Slow internet, suspicious activity on the network, or simply a desire to control connected gadgets - reasons to find out Who's using your Wi-Fi?, may vary. Fortunately, you can check the list of devices directly from your phone, without connecting a computer. However, there are some caveats: not all routers support remote viewing of the client list, and some methods require administrator rights.
In this article we will analyze 5 working methods — from standard router functions to specialized apps. You'll learn how to check connected devices for Android And iPhone, what data can be obtained (MAC address, IP, device name), and what to do if "strangers" are detected on the network. We will pay special attention securityHow to distinguish legitimate gadgets from hacked ones and why you shouldn't trust dubious programs from the Play Market.
⚠️ Attention: If your router assigns a static IP address or you're using a corporate network, some methods may not work. In this case, you'll need to access the admin panel through a browser.
1. Checking via the router's web interface (universal method)
The most reliable way is to access the router settings through a browser on your phone. This method works on any models (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, Xiaomi, ZTE, etc.), but requires knowledge of the login/password from the admin panel.
Instructions:
- Connect your phone to the Wi-Fi network you want to test.
- Open your browser and enter your router's IP address in the address bar. This is usually:
- 🔹
192.168.0.1or192.168.1.1(for TP-Link, D-Link, Mercusys) - 🔹
192.168.8.1(for some Xiaomi models) - 🔹
192.168.31.1(for routers from providers, such as Rostelecom)
- 🔹
admin/admin or indicated on the router sticker).- 🔹
DHCP → DHCP Clients(ASUS, Keenetic) - 🔹
Wireless Mode → Wireless Mode Statistics(TP-Link) - 🔹
Devices → Connected devices(Xiaomi)
In this section you will see a table with MAC addresses, IP, device names, and connection times. Pay attention to any unknown devices—you can block them right here (use the "Block" or "Disable" option).
2. Applications from the router manufacturer (without logging into the control panel)
Many brands offer official mobile apps for managing their routers. They're more convenient than the web interface and often display a list of connected devices in real time.
Popular apps:
- 🔹 Tether (for TP-Link) - shows devices by type (phone, laptop, TV).
- 🔹 ASUS Router — displays traffic for each gadget and allows you to set limits.
- 🔹 Mi Wi-Fi (Xiaomi) - integrated with the ecosystem Mi Home, supports notifications about new connections.
- 🔹 Keenetic — shows not only the list, but also the connection history for the last 7 days.
How to use:
- Download the app from Google Play or App Store.
- Register or sign in using your manufacturer account (e.g. Xiaomi Account).
- Connect to your router—the app will automatically detect the model and display the control menu.
- Find the "Devices", "Clients" or "Network" section.
Advantage: You can turn off devices with a single tap, set parental controls, or limit the speed for individual gadgets. Flaw: Not all routers are supported (especially older models).
3. Third-party network analysis applications
If you don't have access to your router's control panel or app, you can use universal network scanning utilities. They work at the level ARP protocol and show all devices on the local network, even if they are connected via cable.
Top 3 verified apps:
| Application | Platform | Functions | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fing | Android/iOS | Scans the network, identifies the manufacturer by MAC, tests the speed | The free version shows limited information. |
| NetScan | Android | Shows IP, MAC, hostname, supports CSV export | The interface is overloaded and there are ads. |
| WiFi Scanner | iOS | Visualizes the network, shows signal strength, supports 5 GHz | Paid (299 ₽) |
Instructions for Fing (the most popular solution):
- Download and install the application.
- Connect to the Wi-Fi network you are testing.
- Click "Scan" - in 10-20 seconds a list of devices will appear.
- Tap any device to see details: MAC address, manufacturer (first 3 bytes of MAC), open ports.
⚠️ Attention: Some applications (eg. WiFi Kill) promise to "disable other people's devices"—this only works on rooted Android devices and may be illegal. Use them at your own risk.
How to determine the manufacturer by MAC address?
The first 6 characters of the MAC (eg. B8:27:EB) are called OUIs and are assigned to the manufacturer. You can find out who owns them on the website MAC Vendors or in the database IEEE. For example, B8:27:EB - This Raspberry Pi, A 78:31:C1 — Apple.
4. Checking via phone settings (limited functionality)
Smartphones on Android And iOS They don't show a full list of devices connected to Wi-Fi, but they can provide indirect clues. For example, they can detect unauthorized connections by unusually high traffic or change in speed.
On Android:
- Open
Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi. - Tap your network → "Advanced" or "Manage network".
