Where and how to view devices connected to Wi-Fi: instructions for routers, Windows, Android, and iOS

Have you noticed your internet speed has slowed down, or do you suspect that someone else is accessing your Wi-Fi? The problem may lie with extra devices accessing your network without your knowledge. Checking the list of connected devices is the first step to diagnosing speed issues, security problems, or even identifying traffic leaks.

In this article you will find 5 proven methodsHow to view devices on your Wi-Fi network: router web interface, mobile applications, command line Windows or macOS, as well as using specialized utilities. We'll cover the nuances for different router models (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik), we'll explain how to distinguish your device from someone else's and what to do if you detect a suspicious connection. No advanced technical knowledge is required—all instructions are tailored for beginners.

We warn you in advance: some methods show only active connections, while others - the entire history of devices that have ever connected to the network. If your goal is find and block the "outsider", please pay attention to the sections on MAC address filtering and guest network settings.

1. Viewing devices through the router's web interface

The most reliable way is to go to your router's control panel. Here you'll see a full list of connected devices and their IP- And MAC-addresses, and (on some models) activity history. The instructions are universal, but menu paths may vary slightly depending on the firmware.

To open the web interface:

• 🌐 Enter in the address bar of your browser 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (less often - 192.168.8.1 for some Xiaomi). If these addresses don't work, check the sticker on the back of your router.
• 🔑 Enter your login and password (by default it is often admin/admin or admin/empty field). If you changed them, use your information.
• 📊 Find the section with connected devices. It's usually called:
  • TP-Link: Wireless Mode → Wireless Mode Statistics or DHCP → DHCP Client List
  • ASUS: Network map or Local Network → DHCP Client List
  • Keenetic: Devices (in the main menu)
  • MikroTik: IP → DHCP Server → Leases or Wireless → Registration Table

Check your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection|Reboot your router using the button on the router case|Reset your router settings using the Reset button (hold for 10 seconds)|Try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)|Disable your VPN or proxy-->

In the table with devices, pay attention to the columns:

• 🆔 MAC address — unique device identifier (example: 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E). It can be used to determine the manufacturer of the gadget (the first 6 characters).
• 📱 Host Name — device name (for example, iPhone-12-Pro or DESKTOP-abc123).
• 🌐 IP address — local address on the network (for example, 192.168.0.103).
• ⏱️ Connection time - when the device has entered the network.

2. How to distinguish your device from someone else's

Finding "unnecessary" devices in your list can be difficult, especially if you have a large family or a lot of smart devices. Here are some ways to identify them:

If you suspect that a neighbor or a hacker has connected to your network, don't rush to block your device. Perhaps this is:

• 📺 Smart TV or a prefix (for example, LG WebOS or Apple TV), which is updated at night.
• 🔌 Smart sockets, light bulbs (Xiaomi Mi Home, Philips Hue) or a robot vacuum cleaner.
• 🎮 Game console (PlayStation, Xbox), which downloads updates in the background.

Never checked|Once every few months|Every month|Only if there are problems with the internet-->

⚠️ Attention: Some routers (eg. Keenetic or ASUS with AI Protection) automatically block suspicious devices. If you suddenly lose network access on one of your devices, check the section Security → Blocking in the control panel.

3. How to find the MAC address of your devices

To accurately identify "your" devices in the list of connected gadgets, you need to know their MAC addresses. Here's how to find them on different platforms:

📱 On Android:

Go to Settings → About phone → General information → Wi-Fi MAC address (the path may differ depending on the version Android and shells, for example, MIUI or One UI).

🍎 On iPhone or iPad:

Open Settings → Wi-Fi, tap on the name of your network (there will be a check mark next to it) → look at the line Wi-Fi address.

💻 On Windows 10/11:

Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Network Log (or type in the command line ipconfig /all and find the line Physical address for the adapter Wireless network).

🖥️ On macOS:

Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar → Open network settings → Additionally → tab EquipmentThe MAC address will be listed as Ethernet address.

Why do MAC addresses change?

Some devices (especially on Android 10+ And iOS 14+) are used MAC address randomization to protect your privacy. This means that each time you connect to the network, your device may pretend to be a "new" device. To disable this feature, Android go to Settings → Wi-Fi → Network name → Advanced → Network type (or "MAC address") and select Use device address.

Compare the received MAC addresses with the list in your router. If a device is on the network, but its MAC doesn't match any of yours, this is cause for concern.

4. View connected devices without access to the router

What should you do if you can't access your router's control panel (for example, because you forgot your password or are on a guest network)? There are several alternative methods:

🖥️ Via the Windows command line (arp)

This method will show only active devices, which have been exchanging data with your PC in the last few minutes.

1. Open Command Prompt (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter).
2. Enter the command:

   arp -a

3. In the results, look for lines with IP addresses from your subnet (usually 192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x).

The downside of this method: you'll only see the IP and MAC address, not the device names. To identify them, you'll have to manually check each MAC address using online services like MAC Vendors Lookup.

📱 Via mobile apps

There are utilities that scan a local network and display connected devices. Popular options include:

• 🔍 Fing (Android/iOS) - shows a list of devices, their manufacturers, and open ports for free.
• 🛡️ NetScan (Android) — scans the network and identifies device types (smartphone, PC, IoT).
• 📊 IP Network Scanner (Windows) - Advanced scanner with the ability to export reports.

⚠️ Attention: Network scanning apps require local network access permissions. Avoid installing them from untrusted sources, as this could compromise your device's security.

