How to Accurately Detect the Number of Devices Connected to Your Wi-Fi: All Working Methods

Have you noticed your internet has become slower and pages are loading slowly? Or perhaps you suspect that someone else has connected to your network? The first thing you need to do is... check the number of devices on Wi-FiThis simple procedure will help identify not only "flashing" from neighbors, but also old gadgets that haven't been used for a long time but continue to consume data.

In this article we will look at all available methods — from standard router tools to specialized programs for PCs and smartphones. You'll learn how to distinguish legitimate devices from suspicious ones, why their number may vary in different interfaces, and what to do if the connection list is empty, even though someone is clearly using the internet. And also— We'll reveal a little-known trick for analyzing DHCP leases that works even on blocked ISP routers..

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

The most reliable way is to log into your router's control panel. This method works on any models - from budget TP-Link TL-WR841N to the flagship ASUS RT-AX88UThe main requirement is that you must have access to the settings (admin login/password).

Step-by-step instructions:

• 🌐 Open your browser and enter in the address bar 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (less often - 192.168.8.1 For Xiaomi). If the IP is not suitable, find it on the router sticker.
• 🔑 Enter your login and password (by default it is often admin/admin or admin/password).
• 📊 Go to the device list section. Its name depends on the firmware version:
  • TP-Link: DHCP → DHCP Clients or Wireless Mode → Statistics
  • ASUS: Network map or Local Area Network → DHCP Clients
  • Keenetic: Devices (in the main menu)
  • Xiaomi: Devices → Connected devices

Try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)

Disable VPN/proxy

Reset the router using the Reset button (hold for 10 seconds)

Check if you are connected to this router's network and not your neighbor's-->

In the table you will see:

⚠️ Attention: If the list contains devices with unfamiliar names (for example, android-123456 or ESP_8266), these could be smart light bulbs, cameras, or neighbors' gadgets. Check the MAC address using a search engine—it can often identify the manufacturer.

2. Mobile applications for network analysis

Don't want to mess around with your router settings? Install one of the specialized apps. They scan your local network and display all connected devices, even if you don't have access to the router's admin panel.

Top 3 proven utilities:

• 📱 Fing (iOS/Android) — identifies devices, their models, and even vulnerabilities. The free version shows up to 5 devices, the full version has no limitations.
• 🛡️ NetScan (Android) — Scans the network in 10 seconds and saves scan history. Supports CSV export.
• 🔍 WiFi Scanner (iOS) - shows not only devices, but also signal strength, Wi-Fi channel, and load level.

How to use (using example) Fing):

1. Connect to your Wi-Fi network.
2. Launch the app and click Scan.
3. Wait for the process to complete (1-2 minutes).
4. Browse the list of devices. Click on any to see details: MAC address, IP address, and manufacturer.

Fing

NetScan

WiFi Scanner

Other

I don't use it-->

⚠️ Attention: Mobile apps may not see devices connected via cable (Ethernet) if they are blocked by the router's firewall. For a complete picture, combine this method with checking via the web interface.

3. Windows Command Prompt (for advanced users)

If you prefer to work without graphical interfaces, use the built-in tools WindowsThis method does not require installation of additional software and works on all OS versions - from Windows 7 to Windows 11.

Open Command line (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter) and execute two commands in turn:

arp -a
nbtstat -a [IP address]

Decoding the results:

• arp -a — will show all IP and MAC addresses of devices with which your PC exchanged traffic.
• nbtstat -a [IP] — displays the device name by its IP (works only for Windows gadgets).

How to find out the manufacturer by MAC address?

The first 6 characters of the MAC address (eg. 00:1A:2B) is the manufacturer's unique identifier (OUI). Enter it into a search engine or on the website macvendors.comto find out the brand of the device. For example, B8:27:EB - This Raspberry Pi, A 78:31:C1 — Apple.

Limitations of the method:

• Shows only devices that have recently communicated with your PC.
• Will not display "sleeping" gadgets (for example, smartphones with the screen turned off).
• Requires knowledge of basic network protocols.

4. Analyzing DHCP leases (for advanced users)

This method is suitable if you have access to the router, but the standard list of devices is empty or incomplete. DHCP server The router keeps a log of all devices it has ever assigned IP addresses to, even those that have since been disconnected.

How to view DHCP leases:

1. Go to the router's web interface (instructions in first section).
2. Find the section DHCP or Local area network.
3. Look for tabs like DHCP Clients List, Address Reservation or ARP Table.
4. Export the list to a file (if there is such an option) or copy the data manually.

What can be learned from DHCP leases:

• 🕒 IP lease time — when the device last requested an address.
• 🔄 Connection frequency - If one device requests an IP every 5 minutes, it could be a botnet.
• 📱 Device type — by MAC address (as in third section).

5. View router logs (to identify suspicious activity)

Router logs (event logs) record all connections, errors, and access attempts. This is the most reliable way to track unauthorized connections, especially if the attacker exploited firmware vulnerabilities.

