How to find out the number of Wi-Fi connections: all methods for routers and mobile devices

Have you noticed that your internet has become slower and pages are loading slowly? One possible reason is... excessive number of devicesconnected to your Wi-Fi network. Even if you haven't granted access to your neighbors, some gadgets (such as smart light bulbs or TVs) can automatically connect to the network, consuming bandwidth. In this article, we'll look at How can I accurately determine the number of active Wi-Fi connections? — from standard methods via the router's web interface to hidden functions of mobile applications.

The problem is not only about speed. Each additional device on the network increases the risk of hacking through vulnerabilities in the firmware of older devices or weak default passwords.For example, if someone else's smartphone with a virus connects to your router, it can scan other devices on the local network. Therefore, checking connections is also a question. cybersecurity.

We tested all methods on routers TP-Link Archer C6, ASUS RT-AX88U, Keenetic Giga and mobile devices on Android 14 And iOS 17The instructions are universal, but the interface may differ slightly depending on the model and firmware version.

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

The most reliable way is to access your router's control panel. This doesn't require any additional software, just a browser on your computer or phone. Most modern routers display a list of connected devices in real time, including their IP addresses, MAC addresses and even the names of the models.

Instructions:

• 🌐 Open your browser and enter in the address bar 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (the exact address is indicated on the router sticker).
• 🔑 Enter your login and password (by default it is often admin/admin or admin/empty password).
• 📊 Find the section DHCP, Local area network or Wireless (depending on the model).
• 📋 Go to the tab Client list, Connected devices or Wi-Fi Clients.

Here's what it looks like with popular brands:

⚠️ Attention: If a device with an unknown name appears in the list MAC address (For example, 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E), don't rush to block it. Some smart devices (like Xiaomi Mi Home or Amazon Echo) use random MAC addresses for privacy. First, check if it belongs to your devices.

2. Using mobile applications from the manufacturer

Router manufacturers release official apps that simplify network management. They not only display the number of connections but also allow you to set speed limits for individual devices or block unwanted "guests".

Popular apps:

• 📱 TP-Link Tether — works with most TP-Link models, shows a network load graph.
• 📱 ASUS Router — supports parental control functions and traffic prioritization.
• 📱 Keenetic — displays the connection history for the last 30 days.
• 📱 Mi Wi-Fi — for Xiaomi routers, integrated with the ecosystem Mi Home.

How to use (using example) TP-Link Tether):

1. Download the app from App Store or Google Play.
2. Register or sign in with your TP-Link account (if required).
3. Select your router from the list (the application will automatically find it in the local network).
4. Go to the section Devices or Net — there will be a list of all connected gadgets.

Make sure the router is connected to the manufacturer's account

Update firmware to the latest version

Enable notifications about new connections

Check the list of "guest" devices (if there is a guest network)

-->

The advantage of mobile applications is notifications about new connections. For example, ASUS Router It can send a push notification if an unknown device connects to the network. This is convenient if you want to control access remotely.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (eg. Mi Wi-Fi) require creating an account in the manufacturer's ecosystem. If you don't want to share data, use the router's web interface instead of the mobile app.

3. Windows Command Prompt (for advanced users)

If you don't have access to the router, but you have a computer running Windows 10/11You can find out the number of devices on your local network using the command line. This method will only show devices that are actively communicating with your PC, but it's useful for quick diagnostics.

Instructions:

1. Click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter.
2. Enter the command:
   

   arp -a

   It will display a table ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) with IP and MAC addresses of devices.

3. To see only active connections, use:
   

   net view

   (will show the names of computers on the local network).

Example of command output arp -a:

Interface: 192.168.1.100 --- 0x12
Internet Address Physical Address Type
192.168.1.1 aa-bb-cc-dd-ee-ff dynamic
192.168.1.101 11-22-33-44-55-66 dynamic

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Doesn't show devices that haven't interacted with your PC.
• ❌ MAC addresses may be random (due to the feature MAC Randomization in modern smartphones).
• ❌ Does not distinguish between Wi-Fi and wired (Ethernet) connections.

4. Specialized programs for network scanning

If you need to know not only the number of connections, but also analyze traffic To detect hidden devices, use third-party utilities. They scan the network and display all active hosts, including those not visible in the router's web interface.

Top 3 programs for Windows, macOS And Linux:

How to use Fing (for example Android):

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Run the scan and the program will automatically detect your network.
3. Wait for it to complete (it will take 10-30 seconds).
4. View the list of devices with the indication IP, MAC, manufacturer and type (smartphone, router, printer, etc.).

How to detect hidden devices on the network?

Some gadgets (such as smart plugs or cameras) may not respond to standard scanning requests. In this case:

1. Use nmap with parameter -sn to search for hosts.

2. Check the list of leased IP addresses in the router's DHCP settings.

3. Disconnect all known devices and see if there are any active connections left.

⚠️ Attention: Programs like Fing or nmap may be blocked by your antivirus as "potentially dangerous." This is a false positive—add them to your exclusions if you trust the download source.

