How to Check Who's Connected to My Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide with Photos and Commands

Have you noticed that your internet has become slower and your data usage is running out faster than usual? Perhaps, your Wi-Fi Unauthorized devices—neighbors, guests, or even hackers—have connected. In 2026, with the growing number of smart gadgets in homes and network passwords often stored in the cloud, the risk of unauthorized access increases. This article will help. check the list of connected devices, identify other people's gadgets and protect the network from intrusions.

We'll cover all the relevant methods—from standard router functions to advanced network utilities. You'll learn how to distinguish your device from someone else's, what to do if you detect an "unwanted" connection, and how to configure your router to prevent such situations in the future. Important: Some methods require administrator rights or access to the router console - without them, you will only see partial information.

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

Any modern router - TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik or Xiaomi — keeps a log of connected devices. To view it, you need to go to the control panel. The address is usually indicated on a sticker on the back of the case (for example, 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).

Step-by-step instructions:

• 🌐 Enter in your browser Router IP address (For example, 192.168.31.1 For Xiaomi).
• 🔑 Enter your login and password (by default it is often admin/admin, but it's better to check the sticker).
• 📊 Find the section DHCP clients, Wireless network or Devices (the name depends on the model).
• 🔍 View the list of connected gadgets with their MAC addresses, IP and names.

Check if you are connected to the router's network via Wi-Fi or cable.

Reboot the router using the button Reset (hold for 10 seconds)

Try a different browser (for example, Firefox instead of Chrome)

Reset your router to factory settings (if you forgot your password)

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In some routers (for example, Keenetic) there is a function Network activity, which shows not only the connected devices, but also how much traffic They consume. This helps identify "gluttonous" gadgets that could be viruses or miners.

⚠️ Attention: If you see an unfamiliar device in the list of devices MAC address with type name android-123456 or unknown, this could be a sign of a hack. Don't disable it right away—first check if it's connected to a guest network or a smart device (like a light bulb). Yeelight).

2. Using mobile apps (for quick checking)

If you don't want to mess with your router settings, you can use specialized apps. They scan your network and display all connected devices. Popular options include:

• 📱 Fing (Android/iOS) — identifies the device manufacturer by MAC address.
• 🛡️ WiFi Guard (Android) - compares current connections with the "white list".
• 🔍 Network Analyzer (Android/iOS) - shows IP, MAC and even data transfer speed.
• 🖥️ Angry IP Scanner (Windows/macOS/Linux) - for PC, scans an IP range.

Example of work Fing:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Click Scan — the program will find all devices on your network.
3. Look at the names and manufacturers. Unknown gadgets will be marked as Unknown vendor.

Fing

WiFi Guard

Network Analyzer

Other/I don't use

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The downside of mobile apps is that they only see devices that active at the time of scanningIf someone else's device connected at night and disconnected during the day, the app won't show it. For complete control, it's best to combine this method with checking the router logs.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (eg. WiFi Kill) not only scan the network, but can also turn off other people's devicesUsing such features may be illegal in your country - check your local laws.

3. Commands for Windows, macOS, and Linux (for advanced users)

If you prefer to work through the command line, you can use the operating system's built-in utilities. This is the most accurate method, as it shows all active connections, including hidden ones.

For Windows:

arp -a

This command will output a table ARP (Address Resolution Protocol), which will list all IP and MAC addresses of devices on the local network. To save the result to a file, add:

arp -a > wifi_devices.txt

For macOS/Linux:

nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24

Replace 192.168.1.0/24 to your subnet (you can find out with the command ifconfig or ip a). Utility nmap will show all hosts on the network, including their MAC addresses and manufacturers.

curl "https://api.macvendors.com/B8:27:EB"

If you see a device with a MAC address in the list 00:00:00:00:00:00 or FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF, this may be a scanning artifact - such addresses do not belong to real gadgets.

