A sudden drop in internet speed or intermittent connection interruptions are often the first warning signs that your home network may have been accessed by an unauthorized person. If you use equipment Xiaomi, the likelihood of encountering unauthorized connections from neighbors or more advanced "guests" is quite high, especially if the password was set to a simple one or the router has been running in its factory configuration for a long time. Understanding that How to check the list of connected devices, is a basic digital hygiene skill necessary for every owner of a modern gadget.
This brand's modern routers feature sophisticated software that allows detailed monitoring of network activity directly from your smartphone. You don't need to be a network engineer or install complex port scanners to get a complete picture of what's happening. Simply use the official management tools built into the manufacturer's ecosystem, which provide up-to-date data on every client consuming your traffic at any given moment.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at all available control methods: from using a mobile app to in-depth diagnostics via a web interface. We'll discuss how to distinguish your devices from others, what steps to take if an intruder is detected, and how to configure a security system to prevent future access to your device. Wi-Fi channel was only available to authorized users. The security of your digital space begins with controlling the network perimeter.
Symptoms of unauthorized network access
The first sign that someone is using your internet is often unstable network performance during peak hours or, conversely, late at night while you're sleeping. If you notice that pages are taking longer than usual to load, or high-definition video is constantly buffering, this could indicate that your bandwidth is being occupied by unauthorized devices. It's especially alarming if the activity lights on your router are flashing wildly, even though you're not downloading anything.
In addition to speed issues, it's worth paying attention to any strange behavior from connected gadgets. For example, smart lamps may turn off, and game consoles may lose connection to the server due to a full table. NAT or a lack of IP addresses assigned by the router's DHCP server. In some cases, users notice spontaneous changes to router settings or a blinking system indicator, indicating attempts to remotely administer your access point.
⚠️ Note: If you experience constant ping spikes in online games or delays in video calls, don't rush to blame your ISP. First, rule out the possibility that your neighbors are watching 4K video through your connection.
For an accurate diagnosis, you need to compare the number of known devices with the actual client list. Record the number of phones, laptops, TVs, and smart plugs in your home and compare this number with the data in the control panel. Even one extra device with an unfamiliar MAC address should prompt an immediate change of the security key and a review of the access policy.
Using the Mi Wi-Fi app for monitoring
The most convenient and fastest way to check who is using your Wi-Fi is the official mobile app Mi Wi-Fi (or Xiaomi Home (Depending on region and model). This tool is designed specifically for remote management of Xiaomi routers and provides a clear visualization of all connected clients. After authorization and linking a device, you'll see a pie chart or list displaying active connections in real time on the main screen.
For detailed information, tap any device icon in the list. The app will show not only the model name (e.g., iPhone 13 or Windows PC), but also the current download and upload speed, as well as the amount of traffic consumed. This allows you to instantly identify heavy users downloading torrents or streaming videos, even if it's someone in your family doing it, not an attacker.
☑️ Check via app
A unique feature of the app is the ability to instantly block unwanted visitors with a single tap. You don't need to delve into complex web interface settings—just click the "Block" button next to the offender's name, and their access will be immediately terminated. The app also allows you to set speed limits for each specific device, which is useful for limiting children's access to entertainment content.
Checking connected devices via the web interface
If you don't have a smartphone with the app installed, or prefer to work from a computer, you can perform a full diagnostic through the router's web interface. To do this, open any browser and enter the default gateway address in the address bar, which usually looks like this: 192.168.31.1 or miwifi.comAfter entering the administrator password (by default, it is often indicated on a sticker on the bottom of the case, unless you have changed it), you will be taken to the control panel.
Web version of the firmware interface MIWiFi OS More informative and contains advanced technical data. Go to the section, which may be called "Clients," "Connected Devices," or "Users." This displays a table of all active connections, including MAC addresses, IP addresses, connection uptime, and connection type (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz). This is the most reliable way to see absolutely everyone on the network, including hidden devices.
| Parameter | Description of the meaning | Importance for verification |
|---|---|---|
| MAC address | Unique identifier of the network interface | High (helps to accurately identify the device) |
| IP address | Internal address in the local network | Average (may change upon reconnection) |
| Opening hours | Duration of the current communication session | High (helps you understand when a guest has connected) |
| Speed (Up/Down) | Current volume of data transferred | High (indicates user activity) |
The web interface also allows for more in-depth security configurations unavailable in the mobile version. You can configure MAC address filtering, create a guest network with limited access, or change encryption settings. For experienced users, an "Advanced" mode is available, which allows you to view system event logs and log in attempts.
What should I do if the web interface doesn't open?
If 192.168.31.1 isn't responding, check whether your computer is connected to the router's network via cable or Wi-Fi. Also, make sure your network card settings are set to obtain an IP address automatically (DHCP). Sometimes, resetting the router using the Reset button helps.
