How to determine the number of devices connected to Wi-Fi: all methods for different routers

Have you noticed your internet has slowed down, and pages are loading slowly? Perhaps unauthorized devices have connected to your Wi-Fi—neighbors, guests, or even hackers exploiting your router's security vulnerabilities. Determining the number of connected gadgets — the first step to diagnosing the problem. But how can you do that if you're not a network expert?

In this article we will look at 7 proven methodsHow to find out how many devices are using your Wi-Fi—from standard tools in the router's web interface to mobile apps and the command line. You'll learn how to distinguish legitimate connections from suspicious ones, what data can be obtained without accessing the router, and what to do if the list of devices isn't displayed. And for owners of popular brands (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik) we have prepared step-by-step instructions with screenshots and explanations.

Important: Some methods require administrator rights or knowledge of the router's IP address. If you rent a place or use a corporate network, these methods may not be available—check your access rights beforehand.

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

The most reliable method is to access the router's control panel. This displays a complete list of connected devices, including MAC addresses, IP addresses, and even activity history. This guide is suitable for 90% of modern routers, but the menu paths may differ.

To open the web interface:

• 🌐 Enter in the address bar of your browser 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (less often) 10.0.0.1). If it doesn't open, check the sticker on the router - it contains the correct address.
• 🔑 Enter your login and password (by default it is often admin/admin or admin/empty field). If you forgot, reset the settings using the button Reset on the back panel.
• 📊 Find the section with connected devices. It's usually called:
  • TP-Link: DHCP → DHCP Clients or Wireless Mode → Wireless Mode Statistics
  • ASUS: Network map or Clients
  • Keenetic: Devices (in the main menu)
  • MikroTik: IP → DHCP Server → Leases

In the table you will see:

A critical detail: if the list contains devices with unfamiliar MAC addresses or names like "android_abc123", they should be blocked. To do this, find the option Block or MAC Filtering in the same section.

2. Using mobile applications (without access to the router)

If you can't access the web interface (for example, because you don't have permission or forgot your password), use network scanning apps. They will show all devices on your local network, including those connected via Wi-Fi.

Top 3 verified apps:

• 📱 Fing (iOS/Android) — scans the network, revealing IP, MAC address, device manufacturer, and even security vulnerabilities. The free version is limited to one scan per day.
• 🛡️ NetScan (Android) — Displays a list of devices with ping capabilities. Suitable for finding "dead" IP addresses.
• 🔍 WiFi Analyzer (Android) - in addition to the list of devices, it shows the load on Wi-Fi channels.

How to use Fing:

1. Download the application and open it.
2. Click Scan — the program will automatically detect your network.
3. Wait for the scanning to complete (10-30 seconds).
4. The list will contain all devices, including the router (usually with IP 192.168.x.1).

Please note: apps show all devices on the network, not just Wi-Fi. To differentiate wireless connections, look at:

• 📶 Manufacturer in the MAC address (for example, Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi — most likely phones/tablets).
• 🔌 Ethernet devices missing from the list (if you don't have any devices connected via cable).

3. Windows Command Prompt (for advanced users)

If you have a computer on WindowsYou can find out the number of connected devices without third-party programs – via the command line. This method will show active IP addresses on your network, but will not distinguish between Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

Instructions:

1. Open the command prompt: press Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter.
2. Enter the command to view the ARP table (IP-MAC cache):

   arp -a

3. You'll see a list of IP addresses and their corresponding MAC addresses. Example output:

   192.168.0.1 ff-ff-ff-ff-ff-ff dynamic # Router
   192.168.0.100 a4-83-e7-12-f5-89 dynamic # Phone
   192.168.0.101 78-31-c1-aa-bb-cc dynamic # Laptop

To get more detailed information, use the command:

net view

It will show the names of devices on the network (if they have sharing enabled).

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ Doesn't show inactive devices (those that have not exchanged data recently).
• ⚠️ Doesn't distinguish between Wi-Fi and wired connections.
• ⚠️ Requires administrator rights for some commands.

How to find out the manufacturer by MAC address?

The first 6 characters of the MAC address (OUI) indicate the manufacturer. For example:

- A4:83:E7 — Apple

- 78:31:C1 — ASUSTek Computer

- B0:7F:B9 — Netgear

The full list can be found on the IEEE website or through services like macvendors.com.

4. Checking through the router menu on the phone (for some models)

Some manufacturers (eg Xiaomi, Huawei, Tenda) allow you to manage your router via a mobile app. This is convenient if you don't want to remember the IP address or password for the web interface.

Application examples:

• 📱 Mi WiFi (for routers Xiaomi) - shows a list of devices that can be blocked.
• 📱 Tenda WiFi — displays traffic statistics and active connections.
• 📱 Huawei AI Life (for routers Huawei) - there is a section Devices on the network.

How to connect:

1. Download the official app for your router model.
2. Connect your phone to the router's Wi-Fi network.
3. Register or log in to your account (sometimes linking to the manufacturer's cloud is required).
4. In the main menu, find the section Devices, Clients or Net.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 User-friendly interface with traffic usage graphs.
• 🔹 Remote control option (if the router supports the cloud).
• 🔹 Push notifications about new connections.

Download the official software from the manufacturer's website | Connect to a Wi-Fi router | Check that the router is updated to the latest firmware | Disable the VPN on your phone (it may block access)

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5. Traffic analysis using specialized programs

If you need to know not only the number of devices, but also understand, who consumes traffic, use network monitoring programs. They show:

• 📊 Download/upload speed for each device.
• 🕒 Connection time and activity history.
• 🚫 Suspicious connections (for example, devices with high ping or non-standard ports).

