e.g. 00:11:22:33:44:55).')
+                })
+
         # Validate many-to-many VLAN assignments
         virtual_machine = None
         tagged_vlans = []
@@ -163,7 +181,12 @@ class VMInterfaceSerializer(OwnerMixin, NetBoxModelSerializer):
                                         f"machine, or it must be global."
                     })
 
-        return super().validate(data)
+        data = super().validate(data)
+
+        if mac_address is not _UNSET:
+            data['mac_address'] = mac_address
+
+        return data
 
 
 #
diff --git a/netbox/virtualization/forms/model_forms.py b/netbox/virtualization/forms/model_forms.py
index a4054bc32..a6fc1f835 100644
--- a/netbox/virtualization/forms/model_forms.py
+++ b/netbox/virtualization/forms/model_forms.py
@@ -484,7 +484,7 @@ class VMInterfaceForm(InterfaceCommonForm, VMComponentForm):
 
     fieldsets = (
         FieldSet('virtual_machine', 'name', 'description', 'tags', name=_('Interface')),
-        FieldSet('vrf', 'primary_mac_address', name=_('Addressing')),
+        FieldSet('vrf', 'mac_address', name=_('Addressing')),
         FieldSet('mtu', 'enabled', name=_('Operation')),
         FieldSet('parent', 'bridge', name=_('Related Interfaces')),
         FieldSet(
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ class VMInterfaceForm(InterfaceCommonForm, VMComponentForm):
         model = VMInterface
         fields = [
             'virtual_machine', 'name', 'parent', 'bridge', 'enabled', 'mtu', 'description', 'mode', 'vlan_group',
-            'untagged_vlan', 'tagged_vlans', 'qinq_svlan', 'vlan_translation_policy', 'vrf', 'primary_mac_address',
+            'untagged_vlan', 'tagged_vlans', 'qinq_svlan', 'vlan_translation_policy', 'vrf',
             'owner', 'tags',
         ]
         labels = {
diff --git a/netbox/virtualization/tests/test_api.py b/netbox/virtualization/tests/test_api.py
index 46154c892..691618001 100644
--- a/netbox/virtualization/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/netbox/virtualization/tests/test_api.py
@@ -759,6 +759,90 @@ class VMInterfaceTestCase(APIViewTestCases.APIViewTestCase):
         self.client.delete(self._get_list_url(), data, format='json', **self.header)
         self.assertEqual(virtual_machine.interfaces.count(), 2)  # Child & parent were both deleted
 
+    def test_mac_address_create(self):
+        """
+        Creating a VMInterface with mac_address creates the primary MACAddress in one request.
+        """
+        self.add_permissions('virtualization.add_vminterface', 'dcim.add_macaddress')
+        vm = VMInterface.objects.first().virtual_machine
+        data = {
+            'virtual_machine': vm.pk,
+            'name': 'Interface MAC Create',
+            'mac_address': 'AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF',
+        }
+        response = self.client.post(self._get_list_url(), data, format='json', **self.header)
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, status.HTTP_201_CREATED)
+        iface = VMInterface.objects.get(pk=response.data['id'])
+        self.assertIsNotNone(iface.primary_mac_address)
+        self.assertEqual(str(iface.primary_mac_address.mac_address).upper(), 'AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF')
+        self.assertEqual(iface.primary_mac_address.assigned_object, iface)
+
+    def test_mac_address_update(self):
+        """
+        Patching mac_address creates/updates the primary MACAddress in one request.
+        """
+        self.add_permissions('virtualization.change_vminterface', 'dcim.add_macaddress', 'dcim.change_macaddress')
+        iface = VMInterface.objects.first()
+        url = self._get_detail_url(iface)
+
+        # Set a new primary MAC via mac_address shortcut
+        response = self.client.patch(url, {'mac_address': '11:22:33:44:55:66'}, format='json', **self.header)
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, status.HTTP_200_OK)
+        iface.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertIsNotNone(iface.primary_mac_address)
+        self.assertEqual(str(iface.primary_mac_address.mac_address).upper(), '11:22:33:44:55:66')
+
+        # Update the MAC to a new value
+        response = self.client.patch(url, {'mac_address': 'AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF'}, format='json', **self.header)
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, status.HTTP_200_OK)
+        iface.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertEqual(str(iface.primary_mac_address.mac_address).upper(), 'AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF')
+
+        # Clear the primary MAC by sending null
+        response = self.client.patch(url, {'mac_address': None}, format='json', **self.header)
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, status.HTTP_200_OK)
+        iface.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertIsNone(iface.primary_mac_address)
+
+    def test_mac_address_invalid(self):
+        """
+        Sending an invalid MAC address string returns a 400 error.
+        """
+        self.add_permissions('virtualization.add_vminterface', 'dcim.add_macaddress')
+        vm = VMInterface.objects.first().virtual_machine
+        data = {
+            'virtual_machine': vm.pk,
+            'name': 'Interface MAC Bad',
+            'mac_address': 'not-a-mac',
+        }
+        response = self.client.post(self._get_list_url(), data, format='json', **self.header)
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, status.HTTP_400_BAD_REQUEST)
+        self.assertIn('mac_address', response.data)
+
+    def test_mac_address_find_or_create(self):
+        """
+        Patching mac_address with a MAC that already exists on the VMInterface promotes it to
+        primary without creating a duplicate MACAddress record.
+        """
+        from dcim.models import MACAddress
+        self.add_permissions('virtualization.change_vminterface', 'dcim.add_macaddress', 'dcim.change_macaddress')
+        iface = VMInterface.objects.first()
+
+        mac1 = MACAddress.objects.create(mac_address='CC:DD:EE:FF:00:01', assigned_object=iface)
+        mac2 = MACAddress.objects.create(mac_address='CC:DD:EE:FF:00:02', assigned_object=iface)
+        iface.primary_mac_address = mac1
+        iface.save()
+
+        mac_count_before = iface.mac_addresses.count()
+        url = self._get_detail_url(iface)
+
+        response = self.client.patch(url, {'mac_address': 'CC:DD:EE:FF:00:02'}, format='json', **self.header)
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, status.HTTP_200_OK)
+
+        iface.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertEqual(iface.primary_mac_address.pk, mac2.pk)
+        self.assertEqual(iface.mac_addresses.count(), mac_count_before)
+
 
