How to see how many devices are connected to Wi-Fi: all the methods

Have you noticed your internet speed has become slower than usual, and pages are loading slowly? One possible cause is too many devices simultaneously using your Wi-Fi network. Perhaps your neighbors have connected to your router, or older gadgets (like a smart light bulb or TV) are accessing the network without your knowledge. In this article, we'll look into these issues. 7 proven methodsHow to find out the exact number of connected devices - from viewing through the router's web interface to using mobile apps and the command line.

It's important not only to identify "unnecessary" devices, but also to understand how they affect speed. For example, budget routers (like TP-Link TL-WR840N or D-Link DIR-300) are physically incapable of reliably servicing more than 10–15 devices simultaneously. If there are more, the speed drops, and the ping in games "jumps." We'll also tell you how filter out other people's gadgets and optimize network performance.

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

The most reliable method is to log into your router's control panel. This method works on any models (from Xiaomi Mi Router 4A to ASUS RT-AX88U), but the interface may differ slightly. You'll only need a browser on your computer or phone.

Standard login addresses:

• 🌐 192.168.0.1 - most often at TP-Link, D-Link, Zyxel
• 🌐 192.168.1.1 - at ASUS, Netis, some Huawei
• 🌐 192.168.8.1 - at Tenda and parts of models Xiaomi
• 🔍 If the address doesn't work, look it up on the sticker on the bottom of the router or in the instructions.

The default login and password are usually admin/admin, but if you changed them, use your data.

After logging in, find the section with connected devices. Here's where it's hidden in popular firmware versions:

• 📡 TP-Link: Wireless Mode → Wireless Mode Statistics or DHCP → DHCP Client List
• 📡 ASUS: Network map (top) → tab Clients
• 📡 Keenetic: Devices (in the main menu)
• 📡 Xiaomi/Redmi: Devices or Wi-Fi Network → Connected Devices

In the table you will see:

• 📱 Device name (if it broadcasts it, for example, iPhone-12-Pro)
• 🔢 MAC address (a unique identifier that can be used to block the gadget)
• 📶 Connection type (Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz or cable)
• ⏱️ Connection time (helps identify "outsiders" who connected at night)

⚠️ Attention: If the list contains devices with unfamiliar names (for example, android-123456 or esp_78A1B2), these could be your neighbors' smart gadgets connected to your network. We recommend change your Wi-Fi password and enable MAC address filtering.

2. Using mobile applications (for Android and iOS)

If you're too lazy to access your router settings or don't have access to a computer, you can use specialized apps. They scan your network and display all connected devices, even if you don't have administrator rights.

Top 3 verified apps:

• 📱 Fing (Android/iOS) — identifies devices, their manufacturers (by MAC address), and even network vulnerabilities. The free version shows up to 5 devices.
• 📱 WiFi Analyzer (Android) - in addition to the client list, it analyzes channel load.
• 📱 NetScan (iOS) - Scans the local network and displays IP/MAC addresses.

How to use Fing (step by step):

1. Download the app from App Store or Google Play.
2. Connect to your Wi-Fi network.
3. Click Scan — after 10–20 seconds a list of devices will appear.
4. Tap any device to see its MAC address, manufacturer, and connection history.

Check the MAC address on Google (sometimes it's smart bulbs or cameras)

Disable the guest network if it is enabled.

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

Enable MAC filtering in your router settings.

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The advantage of apps is that they work without access to the router — just being connected to the same network is enough. However, they won't show devices in sleep mode (for example, a laptop with the lid closed).

3. Viewing via the command line (Windows, macOS, Linux)

For experienced users there is a way to check through command lineIt doesn't require any software installation and works on any device with a network connection.

On Windows:

1. Open Command line (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter).
2. Enter the command:

   arp -a

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

3. To filter only active devices, use:

   arp -a | findstr "dynamic"

On macOS/Linux:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Enter:

   nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24

   (replace 192.168.1.0 to your subnet, if it is different).

3. For detailed scanning (with identification of manufacturers):

   sudo nmap -O 192.168.1.0/24

The result will look something like this:

⚠️ Attention: Teams nmap And arp show all devices on the local network, including those connected via cable. To filter only Wi-Fi clients, you need to know the IP range the router distributes via DHCP (usually specified in its settings).

4. Checking via the Network and Sharing Center (Windows)

Windows has a built-in tool for viewing active connections. It's not as detailed as the command line, but it doesn't require command knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Click Win + R, enter ncpa.cpl and press Enter.
2. Find your wireless connection (usually Wireless network or Wi-Fi), right-click on it → State.
3. In the window that opens, click Intelligence... → look at the field Default Gateway IPv4 (this is the IP of your router).
4. Return to ncpa.cpl, click on the connection → DiagnosticsWindows will show a list of devices on the network (but not always a complete list).

Alternative method:

1. Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click on your network (next to Connections).
3. Click Intelligence → Wireless network properties → SecurityHere you can see how many devices are connected to yours Wi-Fi (but not to the entire network).

5. How to find out the number of devices on cloud-managed routers

Modern routers (for example, Keenetic, ASUS with AiCloud, TP-Link Deco) support remote control via the cloud. This means you can check your connected devices even when you're not at home.