4. How to distinguish your device from someone else's?

Even if you see a list of connected gadgets, it's not always easy to figure out which ones are yours. Here are a few ways to identify them:

• 📱 By device name: Smartphones and laptops are often listed under their own names (eg. iPhone-12-Pro or Lenovo-IdeaPad).
• 🔧 By MAC addressEach gadget has a unique MAC address. You can find it in the device settings (for example, in Settings → About phone → Status on Android).
• 📡 By IP address: If the IP is static, you can assign it only to trusted devices in the router settings.
• ⚡ By traffic consumption: Someone else's device may be actively downloading data at night or using unusual ports.

Example: If you see a device named android-5f3d7a and MAC address 7C:BB:8A:5F:3D:7A, and you don't have an Android smartphone, this is a clear sign of an unauthorized connection. However, be careful - some smart devices (for example, Amazon Echo or Google Nest) may have non-obvious names.

If in doubt, temporarily turn off all your devices Disconnect from Wi-Fi and see if there are any active connections left. If so, there are definitely other connections on your network.

5. What to do if you find someone else's device?

Found an unfamiliar gadget online? Follow these steps:

1. Check again: Make sure it's not your device (like an old smartphone or smart plug).
2. Turn it off: Find the function in the router settings Device lock or MAC filter and add someone else's MAC address to the blacklist.
3. Change your passwordUse a complex password (at least 12 characters, including numbers and special characters). It's best to generate it using a password manager.
4. Update your router firmware: Outdated versions may have vulnerabilities that hackers exploit.
5. Enable WPA3: This is the most secure encryption protocol available today (available on most routers after 2019).

If someone else's device reappears after being blocked, it may mean that:

• 🔄 Your router has been hacked (you need to reset it to factory settings).
• 📡 Someone is using repeater or second device to connect.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Your network has vulnerable gadget (for example, an IP camera with a default password).

6. How to protect Wi-Fi from unauthorized connections?

The best defense is proactive. Follow these recommendations to minimize risks:

• 🔒 Use WPA3: If your router supports this protocol, enable it in the security settings.
• 🔄 Change your password regularly: Do this once every 3-6 months, especially if you have guests often.
• 📋 Enable MAC filtering: Allow connections only to devices with known MAC addresses.
• 🛡️ Disable WPSThis feature simplifies connection, but has critical vulnerabilities.
• 🌐 Create a guest network: Use a separate network with limited access for friends and smart devices.
• 🔍 Enable logging: Enable connection logging in your router settings.
• 📡 Hide your SSID: Disable network name broadcasting (but this is not a panacea - experienced users will find it anyway).

You can further configure Wi-Fi operating schedule (for example, turn off the Internet at night) or limit maximum speed for guest devices. On routers ASUS And TP-Link there is a function Parental Controls, which allows you to block access at a certain time.

⚠️ Attention: Some smart devices (eg. Amazon Alexa or Google Home) may lose connection if you frequently change your password or enable MAC filtering. Before configuring them, check their compatibility with the new security settings.

7. Advanced Methods: Traffic Monitoring and Attack Detection

If you suspect your network is being used for illegal purposes (such as DDoS attacks or cryptocurrency mining), simply checking the device list isn't enough. The following can help:

• 📈 Traffic analysis: Utilities like Wireshark or GlassWire show what data is sent and where.
• 🛡️ IDS/IPS systems: Programs like Snort or Suricata detect suspicious activity.
• 🔗 Checking open ports: Teams netstat -ano (Windows) or ss -tulnp (Linux) will show unexpected connections.

Example of suspicious activity:

• 🔴 The device sends packets to non-standard ports (for example, 4444, 3389).
• 🔴 Traffic goes to unusual countries (for example, China or Russia if you are in Europe).
• 🔴 The device consumes traffic around the clock, even when everyone is sleeping.

If you find something like this, immediately Disconnect the router from the Internet and scan all connected devices for viruses. Your computer or smartphone may be infected with a botnet.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about checking Wi-Fi connections