 class VirtualDiskTestCase(APIViewTestCases.APIViewTestCase):
     model = VirtualDisk
diff --git a/netbox/virtualization/tests/test_views.py b/netbox/virtualization/tests/test_views.py
index e47f0adf0..b9428558c 100644
--- a/netbox/virtualization/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/netbox/virtualization/tests/test_views.py
@@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
 from decimal import Decimal
 
 from django.contrib.contenttypes.models import ContentType
+from django.test import override_settings
 from django.urls import reverse
 
 from dcim.choices import InterfaceModeChoices
-from dcim.models import DeviceRole, Platform, Site
+from dcim.models import DeviceRole, MACAddress, Platform, Site
 from extras.models import ConfigTemplate
 from ipam.models import VLAN, VRF
-from utilities.testing import ViewTestCases, create_tags, create_test_device, create_test_virtualmachine
+from utilities.testing import ViewTestCases, create_tags, create_test_device, create_test_virtualmachine, post_data
 from virtualization.choices import *
 from virtualization.models import *
 
@@ -687,6 +688,59 @@ class VMInterfaceTestCase(ViewTestCases.DeviceComponentViewTestCase):
         self.client.post(self._get_url('bulk_delete'), data)
         self.assertEqual(virtual_machine.interfaces.count(), 2)  # Child & parent were both deleted
 
+    def test_mac_address_shortcut_create(self):
+        """
+        Submitting the VMInterface form with a mac_address string creates a MACAddress
+        and sets it as primary in one request.
+        """
+        self.add_permissions('virtualization.add_vminterface', 'dcim.add_macaddress')
+
+        data = {**self.form_data, 'mac_address': 'AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF', 'changelog_message': 'test'}
+        response = self.client.post(self._get_url('add'), data=post_data(data))
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, 302)
+
+        interface = VMInterface.objects.get(virtual_machine=data['virtual_machine'], name=data['name'])
+        self.assertIsNotNone(interface.primary_mac_address)
+        self.assertEqual(str(interface.primary_mac_address.mac_address), 'AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF')
+
+    @override_settings(EXEMPT_VIEW_PERMISSIONS=['*'], EXEMPT_EXCLUDE_MODELS=[])
+    def test_mac_address_shortcut_edit(self):
+        """
+        Submitting the VMInterface edit form with a mac_address string creates a MACAddress
+        and assigns it as primary when none existed before.
+        """
+        self.add_permissions('virtualization.change_vminterface', 'dcim.add_macaddress')
+
+        instance = VMInterface.objects.filter(virtual_machine_id=self.form_data['virtual_machine']).first()
+        self.assertIsNone(instance.primary_mac_address)
+
+        data = {**self.form_data, 'mac_address': '11:22:33:44:55:66', 'changelog_message': 'test'}
+        response = self.client.post(self._get_url('edit', instance), data=post_data(data))
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, 302)
+
+        instance.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertIsNotNone(instance.primary_mac_address)
+        self.assertEqual(str(instance.primary_mac_address.mac_address), '11:22:33:44:55:66')
+
+    @override_settings(EXEMPT_VIEW_PERMISSIONS=['*'], EXEMPT_EXCLUDE_MODELS=[])
+    def test_mac_address_shortcut_clear(self):
+        """
+        Submitting the VMInterface edit form with an empty mac_address clears the primary MAC.
+        """
+        self.add_permissions('virtualization.change_vminterface')
+
+        instance = VMInterface.objects.filter(virtual_machine_id=self.form_data['virtual_machine']).first()
+        mac = MACAddress.objects.create(mac_address='AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF', assigned_object=instance)
+        instance.primary_mac_address = mac
+        instance.save()
+
+        data = {**self.form_data, 'mac_address': '', 'changelog_message': 'test'}
+        response = self.client.post(self._get_url('edit', instance), data=post_data(data))
+        self.assertHttpStatus(response, 302)
+
+        instance.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertIsNone(instance.primary_mac_address)
+
 
 class VirtualDiskTestCase(ViewTestCases.DeviceComponentViewTestCase):
     model = VirtualDisk