🐧 Via terminal on macOS/Linux

On macOS or Linux you can use the command nmap to scan the network:

nmap -sn 192.168.0.0/24

This command will scan all IP addresses in the range 192.168.0.1–192.168.0.255 and will show active hosts. To install nmap on macOS use brew install nmap, on Linux — sudo apt install nmap.

5. What to do if you find a suspicious device

Found an unfamiliar device online? Don't panic—first, make sure it's not a false alarm. Here's your course of action:

1. Check your devices: Disable Wi-Fi on all your devices (smartphones, laptops, TVs) and see if the suspicious device disappears from the list. If not, someone is indeed using your network.
2. Change your Wi-Fi password: This is the fastest way to banish unwanted guests. Use a complex password (at least 12 characters, including letters, numbers, and special characters). Router path: Wireless Mode → Security Settings → Password.
3. Enable MAC filtering: Find the section in your router settings MAC address filtering and add only your devices to the whitelist. The downside of this method: if you buy a new gadget, you'll have to update the list.
4. Set up a guest network: If you frequently share Wi-Fi with guests, create a separate network with limited access to local resources. For example, TP-Link: Guest Network → Enable → Set Password.
5. Update your router firmware: Outdated software versions may contain vulnerabilities that hackers exploit. Check for updates in the section System Tools → Firmware Update.

If you're sure a neighbor has connected to your network, you can take extreme measures:

• 🔄 Change Wi-Fi channel to a less busy one (in the router settings → Wireless Mode → Channel). This won't kick out other devices, but it may weaken their signal.
• 📶 Reduce the transmit power (if this option is available). This will reduce your Wi-Fi coverage area.
• ⚡ Disable WPS - this function is often used to hack networks (section Wireless Mode → WPS).

6. How to prevent unauthorized connections in the future

It's better to protect your network in advance than to look for "extra" devices later. Here 7 effective ways Improve Wi-Fi security:

• 🔒 Use WPA3 Instead of WPA2. This is a new encryption standard that is harder to crack. Setting up: Wireless Mode → Authentication Method → ​​WPA3-Personal.
• 🔄 Change your password regularly (every 3-6 months). Do not use simple combinations like 12345678 or qwerty.
• 📵 Disable remote control of your router (chapter System Tools → Remote Management). This will prevent access to the settings from outside.
• 🕵️ Hide your SSID (network name). This won't make the network completely invisible, but it will reduce the number of accidental connections. Setting: Wireless Mode → Hide SSID.
• 🛡️ Enable your router's firewall (if any). For example, in ASUS This AIProtection, V Keenetic — Network protection.
• 📡 Set up a Wi-Fi scheduleTurn off the Internet while you are away (for example, from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM).
• 🔄 Update your firmware Router at least once a year. Manufacturers regularly patch vulnerabilities.

⚠️ Attention: Hiding your SSID and filtering by MAC aren't reliable protection against experienced hackers. These measures are more likely to make life more difficult for casual "intruders" than for professionals. For serious security, use WPA3 + complex password + guest network.

7. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When checking connected devices, users often encounter serious problems. Let's look at the most common ones:

Another common mistake is Ignoring devices with names like "Direct-xx" or "AndroidAP"These could be:

• 📱 Smartphones in hotspot mode (if someone in the household was sharing the Internet).
• 🖨️ Printers or scanners with Wi-Fi Direct functionality.
• 🎧 Wireless headphones or speakers (JBL, Sony).

Before blocking such a device, make sure that it does not belong to you or your loved ones.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to see what websites connected devices are visiting?

Yes, but you need to configure it for this traffic monitoring on the router or use specialized software like WiresharkMost home routers have this feature disabled by default. Keenetic And ASUS With AiProtection You can see statistics of visited domains.

Please note: Viewing someone else's data without consent may violate privacy laws..

Why do devices with Chinese names (for example, "HiWiFi") appear in the router list?

These could be:

• Smart devices from Xiaomi, Huawei or other Chinese brands (lamps, sockets, cameras).
• Old smartphones or tablets that haven't been used for a long time but are still online.
• Malware that creates "shadow" connections (rare, but possible).

Check if these devices belong to you. If not, see Section 5 on blocking.

How can I check if my neighbor is stealing my Wi-Fi if I don't see his devices in the list?

There are several indirect signs:

• Internet speed drops sharply at certain hours (for example, in the evening).
• The Wi-Fi indicator on your router blinks actively when you are not using the network.
• In the router logs (section System Tools → Journal) there are suspicious connection records.

To find out for sure, Disconnect all your devices from Wi-Fi for 10-15 minutes and watch the router's indicator. If it continues to blink actively, someone is using your network.

Is it possible to find out who is connected to my Wi-Fi using their MAC address?

You can determine by MAC address device manufacturer (the first 6 characters), but not a specific person. For example, MAC 3C:22:FB:... belongs Apple, A 78:31:C1:... — Xiaomi.

To find the owner, you can:

• View the device name in the router list (sometimes the model is indicated there).
• Turn off all your gadgets and wait until the suspicious device reconnects (it might be a neighbor coming home).

Without specialized equipment or access to the victim's router it is impossible to determine the user's identity.

How can I protect my Wi-Fi from hacking if I have an old router?

If your router does not support WPA3 or modern security protocols, follow these steps:

1. Update your firmware to the latest version (even older models sometimes receive security patches).
2. Use WPA2-PSK With AES encryption (Not TKIP!).
3. Turn it off WPS, UPnP And Remote control.
4. Install VPN on a router (if supported) so that all traffic goes through an encrypted channel.
5. Consider purchasing a new router (even budget models) TP-Link Archer C50 or Xiaomi Mi Router 4A support WPA3).