How to Find Out How Many Devices Are Connected to a Wi-Fi Router: 7 Proven Methods

Have you noticed your internet has slowed down, or do you suspect that someone else has connected to your Wi-Fi? The first thing you need to do is... check the list of connected devices to the router. This information will not only help identify "hot spots" (unauthorized connections) but also optimize the network load if too many devices are connected simultaneously.

In this article we will look at all possible ways, how to find out the number and list of devices in your Wi-Fi network - from standard methods through the router's web interface to advanced tools like arp or specialized applications. You'll learn how to do this on routers. TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, Zyxel, MikroTik and other popular brands, as well as what to do if access to router settings is blocked.

Important: Some methods require administrator rights or command line access, but we'll also show methods that work even without the router password. Let's start with the simplest!

1. Checking via the router's web interface (the most reliable method)

The web interface is your router's "control panel," accessible through a browser. It displays full list of connected devices, their IP and MAC addresses, and sometimes even their activity history. These instructions are universal for most models, but we'll point out some nuances for popular brands.

To log in to the web interface:

1. Find out Router IP address (usually it is 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.8.1). It can be found on a sticker on the device body or through the command line (more on this below).
2. Enter this address into the address bar of your browser (for example, http://192.168.1.1).
3. Enter your login and password (by default it is often admin/admin or admin/empty field).

The path to the list of devices depends on the model:

• 🔹 TP-Link: Wireless → Wireless Statistics or DHCP → DHCP Client List
• 🔹 ASUS: Network Map → Clients
• 🔹 Keenetic: Devices → Connected devices
• 🔹 Zyxel: Network → Clients
• 🔹 MikroTik: Wireless → Registration Table or IP → DHCP Server → Leases

In the table below, we've compiled paths to the device list for other popular models:

⚠️ Attention: If you haven't changed your router's default password, anyone connected to your network can access these settings. After checking the list of devices, be sure to change the administrator password to a complex one (at least 12 characters with numbers and special characters).

2. Using mobile applications from the manufacturer

Many router manufacturers release official smartphone apps that allow you to manage your network remotely. This is convenient if you need to quickly check your connected devices. without logging into the web interface.

Application examples:

• 📱 TP-Link Tether — for TP-Link, Archer, Deco routers
• 📱 ASUS Router — for ASUS devices (including gaming models)
• 📱 Keenetic — universal for all Keenetic routers
• 📱 Zyxel Network — for Zyxel and Keenetic equipment (old models)
• 📱 Huawei AI Life — for Huawei routers and mesh systems

Typically, these apps display a list of devices on the home screen or in a section Devices/ClientsSome programs (for example, ASUS Router) they even show real-time traffic for every gadget.

Advantages of mobile applications:

• 🔹 Quick access without having to remember the router's IP address.
• 🔹 Notifications about new connections (in some apps).
• 🔹 Ability to block devices directly from your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: Official apps often require you to create a manufacturer account (e.g., TP-Link ID or ASUS Account). If you don't want to register, use the web interface or alternative methods.

3. Viewing a list of devices via the command line (Windows, macOS, Linux)

If you don't have access to your router settings (for example, you're on a guest network or you forgot your password), you can find out the list of connected devices using command lineThis method works on any computer connected to the same network.

For Windows:

1. Open command prompt: Win + R → cmd.
2. Enter the command:

   arp -a

   It will show all IP addresses and corresponding MAC addresses on the local network.

3. To see only active connections, first ping the entire IP range:

   for /L %i in (1,1,254) do ping -n 1 192.168.1.%i

   (replace 192.168.1. to your subnet, for example, 192.168.0.).

For macOS/Linux:

1. Open the terminal.
2. Enter:

   arp -n

   or to scan the network:

   nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24

   (installation required) nmap).

What does the data mean:

• 🔹 IP address — a unique identifier of a device on the network.
• 🔹 MAC address — the "serial number" of the network card (it can be used to determine the manufacturer of the device).
• 🔹 dynamic — the device is active, static — assigned IP.

curl "https://api.macvendors.com/B8-27-EB"

4. Specialized programs for network scanning

If the command line seems complicated, you can use third-party utilities, which automatically scan the network and show all connected devices with additional information (host name, manufacturer, open ports).