Device List Analysis: Friends vs. Foes
The most difficult part of the test is correctly interpreting the list of connected clients. Often, devices appear under strange names like android-1234abcd or unknown device, which can be intimidating for an inexperienced user. Before panicking and blocking everything, it's important to take stock of your own technology. Consider what gadgets your household has, and whether you've forgotten about smart kettles, robotic vacuum cleaners, or Android TV boxes.
The key identifier here is the MAC address. The first six characters of this address (OUI) identify the manufacturer of the network chip. By comparing this data with the physical labels on your devices or using online OUI databases, you can accurately determine which address belongs to which. For example, if you see a device from Apple, and you don’t have equipment of this brand - this is a clear cause for concern.
- 📱 Mobile devices: They usually include the phone model (Samsung, Xiaomi, iPhone) in the name. Pay attention to the number of phones—children or guests may have their own gadgets.
- 💻 Computers and laptops: Often identified by the username or motherboard model. Desktop PCs may have a separate Wi-Fi adapter.
- 📺 Multimedia: TVs, set-top boxes, and consoles consume the most traffic, so they can be easily identified by their high download speeds.
- 🏠 IoT devices: Light bulbs, sockets and cameras are often simply named by brand (Tuya, Yeelight, Aqara) and work in the background.
If, after a thorough check, you still find a device you can't identify, try disconnecting your devices from Wi-Fi one by one and watch for the "suspicious" client to disappear from the list. This will help you determine whether the mysterious device is yours, or has simply been renamed or reconnected with a different address.
Methods of blocking and protecting the network
Once you detect an intruder, you need to act quickly and decisively. The easiest way is to use the "Blacklist" feature in the web interface or application. Adding the intruder's MAC address to this list will permanently block their connection, even if they know the correct password. However, this is a temporary measure, as the attacker can change their adapter's MAC address.
The most effective solution is to completely change your Wi-Fi network password. Changing the security key will disable all devices, and you'll have to reconnect your devices using a new, strong password. Encryption is recommended. WPA2/WPA3 and set passwords of at least 12 characters, including numbers and special characters, to prevent brute-force attacks.
⚠️ Important: After changing your password, be sure to update saved networks on all your devices, otherwise they will not be able to connect automatically. Also, don't forget to reconfigure your smart devices if they don't support remote credentials updates.
For maximum protection, we recommend enabling MAC address filtering in "Whitelist" mode. In this mode, only devices whose addresses you've manually added to the allowed list will be able to connect to the network. All others, even with the password, will be blocked. This is the most reliable, albeit more labor-intensive, method of protecting your home network.
Setting up a guest network for security
You often need to let someone else access the internet when you have guests. Giving them access to your main network is risky, as they'll be accessing not only the internet but also local resources like printers, NAS storage, and other computers. For such situations, Xiaomi routers offer a "Guest Network" feature that creates an isolated Wi-Fi segment.
Guest access can be configured separately for the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. You can set a separate password for guests, limit the connection speed, and, most importantly, block access to the local network (Intranet). This ensures that even if a guest accidentally introduces a virus, it won't spread to your personal devices.
It's also convenient to use an access timer for your guest network. You can set up automatic shutdown of guest Wi-Fi at a specific time or limit it to a limited number of hours. This prevents neighbors from using your internet after your guests leave if they accidentally saved the password.
- 🔒 Insulation: Guests cannot see your files and devices on the local network.
- ⏱️ Timer: Automatic disabling of access according to a schedule.
- 🚫 Speed Limit: A guarantee that guests won't "kill" your channel.
- 📝 Separate password: Change it frequently without affecting the main network.
Using a guest network is a sign of good manners and basic digital literacy. It eliminates the need to dictate a complex master password or, worse, keep it written down in plain sight. If your guest password is compromised, you simply change it without having to reconfigure all your smart devices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can a neighbor find out my password if I haven't given it to anyone?
Yes, this is possible if you're using the outdated WPS encryption method or a weak WPA2 password, which can be cracked in a few minutes using specialized software. The password could also have been saved on a friend's device when they visited and synced to the cloud, from where it could have been stolen or accidentally shared.
Why does "Unknown device" appear in the list of devices?
Most often, these are your own devices that don't have a hostname configured, or the network card driver isn't reporting the correct model name. Smart home (IoT) devices that use simple communication protocols may also appear this way. Check the MAC address to confirm ownership.
Does the Xiaomi app lock work if the device is turned off?
Blocking is applied at the router level. If the device is turned off, it cannot connect. When it is turned on and attempts to connect to Wi-Fi, the router will check the MAC address, see it on the blacklist, and terminate the connection or deny the IP address. Blocking is permanent, regardless of the client's state.
How often should I change my Wi-Fi password?
At home, changing your password every 6-12 months or immediately after a large party is sufficient. If you use a complex password combination and have disabled WPS, frequent password changes are not strictly necessary, but they do improve overall security.
Will checking the device list reset my router settings?
No, viewing the list of connected clients is a data read operation that doesn't affect the router's configuration in any way. You can check the list of devices as many times as you like without the risk of resetting your settings or interrupting your internet connection.