How do I see who's connected to my Byfly Wi-Fi on my phone?

When internet speeds suddenly drop for no apparent reason, it often leaves home Wi-Fi owners perplexed and suspicious. In the age of smart devices and constant online connectivity, it may seem like your devices are the only ones consuming your bandwidth, but the reality can be different. Often, neighbors or random passersby who have cracked a weak password begin using your network to download movies or games, significantly straining your provider's bandwidth.

For subscribers of the Belarusian provider Byfly (formerly Beltelecom) this issue is particularly pressing, as connection quality in apartment buildings can vary. Fortunately, modern users don't need a computer and cable to perform diagnostics. Smartphone Allows you to conduct a complete audit of connected devices from anywhere in your home. All you need is access to the router's administrative panel or a dedicated app.

In this article, we'll take a detailed look at all available methods for network monitoring via Android and iOS mobile devices. You'll learn how to distinguish your devices from others, block uninvited guests, and set up reliable protection to prevent repeat intrusions. Understanding how your home network works is the first step to a stable and fast internet connection.

Using mobile apps to scan the network

The fastest and most convenient way to view a list of all devices on your local network is to install specialized software. There are numerous free utilities for Android and iOS that automatically scan Wi-Fi and provide detailed information about each connected device. These programs often display not only the IP address but also the network adapter manufacturer, which helps identify the device.

One of the most popular and reliable tools is the application FingOnce the scan starts, it creates a network map, assigning a name and icon to each device. You can immediately see how many clients are currently active and compare this list with your existing phones, tablets, TVs, and computers.

• 📱 Automatic identification: The application automatically detects the device type (Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi) by MAC address.
• 🚀 Speed ​​test: Many utilities allow you to instantly measure the internet speed for each client separately.
• 🛡️ Vulnerability Scan: Some scanners may warn you if your connection is not secure or if a weak encryption protocol is used.

⚠️ Attention: Scanner apps only work when your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network you're checking. Remote monitoring via mobile internet (3G/4G) is not possible without additional router configuration.

It's important to understand that such apps only display technical information. They can't automatically "kick" an intruder out of the network—that still requires accessing the router's settings. However, as a primary diagnostic tool, they are indispensable and allow you to quickly determine whether there's a problem.

Accessing the web interface of a ZTE or Huawei router via a browser

If you don't want to install unnecessary programs, the most reliable method is to access the modem's settings. Byfly subscribers are usually provided with equipment from the manufacturer. ZTE or HuaweiTo log in, your smartphone must be connected to the router's Wi-Fi network. Open any browser (Chrome, Safari, Yandex) and enter the gateway IP address in the address bar.

The default address for most Byfly devices is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1The exact address, as well as the login and password for access, are usually written on a sticker located on the bottom or back of the router. Often, the default combination is admin/admin or admin/1234, if you haven't changed them before.

After successful authorization, the control panel will open. The interface may differ depending on the model, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section related to network status or connected users. In older ZTE firmware versions, this is often a tab. Device Info -> WLAN or LAN, and in the new Huawei interfaces - a section Home Network or Terminal.

The table below shows typical paths to the required sections for common router models provided by your provider:

Here you will see a table with a list of all connected devices. The key parameter here is MAC address — a unique identifier for a network interface. This is what allows you to accurately determine whose device it is by matching the addresses with those in your home.

Analyzing the list of connected devices and MAC addresses

When you get a list from the web interface or app, you'll see a jumble of numbers and letters. To figure out who's who, you need to be able to read this data. Each device on the list will have an IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.5) and a MAC address (looks like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E). The MAC address is the device's "passport" on the network and doesn't change when you reconnect.

The first thing you need to do is take an inventory of your gadgets. Go to your phone's Wi-Fi settings, look up its MAC address, and write it down. Repeat this process for everyone else's phones, smart TV, set-top box, and laptop. If your router's list includes devices whose addresses you can't identify, this is a warning sign.

⚠️ Attention: Modern smartphones (iOS 14+ and Android 10+) often use the "Private Wi-Fi Address" or "MAC Randomization" feature. This means the phone can change its MAC address each time it connects for security reasons. Keep this in mind to avoid mistaking your iPhone for your neighbor's device.

Also, pay attention to the number of active connections. If you only have two smartphones and one TV in your home, but your router shows 5 or 6 active clients, that means someone else is actively using your data. It's especially suspicious if the network load is high even though you're not downloading anything.