- Look in the "Devices" or "Clients" section (not available on all firmware versions).
On iPhone:
- 🍏 Go to
Settings → Wi-Fiand click on the "i" icon next to your network. - 🍏 The "Router" field will show the router's IP address - you can enter it in your browser to access the panel (see Method 1).
- 🍏 To view devices, you will need a third-party application (for example, Fing).
This method isn't very informative, but it's useful if you urgently need to check your network and don't have any other tools at hand. For example, if your internet suddenly starts to slow down, and an unknown device with the name "" appears in your router settings." android_123456.
1. Check the MAC address through the manufacturer database
2. Try disabling it through the router control panel.
3. Change your Wi-Fi password to a more complex one (WPA3)
4. Enable MAC address filtering (if supported)
5. Update your router firmware-->
5. Command line (for advanced users)
If you have Android smartphone with root rights or Jailbroken iPhoneYou can use a terminal to scan the network. This method provides the most information, but requires technical skills.
For Android (via Termux):
- Install Termux from F-Droid (the version from Play Market is outdated).
- Enter the commands:
pkg update && pkg upgradepkg install nmap
nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24(replace
192.168.1.0/24to your subnet, for example,192.168.0.0/24) - In 1-2 minutes you will receive a list of all hosts on the network with MAC and IP.
For iPhone (via iSH or SSH):
On iOS without jailbreak the capabilities are limited, but it is possible to use iSH Shell with installed nmap (Instructions are on GitHub). Alternatively, connect to the router via SSH (if Telnet/SSH is enabled) and run the command:
arp -a⚠️ Attention: Scanning the network using nmap This may be considered a hacking attempt on some corporate networks. It's safe to do this at home, but don't overuse the request rate.
What to do if you find someone else's device?
Found an unknown gadget online? Don't panic—check first:
- 🔍 It could be smart technology (TV, refrigerator, light bulb) that you forgot to take into account.
- 🔍 Take a look device name - it often contains a model (for example,
Samsung-SM-G975F- this is a smartphone Galaxy S10+). - 🔍 Compare MAC address with a list of your gadgets (you can find it in the settings of each device).
If the device is really someone else's:
- Turn it off via the router panel or application.
- Change your Wi-Fi password complex (at least 12 characters, with numbers and special characters). Use WPA3, if the router supports it.
- Enable MAC filtering (in the router settings, add only your devices to the white list).
- Update your router firmware - outdated versions are vulnerable to hacking.
- Disable WPS (This is a fast connection protocol that is easy to hack).
If someone else's device reappears after changing the password, your router may be infected with malware (for example, VPNFilter). In this case, only a full factory reset will help.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to check who is connected to Wi-Fi if I'm not an admin?
Yes, but with limitations. You can use apps like Fing or NetScanto see devices on the network, but you won't be able to disable or block them without access to the router's control panel. Some routers also hide the MAC addresses of guest devices.
Why are "unknown" gadgets showing up in the device list?
These could be:
- 🔹 Smart devices (speakers, cameras, sensors) that connect automatically.
- 🔹 Nearby phones with the phone turned on Wi-Fi Direct or Hotspot 2.0.
- 🔹 Devices that were previously connected to the network but did not disconnect correctly (their IP may be reserved by DHCP for several days).
To accurately identify a device, compare its MAC address with the manufacturer's database (see spoiler above).
How to block a device permanently?
The most reliable way is MAC address filtering:
- Go to the router panel (see Method 1).
- Find the section
Wireless Mode → MAC Filtering(or similar). - Add the MAC address of the stranger to the blacklist.
- Save the settings and reboot the router.
⚠️ MAC addresses can be spoofed, so this method isn't 100% secure. It's best to combine it with changing the password and disabling WPS.
Is it possible to find out what websites someone else's device is visiting on my network?
Technically yes, but it violates the law data privacy (Article 137 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). For legal traffic monitoring (e.g., parental controls), use:
- 🔹 Built-in router functions (section "Parental Controls" or "Content Filtering").
- 🔹 Apps like OpenDNS FamilyShield (configured via router DNS).
Attempts to intercept traffic through Wireshark or tcpdump without the user's consent are prosecuted by law.
Why are some devices not showing up in the list?
Possible reasons:
- 🔹 The device is connected via cable (not all routers show them in the same list as Wi-Fi clients).
- 🔹 "Hide SSID" mode is enabled - some gadgets can connect but won't be displayed in statistics.
- 🔹 The device uses a static IP that is not in the DHCP range.
- 🔹 The router did not update the client list (restart it).