How to See Who's Connected to My Wi-Fi on an Android Phone: All the Working Methods

Has your home Wi-Fi suddenly become slow, and your internet speed has dropped to a crawl? Perhaps unauthorized devices have connected to your network—neighbors, guests, or even hackers exploiting vulnerabilities in your old password. You can check the list of connected gadgets directly from your Android smartphone., without approaching the router or accessing its web interface.

In this article you will find 5 proven methodsHow to see who's using your Wi-Fi, including hidden Android features, specialized apps, and even terminal commands. We'll figure out how to distinguish your devices from others, block unwanted users, and protect your network from repeat hacks. The instructions are valid for all Android versions (from 8.0 to 14) and most router models (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, Xiaomi, ZTE and others).

⚠️ Important: some methods require root rights or installing third-party utilities. If you're not up for experimentation, use the official apps from the router manufacturer (more on that below).

1. Checking via the router's web interface from your phone

The most reliable way is to access the router control panel through an Android browser. This method works. on 100% of devices, but requires knowledge of the router’s IP address and login details (login/password).

How to do it:

• 📱 Open any browser on your phone (Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet).
• 🔗 Enter your router's IP address in the address bar. This is usually:
  • 192.168.0.1 (For TP-Link, D-Link, ZTE)
  • 192.168.1.1 (For ASUS, Mercusys, Tenda)
  • 192.168.8.1 (For Xiaomi, Redmi)
• 🔑 Enter your login and password (by default it is often admin/admin or indicated on the router sticker).
• 🔍 Find the section Wireless Network (Wi-Fi) → Client List or DHCP → Clients.

In the table you will see all connected devices with the following information:

If the list contains devices with unfamiliar MAC addresses or names (for example, android-123456 or Unknown) are potential "invaders" of your Wi-Fi.

2. Apps for scanning Wi-Fi networks (without root)

If you're too lazy to access your router settings or can't remember your password, mobile apps can help. They scan your local network and display all connected devices. The best ones are:

• 🛡️ Fing — Network Scanner (free, there is a Pro version)
  • Scans the network in 10-20 seconds.
  • Shows the device manufacturer by MAC address (Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi and others).
  • Can send notifications about new connections.
• 🔍 NetScan (simple interface, no unnecessary fluff)
  • Displays connection history.
  • Allows asigning names to unknown devices.
• 📊 WiFi Thief Detector (specialized software)
  • Automatically highlights "suspicious" devices.
  • Checks if the MAC address matches the one declared by the manufacturer.

⚠️ Attention: some applications (eg Wifi Kill) require root rights to block devices. Without them, they will only show a list of connected devices but will not be able to disable them.

How to use Fing:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Connect to your Wi-Fi network.
3. Click Scan - after a few seconds a list of devices will appear.
4. Click on any device to see details (MAC, IP, manufacturer).

Check the MAC address in the allowed list (if any)

Change your Wi-Fi password to a more complex one (at least 12 characters)

Enable MAC address filtering in your router settings.

Update your router firmware (fixes vulnerabilities)-->

3. Hidden Android Feature: ARP Scan Without Apps

Few people know, but Android has a built-in utility for scanning the local network - Terminal Emulator (or ADB Shell). With its help you can get a list of all devices connected to your Wi-Fi, without installing third-party programs.

Instructions:

1. Install the app from Google Play Terminal Emulator for Android (or Termux).
2. Connect to your Wi-Fi network.
3. Enter the command:

   ip neigh

   or (for older versions of Android):

   cat /proc/net/arp

4. You will see a table with the IP and MAC addresses of all devices on the network.

Example output:

192.168.1.1 dev wlan0 lladdr 00:11:22:33:44:55 REACHABLE
192.168.1.100 dev wlan0 lladdr a4:b1:e5:12:f3:89 STALE
192.168.1.103 dev wlan0 lladdr 78:31:c7:ab:cd:ef REACHABLE

🔍 How to decipher:

• 192.168.1.1 — IP address of the router.
• a4:b1:e5:12:f3:89 — MAC address of the connected device (in this case Apple iPhone, since MAC starts with A4:B1).
• REACHABLE/STALE — connection status (active or inactive).

How to find out the manufacturer by MAC address?

The first 3 bytes of the MAC address (e.g. A4:B1:E5) indicate the manufacturer. Check them in the OUI database:

- 3C:5A:B4 — Google (Pixel, Nest)

- 78:31:C7 — Apple (iPhone, MacBook)

- 5C:F9:DD — Samsung (Galaxy, Smart TV)

- 00:0A:F5 — Xiaomi (Redmi, Mi Band)

Full list: [standards.ieee.org](https://standards.ieee.org/products-services/oui/) (opens in a new window).

4. Using official applications from router manufacturers

Many brands release their own router management utilities. They not only display connected devices but also allow you to block them with one tapHere are the most popular ones:

⚠️ Attention: official apps work only with routers of your own brand. For example, Tether won't see the network from ASUS, even if you are connected to it.