What should I do if the MAC addresses do not match the labels?

Network card manufacturers use the first six characters of the MAC address (OUI) to identify the brand. Enter the first six characters of an unknown address into any online OUI search engine, and you'll find the device manufacturer (e.g., Samsung, Apple, Intel), significantly narrowing down your search.

How to block an unknown device and change the password

If you detect an intruder, you need to act quickly and decisively. The simplest, but temporary, method is to disconnect the specific client directly from the router's control panel. Many ZTE and Huawei interfaces have a button next to the device's name or MAC address. Disconnect or BlockClicking on it will disconnect the intruder, but does not guarantee that they will not reconnect within a minute.

The only reliable way to protect yourself is to completely change your Wi-Fi network password. To do this, go to the "Password" section in the router menu. Network -> WLAN -> Security (or similar). In the field WPA PreSharedKey or Password Create a new, complex password. We recommend using a combination of mixed-case letters, numbers, and special characters, at least 10 characters long.

After saving the settings, the router will restart the wireless network, and all devices will be disconnected. You'll have to re-enter the new password on all your devices. This is a bit of a hassle, but it ensures that only those you share the new key with will have access.

• 🔒 Change administrator password: Be sure to change the password for entering the router settings (admin), otherwise your neighbor will be able to log in and change your Wi-Fi password back.
• 📡 Hiding SSID: You can disable SSID broadcast in your wireless network settings. This will make the network visible only to those who manually enter its name.
• 🚫 MAC address filtering: The most rigorous method. You whitelist only known MAC addresses, and the router blocks all others, even if they know the password.

Configure MAC address filtering for maximum protection

MAC address filtering is the "heavy artillery" of home Wi-Fi security. It involves creating a strict whitelist. The router then allows connections only to devices whose unique identifiers are entered into the rules table. All other connection attempts will be ignored, even if the attacker knows your password.

To enable this function, find the section in the router menu WLAN Filter or MAC Filter. Usually there are modes "Allow" (allow only listed) and "Deny" (deny listed). You need the mode AllowAfter selecting the mode, add the MAC addresses of all your devices to the table. Be careful: if you add an incorrect address, the device will not be able to connect to the network.

The main drawback of this method is its labor-intensive nature. If friends come over and want to connect to Wi-Fi, you'll have to go into the router settings, find out their phone's MAC address, and add it to the list. This method may be inconvenient for large families or those who frequently host guests, but it's ideal for maximum security.

Common Wi-Fi Testing Issues and Questions

When monitoring a network, users often encounter technical nuances that can be confusing. For example, a device may appear in the list as "Unknown" or have a strange name. It also happens that after changing the password, the phone refuses to connect, requiring you to "forget the network." These situations are normal and can be resolved.

Sometimes users confuse the guest network with the main network. Many modern Byfly routers create two access points: the main network and the guest network. Check to see if anyone is connected to the guest network if the main network appears clear. Also, keep in mind that some smart plugs or light bulbs may have their own network names, which are difficult to identify without the instructions.

Can my neighbor hack my complex password?

Theoretically, yes, using powerful equipment and brute-force methods, but in practice, it takes years. If you have a 12+ character password with various symbols and use WPA2/WPA3 encryption, hacking is virtually impossible. Most often, neighbors connect because the password was simple (for example, your date of birth) or was written in a visible location.

Why does the router show more devices than I have?

This may be related to virtual interfaces. A single physical router or repeater can create multiple virtual connections. The list may also include devices that were recently connected and have not yet been cleared from the DHCP server cache, even though they are no longer physically within the network's range.

Does the number of connected devices affect the speed?

Yes, directly. The Wi-Fi channel is shared among all active users. If one of the connected devices (yours or someone else's) starts downloading large files or watching 4K video, the speed on the other devices will inevitably drop and the ping will increase, which is critical for online gaming and video calls.

What should I do if I can't access my router settings?

Make sure you're connected to this router's Wi-Fi network, not your mobile data. Check the gateway address in your phone's connection settings. If the admin password was previously changed and forgotten, resetting the router to factory settings (press the Reset button on the router), after which you'll have to set up your internet connection again.

Is it safe to use apps like Fing?

Yes, these apps use standard network scanning protocols and don't share your personal data with third parties if you use the official versions from Google Play or the App Store. However, for maximum privacy, it's best to use your router's built-in tools, as they don't require any additional software.