Examples:

• 📱 Keenetic: Install the application Keenetic, log in and go to the tab DevicesAll clients are displayed here, including those connected via cable.
• 📱 TP-Link Deco: In the appendix Deco Click on the network icon → Connected devicesYou can see the traffic of each gadget in real time.
• 📱 ASUS AiMesh: In the web interface or application ASUS Router there is a section AiProtection → Devices, where even blocked gadgets are shown.

Advantages of cloud services:

• 🔄 Automatic updating of the device list.
• 📊 Traffic consumption graphs for each gadget.
• 🚫 Ability to remotely block a suspicious device.

⚠️ Attention: Cloud services transmit data about your network to the manufacturer's servers. If privacy is important to you, disable this feature in your router settings (section Cloud or Remote control).

6. Traffic analysis using specialized programs

If you need to not only know the number of devices, but also understand, Who exactly is loading the network?Traffic monitoring programs can help. They show which devices consume the most data, on which websites, and at what time.

Top programs:

• 🖥️ Wireshark — a professional packet analyzer. It's difficult for beginners, but it provides the most detailed information.
• 🖥️ GlassWire — a user-friendly interface with traffic graphs for each device. A free version is available.
• 🖥️ NetBalancer - allows not only monitoring, but also limit the speed for individual gadgets.

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 → select a time period (e.g. The last hour).
4. In the list of devices, click on a suspicious one—the program will show which applications or websites it uses.

How to detect "invisible" devices?

Some gadgets (such as smart plugs or cameras) connect to the network but don't actively send traffic. To find them:

1. Disconnect all your devices from Wi-Fi.

2. Reboot your router.

3. After 5-10 minutes, check the list of connected devices - if there are any remaining, these are "extra" clients.

If you detect a device on your network with a MAC address starting with 00:0F:B5, 00:1A:79, or 00:1E:58, it could be a cryptocurrency miner or a zombie botnet. Such devices often connect to other networks for covert operation.

7. How to limit the number of connected devices

If you find that you have too many devices connected to your Wi-Fi, there are a few ways to fix it:

Methods of restriction:

• 🔒 Changing your Wi-Fi password: Use a complex password (at least 12 characters, with numbers and special characters). Do not use standard ones. 12345678 or qwerty.
• 🚫 MAC filteringIn your router settings, whitelist only your devices. The downside is that you'll have to manually add each new device.
• 📡 Guest network: Create a separate network for guests with limited speed and no access to local resources.
• ⏱️ Access scheduleConfigure your router to turn off Wi-Fi at night (for example, from 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM). This will prevent connections while you sleep.
• 🔄 Firmware update: Outdated versions of router software often contain vulnerabilities that hackers exploit.

Example of setting up MAC filtering on TP-Link:

1. Log into your router's web interface.
2. Go to Wireless Mode → MAC Filtering.
3. Select mode Allow (instead of Ban).
4. Add the MAC addresses of your devices (they can be found in the phone/laptop settings or in the router's client list).
5. Save the settings and reboot the router.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connected devices

🔍 Why do unfamiliar gadgets with names like "esp_123456" appear in the device list?

These could be:

• Smart devices from your neighbors (light bulbs, sockets, sensors) that have connected to your network due to a weak password.
• Your own gadgets that you forgot about (for example, an old fitness tracker or a wireless speaker).
• Jailbroken devices (eg. ESP8266- modules that are used for mining or DDoS attacks).

We recommend disable WPS in the router settings and change the password.

⚡ How can I tell which device is hogging my network?

Use programs like GlassWire or built-in router tools (for example, Traffic Monitor on ASUS). Please note:

• Devices with constant high traffic (e.g. 100+ Mbps).
• Gadgets that are active at night (possibly a botnet).
• Unknown IPs connected to ports 80, 443 or non-standard (e.g. 3333, 7777).

If you find a suspicious device, unplug it and check your internet speed.

📵 Can I see devices connected to Wi-Fi if I'm not a network admin?

Yes, but with restrictions:

• Through mobile applications (Fing, NetScan) - will show only some of the devices.
• Via command line (arp -a) - you will see IP and MAC, but not device names.
• Through traffic analyzers (Wireshark) - you can detect active connections, but without access to the router you will not be able to block them.

The full list of clients is only available through the router control panel.

🔄 Why do some devices disappear from the list after rebooting the router?

This is normal. Reasons:

• The devices were in sleep mode and did not have time to reconnect.
• They have a static IP that is not updated when DHCP is restarted.
• These were "ghost" connections (for example, gadgets that had been disconnected for a long time, but the router had not yet updated the list).

Wait 5-10 minutes and check the list again.

🛡️ How to protect your network from unauthorized devices?

Minimum safety measures:

• Use WPA3 instead of WPA2 (if the router supports it).
• Turn it off WPS - This is a vulnerable protocol.
• Turn on MAC address filtering (but remember that MAC can be faked).
• Hide SSID (network name) so that it is not visible in the public list.
• Update your router firmware regularly.

For maximum protection, please set up VLAN (virtual networks) or use a router with support IPS/IDS (For example, Ubiquiti UniFi).