How to connect via Tether (For TP-Link):

1. Download Tether from Google Play.
2. Connect to your router's Wi-Fi network.
3. The application will automatically find the router - enter the login/password (by default) admin/admin).
4. Go to the section Devices — there will be a full list of connected gadgets with the option to block them.

5. Advanced Method: Wireshark + Terminal (for experienced users)

If you are ready to experiment, you can use Wireshark — a professional traffic analyzer. This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires configuration and understanding of network protocols.

What you will need:

• 📱 Android smartphone with root rights (Necessarily!).
• 💻 Installed Termux (terminal emulator).
• 🔧 Utilities tshark (a simplified version of Wireshark for the terminal).

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Install Termux from F-Droid (outdated version on Google Play).
2. Enter the commands one by one:

   pkg update && pkg upgrade
   pkg install tshark
   termux-setup-storage

3. Start traffic capture:

   tshark -i wlan0 -Y "wlan.fc.type_subtype == 0x04" -T fields -e wlan.sa

   (Where wlan0 — the name of your Wi-Fi interface).

4. After 30-60 seconds, stop the capture (Ctrl+C) - you will see a list of MAC addresses of all devices on the network.

⚠️ Warning: this method loads the processor and may cause the phone to overheat. Do not use it for more than 1–2 minutes.

6. How to block other people's devices on Wi-Fi

Found a strange gadget online? Here it is. 3 ways to disable it:

• 🔒 Changing your Wi-Fi password
  • The most reliable method is to have all devices disconnect.
  • The new password must be at least 12 characters long, including numbers and special characters.
• 🚫 MAC address filtering
  • In your router settings, add someone else's MAC address to the "blacklist".
  • Disadvantage: A hacker can replace the MAC and bypass the blocking.
• ⏳ Time limit
  • In routers ASUS, Keenetic, TP-Link You can set an access schedule for devices.
  • For example, allow connections only from 8:00 to 23:00.

🔧 How to enable MAC filtering on a router TP-Link:

1. Go to the web interface (192.168.0.1).
2. Go to Wireless Mode → MAC Filtering.
3. Select Enable filtering and add other people's MAC addresses to the list.
4. Save the settings and reboot the router.

If someone else's device reconnects after being blocked, your router has been hacked. You need to reset it to factory settings (press the button). Reset on the back panel) and update the firmware.

7. How to protect your Wi-Fi from future hacking

To avoid encountering unwanted connections again, follow these rules:

• 🔐 Use WPA3 (or WPA2 if WPA3 is not supported).
  • Ditch the outdated WEP - it gets hacked in minutes.
• 📵 Disable WPS
  • The function is convenient, but vulnerable to brute force attacks.
• 🔄 Update your router firmware
  • Manufacturers regularly patch vulnerabilities.
• 👤 Create a guest network
  • For friends and IoT devices (smart bulbs, cameras).

⚠️ Attention: If your router is older than 5 years, its firmware no longer updatedIn this case, the only reliable way to protect yourself is replacing the router with a new model with support WPA3.

💡 Helpful tip: enable the function in the router New device notifications (there is in ASUS, Keenetic, Xiaomi). You will receive push messages on your phone every time a new device connects to the network.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about checking Wi-Fi on Android

❓ Is it possible to see which websites connected devices are visiting?

No, without special software (for example, Wireshark With root access, you'll only see a list of devices and their traffic volume. To monitor websites visited, you'll need routers with the feature parental control (ASUS AiProtection, Keenetic Security).

❓ Why does "Unknown" appear in the device list?

This means that the device has hidden its host name or is using a random MAC address (function MAC Randomization (in iOS/Android 10+). To identify it:

1. Look at the MAC address and check the first 3 bytes (eg. 3C:22:FB - This Amazon).
2. Disconnect your devices one by one and watch which one disappears from the list.

❓ How do I check my Wi-Fi if I don't have access to a router (for example, at the office)?

Without router administrator rights, you can only:

• Scan the network via Fing or NetScan (you will see devices, but you will not be able to block them).
• Use arp -a in the terminal (will show IP and MAC, but without device names).

To block it, you need to contact the network owner.

❓ Is it possible to find out who is connected to Wi-Fi if I am not connected to that network?

No, you won't be able to scan your network devices without connecting to the network. The exception is if the router is vulnerable (for example, if it's open). Telnet or a weak password), but this requires knowledge of hacking techniques and is illegal.

❓ Why does someone else's device reconnect after changing the password?

Possible reasons:

• The device is saved in the router's MAC address whitelist.
• The password was hacked through a vulnerability. WPS or a weak encryption algorithm (WEP).
• There is a "clone" of your router operating on the network (attack Evil Twin).

Solution: reset the router to factory settings, update the firmware, and set a complex password (16+ characters).