Where to look for logs:

• TP-Link: System Tools → Journal
• ASUS: Administration → System Log
• Keenetic: System → Logs
• Xiaomi: Advanced Settings → System Settings → Logs

What to look for in the logs:

• 🚨 Multiple connection attempts from one MAC address (brute-force attack).
• 🔓 Changing Wi-Fi settings (for example, changing the password or network name).
• ⚡ Unusual ports (for example, connections to a port 23 - Telnet, or 3389 — RDP).

⚠️ Attention: Logs can take up a lot of space and slow down your router. Set up automatic cleaning of old entries (optional) Log Rotation or Clearing logs).

6. Specialized programs for PC (Wireshark, GlassWire)

If you need to analyze your devices' activity rather than just count them, use professional tools. They will show you exactly what data is being transferred, to which servers, and at what rate.

Wireshark — the "gold standard" of traffic analysis. Complex for beginners, but provides the most complete picture. GlassWire — a more user-friendly alternative with data visualization.

How to use GlassWire:

1. Download and install the program from official website.
2. Run a network scan (button Scan Network).
3. Go to the tab Usageto see the activity of each device.
4. Click on a suspicious gadget to see which IP addresses it is communicating with.

7. How to distinguish your devices from others

You've received a list of connected gadgets—what's next? You need to separate "us" from "them." Here's the process:

1. Check known devices:
   • 📱 Smartphones, tablets, laptops (names usually include the model or your name).
   • 🖥️ Computers (look for names like DESKTOP-XXXXXXX or PC-NAME).
   • 💡 Smart home: light bulbs (Yeelight, Philips Hue), sockets (TP-Link Tapo), cameras (Xiaomi Mi Home).

Identify the unknowns:

• Compare MAC addresses with the manufacturer database (see Section 3).
• Try turning off all your gadgets and see which devices remain on the list.
• Use apps like Fingto send a ping to a suspicious IP - if there is a response, the device is active.

Typical "extra" devices in the network:

• 🎮 Neighbors connected to your Wi-Fi (often with names) android-XXXX or iPhone).
• 🤖 Botnets (devices with random MAC addresses that actively scan the network).
• 📡 Signal repeaters (if you haven’t installed them).
• 🔌 Smart devices of previous residents (e.g. abandoned cameras or sensors).

8. What to do if foreign devices are found

Found unfamiliar gadgets online? Follow this plan:

1. Change your Wi-Fi password:
   • Use WPA3-PSK (or WPA2-PSK, if WPA3 is not supported).
   • The password must be at least 12 characters long, including numbers, letters, and special characters.
   • Do not use personal information (dates of birth, names).
2. Enable MAC address filtering:
   • Find it in your router settings MAC Filter or Access control.
   • Whitelist only your devices.
   • Cons: You will have to manually add the MAC address of each new gadget.
3. Update your router firmware:
   • Outdated firmware contains vulnerabilities that hackers exploit.
   • Download updates only from the manufacturer's official website.
4. Disable WPS:
   • Function Wi-Fi Protected Setup vulnerable to brute force attacks.
   • Find it in your router settings WPS and deactivate it.

Set up a guest network:

• Create a separate network for guests with limited access to local resources.
• This will protect the main network even if the guest network password is hacked.

⚠️ Attention: If after changing the password, foreign devices continue to appear, your router may be infected with malware (for example, VPNFilter or Mirai). In this case, the only solution is a full factory reset and a firmware update.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connected devices

Why do unknown gadgets appear and disappear from the list of devices?

This could be:

• 📱 Smart devices from your neighbors that automatically connect to your network (if you have a weak password).
• 🤖 Botnets scanning networks for vulnerabilities (especially if you have open ports) 23, 80, 445).
• 🔄 DHCP clients with short IP lease times (e.g. some IoT gadgets).

Solution: enable connection log in the router and track activity throughout the day.

Is it possible to see devices connected to a neighbor's network?

No, if his network is password-protected. You can only see:

• 📡 Open network signals (without password).
• 🔍 Devices that are connected to both your and his network (if you have poor isolation).

To analyze other people's networks, specialized tools are needed (for example, Kismet or Airodump-ng), but their use may violate local laws.

How do I find out which device is consuming the most traffic?

Use:

• 📊 Built-in router statistics (section Traffic Monitor or Bandit).
• 🖥️ Programs GlassWire (Windows) or nethogs (Linux).
• 📱 Applications Fing or NetScan (shows the data transfer speed in real time).

Pay attention to devices with a constant load of >10 Mbps - these could be torrents, streaming, or hacking tools.

Why does the router show fewer devices than the Fing app?

Reasons for discrepancies:

• 🔄 DHCP vs ARP: The router only shows devices with an active IP lease, and Fing Scans the entire local network, including static IPs.
• 🕒 ARP cache: Your PC or smartphone can "remember" devices that have been disconnected for a long time.
• 🔌 Ethernet devices: Some routers do not display wired connections in the main list.

To get accurate data, combine both methods.

Is it possible to block a device by MAC address without changing the Wi-Fi password?

Yes, that's what it's called MAC filteringInstructions:

1. Go to your router settings.
2. Find the section MAC Filter, Access Control or Access control.
3. Add the MAC address of the unwanted device to the blacklist.
4. Save the settings and reboot the router.

Disadvantage of this method: an experienced hacker can change the MAC address of their device.