5. Checking via phone settings (Android and iOS)

Smartphones don't show a full list of connected devices, but they can help indirectly. For example, Android You can see how many gadgets are using your hotspot, and on iOS — check the number of connections to the Internet distribution.

For Android:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Hotspot & Tethering.
2. Click Mobile hotspot (if it is enabled).
3. In the section Connected devices There will be a list of gadgets using your phone as a router.

For iOS:

1. Go to Settings → Tethering.
2. Turn on Allow others (if disabled).
3. The number of connected devices will be displayed below the network name.

Restrictions:

• 📵 Shows only devices connected to phone access point, and not to your home Wi-Fi.
• 🔄 On iOS no way to see MAC addresses connected gadgets.
• 🔒 Some manufacturers (for example, Samsung) hide this information in the firmware.

6. Analyzing traffic through a router (for advanced users)

If you need to know not just the number of connections, but track who is consuming traffic, use the built-in router tools or third-party firmware like DD-WRTThis method requires technical knowledge, but provides maximum control.

Instructions for routers with DD-WRT:

1. Go to the router's web interface (usually 192.168.1.1).
2. Go to Status → LAN or Status → Wireless.
3. Turn on Bandwidth Monitoring (traffic monitoring).
4. Set the analysis period (for example, 24 hours) and click Apply.

What can you learn:

• 📊 Top devices by traffic consumption (useful for identifying "gluttonous" gadgets).
• 🕒 Activity graph by time (for example, night connections may indicate a hack).
• 🌍 IP address geolocation (if the router supports this feature).

Example of a traffic report (router) ASUS RT-AX88U):

Device: iPhone 12 (MAC: a1:b2:c3:d4:e5:f6)
IP: 192.168.1.103
Consumed: 1.2 GB (last 24 hours)
Apps: YouTube (60%), Safari (25%), iOS Updates (15%)

⚠️ Warning: Enabling deep traffic analysis may slow down the router, especially on weak models (for example, TP-Link TL-WR841N). Disable monitoring after diagnostics.

7. How to block unknown devices

If you find unfamiliar devices online, there are several ways to block them. Just don't overdo it: sometimes these devices can be legitimate (for example, Google Home or Apple TV), which are connected automatically.

Blocking methods:

• 🔒 Via the router's web interface: find the section MAC Filtering or Access Control and add the MAC address to the blacklist.
• 📵 Change your Wi-Fi password: All devices will be disconnected and you will have to reconnect them.
• 🌐 Enable a guest network: restrict your main network with a password, and create a separate access point with a speed limit for guests.
• ⚙️ Update your router firmware: some vulnerabilities allow you to connect to the network without a password.

Example of setup MAC Filtering on TP-Link:

1. Go to Wireless → Wireless MAC Filtering.
2. Select mode Deny (to prohibit).
3. Add the MAC address of the unknown device to the list.
4. Save the settings and reboot the router.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to find out the number of Wi-Fi connections without accessing the router?

Yes, but with limitations. You can:

• Use network scanning programs (Fing, Advanced IP Scanner).
• View the list of devices in your phone settings (if you are sharing the Internet from it).
• In Windows, use the command arp -a (will show only active hosts).

However, these methods will not give a complete picture, as the router's web interface does.

Why do unknown devices appear in the connection list?

Possible reasons:

• Smart devices (lamps, sockets, speakers) that you forgot.
• Guests you have temporarily granted access to.
• Hacking the network (if the password is weak or the router is vulnerable).
• Random connections due to enabled feature WPS (turn it off!).

First check the MAC addresses via MAC Vendors, then block unknown ones.

How to limit the number of Wi-Fi connections?

Methods:

1. Find it in your router settings Maximum Clients or DHCP Leases and set a limit (for example, 10 devices).
2. Turn on MAC Filtering and allow connections only to trusted devices.
3. Create a separate guest network with speed limitation.

On some routers (for example, ASUS) there is a function AiProtection, which automatically blocks suspicious connections.

Is it possible to see the history of Wi-Fi connections?

It depends on the router model:

• Keenetic And ASUS Store connection history for 30 days.
• TP-Link And D-Link Usually only current connections are shown.
• Third-party firmware (DD-WRT, OpenWRT) allow you to keep connection logs.

For long-term monitoring, set up log sending to email or the cloud.

What should I do if my router doesn't show a list of connections?

Possible solutions:

1. Update your router firmware to the latest version.
2. Check if it is enabled DHCP server in the settings.
3. Use third-party utilities (Fing, nmap).
4. Reset the router to factory settings (if the interface is glitchy).

If the problem persists, the router may be faulty or its firmware may be corrupted.