Top programs:

Example of use GlassWire:

1. Download and install the program from the official website.
2. Run it as administrator.
3. Go to the tab Usage — all devices on the network are displayed here with traffic consumption graphs.
4. Click on a suspicious device to see what programs it is using.

6. Checking through the provider (if the router is rented)

If your router is provided by your ISP (for example, Rostelecom, Beeline, MTS), access to its settings may be restricted. In this case:

• 📞 Call your provider's support team and ask them to check the number of connected devices. They have access to your account statistics.
• 🌐 Log in personal account on the provider's website - sometimes there is a section there My network or Devices.
• 📄 Check your contract: some plans limit the number of simultaneously connected devices (for example, no more than 10).

Example for Rostelecom:

1. Log in to the website lk.rt.ru.
2. Go to the section Internet → My devices.
3. Here you can see a list of connected gadgets with the time of their last activity.

7. Alternative methods: from enabling a guest network to analyzing logs

If standard methods don't work, try:

Method 1: Guest Wi-Fi

• 🔄 Create a guest network in the router settings (section Guest network or Guest Network).
• 📱 Connect one of your devices to it (for example, a phone).
• 🔍 Check the list of connected devices - if there are more than there should be on the main network, someone is using your Wi-Fi.

Method 2: Analyze router logs

In the section System tools or Logs Find the log file. Look for lines with:

• DHCPACK — confirmation of the assignment of an IP address to the device.
• Associated - new Wi-Fi connection.
• Disassociated — turning off the device.

Method 3: Disconnect all devices

Turn off all your devices (phones, laptops, TVs) and check if there are any active connections in the router's web interface. If so, there are unauthorized users on the network.

What do suspicious devices look like in logs?

An example of a line from the log indicating a possible compromised connection:

Jun 10 14:30:45 daemon.info dnsmasq-dhcp[1234]: DHCPACK(br0) 192.168.0.105 a4:83:e7:12:f5:89 unknown-host

Please note unknown-host - this is a sign of a device that has not been identified on the network before.

What to do if foreign devices are found?

Found unfamiliar gadgets online? Follow these steps:

1. Check MAC addresses:
   • Compare with the MAC addresses of your devices (you can find them in your phone/laptop settings or on the router sticker).
   • Use services like macvendors.comto find out the manufacturer by MAC.
2. Block suspicious devices:
   • In the router's web interface, find the section MAC Filtering and add the address to the blacklist.
   • Or use the program NetCut for temporary shutdown.
3. Change your Wi-Fi password:
   • Use a complex password (at least 12 characters with numbers and special characters).
   • Turn it off WPS - This is a vulnerable protocol that can be easily hacked.
4. Update your router firmware:
   • Outdated software versions contain vulnerabilities. The update patches them.

Enable encryption WPA3:

• If your router supports it, select WPA3-Personal instead of WPA2.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connected devices

🔍 Is it possible to find out how many devices are connected to Wi-Fi without accessing the router?

Yes, but with limitations. You can:

• Use mobile apps like Fing (will show devices on your local network).
• Check via command line (arp -a), but this will not distinguish Wi-Fi from Ethernet.
• Enable the guest network and count the devices in the main network based on indirect signs (slow internet speed).

However exact list can only be obtained through the router's web interface or the provider's application.

⚠️ What should I do if the list of devices includes "unknown" devices with Chinese MAC addresses?

This could be:

• 📱 Smart devices (lamps Xiaomi, cameras Hikvision, sockets TP-Link). Check if you have connected them before.
• 🕵️ Hacked routerSome viruses connect devices for mining or DDoS attacks.
• 📡 Neighbours, using your Wi-Fi (if the password is weak).

Recommendations:

1. Unplug the device and see if it disappears from the list.
2. Check your traffic - if an "unknown" device is consuming gigabytes, this is a cause for concern.
3. Reset your router to factory settings and update the firmware.

📵 Why does the router show more devices than it actually has?

Reasons:

• 🔄 Cached DHCP leases: the router remembers devices that were connected before but are now disconnected.
• 📱 Dual connections: one device can have two IPs (for example, a phone via Wi-Fi and a USB modem).
• 🖥️ Virtual machines or Docker containers on a PC.
• 🛠️ Router error: Sometimes the list doesn't update. Restarting helps.

To clear the list:

• Reboot your router.
• In DHCP settings, click Release or Clear Leases.

🔒 Is it possible to limit the number of connected devices?

Yes, most routers support this. Methods:

• 🔢 DHCP limit: In the DHCP settings, specify the range of IP addresses (for example, with 192.168.0.100 to 192.168.0.110 - then no more than 10 devices will be connected).
• 🚫 MAC address filtering: Allow connections only for known MACs.
• 📶 Guest network with a limit: Some routers allow you to limit the number of guest connections.

Example for TP-Link:

1. Go to DHCP → DHCP Settings.
2. Install Maximum number of users (for example, 8).
3. Save the settings and reboot the router.

📡 How can I check who's connected to my Wi-Fi if I'm using a router from my ISP and access is blocked?

Options:

• 📞 Contact your provider's support - They see a list of devices on your network.
• 📱 Use the provider's app (for example, "My Rostelecom", "MTS Connect").
• 🖥️ Connect your router in bridge mode (Bridge) and manage it yourself.
• 🔍 Scan the network through Fing or Wireshark (will show IP and MAC, but will not distinguish Wi-Fi from cable).

If your provider refuses to help, check whether you are violating the terms of your contract (some plans prohibit connecting more than 5–10 devices).