Popular programs:

• 🖥️ Advanced IP Scanner (Windows) - free, shows IP, MAC, manufacturer and available network resources.
• 🖥️ Angry IP Scanner (Windows/macOS/Linux) — cross-platform, supports plugins for deep analysis.
• 🖥️ Fing (mobile application for iOS/Android) – scans the network from a smartphone, determines the type of device (smartphone, TV, camera, etc.).
• 🖥️ Wireshark (Advanced Traffic Analyzer) - for experienced users, allows you to monitor data packets.

Example of work in Advanced IP Scanner:

1. Download and install the program from the official website.
2. Start scanning (button Scan).
3. The program will show all active devices with an indication IP, MAC, Manufacturer And Host name.
4. To save the list, click File → Save As.

Download the program from the official website|Connect to the Wi-Fi network you want to check|Start scanning (specify the IP range)|View the list of devices|Compare with well-known gadgets

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Advantages of third-party programs:

• 🔹 The visual interface is simpler than the command line.
• 🔹 Ability to save reports and compare them later.
• 🔹 Additional functions: ping, traceroute, search for open ports.

⚠️ Attention: Some antivirus programs may block network scanners (for example, Kaspersky or ESET (They perceive them as a potential threat.) Add the program to the exclusions or temporarily disable protection during the scan.

5. Checking through the operating system settings (without access to the router)

If you don't have router administrator rights but have access to a computer on the network, you can partially see the list of devices through network environment or routing.

For Windows 10/11:

1. Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click Change advanced sharing options.
3. Turn on Network discovery And File and Printer Sharing.
4. Open Net in Explorer (Win + E → Network). Some devices will be displayed here (if they allow discovery).

For macOS:

1. Open Finder → Go → Network.
2. Enable display of devices in settings Public access (System Preferences → Sharing).

Limitations of the method:

• 🔸 Shows only devices that have allowed network discovery.
• 🔸 Does not display IP and MAC addresses (only hostnames).
• 🔸 Doesn't work if the protocol is disabled in the router NetBIOS or LLMNR.

6. Analyzing traffic through a router (for advanced users)

Some routers (eg. ASUS with Merlin firmware or MikroTik) allow you not only to see the list of devices, but also analyze their traffic in real timeThis is useful if you suspect that a particular device is consuming too much internet.

Examples of tools:

• 📊 Bandwidth Monitor (in ASUS routers) - shows the download/upload speed for each device.
• 📊 Traffic Monitor (TP-Link) — traffic consumption graphs by days/weeks.
• 📊 Queue Tree (MikroTik) - Advanced traffic prioritization.

How to enable monitoring on ASUS:

1. Log into your router's web interface.
2. Go to Administration → System Settings.
3. Turn on Enable Traffic Monitor.
4. The list of devices with traffic data will appear in Network Map.

For MikroTik:

1. Open IP → Firewall → Queue.
2. Create a new rule (Simple Queue) and specify the IP address of the device.
3. In the section Queues You will see graphs of traffic consumption.

⚠️ Attention: Enabling deep traffic monitoring can slow down the router, especially on weak models (for example, TP-Link WR841N). After analysis, disable this function.

7. Alternative methods: via a provider or mesh systems

If your router provides an Internet cable to the provider (for example, when connecting using the technology PPPoE or DHCP), some operators provide personal account, where you can see statistics of connected devices.

Examples:

• 🌐 Rostelecom — the "My Network" section in your personal account.
• 🌐 Beeline — "Home Internet Management".
• 🌐 MTS — "My devices" (for subscribers with routers from the provider).

For Mesh systems (For example, TP-Link Deco, ASUS AiMesh, Google Nest WiFi):

• 🔄 The list of devices is synchronized between nodes and displayed in the mobile application.
• 🔄 You can see which specific Mesh node the device is connected to.
• 🔄 Some systems (eg. Deco) show connection quality each gadget.

Restrictions:

• 🔸 Providers usually only show devices that received an IP via DHCP (those connected directly to the router may not be displayed).
• 🔸 In Mesh systems, the list may be duplicated if the device reconnects between nodes.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connected devices